Professional Writing and Rhetoric

Professional Writing and Rhetoric

Writing and rhetoric programs at the University of Southern Indiana are designed to develop skills valued by professions such as marketing, business, law, technical writing, education, health care or publishing. A blend of marketplace-oriented writing courses in technical writing, grant writing and web authoring offer real-world writing experience, often through service learning projects for regional community partners, while foundational courses in rhetorical and composition theory prepare students to teach writing or to pursue graduate study in rhetoric and composition.

Professional writing and rhetoric courses complement degrees in education, business, science, healthcare, engineering and social services, as well as all other fields where creativity, critical thinking and clear communication skills are prized.

Each writing and rhetoric student is encouraged to consult with faculty advisors to design a flexible program of study that best fits her or his career goals. Writing and rhetoric faculty work with students to find local internships, complete individual research projects and create professional writing portfolios for the modern workplace. 

Writing and Rhetoric Programs

The English department offers a major in English with an emphasis in professional writing and rhetoric, as well as a minor in rhetoric and writing and a certificate in writing.

The major in English with a professional writing and rhetoric emphasis culminates in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 12 semester hours in the same foreign language or demonstration of proficiency at that level of study. In lieu of the language proficiency, Bachelor of Science students will complete the following requirements as part of Core 39: two natural science courses; one social science course; and a world languages and culture course. Please see the Core 39 website for more details.