Minimum Credits for a B.S. degree in Professional and Technical Communication: 120
*Must complete one science course with a lab.
All electives must be 1000 or higher and Upper Division electives must be 3000 or higher. The 4000 level course must be a capstone course in the student’s major. Such courses are indicated in the catalog with a “W” appended to the course number (e.g., WRIT 322W ).
Minor in Professional & Technical Communication, please refer to reference section “Academic Program Minors ”. Also Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in the Practice of Technical Communication is referred to in the same reference section.
The PTC Department offers five concentrations. Students should consult with their advisor regarding the required courses for each of these concentrations.
Health Communication Concentration
The Health Communication Concentration prepares students in health communication theory and practice, with a special emphasis on communicating health-related scientific and technical information to the general public. Collectively, the courses in this concentration offer students a broad background in both oral and written health communication practices. This concentration will be useful to students who intend to pursue careers in health communication that require that require broad knowledge of scientific concepts as well as of the strategies and technologies for designing and delivering effective communication.
Interactive Media
The Interactive Media Concentration of PTC is designed for students who wish to meet the changing needs of society in the field of multimedia digital communication. Whether your career interest is in online publishing, social media advertising, game design, new media journalism and broadcasting, or new media literacies, the Interactive Media Concentration seeks to improve critical thinking and creative skills in this dynamic new area.
Public Relations Communication
While building on the technical communication core, the Public Relations communication concentration places emphasis on the communicator as problem-solver and is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in industry, government, education, or non-profit agencies. This concentration prepares students for careers as in the areas of marketing, public relations, and corporate communication. In addition to a basic understanding of the business environment, students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively bridge the gap between organizations and the public or customers they serve.
Rhetoric
The Rhetoric Concentration trains students in the history of rhetorical theory and in rhetorical practice, with a special emphasis on using persuasion and argument in varied contexts. Collectively, the courses in this option offer students a broad background in both written and oral rhetorical practices. This option will be useful to students who intend to pursue careers that require high-level critical thinking and communication skills, such as those in law, management, and education. This option will also be useful to students who plan to enroll in graduate degree programs in technical communication.
Science & Environmental Communication
The Science & Environmental Communication concentration is designed for students that desire a career communicating science and environmental issues to the public. It is also for students planning on graduate work in related fields of journalism, education, writing, or communication. This concentration provides a basic understanding of natural science and an introduction to the process of scientific inquiry. Students will develop expertise in communicating to and educating the public about nature or science.
