UMass Boston

Professional & New Media Writing Minor

Learn to Craft Compelling Stories for an Increasingly Digital World.

Want to prepare for a career as a writer? Are you interested in writing for news articles, documentaries, podcasts, social media, and more? Consider the Professional & New Media Writing (PNMW) Minor.

The PNMW program helps you develop your ability to write professionally and technically. Our dedicated faculty and staff will support you as you develop global, rhetorical perspectives on writing inside and outside the workplace.

In this program, you'll learn to: 

  • Use language to construct well-reasoned arguments with support from credible sources 
  • Communicate complex, specialized information to non-specialists
  • Build professional relationships and develop a writing portfolio

Upon finishing the program, you’ll be able to make the transition from student to professional writer easily.

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: To pursue this minor, you'll need approval from the Director of Professional and New Media Writing.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Core Courses (9 Credits)

Take three courses from the list below.

  • ENGL 306 - Advanced Nonfiction Writing 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 307 - Journalism and Media Writing 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 308 - Professional Editing 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 309 - Multimedia Authoring 3 Credit(s)

Writing Electives (6 Credits)

Take two courses from the list below. At least one course must be 300-level or higher.

  • ENGL 203 - Writing Craft/Context/Design 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 204 - Professional Writing 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 216 - Reading and Writing Journalism 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 300 - Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 301 - Advanced Poetry Workshop 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 302 - Advanced Fiction Workshop 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 311L - How to Write Like a Film Critic 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 312 - Digital Culture and Composition 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 440 - History of the English Language 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 442 - Global Englishes and Language Diversity 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 448 - Perspectives on Literacy 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 477 - Professional and New Media Writing Internship II 3 Credit(s)
  • CINE 311L - How to Write Like a Film Critic 3 Credit(s)
  • THRART 275L - Introduction to Screen and Television Writing 3 Credit(s)

Internship (3 Credits)

  • ENGL 475 - Professional and News Media Writing Capstone Internship 1-6 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 18 credits from six courses, including three core courses, two electives, and one internship. Please note: Students must plan their course of study in consultation with the Director of Professional and New Media Writing.

Pass/Fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least five courses for the minor must be completed at UMass Boston.

Contact

English Department 
Wheatley Hall, 6th Floor, Room 13
617.287.6700
English.Department [@] umb.edu

student lying on campus lawn reading a book

English Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's English department, our programs, and our faculty.

Explore our English Department
Students rehearse orchestra playing flutes.

College of Liberal Arts

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Liberal Arts.

Explore the College of Liberal Arts

Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions