Home > Undergraduate Programs > Professional Writing (B.A.)

Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing
(non-comprehensive)

This page describes the requirements for completing the B.A. in Professional Writing according to the 2007–2008 Undergraduate Catalog. You should always check the catalog and your degree audit to confirm your specific requirements. If you have any questions, schedule an appointment with your advisor.

Mission

Students in the professional writing program at Missouri State are prepared for careers in writing, editing, producing publications, and managing projects. Students develop superior writing skills and related problem-solving abilities as well as up-to-date computer skills. This program consists of practical courses, expert faculty, modern computer resources, and extracurricular activities in the professional writing field. Professionals in this field write anything from ads and brochures to manuals and proposals. Career opportunities for professional writers and editors are plentiful in business, industry, government, education, the military, and all other professions, including medicine and law.

Program Admission

Students must have a combined GPA (Missouri State and transfer) of 2.50 or higher or a GPA of 2.75 or higher for the most recent 30 hours of course work to be admitted to the degree program.

Major Requirements (36 hours)

All students in the B.A. in Professional Writing program must complete the following required courses:

ENG 321: Writing II: Beginning Technical Writing 3 hrs.
ENG 373: Writing with Technology 3 hrs.
ENG 377: Scientific and Technical Editing 3 hrs.
ENG 421: Advanced Technical Writing 3 hrs.
ENG 487: Analysis of Scientific Literature 3 hrs.
ENG 500: Advanced Writing: Non-Fiction 3 hrs.
ENG 574: Technical Writing Internship 3 hrs.
One course from:
ENG 235: Critical Approaches to Literature
ENG 390: Modern English Grammar
ENG 491: History of the English Language		 3 hrs.

One course from:
ENG 312: Introduction to Shakespeare
ENG 340: Survey of English Literature I
ENG 341: Survey of English Literature II
ENG 350: Survey of American Literature I
ENG 351: Survey of American Literature II

 3 hrs.

Three courses from:
ENG 422: Career Focus in Professional Writing
ENG 473: Writing with Technology II
ENG 570: Writing in the Health Professions
ENG 575: Topics in Professional Writing
Or approved upper-division cognate courses

 9 hrs.
Total 36 hrs.

For course descriptions, see the Course Catalog.

Additional Requirements