Undergraduate

Minor in Professional Writing

Gain the skills most desired by employers.

Students interact with writing teacher.

"If you want to get better at writing, communicating, and understanding people, then Professional Writing minor opens a lot of doors."

Bennett Matson (B.A. in Public Policy Leadership '22)

Law Student, Loyola University

About this Program

The Department of Writing and Rhetoric in the College of Liberal Arts offers the minor in Professional Writing. Students hone their communication skills for a variety of digital, disciplinary, and workplace environments. They build the skills to become more competitive job applicants and successful employees. Students are able to apply class projects to their major or career goals.

The minor is offered in traditional face-to-face courses and entirely-online formats.

The Value of a Professional Writing Minor

With special focus given to navigating the terrain of electronic writing environments and social media through portfolio projects, students develop key skills: written and oral communication, teamwork, project management, research and analysis, and critical thinking/problem solving. The Professional Writing minor can benefit students of all majors and all career paths.

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Program Type

    Minor

    Area of Study

    Humanities

    Degree

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Required Credit Hours

    18

    Academic Requirements

    Students in the Professional Writing minor complete 18 credit hours of courses, including two required courses and four courses from the approved list below.  

    Required Courses:

    • Writ 300: Rhetoric of Professional Communication
    • Writ 310: Writing in Professional Contexts

    4 courses chosen from:

    • Writ 210: Rhetoric I: Foundations to 1650
    • Writ 220: Survey of Rhetoric
    • Writ 250: Advanced Composition
    • Writ 300: Rhetoric of Professional Communication
    • Writ 301: Responding to Writers
    • Writ 310: Writing in Professional Contexts
    • Writ 320: Technical Writing
    • Writ 340: Contemporary Writing Studies
    • Writ 345: Community Writing
    • Writ 350: Writing for Digital Media
    • Writ 360: Document Design
    • Writ 370: Editing and Proofreading
    • Writ 380: Scientific Writing
    • Writ 381: Writing and Artificial Intelligence
    • Writ 398: Topics in Writing Studies on Location
    • Writ 399: Special Topics
    • Writ 410: Grant Writing
    • Writ 415: Digital Rhetoric
    • Writ 440: Writing for Accountancy
    • Spch 305: Collaborative Communication
    Alex poses for a professional portrait

    Why Study Professional Writing?

    "Professional Writing really complimented my work with the student newspaper, The Daily Mississippian. It provided a well-rounded education. As a Recruitment Specialist for OR Nurses Nationwide, I am using advanced communication skills every day."

    Alexis Rhoden

    B.A.J. Journalism ('19)

    Choosing a Major + Professional Writing

    Combine your Professional Writing minor with many other subjects based on your interests and career goals.
    Annabelle Harris

    Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts

    As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!

    Annabelle Harris

    Admissions Counselor

    Future CLA Students

    image of a group of students studying together in the Union

    College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students

    We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet. 

    Future CLA Students

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

    Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?