Technical Writing Program

The Technical Writing Program is a subspecialty of professional writing, focused on the skills for making complex, technical information accessible and navigable to both users and stakeholders.

The Technical Writing Program is a strong fit for students with dual interests in writing and STEM fields, or who wish to strengthen a primary major in STEM with the communication skills expected of team members and managers.

As English’s only Bachelor of Science degree, the major blends coursework in writing, document design, and user experience methods with additional work in computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Students specialize further through elective courses and professional experiences, earning a concentration in either science and medical communication, or technical communication.

Technical writers are sought after for their plain language and user experience research skills by software companies, instructional design firms, hospitals and insurers, and in engineering and federal government positions.

Learning Objectives

Professional Writing Proficiency

• Produce professional documents across standard genres (correspondence, reports, instructions, proposals) and platforms (print and digital media) that demonstrate mastery of writing conventions, including grammar, clarity, concision, and organization. 

Rhetorical Knowledge and Analysis

• Apply rhetorical theory and principles to analyze communication as a complex rhetorical process; evaluate existing documents, identify strengths and weaknesses, and adapt information for different audiences, purposes, and contexts. 

Visual Communication and Document Design

• Apply principles of document design, typography, and visual hierarchy to create professional documents that effectively integrate textual and visual elements; use relevant design software to produce print and digital media. 

Research Methods

• Utilize appropriate methods to gather, evaluate, and develop information from primary and secondary sources; incorporate research effectively into professional documents; and conduct basic user and usability testing to evaluate communication effectiveness. 

Professional and Ethical Practice

• Apply professional writing ethics, particularly the responsible use of information; demonstrate professional workplace behaviors including collaborating effectively, meeting deadlines, and addressing organizational concerns in communications. 

Technical Foundation

• Apply fundamental technical skills (calculus, statistics, computer programming, etc.) in the creation and evaluation of technical communication, with track-specific depth in either specialized technical fields (TC track) or scientific disciplines (SMC track). 

Declare Technical Writing