Minor in Professional and Technical Writing
Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Banner Code: LA-MINOR-LA-PTW
This minor provides students with opportunities to learn and apply advanced strategies for writing academic, professional, and civic documents. Students examine the theoretical, interdisciplinary, and professional aspects of writing and develop their expository, persuasive, organizational, and stylistic skills through close analysis of rhetorical situations and the features and approaches of successful writing. The strong communication and analytical skills developed while earning this minor contribute to student success in a wide variety of professional careers as well as graduate education.
The minor is a valuable asset for students interested in working in media organizations, trade and professional associations, and non-profit organizations related to the arts, schools, and social change. It is also beneficial to students interested in careers in business, science, engineering, accounting, and many others that demand strong writing and communication skills for promotion and advancement.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
(Formerly: PW)
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 15
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 388 | Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Capstone Experience
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Technical Writing | ||
| Internship (with permission of minor coordinator) | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students must take 3 electives: either 3 ENGH courses, or 2 ENGH courses and 1 elective from outside the department. | 9 | |
| English Courses | ||
| Web Authoring and Design | ||
| Rhetoric and New Media | ||
| Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric | ||
| Rhetoric of the Essay | ||
| Editing for Audience, Style, and Voice | ||
| Forms of Nonfiction | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Technical Editing | ||
| RS: Writing Ethnography (Mason Core) | ||
| Document Design | ||
| RS: Writing Nonfiction for the Public (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Writing and Rhetoric | ||
| Proposal Writing and Development | ||
| Interdisciplinary Courses | ||
| Writing for Artists (Mason Core) | ||
| Writing for Designers (Mason Core) | ||
| Writing across the Media | ||
| Digital Innovations in Professional Communication (Mason Core) | ||
| Interpersonal Skills for Career Development | ||
| Digital Communication | ||
| Professional Preparation for STEM Disciplines | ||
| Psychology of Communication (Mason Core) | ||
| Community Engagement for Social Change (Mason Core) | ||
| RS: Story Design for Computer Games (Mason Core) | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |