General Advising FAQs
General Questions
How does my coursework count toward the WR minor and/or PW major requirements?
Review the requirements for the specific program that interests you:
- Writing & Rhetoric (WR) minor
- Professional Writing (PW) major:
- Old curriculum (only for students matriculated before 2026-27 academic year)
- New curriculum (students matriculated before 2026-27 academic year can also choose this option)
I have more specific questions about how my coursework counts towards the WR minor and/or PW major requirement.
- For the WR minor, refer to the Writing & Rhetoric Minor FAQs page.
- For the PW major, refer to the Professional Writing Major FAQs page.
If you still have a question, you can contact your PW Advisor or the PW Director.
PW Terminology
What is the difference between the terms “WR courses” and “PW electives”?
WR courses are courses with the WR prefix (e.g., WR1010 or WR3112). It can get confusing because we allow certain HU3900 and HU3910 seminars to count toward WR course requirements in the curriculum if they are writing/rhetoric focused and taught by core Professional Writing faculty.
PW electives (referred to as “communication electives” in the new curriculum) are courses that substantively further your depth in communication and thus qualify as electives towards your Professional Writing major. PW electives can include:
- WR courses in the WPI catalog (e.g., WR1011 or WR2210)
- Writing/rhetoric-focused HU3900 or HU3910 taught by core Professional Writing faculty
- Courses listed in Section B of the WPI Tracking Sheet for the Professional Writing Major
- Courses approved by the PW Program Review Committee (PRC)
What is the difference between the terms “PW major” and “WR minor”?
PW major means the “Professional Writing major” that the Professional Writing program offers. We also use this to refer to the students who are majoring in Professional Writing (e.g., “They are a PW major”).
WR minor means the “Writing & Rhetoric minor” offered through Humanities and Arts (HUA) and taught by Professional Writing faculty. We also use this to refer to the students who are minoring in Writing & Rhetoric (e.g., “They are a WR minor”).
