FAQ
Below are questions and answers about our major.
What kind of job can I get with this major?
Jobs in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW) are varied
Courses for our major and minor are divided into three different emphases:
- Persuasive writing
- Creative non-fiction
- Technical writing
These three emphases combine to prepare you for many different types of writing-related jobs.
According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics), “Writers and editors generally fall into one of three categories.
Writers and authors develop original fiction and nonfiction for books, magazines, trade journals, online publications, company newsletters, radio and television broadcasts, motion pictures, and advertisements. (Reporters and correspondents who collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events are described elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Editors examine proposals and select material for publication or broadcast. They review and revise a writer’s work for publication or dissemination.
Technical writers develop technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. They also may assist in layout work.”
A degree in PTW also prepares you well for graduate education or law school. You might choose to pursue a career teaching in higher education, or you might go on to work in the legal field.
What will I study if I decide to major in professional and technical writing?
To graduate from UALR, you must successfully complete 124 hours. Of this 124, 30 of those hours will be in your major, PTW.
Of the 30 hours in your major, 18 hours are required courses, and the other 12 hours are made up of elective courses within the Rhetoric and Writing Department.
- Required courses:
- JOUR 2350 Mass Media Writing
- RHET 3301 Editing for Style and Usage
- RHET 3315 Persuasive Writing
- RHET 3316 Writing for the Workplace or RHET 3326 Technical Writing
- RHET 3317 Nonfiction Writing
- RHET 4301 Theories of Rhetoric and Writing
Important Note: You must complete RHET 3315, 3316 or 3326, and 3317 before proceeding to upper-division coursework in PTW.
What is the senior exit portfolio and when is it due?
All PTW majors are required both to prepare a senior portfolio and to participate in an exit interview before graduation. Click here for specific information.
Who is the adviser for this program, and how do I make appointments?
Please go to our Advising page for this information.
How can I stay up to date on the latest department announcements?
The Department of Rhetoric and Writing has created an email list for its majors and minors. By joining the list, you can receive announcements from the department throughout the semester — including information about degree requirements, new courses, publication opportunities, writing competitions, internships, and jobs.
To join the list, send your name and preferred email address to Dr. George Jensen (ghjensen@ualr.edu).