Professional Writing, B.A.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course Requirements

Core Curriculum
Core I Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Critical Thinking Course3
Core II
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 121 Bison image  Cap graduation image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Core II Natural/Physical Science4
Core II Humanities3
Texting the World(CT) (recommended)
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
ENG Writing Intensive3
ENG Writing Intensive3
Multicultural or International3
ENG 499 Bison image Senior Capstone (not offered in summer)3
College-Specific
Foreign Language 1013
Foreign Language 1023
Foreign Language 2033
Foreign Language 2043
COLA Humanities3
COLA Literature3
COLA Literature3
COLA Social Science3
COLA Social Science3
COLA Social Science3
COLA Natural/Physical Science4
COLA International3
COLA Multicultural3
Major-Specific
ENG 350 Cap graduation image Intro to Textual Analysis (must be taken within the first 9 hours of coursework within the major)3
ENG 439Professional Writing Theory3
ENG 499 Bison image Senior Capstone (not offered in summer)3
Required Introductory Course
ENG 314Intro to Professional Writing3
Professionalization Courses
Select two of the following:
Writing, Editing & Doc Design
Writing in the Digital World
Writing for Non-Profits
Specialist Courses
Select three of the following:
Writing for the Workplace
Intro Digital Literary Studies
Scientific & Tech Writing
Visual Rhetoric
Structures of English Language
Internship
English Electives9
Select any 200-, 300-, or 400-level ENG classes

Major Information

  • The total number of free electives will depend on the amount of double and triple counting of requirements. Core II and COLA requirements may not be double counted.
  • See course attributes each semester for courses that meet multiple requirements.
  • Questions about requirements should be directed to your English Department advisor (304-696-6600) or to the College of Liberal Arts (304-696-2350).
  • Forty-eight credit hours (sixteen 3-hour courses) must be at the 300/400 level.
  • Students must earn a C or better in ENG 201 Advanced Composition, all ENG courses for the major, and all foreign language courses.
  • Minimum of 120 hours to graduate.
  • English majors will fulfill the university’s requirements for WI classes by taking the ENG classes required for the major.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Semester Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
Core II Social Science 3
COLA Social Science 3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
Core II Humanities (ENG 200 recommended) 3
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition 3
Core I Critical Thinking 3
MTH 121 Bison image  Cap graduation image Concepts and Applications (CT) 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Year
First Semester
ENG 350 Cap graduation image Intro to Textual Analysis 3
Core II Physical and Natural Science 4
Foreign Language 101 3
ENG 314 Intro to Professional Writing 3
Multicultural or International 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENG Professionalization Course 1 3
COLA Social Science 3
COLA International 3
Foreign Language 102 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
First Semester
ENG Specialist Course 1 3
ENG Professionalization Course 2 3
ENG Elective 3
Foreign Language 203 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ENG Specialist Course 2 3
ENG 439 Professional Writing Theory 3
COLA Physical or Natural Science 4
COLA Social Science 3
Foreign Language 204 3
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Year
First Semester
ENG Elective 3
COLA Multicultural 3
ENG 490 Internship 3
COLA Humanities 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
ENG 499 Bison image Senior Capstone 3
ENG Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours120