Professional Writing, Minor College of Letters & Science

Faculty

The minor in Professional Writing, housed in the University Writing Program (UWP), offers students advanced instruction in how to write, design, and edit effectively in multiple forms—including print, mixed media, and a variety of professional genres—for specific purposes, contexts, and audiences. Students also learn how to analyze writing and writing contexts using appropriate theories and research methodologies. Through an internship requirement, the minor additionally provides students opportunities to gain experience working as writers in organizational settings.

The Professional Writing minor serves two groups of students: those who are planning careers as writers or editors (e.g., journalists, medical writers, content developers) and those whose academic and professional careers will demand advanced writing and editing skills. 

Courses in the minor teach students about the various forms of writing they are likely to encounter, provide opportunities to experiment with their writing processes, and teach techniques for modifying their writing styles for different audiences and formats.

To complete the minor, students take 16 units of upper division coursework focused on writing in academic settings; writing in the professions; and language and/or communication examined through the lens of history, theory, or design. Students also take 4 units of UWP 192. 

The Advising Team for the minor in Professional Writing is available to meet with students and respond to student questions regarding requirements for the minor, including the internship requirement. 

Students can learn more about the minor at Professional Writing Minor.

The professional writing minor consists of 20 units of course work. Of these, 12 must be UWP courses. Students complete 8 units from Group A and/or B, 4 units from Group C, and 4 units from Group A, B, or C, accounting for 16 units. Students complete 4 additional units from Group D.
Choose two courses from Group A and/or B:8
Group A: Writing in Academic Settings
Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Writing in the Disciplines: Special Topics
Writing in the Disciplines: Biology
Writing in the Disciplines: History
Writing in the Disciplines: International Relations
Writing in the Disciplines: Engineering
Writing in the Disciplines: Food Science & Technology
Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing
Writing in the Disciplines: Human Development & Psychology
Writing in the Disciplines: Ethnic Studies
Writing in the Disciplines: Fine Arts
Writing in the Disciplines: Sociology
Writing in the Disciplines: Film Studies
Writing in the Disciplines: Community & Regional Development
Group B: Writing in the Professions
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Law
Writing in the Professions: Journalism
Writing in the Professions: Elementary & Secondary Education
Writing in the Professions: Science
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Internships
Writing in the Professions: Writing for Social Justice
Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing
Specialized Genres in Professional Writing
Specialized Topics in Journalism
Specialized Topics in Journalism: Investigative Journalism
Specialized Topics in Journalism: Science Journalism
Introduction to Professional Editing
Choose one course from Group C:4
Group C: Theory, History, & Design
Language & Culture
Origins of Rhetoric
Communication Theories
Communication Theories
Communication Theories
Theories of Persuasion
Intercultural Communication
Strategic Communication in Public Relations
Organizational Communication
Organizational Communication
Persuasive Technologies
History of Visual Communication
Information Design: Principles & Practice
History of the English Language
English Grammar
Writing Science
Introduction to Historical Thought & Writing
Linguistic Analysis II: Morphology, Syntax, Semantics
English Grammar
Semantics
Philosophy of Language: Theory of Reference
Philosophy of Language: Truth & Meaning
Philosophy of Language: Semantics & Pragmatics
Visualization in Science: A Critical Introduction
History of Communication Technologies
Writing Science
Genre Theory & Professional Writing
English Grammar
Writing Center Research, Theory, & Practice for Peer Writing Tutors
Rhetorical Approaches to Scientific & Technological Issues
History of Scientific Writing
Choose one additional course from Groups A, B, or C:4
Complete UWP 192: Internship in Writing from Group D:4
GROUP D: Internship in Writing (no more than 4 units will count toward the minor)
Internship in Writing
Total Units20