The University Writing Minor is a cross-disciplinary program designed to give special emphasis to writing throughout a student’s education. In this age of information and knowledge- based economies, the Writing Minor will help prepare students to be effective communicators and active participants in civic and cultural life.
The Minor has four primary goals: first, to enhance learning through writing across the disciplines; second, to ensure continuous development of student writing throughout the educational experience; third, to promote awareness of the rhetorical function of language across the disciplines; fourth, to provide students with a means of indicating a writing emphasis in their education for purposes of graduate school and/or future employment.
Declaring a Minor
Current students can declare a minor in this program through their myUPEI account.
Need more information about University Writing?
The personal information requested on this form is collected under Section 31(c) of the PEI Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Read our Disclaimer.
Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
A Minor in University writing consists of twenty-one semester hours of credit taken from the list of approved Writing Intensive (WI) courses.* Nine semester hours (three WI courses) are compulsory for the Minor: English 2860, English 3810 and the core course, Writing 4040. The remaining twelve semester hours are fulfilled by taking four WI elective courses after the prerequisite courses, one of UPEI 1010, UPEI 1020, or UPEI 1030 and one writing intensive course as specified in Academic Regulation 1(g), have been taken.
A maximum of 3 semester hours from the major subject may be credited towards the Minor, but only if at least three semester hours of credit in the major subject additional to those required for the Major are taken.
WI elective courses are designated by the Coordinating Committee and published before the registration period begins for each semester. Students are strongly encouraged to consult the Co-ordinator before registering.
Electives must be in at least two disciplines.
Compulsory Writing Minor Courses
- English 2860 Linguistics II: The Grammar and Vocabulary of English
- English 3810 Professional Writing
- Writing 4040 Communication and Rhetoric in Context
Writing Minor Electives
Course offerings are determined on a semester-by-semester basis. See current offerings consult the UPEI web pages, or communicate directly with the Co-ordinator.
Writing-Intensive Courses
Writing-intensive (WI) courses at UPEI use writing as a major means of developing thinking and learning in the disciplines. Such courses integrate a significant amount of writing (and opportunities for revision) into the work of the course, providing a variety of formal and informal occasions for students to write and learn the goals, assumptions and key concepts of a course. Formal writing opportunities allow students to learn the formats characteristic of a discipline, such as a research report, a critical essay, an essay examination, or a laboratory report. Formal writing is used primarily as a means for demonstrating learning outcomes.
Informal writing opportunities allow students to use writing as an instrument of learning through write-to-learn strategies, such as journals, letters, logs, lists, questions, short in-class responses to readings, lectures, and discussion. Informal writing enhances the quality and depth of the learning process.
Although no definitive quantity of writing can be stipulated for a WI course because of disciplinary differences, writing opportunities, both formal and informal, should account for a minimum of 50% of the grade weight. In addition, apart from informal writing and examinations, at least 10-15 pages of writing should be assigned (e.g., reports and essays); and, on at least one occasion, students should be allowed opportunities for revision, with critical comments on drafts, before a final grade is awarded.
UPEI provides a solid education in the liberal arts, committed to rigorous study and inquiry, belief in the value of knowledge, lifelong capacity-building, and the development of the whole person.
High School Graduates
Canadian High School Equivalency Chart
Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:
- English;
- one Social Studies or Language;
- any 3 other academic courses. Grade 12 math recommended.
Note: Grade 12 Math is a prerequisite for some 1st year Arts courses.
Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.
Each year we award over 3,000 scholarships and awards to qualified students. Our comprehensive program—valued at over $8 million—includes some awards that are equal to full tuition and renewable!
UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.
Tuition
$7,170 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($717 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,410 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.
For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Arts, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Scholarships and Awards
UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.
Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.
Celebrating Student Achievement
Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.
Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.
