The major in Technical Communication and Professional Writing provides students with a foundation in the writing, editing, research, and digital communication skills that are essential for writing professionals in industry, government, non-profit, and freelance careers.
Faculty who teach in the program combine academic and workplace experience, educating students in both ideas and implementation, principles and practice. In addition to completing a core curriculum, students select a track in either Technical Communication or Professional Writing to complete the major.
- Technical Communication Track: Technical communication is a growing field that has become increasingly important to communicating in a technology-mediated world. Technical communicators help make information more useful and accessible the people who need the information. Students completing this track take classes in technical writing, advanced Web writing and design, usability and user experience design, and trends in communication technology. The Technical Communication track prepares students for careers in growing areas such as web content development and design, technical editing, technical marketing communications, and product documentation.
- Professional Writing Track: The Professional Writing track prepares students to become creative, versatile, and digitally savvy communicators who understand how to write and edit in both print and electronic environments. Students in this track take classes in writing for publication, as well as writing for social media and multimedia. They also choose from a rich array of electives, including courses in grant writing, freelance writing, book publishing, and writing ad copy. The Professional Writing track prepares students for careers in such fields as nonfiction writing and editing, grant writing, writing for marketing or public relations, employee communications, web content development, and print and electronic publishing.
Student outcomes
- Apply the composing and editing process in a variety of genres
- Investigate a topic using relevant research strategies, including evaluating and critically analyzing diverse sources.
- Apply theories of rhetoric and communication to the writing process
- Write and design effectively for specific situations
- Demonstrate an ability to use digital technologies effectively
Related minors
- Advertising Minor
- Applied Statistics Minor
- Business Administration Minor
- Creative Writing Minor
- Design of User Experience Minor
- Digital Media Minor
- Environmental Communication Minor
- Ethnic Studies Minor
- Game Studies Minor
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology Minor
- Media Literacy Minor
- Organizational Communication Minor
- Practical Ethics Minor
- Public Relations Minor
- Risk Management and Insurance Minor
