PROFESSIONAL WRITING
Writing to be Understood
The Concentration in Professional Writing focuses on academic and other forms of expository writing with a foundational course in Professional Writing, along with Technical Writing, Digital Writing, and Nonfiction. Creative writing courses may also be applied to the concentration. Students also get a thorough grounding in textual interpretation and analysis in their core English classes and literature electives. This is an excellent concentration for those who want to go on in technical writing or other writing-related fields.
Professional Writing for non-majors: English Minor
Eight Semester Degree Plan
Semester 1
| UN 101 | 1 |
| Gen Ed: EN 101 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: World Civ I or US History I | 3 |
| Gen Ed: COM 101 | 3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin I | 4 |
| TOTAL | 17 |
Semester 2
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (PHL) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: EN 102 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: MA 113 (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Fine Arts | 3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin II | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 3
| Gen Ed: Lit Survey* EN 201, 202 203, 204, 231, or 232 |
3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin III | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Natural Science I (w/ lab) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Social Sciences: WS, PSY, etc. | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 4
| Gen Ed: Lit Survey* EN 201, 202 203, 204, or 231, 232 |
3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin IV | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Natural Science II (w/ lab) | 4 |
| EN 312 | 3 |
| Literature Requirement⁑ | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 5
| Early Lit Requirement† | 3 |
| Literature Requirement, 300-level⁑ | 3 |
| Professional Writing Requirement⁂ | 3 |
| Diversity Requirement‡ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 6
| Literature Requirement, 400-level⁑ | 3 |
| Language or Theory Requirement° | 3 |
| Professional Writing Requirement⁂ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 7
| EN 499 English Capstone | 3 |
| Professional Writing Requirement⁂ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 8
| EN 419 Senior Portfolio | 1 |
| General Electives | 13 |
| TOTAL | 14 |
English BA, Professional Writing Concentration Curriculum
This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.
General Education Curriculum
In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Literacy
- Quantitative & Technology Skills
- Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
- Life-Long Learning
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must include the following courses (or demonstrate equivalent competency) in their academic program:
- Foreign Language 101-102 8 semester hours
- Foreign Language 201-202 6 semester hours
To fulfill the language requirement for the B.A., students must complete the 202 level or above in a foreign language. For information on foreign language placement, see the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy section in the Bulletin. If, upon entering the University, a student already has sufficient background to be successful in 201-202, he/she does not need to enroll in 101-102. The requirement is in essence six hours credit at the 200-level or above.
*Select any two literature survey courses:
- EN 201 - Survey of Early English Literature
- EN 202 - Survey of Late English Literature
- EN 203 - Survey of Early American Literature
- EN 204 - Survey of Late American Literature
- EN 231 - Survey of Early World Literature
- EN 232 - Survey of Late World Literature
†Select one of the following Early Literature courses: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 303 Early Shakespeare
- EN 304 Late Shakespeare
- EN 334 Greek and Roman
- EN 355 Bible as Literature
- EN 375 Women in Medieval
- EN 444 Earliest English Lit
- EN 445 Chaucer & Medieval
- EN 453 Eliz. & Jac. Drama
- EN 455 Early Modern Poetry
‡Select one of the following Diversity courses:
- EN 260 LGBTQ+ Lit
- EN 360 African-Amer. Lit
- EN 363 Black Women Writers
- EN 370 Ethnic Amer. Lits
- EN 380 Native American
- EN 433 Lit in Postcolonial World
°Select one of the following Language or Theory courses: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 302 - History and Structure of the English Language
- EN 305 - Advanced Grammar
- EN 480 - Literary Theory
- EN 300 – Professional Writing
⁂Select three Professional Writing courses: (9 Semester Hours) At least one of which must be at the 400 level
- EN 311 Nonfiction Writing
- EN 312 Creative Writing
- EN 313 Digital Writing
- EN 317 Technical Writing
⁑Select three English, American, or World Literature electives: (9 Semester Hours)
EN 419 Senior Portfolio (1 semester hour)
EN 499 English Capstone
Note: Each course may count for only one requirement within the major, but literature surveys may count for both General Education requirements and major requirements. Of all major courses, at least one must be 300- or 400-level literature courses and one additional course must be a 400-level literature course.
Total Hours Required for a BA in English - Professional Writing: 124 Semester Hours