Bachelor of Arts in English: Concentration in Professional Writing and Rhetoric

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Professional writers are in demand to link ideas, technologies, and products with people who need to understand those developments or to use them. San Francisco State’s Professional Writing and Rhetoric program can prepare you for that critical communications role.

Students in the Professional Writing & Rhetoric major are required to do an internship their senior year.

Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.

The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy-to-follow semester-by-semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track.  Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you. 

Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements.  Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation. 

To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below.  You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.     

Department of English Language and Literature

Humanities (HUM) Building, Room 484*
Phone: (415) 338-2264
Email: engdept@sfsu.edu
Website: https://english.sfsu.edu/https://english.sfsu.edu/content/professional-writing-and-rhetoric
Coordinator: Neil Lindeman
Chair: Gitanjali Shahan

*For your safety and the safety of all our personnel, we will work remotely and virtually to conduct all business. Please use the number and/or email listed above for any questions. All phone calls and emails will be checked and answered during regular business hours.

Freshmen Student Advising Information

After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.

Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.

First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D 

Major Class & Title 

Units 

Other Requirement Area(s) Met 

Complete your First-year Written English requirements (GE Area A2) before starting this major. Move on to "Step 5 Choosing GE requirements" to fill out your first-semester schedule. 

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If there are any course(s) listed above, please enter this information onto “Step 4” of your Freshmen Class Planner. 

 

Advisor Footnotes: 

  • A2 (ENG 114, ENG 105, ENG 209 or A2 by test or transfer credit) is a prerequisite for ENG major courses. 

  • If A2 is completed, take ENG 218 and ENG 250.  

  • First-year students should meet with an English Major advisor. Students may contact any of the advisors on this page: https://english.sfsu.edu/english-advising  

 

  • Technical writing and documentation
  • Editing
  • Graphic and document design
  • Training
  • Research
  • Information management
  • Promotional writing
  • Grant-writing or other forms of proposal - and report-writing

Transfer Student Advising Information

Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.