Technical communication, whether written, oral, or visual, enables people to use technology effectively, to understand technology and to make effective decisions about real-world problems. The department offers undergraduate (major and minor) and graduate degree programs in technical communication. Technical communication students, upon completion of their degrees, can have interesting and lucrative careers in almost any industry. They are usually employed as Web designers, usability specialists, technical writers, technical editors, teachers of technical communication, online help developers, information developers, and documentation managers. Visit the Careers in Technical Communication page for information on the kinds of jobs technical communicators do, companies that hire them, and remuneration.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate

• B.S. in Technical Communication
• Minor in Technical Communication

Graduate

• M.S. in Technical Communication
• Graduate Minor in Technical Communication

Students in the above programs can take a full range of technical communication courses offered by the department.

Admission

• Freshman Admission
• Transfer Admission
• Graduate Admission
• International Admission

Faculty

The technical communication faculty are active in such organizations as the Society for Technical Communication, the Association of Teachers of Technical Communication, the IEEE Professional Communication Society, the Council for Programs on Technical and Scientific Communication, and the National Council of English Teachers. They have published articles and books on subjects such as visual theory, software documentation, history of rhetoric and logic, technical marketing communication, and the history of technical communication.

The following faculty in the department teach undergraduate and graduate technical communication courses:

• Dr. Ed Malone Assistant Professor / Technical Communication Director
• Dr. Kathryn Northcut Assistant Professor
• Dr. David Wright Assistant Professor
• Dr. Dan Reardon Lecturer
• John Lemmermann Lecturer
• Fred Ekstam Lecturer
• Graduate Teaching Assistants

Facilities

Technical communication classes are taught in both traditional and computer-assisted classrooms. The computers in CSF 114 are equipped with some of the latest writing and visual design applications.

Career, Co-op & Internship Opportunities

Technical communicators find employment in almost any industry whose customers must understand and interpret technology. The Career Opportunities Center (COC) at Missouri S&T helps students procure internships, co-ops and full-time jobs. In addition to this, the department offers unique internships with on-campus departments, local businesses and government agencies. By getting involved in organizations on campus, students obtain work experience in the area of their interest.

• Careers in technical communication
• Co-op & Internship

News

For news on the technical communication programs, faculty and students, visit the UMRTCP blackboard site.