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Dr. Oscar De Los Santos, Chair delossantoso@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 219E, Midtown campus (203) 837-9044
Krista Brooks, Department Secretary BrooksK@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall, 201, Midtown campus (203) 837-9041 Fax (203) 837-3953
Faculty
Overview
The Department of Creative and Professional Writing offers Bachelor of Arts programs in Writing (including Creative Writing, Business and Technical Writing, and Journalism and Public Relations options), and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing.
Our department is committed to enriching lives through the study of writing and literature; to exploring issues of justice, identity, and equity across our curricula; and to preparing students for writing, editing, publishing, and teaching careers.
Students in Writing have opportunities to enrich their learning experiences through an Honor Society (Pi Epsilon Pi), three magazines and a student-run newspaper (The Echo), internships and work experiences on and off campus, visiting writers and lecturers, and our innovative Writers’ Studio course sequence.
Mission of the Department
Learning Outcomes—BA Professional Writing
At the successful completion of the program, Writing Majors will:
Pi Epsilon Pi
The Writing program in the Department of Writing and Literature sponsors the Connecticut Alpha Chapter of Pi Epsilon Pi, a national writing honor society. Students inducted into the chapter are among the university’s most successful and active students and are eligible for Departmental Distinction. All Writing major and minor students with at least Junior standing, at least two Writing courses completed beyond the W2 requirement, at least 24 credits earned at WCSU, GPA of at least 3.33 in Writing courses, and standing in the top 35% of their class are eligible for induction.
Degree Programs in Writing
The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing in the Department of Writing and Literature prepares students for careers and advanced study in fields that include creative writing, technical writing, public relations, online and print journalism, and publishing, as well as writing-intensive professions such as the law, publishing, business, and education.
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing with three options: Business and Technical Writing Creative Writing Journalism and Public Relations
Minor Programs Broadcast Journalism Creative Writing Journalism Professional Writing Sports Media
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PROFESSIONAL WRITING (B.A.)
Students must complete all general education requirements, the required major courses listed below, the courses and credits listed in one of the options below, and additional free electives for a total of 120 semester hours.
B.A. in Professional Writing – Business and Technical Writing Option (51 S.H)
Description: The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing program prepares students for careers in fields that include creative writing, technical writing, public relations, online and print journalism, as well as writing intensive professions such as the law, publishing, business and education. Students may choose one of three B.A. degree options: 1. Creative Writing, 2. Business and Technical Writing, 3. Journalism and Public Relations.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 51 SH.
Two courses (6 SH) in WRT at 200 level or above.
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy General Education requirements, which are indicated in the parentheses after the course titles. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Business & Technical Writing Option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, you must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
B.A. in Professional Writing – Creative Writing Option (51 S.H.)
Note the following course prerequisites:
Prerequisites for WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II are WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I and WRT 261 Forms of Poetry.
Prerequisites for WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II are WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I and WRT 262 Forms of Fiction.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Creative Writing Option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
B.A. in Professional Writing – Journalism & Public Relations Option (51 S.H.)
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Journalism & Public Relations Option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Minors in Professional Writing
Minor in Broadcast Journalism (18 S.H.)
Required Communication course (3 SH): COM 146: Basic Video Production
Plus two (2) classes selected from the following list (6 SH): COM 243 Broadcast Writing COM 246 Intermediate Video Production COM 247 Live News & Election Coverage COM 252 Media Performance Techniques COM 270 Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting COM 442 Communication Law Required Writing course (3 SH): WRT 270: News Writing
Plus two (2) classes selected from the following list (6 SH): WRT 279 Sports Writing WRT 335W Fact-Based Opinion Writing WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects WRT 375 Book, Performance, and Restaurant Reviewing WRT 490 Internship/Practicum in Writing
Minor in Creative Writing (18 S.H.)
Required Course (3 SH): WRT 242: Poetry Workshop I (CP) OR WRT 243: Fiction Workshop I (CP)
Plus any five (5) courses from among the following (15 SH): WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I WRT/THR 244 Playwriting Workshop WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 261 Forms of Poetry WRT 262 Forms of Fiction WRT 274 Form and Inspiration WRT 275 Topics in Professional Writing WRT 339 The Creative Essay WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry & Flash Fiction WRT/THR 346 Advanced Playwriting Workshop WRT 371W Writing the Weird: Conspiracy Theories WRT 377W The Writing Life COM 242 Scriptwriting
Note: In order to take WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II, the student must first take WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I and WRT 261 Forms of Poetry. In order to take WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II, the student must first take WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I and WRT 262 Forms of Fiction.
Minor in Journalism (18 S.H.)
Required course (3 SH): WRT 270 News Writing
Plus any five (5) courses from among the following (15 SH): WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion WRT 271 Human Interest Writing JLA/WRT 321W Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2) WRT 335W Fact-Based Opinion Writing WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects WRT 340W Public Relations Writing COM 230 History of Mass Media COM 243 Broadcast Writing
Minor in Professional Writing (18 S.H.)
Required courses (6 SH): WRT 210W Managerial Writing (W2) WRT 245W Technical Writing (W2)
Plus any two (2) of the following Creative Writing courses (6 SH): WRT 242: Poetry Workshop I (CP) WRT 243: Fiction Workshop I (CP) WRT/THR 244: Playwriting Workshop (CP) WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry & Flash Fiction WRT 349 Creative Essay
Plus any two (2) of the following Journalism/Public Relations courses (6 SH): WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion WRT 270 News Writing JLA/WRT 321W: Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2) WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts and Practices
Minor in Sports Media (18 S.H.)
Required Courses (9 SH): COM 146 Basic Video WRT 270 News Writing WRT 279 Sports Writing
Plus three (3) courses selected from the following (9 SH): CS 110 Website Production DIMA 100 Introduction to Digital Interactive Media COM 243 Broadcast Writing WRT 247 Multimedia Writing COM 252 Media Performance Techniques COM 270 Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting Sports Writing Internship Other courses by advisement
