BS in Technical Writing & Communication

Contact our undergraduate advisor, Barb Horvath, about completing degree requirements.

Technical communicators write, organize, edit, and design information for a variety of workplace settings in business, health, technology, science, environment, and law. Turn your love of writing into a professional career with a technical writing & communication major.

The Writing Studies Department has developed competency areas to help students succeed in the technical communication field. As a major, you will study theories of rhetoric and communication and apply principles of audience analysis, digital writing, editing, information design, and usability. In our courses, you will engage in writing as a process and examine writing within diverse cultures and communities.

As a technical writing & communication major, you will complete nine core classes, six required electives classes as well as four to five classes in one of four sub-plans. Your sub-plan allows you to focus on an area of interest by taking courses from outside the department to fulfill your degree requirements.

What are the top reasons to major in technical writing & communication?
  1. TWC majors are in demand and sought after by employers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts technical communication as a career will grow faster than average over the next decade. And US News and World Report list "technical writer" in the top 100 jobs for 2020-2030!
  2. TWC pairs well with multiple majors and minors- including computer science, graphic design, biology, economics, political and environmental science, and more!
  3. Specialize your studies with one of our four sub-plans that interest you in your career path.
  4. Learn to apply historic and contemporary rhetorical concepts to the creation of deliverables that help audiences understand complex information.
  5. Practice using the latest digital writing technologies like DITA, markdown, HTML, and more!
  6. Our advisory board of alumni and industry professionals offers networking, mentorships, internships, and job opportunities.
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Information Technology and Design

This sub-plan offers courses in web design, media production, information technology, visual rhetoric, and message design. This is a good sub-plan choice for students with a background or interest in computer science, engineering, design, visual communication, or technology.

Biological and Health Sciences

This sub-plan offers courses in communication related to public health, pharmacy, or biomedical technology. This is a good sub-plan choice for students with a background or interest in biology, chemistry, anatomy, public health, nursing, or medicine.

Legal Discourse and Public Policy

This sub-plan offers courses in government, politics, law, and public policy. This is a good sub-plan choice for students with a background or interest in political science, economics, sociology, law, or philosophy.

Environmental Science

This sub-plan offers courses in natural resources, sustainability, land conservation, and environmental issues. This is a good sub-plan choice for students with a background or interest in environmental studies, geography, ecology, applied economics, forestry and natural resources, urban studies, or earth sciences.