Professional Writing (B.A.)

Location(s): Campus

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Major Courses

ART 205 - Foundations of Photography Credit Hours: 3 (see General Education below) π
COM 100 - Introduction to Communication Credit Hours: 3
COM 110 - Communication Technology Credit Hours: 3
COM 212 - Rhetoric Credit Hours: 3 (see General Education below) ^*π
COM 214 - Communication Theory Credit Hours: 2
COM 317 - Digital Influence Credit Hours: 1 (may repeat once)
COM 324 - Web Content and Management Credit Hours: 3
COM 354 - Applied Social Media Credit Hours: 3
COM 399 - Communications Portfolio Credit Hours: 1
COM 415 - Design Thinking Credit Hours: 3 *
COM 450 - Internship Credit Hours: 1-4 (1 credit hour required)
COM 480 - Senior Seminar Credit Hours: 1 *
WRT 216 - Writing for the Media Credit Hours: 3
WRT 310 - Multimedia Reporting Credit Hours: 3
WRT 316 - Copy Editing Credit Hours: 3
Choose one of the following
WRT 373 - Feature Writing Credit Hours: 3 *
VID 314 - Script Writing Credit Hours: 3 *

Professional Writing Major Credit Hours 39

General Education

Community of Learners Core Courses

COR 100 - Life In Community Credit Hours: 2 +
COR 200 - Christ, Culture, and Diversity Credit Hours: 2 +
COR 374 - Preparing for Cross Cultural Studies Credit Hours: 1 +
COR 375 - Cross Cultural Studies Credit Hours: 3 +
COR 300 - Christian Faith and Community Credit Hours: 2
COR 400 - Christian Life and Vocation Credit Hours: 2

Biblical Studies Courses

BIB 217 - Survey of the Old Testament Credit Hours: 3 +
BIB 218 - Survey of the New Testament Credit Hours: 3 +

Liberal Arts Skills Courses

ENG 104 - College Writing Credit Hours: 3 ^*
ENG 304 - Writing and Research Credit Hours: 3 ^*#
HPR 101 - Personal Fitness and Wellness Credit Hours: 2
COM 212 - Rhetoric (Speech requirement. See Major requirements above.)

Liberal Arts Pathways Courses

Art Pathway - ART 205 - Foundations of Photography (see Major requirements above)
History Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 3 Credit Hours
Literature Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 3 Credit Hours
Mathematics Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 3 Credit Hours
Music Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 2 Credit Hours
Philosophy Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 3 Credit Hours
Science with Lab Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 4 Credit Hours
Social Science Pathway - See General Education Requirements - Main Campus 3 Credit Hours

General Education Credit Hours 47

Elective Credit Hours 34

B.A. in Professional Writing Total Credit Hours 120

Symbol Key

^ Grade of “C” or better required.
* This course has a prerequisite.
# Possible waiver by exam.
π A major course that meets General Education requirements.
+ Possible waiver with a specified number of transfer credits upon first-time admission.

Professional Writing Learning Outcomes

Students will write and edit in multiple professional contexts including print, web, and social media. This broad-based program includes traditional journalism, writing and editing scripts, marketing copy, and writing for the web and news and feature articles. Students will be equipped with a hands-on approach for rapidly changing professional opportunities that rely on storytelling and information gathering techniques.

Technology Requirements

Students in this major are encouraged to consider purchasing a current Macbook Air or Macbook Pro capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud software. Check the specs here: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/creative-cloud-desktop-app-system-requirements.html Students in this major, will have free access to Macs/software in the Mac lab located in the Art building.

COM 212 Rhetoric Requirement for Transfer Students

Students who transfer to SAU or who transfer from a different major at SAU to the professional writing major and have previously taken a public speaking course may fulfill the COM 212 - Rhetoric requirement with the public speaking course and by taking the 1 credit hour COM 232 - Readings in Rhetoric course.

Program Progress Check

Student progress will be assessed by the department at the freshman and sophomore levels (first year for transfer students). Students must have a cumulative 2.5 GPA and pass the progress check to continue in the program.

Study Abroad

Students may substitute coursework from certain off-campus semester or semester abroad programs. Admission to these programs may require applications. Students should consult their academic advisor before proceeding with the application process and to determine which requirements can be satisfied through these programs.

Complementary Programs

Students in the professional writing major are encouraged to select a complementary minor and/or endorsements that will enhance their preparation for future careers.

Extracurricular Opportunities

Students will have opportunities to create content for student media including The Arbor, Almost Chapel, and the Will Shoot for Credit short film screening. Students may also have opportunities to produce video, audio and graphic content for clients, chapel, and to promote department and campus events.

Program Oversight

The professional writing major is overseen by the Department of Communication. Courses with APR, COM, SPE, and WRT numbers are administered by this department. Questions about the major should be directed to the department chair.