Dr. Kishonna L. Gray
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
unicorn@uky.eduRhetoric is the study of written, oral, and digital communication. Rhetoric teaches you how to argue, persuade, inform, and express for a variety of professional and personal reasons. Rhetoric teaches you how to invent, organize, arrange, and produce knowledge. Rhetoric teaches you how to create and share meaning. Rhetoric is the basis of all writing we do. Web pages are rhetorical. Technical documents are rhetorical. Movies are rhetorical. Video games are rhetorical. Ads are rhetorical. Medical documents are rhetorical. Legal briefs are rhetorical. Rhetoric is everywhere we engage with ideas and content! WRD is dedicated to the study and teaching of writing practices, public rhetoric, and digital media. With 18 faculty and 1 staff member, we serve over 5,000 undergraduates each year. The WRD BA/BS major offers students three tracks:
Majoring or minoring in WRD allows you the oppertunity to pursue a number of career options
Career opportunities in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
The major in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies (WRD) prepares you for a career in writing. Every industry includes writing. Every industry supports the writing of internal and external documents (memos, reports, technical documents, research studies, social media usage, website development). Every industry sponsors trade writing (magazines, journals, newsletters, other publications). As a WRD, you will learn rhetorical skills, argumentative/persuasive skills, organizational skills, media skills, web skills, research skills, storytelling skills, informational skills.
Any student earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete a minimum of 39 hours at the 300+ level. These hours are generally completed by the major requirements. However, keep this hour requirement in mind as you choose your course work for the requirements in the major. Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree must complete a minimum of 60 hours in biological, physical, mathematical and/or computer sciences. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees in the Arts and Sciences section of the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Total Credit Hours - 30
Major Requirements
Core Courses
Other Coursework Required by the Major
Approved Coursework From Outside the Department
Total Major Hours – 39
Are you new to Undergraduate Studies and not sure where to begin? If so, we recommend starting with the Advising Syllabus. Need assistance "bouncing back" from academic probation? Visit our Rebound Page. Want to speak with an advisor about course registration, to find out about available resources for classes and major exploration, or just to check in? Schedule an Advising Appointment. How to Determine Academic Status
Web developers design and create websites.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$69,430
per year in 2021
Number of Jobs
160,500
in 2021
10 Year Job Outlook
20,900
new jobs (average)
Some web developers work in the computer systems design and related services industry. Others are self-employed. Still others work in industries including publishing, management consulting, and advertising.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreSource: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$69,510
per year in 2021
Number of Jobs
142,800
in 2021
10 Year Job Outlook
5,900
new jobs (average)
Writers and authors may work anywhere they have access to a computer. Many writers and authors are self-employed.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreUnderstanding that over 70 percent of university students will change their declared major at least once during their college careers, the College of Arts and Sciences has developed an Exploratory Studies program for students who have yet to decide the specific field of study that most closely aligns both their personal interests and their professional career goals and objectives. The Exploratory Studies Program provides students with an extraordinarily diverse educational environment that includes coursework spanning Math and Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences and provides students with the unique opportunity to explore multiple areas of interest during their first several semesters on campus. For more information please contact a recruiting representative at asrecruting@uky.edu.
While there are endless ways to create an unforgettable journey as a Wildcat, we can only think of one that gives you the chance to step outside the classroom and into exploring new parts of the world around you: participating in an Education Abroad opportunity! Whether it’s in a study, research, service, or internship program, taking your UK experience international with EA is the most hands-on way for you to expand your global perspective while making yourself a more well-rounded, marketable candidate to future employers no matter your field. As you take these first steps towards investing in your future, EA encourages you to take advantage of all the opportunities UK has to offer. Take a look at some of the many suggested opportunities UK Education Abroad & Exchanges has to complement your major! #ukyabroad
View Major Advising Page
Dr. Kishonna L. Gray
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
unicorn@uky.eduCollege of Arts & Sciences
202 Patterson Office Tower
