RMU's Professional and Technical Writing program, an offering in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English, develops the writing skills of students and practicing professionals in order to prepare them to seek or advance a career in professional writing while exploring its rhetorical, linguistic, and technological contexts.
More on the School of Communications and Information Systems
| Communication by type of employer | Communication by job function | ||||
| Advertising | $37,500 | Advertising (based on one response) | $39,250 | ||
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation | $30,096 | Fundraising/ Development | $37,000 | ||
| Communications (Broadcasting/Telecommunications) | $32,571 | Insurance (Claims) | $38,000 | ||
| Consulting Services | $29,000 | Management Trainee (entry-level) | $29,238 | ||
| Educational Services | $35,040 | Public Relations | $31,233 | ||
| Government (Federal) | $33,000 | Reporting | $23.333 | ||
| Insurance | $40,250 | Sales | $38,000 | ||
| Legal Services | $34,167 | Teaching | $37,000 | ||
| Religious/ Grantmaking/ Professional Organizations | $30,833 | Writing/Editing | $32,000 | ||
| English by type of employer | English by job function | ||||
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation | $35,000 | Customer Service | $26,000 | ||
| Educational Services | $32,746 | Management Trainee (entry-level) | $36,000 | ||
| Government (State & Local) | $37,333 | Paralegal | $28,500 | ||
| Legal Services | $28,500 | Teaching | $32,746 | ||
| Publishing | $30,000 | Writing/Editing | $30,000 | ||
| RMU Salary Survey | Range: | Mean: | |||
| Communication (2009) | $19,200 - $38,000 | $29,633 | |||
| English (2008) | $22,000 - $32,000 | $26,500 |
Below is a typical four-year course of study for professional & technical writing students, including major requirements and some electives. Your own schedule will vary based on your own interests.
| FRESHMAN/Fall Semester | FRESHMAN/Spring Semester |
| Reading and Writing Strategies | Study of Literature |
| General Psychology | Argument and Research |
| Principles of Sociology | Survey of Economics |
| Math Reasoning w/ Applications | Intro. to Decision Support Systems |
| English Lit. elective | Elective |
| SOPHOMORE/Fall Semester | SOPHOMORE/Spring Semester |
| Public Speaking and Persuasion | Study of Language |
| Study of the Essay | Organizational Communication |
| World Literature | Business Professional Communication |
| Technical Writing | Science elective |
| History elective | Technical Editing |
| JUNIOR/Fall Semester | JUNIOR/Spring Semester |
| Mod. English Grammar/Editing | Study of Rhetoric |
| American Lit. before 1865 | American Lit. from 1865 |
| British Lit. to 1789 | British Lit. from 1789 |
| Dramatic Art of Shakespeare | History of English Language |
| Elective | Information Gathering |
| Intro. to Web Development | Copy Editing |
| SENIOR/Fall Semester | SENIOR/Spring Semester |
| Writing Theories and Practices | Seminar in English Studies |
| Professional Writing | Internship |
| Internship | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
At Robert Morris University, we’re not just training our students to get a job, we’re educating them for a whole series of professional careers—and for a lifetime of enrichment and contribution. RMU's unique Student Engagement Transcript certifies our graduates' character-building credentials as well as their academic credentials.
English majors receive an education that is both well-rounded and focused. Built upon a broad foundation in the liberal arts, the English curriculum is integrated through sustained attention to linguistics, problem-solving rhetoric, and the interpretation of literature and other texts. Students select a course of study that best suits their personal interests and career goals. The program prepares graduates for a variety of careers as well as for graduate study.
In summer 2012, our school’s five departments will be housed in a new building on campus. The structure will include classrooms, computer labs, media arts studios, editing suites, a gallery, teleconferencing facilities, faculty and administrative offices, student meeting spaces, and a café.
Within walking distance to the new building are facilities that provide opportunities for students to develop expertise in a range of media. Students perform and produce plays and musicals in our theater; they produce our student newspaper, The Sentry, and our literary magazine, RUNE, in our newsroom; they produce documentaries, attend lectures and learn from visiting scholars in our Media Arts House; and they produce and host news, entertainment, and sports programs in our state-of-the-art Academic Media Center’s broadcast facility and our Internet radio station.
Faculty members in the School of Communications and Information Systems are recognized for their dedication to teaching, academic research, global understanding, and professional experience. Our faculty regularly wins awards and accolades for excellence in teaching and research. As guides and mentors, they motivate students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their field of study. Faculty members encourage students to engage in scholarly pursuits, including participation in academic conferences and professional organizations. Our faculty members hail from seven countries on four continents, helping to broaden students’ global understanding. Many lead study abroad trips and international student exchanges in Europe, South America, and Asia. Finally, SCIS faculty members’ professional experience and community involvement help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the workplace.
Scholarships are available based upon academic achievement.
For freshmen, high school grade point average and ACT/SAT scores are used. For transfer students, the cumulative grade point average of all college courses is used. Scholarships range from $1000 per year up to full tuition. (To calculate your scholarship eligibility, click here.)
Higher education is an investment in your future.
At Robert Morris University, we will work closely with you to show you how to finance your education through a combination of need-based financial aid, scholarships, and financing strategies to make your education attainable. RMU has one of the lowest tuition rates of all private institutions in the state, but we know that financing your education can be complicated, and your family might need help in understanding your options.
Talk to us—we can help!
Email us at finaid@rmu.edu
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