Program Coordinator/Contact
Jason McEntee, Department Head
Department of English and Interdisciplinary Studies
Pugsley Hall 301, Box 2218
605-688-5191
Program Information
The Professional Writing minor will prepare students from all disciplines to write persuasively, clearly, and effectively in professional settings, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the State and region. English majors who have professional writing backgrounds find careers as editors, publishers, copywriters, website designers, writers and free-lance writers, and grant writers in business, government, academia, and the non-profit sector. Non-English majors may also elect to complete the proposed minor in Professional Writing. Combining the Professional Writing minor with majors in areas such as Biology, Chemistry or Plant Science will provide more intense writing skill development for students. This combination will make them more marketable for positions in their specific discipline which require higher level writing skills.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Learn research methods (library and Internet searches, qualitative and ethnographic methods).
- Learn the components of audience, rhetorical, contextual, and ethical analysis.
- Plan and manage projects.
- Collaborate with peers and clients on projects.
- Effectively and persuasively present their ideas in oral and written presentations.
- Utilize appropriate technology in completing projects and presenting them to an audience (software, hardware, multimedia).
- Demonstrate an understanding of document and web-site design.
- Edit and design documents for various audiences and purposes.
Academic Requirements
To count toward the minor, courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.”
Course Delivery Format
The interdisciplinary nature ensures that students will develop expertise in writing, grammar, linguistics, editing, digital media, computer graphics, visual rhetoric, and desk-top publishing in standard and smart classrooms, computer labs, and field-based settings. Students will also be strongly encouraged to undertake an internship to gain expertise in “real world” professional writing. The internship should focus on professional writing and be in addition to an internship required by programs to develop specific job-related skills.
