Technical communicators work in a broad range of industries including engineering, agriculture, medicine, and information technology. In the technical communication program, students create content that makes complex information accessible and actionable for diverse audiences. Students are trained to develop complex solutions for multiple perspectives while gaining real-world experience. Along with the Technical Communication major, a program-approved minor allows students to fine-tune subject-matter expertise to gain deeper knowledge in a technical or specialized field.
Program Requirements
Major Common Core
Choose 10-12 credits. Note: Major Common Core and Electives must total 34 credits.
Editing the content, organization, format, style, and mechanics of documents; managing the production cycle of documents; and discovering and learning computer and software applications for technical editing tasks.
Prerequisites:
none
Creating both online and print documentation for products, with emphasis on computer software and hardware documentation for users. Attention also to policies and procedures as written for a range of uses (e.g., employee handbooks, manufacturing processes, usability testing).
Prerequisites:
none
Internship - Choose 2 - 4 Credit(s). Students with industry experience may petition to substitute 2-4 400-level elective credits for the internship requirement.
On-site field experience, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option. May be repeated with change in topic.
Prerequisites:
none
Major Restricted Electives
Foundations of Technical Communication - Choose 4 Credit(s).
Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical information. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, computer applications, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.
Prerequisites:
ENG 101
Goal Areas:
GE-02, GE-13
Introduction to business communication. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation typical to a business/industry setting. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, software applications, collaboration, and usability testing to complete business communication tasks. Fall, Spring
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-02, GE-13
Introduction to written and visual communication of technical information in agricultural contexts. Through rhetorical analysis, collaborative and independent writing, and usability testing, students will learn strategies to produce clear, concise, accurate, and effective documents and presentations.
Prerequisites:
none
Research in Technical Communication - Choose 4 Credit(s).
Introduces students to theories of usability and teaches students various methods to evaluate design for usability including heuristic evaluations, card-sorting, task-based evaluations, and fieldwork.
Prerequisites:
ENG 271W or ENG 272W
Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, and data analysis of information to be used in reports.
Prerequisites:
ENG 271W or ENG 272W
This course addresses the skills required for technical communication within the context of health and medicine. Students will discuss typical audiences, purposes, and genres of health and medical communication. Students will adapt complex health and medical information for audiences with varying levels of knowledge, demonstrating awareness of audience analysis, visual design, plain language, and ethics.
Prerequisites:
none
Focused Study in Technical Communication - Choose 16 - 18 Credit(s).
Introduces students to theories of usability and teaches students various methods to evaluate design for usability including heuristic evaluations, card-sorting, task-based evaluations, and fieldwork.
Prerequisites:
ENG 271W or ENG 272W
Students learn how to research and write technical information for multiple cultures, both locally and internationally.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed to introduce students to technical project management. This introduction is achieved through participation in a simulated project management experience. Assignments include standard documentation associated with project management and reflective writing. Fall, Spring
Prerequisites:
ENG 271W
This course provides analysis and training focused on concepts and practices of visual design as they relate to technical and professional communication.
Prerequisites:
none
Overview of technical communication theory with emphasis on contemporary approaches. Hands-on workshop which implements the theories discussed.
Prerequisites:
none
Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, and data analysis of information to be used in reports.
Prerequisites:
ENG 271W or ENG 272W
Reading and analysis of stories, novels, poems, essays, and nonfiction accounts that deal with scientific and technological topics. Focus on the role of technology in communication forms and tools.
Prerequisites:
none
Overview of prominent rhetorical theories, from classical to contemporary, which are applicable to technical communication. Practical application and implications of the theories emphasized. Additional attention given to current issues such as risk communication and ethics.
Prerequisites:
none
Practice in the development and production of proposals, focusing on the researching, writing, and management of proposals by technical communicators.
Prerequisites:
none
This course addresses the skills required for technical communication within the context of health and medicine. Students will discuss typical audiences, purposes, and genres of health and medical communication. Students will adapt complex health and medical information for audiences with varying levels of knowledge, demonstrating awareness of audience analysis, visual design, plain language, and ethics.
Prerequisites:
none
Minor
A minor is required. Students may not double-count courses between majors and/or minors in the Department of English. Choose a technical minor from the following list, or another with advisor approval. Aeronautics, Agriculture, Applied Health Science, Automotive Engineering Technology, Biology, Chemistry, any minor in Computer Information Technology program, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering Technology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sports Medicine, Urban and Regional Studies.
Policies
Grade Policy. Students must earn a "C-" or better for a course to apply to their major.
P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to a major in English may not be taken on a P/N basis, except where P/N is mandatory.
English Majors. Students majoring in English may elect one of the following minors: Film Studies, Linguistics, and Technical Communication. However, a course used to meet the requirements of an English major, minor, or certificate cannot also be used to meet the requirements of another English major, minor, or certificate. Consequently, because Technical Communication shares required courses, students may elect only one of them: BA English Studies Technical Communication Emphasis, BS English Technical Communication Option, the certificate in Technical Communication, or the Technical Communication minor.
Residency Requirements. Students pursuing a major and/or minor in the Department of English must complete at least 50% (half) of the required credits for the major and/or minor at Minnesota State Mankato.
Limits to Independent Work. Students pursuing a major or minor in the Department of English may earn no more than 33% (one-third) of the required credits through supervised independent work such as independent studies or internships, not including capstone experiences.
