BS Computer Science + Writing and Rhetoric

Bachelor of Science 2024 through2025

Computer Science + Writing and Rhetoric

About the Program

Students majoring in the BS Computer Science + Writing and Rhetoric program are forbidden from double-majoring in the BS Computer Science (all concentrations), BS Game Programming, and BS Information Technology programs; as well as from minoring in Computer Science and Information Technology.

Curriculum Requirements

First Year

  • MAT 140
  • MAT 141
  • CSC 241
  • CSC 242
  • CSC 300
  • CSC 301
  • CSC 321
  • CSC 373
  • CSC 374
  • One course from the following:
    • CSC 347
    • CSC 376
    • SE 350
  • Eight (8) additional credit hours, can be any 300-level CSC, CSEC, DSC or SE.

Major Requirements (Writing and Rhetoric)

    Foundations Core
    • WRD 203
    • WRD 210
    • WRD 261
    • WRD 264
    Application Core
    • WRD 201
    • WRD 204
    Writing in Communities and Professions

    Select one of the following:                  

    • WRD 205
    • WRD 206
    • WRD 240
    • WRD 241
    • WRD 242
    • WRD 280
    • WRD 282
    • WRD 283
    • WRD 284
    • WRD 286
    • WRD 300
    • WRD 301
    • WRD 309
    • WRD 320
    • WRD 321
    • WRD 322
    • WRD 323
    • WRD 324
    • WRD 325
    • WRD 326
    • WRD 327
    • WRD 340
    • WRD 345
    • WRD 371
    • WRD 372
    • WRD 376
    • WRD 377
    • WRD 395
    • WRD 396
    • *May be repeated for credit when the topic is different
    Rhetorical History, Theory, and Analysis

    Select one of the following:                  

    • WRD 208
    • WRD 209
    • WRD 220
    • WRD 231
    • WRD 232
    • WRD 260
    • WRD 262
    • WRD 263
    • WRD 265
    • WRD 266
    • WRD 281
    • WRD 285
    • WRD 287
    • WRD 288
    • WRD 289
    • WRD 306
    • WRD 330
    • WRD 360
    • WRD 361
    • WRD 362
    • WRD 363
    • WRD 364
    • WRD 365
    • WRD 368
    • WRD 378
    • WRD 390
    Major Field Electives

    The equivalent of three additional 4-hour electives may be drawn from the two elective categories above or from the following:                  

    • WRD 207
    • WRD 290
    • WRD 291
    • WRD 398
    • WRD 399
    • Note: CSC 243 Python for Programmers and a CS elective can take the place of CSC 241 & CSC 242
Experiential Learning (EL) Requirement

All Writing and Rhetoric majors are required to take one EL-designated course within the major. WRD courses designated both EL and LSP EL will fulfill the major’s EL requirement and the Liberal Studies Experiential Learning requirement simultaneously. An LSP EL course taken outside of WRD will not count toward the EL major requirement.

Senior Capstone Options
  • One course from the following
    • CSC 394
    • WRD 390

Liberal Studies Requirements

  • LSP 110
    OR LSP 111
  • LSP 112
  • WRD 103
  • WRD 104
  • LSP 200
  • 1 Experiential Learning
  • 3 Arts & Literature
  • 2 Historical Inquiry
  • 2 Philosophical Inquiry
  • 2 Religious Dimensions
  • 1 Scientific Inquiry - lab
  • 3 Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Major Electives

Open Electives

Open Elective Credit Hours are required to meet the minimum graduation requirements of 192 hours. Open electives may be taken from any unit at DePaul.

Modern Language Requirement (MLR)

All students will be required to demonstrate competence in a modern language (i.e., a language other than English) equivalent to the proficiency attained from one year of college-level language study. If taken at DePaul, language courses typically apply as open electives.

This Modern Language Requirement (MLR) may be demonstrated by:

  • placing into 104 or above on the DePaul language placement exam
  • completing the last course or earning AP or IB credit for the last course in the first-year college sequence of any language (e.g., 103 for DePaul language classes)
  • completing a college course or earning AP or IB credit for a college course beyond the first-year level in any language (e.g., 104 or above for DePaul language classes)
  • completing the final course of a four-year sequence of the same modern language in high school*
  • completing a proctored exam by BYU and passing the exam (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
  • completing a proctored Written Proficiency Test (WPT) by Language Testing International (LTI) and achieving a score of Beginner High or above (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)

*Students are strongly encouraged to take the DePaul language placement exam even if they have met the MLR via study of a language in high school. This will ensure continuation of language at the proper level.

Please note: Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Requirement.

Students who complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) to the College will abide by the MLR in place on the effective date of the ICT, regardless of when they first matriculated at DePaul.


Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies program is the general education portion of the curriculum at DePaul University. Students must earn a grade of D or better in all courses taken to satisfy these requirements. The only exception is the Capstone course which is considered also a major requirement and WRD 103 and WRD 104 in which students need to earn a C- or better.

Students may choose to take some CDM courses that carry Liberal Studies credit but they cannot double count them if they are part of the major requirements. A complete list of courses that carry Liberal Studies credit can be found on the Liberal Studies website along with an overview of the Liberal Studies requirements for this program. Students can search for courses that satisfy a particular Liberal Studies requirement on campusconnect.


Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements.

Degree Requirements

Students in this degree must meet the following requirements

  • complete a minimum of 192 credit hours (generally 48 courses)
  • Earn a grade of C- or higher in WRD 103, WRD 104, and all Major and Minor courses
  • Earn a grade of D or higher in all other Liberal Studies and Open Elective courses
  • maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

Students who earn a cumulative DePaul University GPA

  • between 3.500 and 3.699 will graduate cum laude
  • between 3.700 and 3.849 will graduate magna cum laude
  • of at least 3.850 will graduate summa cum laude

For DePaul's policy on repeat courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Undergraduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.