Program Information

15 credits

The minor in Professional Writing is designed for those students who wish to pursue an emphasis in professional writing to complement a major in another area.  Students who pursue this course of study will have the opportunity to develop their writing abilities across a range of genres, including business and technical writing, journalism, broadcast writing, sports writing, and creative writing.  Students will draft a range of different writing projects for professional situations, all designed to help them adapt to the writing needs of various communities they encounter upon graduation, and to help them be better leaders in service to humanity.

To view a minor program sequence to assist with course planning, click here.

Contact Information

For more information about the Professional Writing minor, contact Professor Paul Thifault, chairperson of the Literature, Writing and Journalism Department, at (413) 748-3260.

Required Courses: (6 credits)

• ENGL 301 - Advanced Composition Credits: 3
• ENGL 305 - Writing for the Professions Credits: 3

Choose three of the following: (9 credits)

• COMM 120 - Introduction to Journalism Credits: 3
• COMM 130 - Broadcast Writing Credits: 3
• COMM 134 - Introduction to Communication Credits: 3
• COMM 212 - Sports Writing Credits: 3
• COMM 239 - Introduction to Public Relations Credits: 3
• ENGL 220 - Grammar and Usage Credits: 3
• ENGL 308 - Writing and Reading Creative Non-Fiction Credits: 3
• ENGL 377 - The History of the English Language Credits: 3

• Note: a total of three credits toward the minor requirement may be taken in any combination of 

  ENGL 235 ENGL 235 - English Internship  

  and/or

  COMM 234 COMM 234 - Student Newspaper Practicum