2022-23 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2022-23 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Professional Writing [PWRT]


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Professional Writing offers a well-rounded, liberal arts education with courses in creative writing, editing, technical writing, business writing and writing with new media. For more information please visit the website at cortland.edu/profwriting/ or the English Department .

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate rhetorical awareness of genre, audience, purpose, and context.
  2. Structure and focus writing based on feedback and visibility of their work in online environments, publishing, workshops, or other venues inside or outside of the classroom.
  3. Evaluate and design documents and pieces for a specific audience and context.
  4. Create an original combination of content, design, and genre.

Program Standard Grade Point Average 

The major GPA is calculated by all courses identified in the college catalog as required for the major. In addition, this program has an established program standard GPA which may be used to determine progress in the program.

  •  Program Standard GPA
    • Minimum GPA of 2.0 in PWR courses
  • Professional Writing Major Requirements
    • 34 credits in PWR courses

Professional Writing Courses: 37 credit hours


B. PWR Elective Courses: 18 credit hours


At least 18 additional credit hours of elective PWR courses. At least 6 credits must be at the 400 level. No more than 6 credits below the 300 level.

C. ENG elective: 3 credit hours


One 300-level or 400-level ENG course.

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120


Example of the B.A. in Professional Writing over Four Years


 Link to General Education (GE); Link to Foreign Language 

First Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 16


First Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Second Year Fall


  • (3 cr. hr.)
  • PWR elective (3 cr. hr.)
    Foreign language (3 cr. hr.)
    GE course (4 cr. hr.)
    GE 7 course (3 cr. hr.) (recommend ENG 200-level)

Total credit hours for semester: 16


Second Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Third Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Third Year Spring


PWR 400 level elective (3cr. hr.)
ENG 300 or 400 level elective (3cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
Minor/elective (3 cr. hr.)
Minor/elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15


Fourth Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Fourth Year Spring


PWR elective (3 cr. hr.)
​Minor/elective (3 cr. hr.)
Minor/elective (3 cr. hr.)
Minor/elective (3 cr. hr.)
Minor/elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 12


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