Academics

Professional Writing Concentration

OVERVIEW

Students with an interest in professional writing can take courses in journalism, creative writing, and technical writing – among many others – that will prepare them for the job market and expand their creativity. All English majors interested in writing may submit independent work to the department’s literary journal, Rt. 2, or to the campus newspaper, The Point. Students can also join an on-going peer writing group or work with a faculty member on a unique writing project. Members of the English Club can help put on a poetry slam, get together to see a play in Boston or Worcester, help someone learn to read, or start up a new publication.

During the senior year, students are encouraged to participate in a professional writing internship that can enhance job prospects upon graduation.
Because the abilities and knowledge gained as an English major have such broad applications, career choices after graduation are almost unlimited. English majors at Fitchburg State University have continued their studies in graduate programs in literature, education, creative writing, library science, and counseling, and several have been accepted to law school programs.

The Curriculum

42 credit hours: 21 Core and 21 Professional Writing concentration

CORE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
ENGL 2999 Approaches To English Studies
Subtotal	3 S.H.
Literature Survey(s)
One American Survey:
ENGL 2000 American Literature I: Age of Exploration to the Civil War or ENGL 2010 American Literature II: Civil War to the Present
Subtotal	3 S.H.
One British Survey:
ENGL 2200 British Literature I: Beowulf to Milton or ENGL 2210 British Literature II: Pepys to Shelley or ENGL 2220 British Literature III: Bronte to Rushdie
Subtotal	3 S.H.
One Survey or substitute an equivalent period course in British or American literature as indicated below:
ENGL 2000 American Literature I: Age of Exploration to the Civil War or ENGL 4200 Romantic Movement in U.S. Literature
ENGL 2100 American Literature II: Civil War to the Present or select from: ENGL 2650 Ethnic American Literature ENGL 3010 American Drama ENGL 3220 American Novel to 1950
ENGL 2200 British Literature I: Beowulf to Milton or select from: ENGL 3030 Middle Ages ENGL 3120 Golden Age of English Renaissance ENGL 4010 Chaucer and His World
ENGL 2210 British Literature II: Pepys to Shelley or select from: ENGL 4040 Major English Writers of the 17th Century ENGL 4050 The 18th Century Novel ENGL 4080 British Romanticism
ENGL 2220 British Literature III: Bronte to Rushdie or select from: ENGL 3040 British Literature Since World War II ENGL 4090 The 19th Century English Novel ENGL 4100 Victorian Literature ENGL 4115 British Modernism
Subtotal	3 S.H.
ENGL 4xxx Level Literature
Subtotal	3 S.H.
Writing Intensive (select one)
ENGL 3480 Writing for the Web ENGL 3500 Creative Writing ENGL 3510 Fiction Writing I ENGL 3520 Poetry Writing ENGL 3530 Fiction Writing II ENGL 3840 Online Magazine Writing ENGL 3860 Feature & Magazine Writing ENGL 3870 Writing for Business & Technology SPCH 3000 Speechwriting May be used to satisfy LAS Computer Literacy
Subtotal	3 S.H.
ENGL 4999 English Capstone
Subtotal	3 S.H.
TOTAL FOR CORE:	21 S.H.

PROFESSIONAL WRITING Requirements
ENGL 2800 Journalism
ENGL 3890 Creative Non-Fiction Writing
Subtotal	6 S.H.
Digital Media (select one)
ENGL 3480 Writing for the Web
ENGL 3830 College Newspaper Production
ENGL 3840 Online Magazine Writing
Subtotal	3 S.H.
Professional Writing Electives (select four)
ENGL 2320 Scriptwriting
ENGL 2810 Editing and Publishing
ENGL 3500 Creative Writing
ENGL 3520 Poetry Writing
ENGL 3530 Fiction Writing II
ENGL 3860 Writing for Business & Technology
ENGL 3870 Feature & Magazine Writing
Subtotal	12 S.H.
TOTAL FOR PROFESSIONAL WRITING CONCENTRATION:	21 S.H.

A course in speech or performance fulfills the speaking and listening requirement, where applicable.
Students complete a portfolio in the capstone course during senior year.

An Internship is strongly recommended. Three credits of an internship can be counted toward the required 12 S.H. of Professional Writing electives.

Available Internship courses:
ENGL 4940 Internship   3 S.H.
ENGL 4850 Internship   6 S.H.
ENGL 4860 Internship   9 S.H.
ENGL 4870 Internship 12 S.H

BS in English Studies - Professional Writing Concentration

This program is available for students who choose not to fulfill the requirements for foreign language proficiency at the second-year level. All other requirements are the same as for the Bachelor of Arts in English Studies-Professional Writing Concentration.

DEPARTMENT HOME PAGE

HOW TO APPLY

For more information and to apply, go to www.fitchburgstate.edu/admissions.

Fitchburg State University