English, Writing, and Rhetoric/Public Administration, BA/MPA

The combined BA in English, Writing, and Rhetoric / MA in Public Administration offers a path for students interested in combining expertise in writing and communication with public service. Through the undergraduate curriculum, students develop as skilled writers and critical thinkers, learning to communicate clearly across diverse audiences and contexts, while the graduate component provides specialized training in management, policy analysis, and other skills essential for leadership in government, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. Graduates are prepared to become ethical, innovative, and effective leaders in public administration, ready to contribute to and make an impact in public service across sectors.

This is an accelerated 5-year program of 147 credits, with 15 graduate credits taken in the undergraduate junior and senior years. For the undergraduate curriculum, please see the undergraduate section of this catalog. For the graduate curriculum, please see the Public Administration, MPA program overview.

Total Undergraduate Major Credits: 120

Total BA/MPA Credit Hours: 147

Major Completion Summary

Requirement Credits
University Core Requirements 38-49
Major Requirements 39
Open Electives 36-46
Total Credits 120

University Core Requirements (44-55 Credits)

See complete University Core requirements.

University Core
Complete University Core Requirements38-49
Total Credits38-49

Major Requirements (39 Credits)

Introductory Courses9
ENG 204Public Writing: Rhetoric, Citizenship, and Community Engagement (Public Writing: Rhetoric, Citizenship, and Community Engagement (ENG 204 or any other 2XX-level LIT, ENG, or WS CE course offered by the Department of English, Writing, and Cultural Studies)3
LIT 205Introduction to Literature, Culture and Media3
ENG 206Introduction to Writing Studies3
Exploratory Courses15
Majors have the flexibility of selecting 5 courses as follows:
LIT 2XX, LIT 3XX, ENG 2XX, ENG 3XX (Any Writing and Rhetoric course), ENG 3XX (Any Creative or Professional Writing course)
Professionalization Courses6
Majors may complete up to an additional 6 credits of ENG 393 Intern course as Open Electives.
ENG 393Internship3
ENG 499Senior Year Experience in English3
Major Elective Courses9
Students take three courses of choice across ENG, LIT, or WS (Women's and Gender Studies)

 Open Electives (30-40 Credits)

Open Electives
Select 36-46 credits36-46
Total Credits36-46

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 110 Composition 3
LIT 205 Introduction to Literature, Culture and Media 3
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community 1
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing 3
Second Language Course 3
Majors who placed into ENG 120 will take 4-credit course instead of ENG 110.  
 Credits13
Spring
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
Majors who took ENG 120 in the Fall will take COM 200 (3 credits).
 
ENG 206 Introduction to Writing Studies 3
ENG 223 Creative Writing 3
WS 115 Intro to Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 3
Second Language Course 3
Majors should take major learning community during Spring semester, such as ENG 223 and WS 115. See department chair for updated Spring LC offerings.  
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
ENG 204 Public Writing: Rhetoric, Citizenship, and Community Engagement (Public Writing: Rhetoric, Citizenship, and Community Engagement (ENG 204 or any other 2XX-level LIT, ENG, or WS CE course offered by the Department of English, Writing, and Cultural Studies)) 3
One LIT 200-level major exploratory requirement 3
General Core course 3
General Core course 3
Lab Science 3
Majors who did not take COM 200 will take course this semester instead of lab science.  
 Credits15
Spring
MAT 102 Mathematics for Life 3
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
LIT 300-level major exploratory requirement 3
General Core course 3
General Core course 3
Majors who did not take a lab science will do so this semester instead of an Area of Knowledge course.  
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
300-level (ENG) major exploratory requirement (Creative or Professional Writing) 3
ENG 393 Internship 3
General Core course 3
General Core course 3
Major elective course (ENG, LIT, or WS) 3
Students who took a lab science in Spring should take an Area of Knowledge course instead of major elective.  
 Credits15
Spring
300-level (ENG) major exploratory requirement (Writing & Rhetoric Studies focused) 3
Major elective course (ENG, LIT, or WS) 3
Major elective course (ENG, LIT, or WS) 3
Open elective course 3
Open elective course 4
Majors in need of additional AOK course to take this semester instead of Open Elective.  
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
PAA 601 Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
PAA 602 Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
PAA 603 Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Open elective course Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Open elective course Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Range of credits reflects variations in student's Univ. Core. Majors to review credits with department chair to consider additional open electives, if needed for 120 credit requirements.  
 Credits15
Spring
ENG 499 Senior Year Experience in English 3
Open elective course Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Open elective course Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Open elective course Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Open elective course Consult advisor for fall/spring schedule. 3
Range of credits reflects variations in student's Univ. Core. Majors to review credits with department chair to consider additional open electives, if needed for 120 credit requirements.  
 Credits15
 Total Credits120