Professional and Technical Writing Minor
The Professional and Technical Writing Minor (PTW) is a six-course (18-credit hour) program of study that can be combined with any undergraduate major. We prepare you for careers in writing and editing in business, industry, government, publishing, and technical settings. We also prepare you for graduate studies in writing, rhetoric, professional communication, and law. The minor complements other majors by enhancing your ability to communicate professionally.
Why Minor in Professional and Technical Writing?
- Prepare for an exciting career in professional writing
- Enhance your career preparation in any discipline
- Learn how to use technology to communicate effectively
- Add a highly relevant internship to your resume
- Get a taste of real-world communication while you gain college credit
Gain Real-World Experience
The PTW minor also provides you with unique opportunities for real-world experience in writing in the workplace. Our program requires a writing-intensive internship. You also have the opportunity to participate in community and university partnerships through service-oriented courses in workplace writing.
Our Curriculum
Like most minors at West Chester, the PTW minor requires you to take six courses, or 18 credits, to complete the program. You will take two required professional writing courses (WRH 225 and either ENG 368 or ENG 371) and choose three electives from our selection of approved courses. A required three-credit supervised writing internship (ENG 395), available in nonprofit or business organizations or on-campus offices, completes the minor. View our updated PTW Minor advising sheet.
To declare the PTW Minor, you must have completed a 200-level WRT course.
Our Courses
Our required introductory course, WRH 225 (Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing), is offered once a year (usually in the spring semester). We offer ENG 368 (Business and Organizational Writing) and ENG 371 (Technical Writing) every semester.
Elective course offerings vary by semester and include topics such as document design, editing, client-based writing, and more. We also offer occasional special topics courses focused on current issues in professional and technical writing. You should consult with your assigned minor advisor when you choose your elective courses. View the complete list of required and elective courses for the PTW Minor.
The Internship
We strongly recommend that you plan to take the internship in your final semester of the minor. Planning for the internship (ENG 395) should begin during the semester before you intend to schedule your internship, and you should consult with your assigned minor advisor throughout the process.
Program Coordinators
Kristin Kondrlik
Main Hall 508
KKondrlik@wcupa.edu
Kyle P. Vealey
Main Hall 530
KVealey@wcupa.edu
Affiliated Faculty
News and Updates
Declare the Minor
Interested in declaring the Professional and Technical Writing Minor? Visit the WCU Registrar's Registration page for instructions on how to submit an Academic Plan Change Request in myWCU.