Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Professional Writing, B.A.


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A major in Professional Writing combines the broad-based liberal arts education offered by all programs in the English and Humanities Department with the practical skills and career opportunities that can lead to a fulfilling and successful future. The major in Professional Writing is excellent preparation for students interested in work as writers, editors, and digital communicators. Graduates have obtained positions in publishing, technical writing, public relations, information technology, teaching, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), corporate communications, non-profit and social-service organizations, health care, the arts, and many related fields. This major is also among the most valued courses of study for those interested in post-graduate education in law, English or rhetoric, or technical writing. When combined with the Department’s Creative Writing minor, the major can also be useful for those who are interested in writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, or drama.

The major provides students with guided experience in a wide range of writing situations and stylistic options. Students with this major will benefit from:

  • Marketable communication skills such as editing, digital communication including web page design, writing for social media, and collaborative writing
  • Real-world learning through internship experiences in professional writing
  • Numerous courses in varied genres of creative writing
  • An electronic portfolio of written work that can be used in your search for work as a professional writer or as a venue for publishing creative writing or obtaining a literary agent
  • Background in the history and theory of language usage

Requirements for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Professional Writing must complete a minimum of 120 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete a First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundation Requirements


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirements


Constellation Requirements


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirement. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation except for Education majors.

Writing Electives


Students must complete six credits of Writing Elective courses (WRT).

English and Humanities Electives


Students must complete twelve credits of English and Humanities Electives at the 200 level or higher and six of the credits must be LIT courses. Also, one elective must be at the 300-level or above.

Foreign Language Requirement (6 credits)


Students must complete two semesters of the same foreign language.

Minor or Track Requirement (12 - 18 credits)


Students are required to complete a minor in a field related to their career interests or a Professional Writing Track.  Most minors require 15 to 18 credits and the tracks require 12 credits. Students should work closely with their Academic Advisor in choosing and fulfilling this requirement. *See note below.

Technical Communication Track


Rhetoric Track


Creative Writing - Fiction Track


Creative Writing - Poetry Track


Elective Courses (12 - 18 credits)


Students must complete twelve to eighteen credits of elective courses depending upon the number of credits needed to complete a minor. *See note below.

 

*The total combined amount of credits in the Minor or Track Requirement and Elective courses MUST total 30 credits.

Suggested Course Sequence:


Freshman Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • 3 credit hours
  • Foundations - American Citizenship course 3 credit hours
  • Foundations - Quantitative Fluency course 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary  Perspectives - Arts course 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary Perspectives - Social/Behavioral Sciences course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours

Sophomore Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • Foundations - Advanced Communication course 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary Perspectives - Humanities course 3 credit hours
  • Disciplinary Perspectives - Natural/Physical Sciences course 3 credit hours
  • Foreign Language course 3 credit hours
  • Foreign Language course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Writing Elective course 3 credit hours
  • English/Humanities Elective course 3 credit hours

Junior Year (30 credits)


Senior Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Writing Elective course 3 credit hours
  • English/Humanities Elective course 3 credit hours
  • English/Humanities Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Minor or Track course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours

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