Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

English Writing, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Professional Writing

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Production of Problem Solving Documents: Produce documents that solve problems relevant to professional and organizational contexts.
  • Document Adaptation: Adapt documents to different rhetorical contexts.
  • Evaluation of Rhetorical Values: Evaluate the rhetorical values of technical writing using the theory and scholarship of technical and professional communication. 
  • Application of Technical Editing Principles: Apply principles of technical editing for document development, publication, and use.

Universal Program Outcomes

  • Research Tools and Resources: Use the research tools and resources of the profession, integrate them effectively into interpretive arguments, and properly document sources according to professional standards.
  • Knowledge of Technology: Display knowledge of technologies that support both written and oral communication.
  • Degree Program Writing Competency - Understanding of the Writing Process : Understand the writing process to communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences.

RELATED LINKS

English Writing - Professional Writing, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements45
Electives33

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major/Concentration Requirements

  • 23 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 23 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • Fifteen credits are required outside the English department from one department or a minor or certificate or a major in a subject other than English – Refer to My Rock Audit
Required Concentration Courses
ENGL 204Composition and Rhetoric 13
ENGL 205Introduction to Professional Writing 13
ENGL 225Introduction to Creative Writing 13
ENGL 327Healthcare Writing 13
ENGL 330Literary Publications & Design 13
ENGL 334Writing Community Stories3
ENGL 335Writing for Video Games3
ENGL 365Writing for the World Wide Web 13
ENGL 429Grant and Proposal Writing3
Subtotal27
Required Internship
ENGL 450Internship 13
Subtotal3
Required Language and Literature Course
ENGL 403Literary and Cultural Theory 13
Subtotal3
Required Language and Literature Courses
Select two of the following:6
Introduction to Shakespeare 1
Stratford Shakespeare Tour
African-American Literature 1
Literature of the Women's Movement 1
Native American Literature 1
U.S. Latino/a Literatures 1
Asian Literature 1
Selected Topics 1
Chaucer and Medieval Culture 1
British Literature I 1
British Literature II 1
American Literature I 1
American Literature II 1
World Literature 1
Literature of the Environment
Subtotal6
Required Language and Literature Courses
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Linguistics and Grammar 1
Historical Development of the English Language 1
Modern English Grammar and Syntax 1
Subtotal3
Required Capstone Experience (only offered in Spring)
ENGL 409Professional English3
Subtotal3
Total Hours45
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

May be taken twice as different topics.

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs (short-term) locations such as Italy, London and Canada
  2. Student-faculty research
  3. Career education and development
  4. Internships
  5. Community services experience through the national Writing in Schools program
  6. Volunteer experience in literary magazine production

ENGLISH WRITING - BS (5120)
Concentration in Professional (PROF)
This program is effective as of Summer 2021
Revised 03.05.2021
UCC: 09.01.2020

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours16
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
ENGL 204 Composition and Rhetoric 3
ENGL 225 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
ENGL 205 Introduction to Professional Writing 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Select one of the following: 3
Literature of the Women's Movement
Native American Literature
U.S. Latino/a Literatures
Selected Topics
Course in other department/minor
Social Science Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 8
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 230 Introduction to Linguistics and Grammar 2 3
Select one of the following: 3
African-American Literature
Asian Literature 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
ENGL 334 Writing Community Stories 3
Select one of the following: 3
Selected Topics
Chaucer and Medieval Culture
British Literature I
American Literature I
World Literature
Select one of the following: 3
Historical Development of the English Language 4
Course in other department/minor
ENGL 365 Writing for the World Wide Web 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 335 Writing for Video Games 3
Select one of the following: 3
Selected Topics
Introduction to Shakespeare
British Literature II
American Literature II 5
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Linguistics and Grammar
Modern English Grammar and Syntax 6
Course in other department/minor
ENGL 327
Healthcare Writing
or Grant and Proposal Writing
3
ENGL 330 Literary Publications & Design (every other spring) 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
ENGL 409 Professional English 3
Select one of the following: 3
Literary and Cultural Theory
ENGL Elective 7
ENGL 450 Internship 3
Course in other department/minor 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 327
Healthcare Writing
or Grant and Proposal Writing
3
Select one of the following: 3
Literary and Cultural Theory
ENGL Elective Course 8
ENGL 450 Internship 3
ENGL 330 Literary Publications & Design (every other spring) 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

If not taking ENGL 331 or ENGL 332

3

If not taking ENGL 243, ENGL 244, ENGL 246, or ENGL 298 in semester 3.

4

If not taking ENGL 230 or ENGL 332.

5

If not taking ENGL 298, ENGL 311, ENGL 317, ENGL 319, or ENGL 402 in semester 5

6

If not taking ENGL 331.

7

ENGL 243, ENGL 248, ENGL 298

8

ENGL 328, ENGL 410

9

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5120
Concentration Code: PROF
Revised date: 08.03.2021