Majors in professional writing explore all facets of the development and production of professional written materials, including identification of subject matter, consideration of audience and format, selection of effective research methods, and approaches to drafting and revision. Students learn to write in a variety of genres for creative, academic, and professional contexts. Students also study literature and theory to expand their knowledge of reading, interpretation, and critical thinking and analysis. Student have the opportunity to gain an understanding of workplace structures and processes that support production of written and multimedia materials, and have opportunities to develop related skills through coordinated work in other departments.
Baccalaureate Degree and Residency Requirements
All requirements for an undergraduate degree are listed under academic policies and regulations in the introductory section for undergraduate programs in this catalog. These requirements include a graduation requirement of at least one course in religion or theology.
Major Approval
Major approval is required during the second semester of the sophomore year, or after the completion of 45 credit hours at Fontbonne. For transfer students, major approval is required after completing the equivalent of one full semester (a minimum of 12 credits) at Fontbonne.
To receive approval for a major in professional writing, a student must have a 2.5 GPA in courses taken at Fontbonne to meet major requirements both 1) at the time of application for major approval and 2) through degree completion. Students must complete 15 credit hours of coursework in the major before applying for major approval; for transfer students, at least nine of these credit hours must be taken at Fontbonne.
General Education Requirements
The 42 credit hours of general education requirements are presented in the undergraduate academic information section in this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement for the major or a course requirement in another discipline.
A student majoring in professional writing who completes the literature general education pillar should take a course at the 200 level or above. A student majoring in professional writing must also earn a minimum grade of C- in ENG 101 - Composition I and ENG 102 - Composition II .
