Bachelor of Science Interdisciplinary Studies with a Major in Professional Writing (BS)
Virginia Tucker Steffen, Program Coordinator and Advisor
The professional writing major produces graduates capable of moving into professional and technical writing fields. Students in the major complete a core of courses in technical writing as well as in business, communication, and human resources. The major is ideal for returning students already working who are interested in expanding their management skills and/or increasing their eligibility for promotion.
Some courses in the professional writing major are available online only.
Topics courses, such as ENGL 395/ENGL 495, COMM 395/COMM 396, etc., must be approved by the student's advisor to ensure that the topic is appropriate for the major. No more than two classes, or six credits, may be counted for both the major and a minor.
Requirements
Course requirements are as follows.
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major.
Philosophy and Ethics requirement can be met by PHIL 303E
Impact of Technology requirement met by ENGL 307T/IDS 307T.
Upper-Division General Education
Met in the major.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Interdisciplinary Studies Core
Required of all students (required grade of C or better in IDS 300W and C- or better in the remaining courses)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL/IDS 307T | Digital Writing (meets impact of technology requirement) | 3 |
| IDS 300W | Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts * | 3 |
| IDS 493 | IDS Electronic Portfolio Project * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
- *
Offered online only.
Professional Writing Core
Required of all students (required grade of C- or better)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 325 | Introduction to Rhetorical Studies | 3 |
| or COMM 335W | Rhetorical Criticism | |
| ENGL 327W | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 334W | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Organizational Foundations Core
Required grade of C- or better; meets upper-division general education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Strategic Communications | ||
| Advanced Public Speaking | ||
| Work-Life Communication | ||
| Strategic Communications Writing | ||
| Interpersonal Communication in Organizations | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Leadership Ethics | ||
| Digital Leadership | ||
| Computers in Society | ||
| Interpersonal Relations | ||
| Study Abroad | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Contemporary Organizations and Management | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Marketing Principles and Problems | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Multi-National Marketing | ||
| Business Ethics | ||
| Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
| Personnel Psychology | ||
| Human Factors | ||
| Organizational Psychology | ||
| Workforce Supervision Management | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Professional Writing Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 35-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (met in the major) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Core | ||
| Complete interdisciplinary studies core requirements | 9 | |
| Professional Writing Core | ||
| Complete the professional writing core requirements | 9 | |
| Organizational Foundations Core | ||
| Complete organizational foundations core requirements | 9 | |
| Professional Writing Coursework (required grade of C- or better) | ||
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Editing and Document Design | ||
| Aspects of the English Language | ||
| English Internship | ||
| English Linguistics | ||
| Language and Culture | ||
| Topics in English | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines | ||
| Management Writing | ||
| Writing for the Government | ||
| Writing in Digital Spaces | ||
| Advanced English Internship | ||
| Language, Gender and Power | ||
| Topics in English | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 71-80 | |
Electives
Elective courses may be taken for the remainder of the minimum 120 credits required for the degree.
Honors Program in Interdisciplinary Studies
Qualified students in the interdisciplinary studies majors may earn honors by fulfilling all degree requirements and meeting the honors requirements listed below.
- Attain an overall grade point average of 3.25.
- Attain a grade point average in the major of 3.5.
- Complete two upper-division courses designated as honors courses: IDS 300W and IDS 493.
- Complete at least 60 credits at Old Dominion University, 54 of which must be in grade-point graded courses.
An application for departmental honors must be provided by the student for approval by the Director of Interdisciplinary Programs.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics (Can be met with PHIL 303E) | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| IDS 300W | Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts (C or better required) | 3 |
| ENGL 325 or COMM 335W |
Introduction to Rhetorical Studies or Rhetorical Criticism |
3 |
| ENGL 327W | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 307T/IDS 307T (meets Impact of Technology) | 3 | |
| Organizational Foundations course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 334W | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Organizational Foundations course | 3 | |
| Organizational Foundations course | 3 | |
| Professional Writing course | 3 | |
| Professional Writing course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Professional Writing course | 3 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| IDS 493 | IDS Electronic Portfolio Project | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.