Technical Communication and Media Production

Studies in the Technical Communication and Media Production Department blend the knowledge of communication practices and technology. Course work in technical communication develops essential skills for working professionals in the technical, scientific, medical, media production, or corporate communications fields.

Technical Communication and Media Production Department course work focuses on the development of reader-centered, content-driven information products produced in various areas of concentration including corporate communications, media and interactive media production, or technical writing and editing.

The digital media minor includes courses from the departments of Art, Communication Arts and Sciences, and Technical Communication and Media Production. This minor consists of 24 hours, six of which must be upper division. This minor is designed to provide skills that will increase employment opportunities in the field of digital media communication.

Training and Organizational Development Minor

The training and organizational development minor includes courses from the departments of Teacher Education, Communication Arts and Sciences, and Technical Communication and Media Production. This minor consists of 24 hours, six of which must be upper division. This minor is designed to provide skills that will increase employment opportunities in the field of training and organizational development communication.

Technical Communication Certificates

The Technical Communication and Media Production Department offers three certificate programs that enable students to enhance the professional training and experience an individual already possesses in order to expand employment opportunities and advancement. The three certificate programs are:

corporate video production
multimedia production
technical writing and editing

Students enrolling in one of the major concentrations, one of the minors, or a certificate program must confer with a department advisor.

Bachelor of Science

The Technical Communication and Media Production Department offers a B.S. degree in Technical Communication with four concentrations and a technical communication minor, and three certificate programs. In addition, the department offers a digital media minor in conjunction with the Department of Art and the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences and an organizational development and training minor in conjunction with the Department of Teacher Education and the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. The four concentrations are:

corporate communications and training
interactive media production
technical writing and editing
video and media production

Each individual concentration teaches theory, concepts, and practical applications that can be employed in various areas of business, industry, government, and the media production field. With the exception of the extended major option, all students must complete a minor.

Upon completion of a degree program in technical communication, students should be able to:

Communicate knowledge of the field both orally and in writing.
Relate technical communication principles from their selected areas of concentration.
Apply theory and principles in a practical manner to their areas of concentration.
Conduct research, synthesize technical information and write in the appropriate format of their concentration.
Present technical information in a media or interactive media format suitable to their areas of concentration.
Produce or oversee the production of technical information in a media or interactive media format suitable to their area of concentration.

Computer Skill Requirement

Computer skills are required of all students majoring, minoring, or enrolled in a certificate program in the department. Students can meet this requirement by:

providing documentary evidence at the time they see their department advisor of previous satisfactory completion of an academic or industrial training course in computer literacy and document processing

–or–

successful completion with a grade of “C” or better of an approved MSCD course in CIS or CSS in the semester following the declaration of their major, minor, or enrolling in a certificate program. The department advisor will work with the student to select the most appropriate course for the student’s academic needs.