29 Technical Writing Degree Programs

JMU’s Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication major occupies rarefied air. The School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication is a community of exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, talented students, and energetic alumni in one of the only stand-alone programs in the U.S. dedicated to writing across a variety of modes and genres. WRTC offers an expansive curriculum and a wide variety of opportunities for hands-on learning. Students learn the kinds of research, analytical and technical skills that allow them to become successful professional communicators as well as competitive candidates for a wide variety of graduate programs. Our faculty is comprised of practitioners and scholars from fields including rhetoric and writing, scientific and technical communication, creative nonfiction, professional communication, digital media, feminist studies, the rhetoric of health and medicine, and science studies.

To achieve their goals, the programs combine work in theory, writing, text design, and analysis of communication systems and contexts to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to begin careers in writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. The programs emphasize scholarly, humanistic, and social scientific perspectives on the function and application of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. Consequently, the programs provide students with not only the knowledge and skills required for careers in industry, business, or government but also the research skills and communication theory that will prepare them for doctoral study in communication and rhetoric. The long-range goal of the degree, then, is to enable program graduates to grow as professionals and, ultimately, to contribute to the developing field of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication. Students work with school advisers to design a program that fits their unique educational needs and career aspirations. Depending on their backgrounds and options they might choose to pursue while in the degree program, students may decide to take additional courses to obtain knowledge or skills in specialized areas. For example, students may choose to take extra coursework to enhance their skills in communication technologies or to deepen their academic training in the writing, rhetoric, and technical communication content areas in which they intend to work as professional writers or editors.

The Professional Writing MA is designed for those who want to turn their love of words and writing into a dynamic and fulfilling career. It will give you the skills, motivation, networks and connections to work across a wide variety of industries – in publishing, journalism, public relations, advertising, as literary agents, copywriters and copyeditors. It will also allow you to explore the history and future of writing and the writing industries from a variety of perspectives and to develop your own interests and specialisms. Professional Writing takes a broad, holistic view of writing because writing is not just about writing. It is about editing, about working with the words of others and with other languages, it is about the reader, and it is about the form into which the words are packaged. It is about essays and tweets, novels and headlines, criticism and advertising, prizes and publicity. As a result, the course brings together the combined expertise of English, Creative Writing, Media, Communication, and Film and Cultural Studies to offer a truly interdisciplinary MA. In the course, you'll examine the changing role of professional writing through historical and theoretical debates and examples of contemporary professional practice across languages. From the story of the book to multimedia journalism, your modules will allow you to develop your skills and interests in a range of relevant professional contexts. You'll be taught through seminars, one-to-one and small group tutorials, practical sessions and workshops, together with an independent, student-directed study where you'll develop your own project or special topic with the help of an expert mentor. You'll work with academics, practitioners and industry professionals to gain an understanding of vocational issues, practices and concerns and will build up a network of contacts and connections within your chosen industries.

The Professional Writing with Extended Work Placement MA is designed for those who want to turn their love of words and writing into a dynamic and fulfilling career. It will give you the skills, motivation, networks and connections to work across a wide variety of industries – in publishing, journalism, public relations, advertising, as literary agents, copywriters and copyeditors.

The B.S. program in Technical Writing and Communication prepares students to create clear, effective, and user-friendly technical documents for diverse audiences. The curriculum emphasizes skills in w...

The Master in Professional and Technical Writing (M.S.) program is designed to prepare students for careers in technical communication, content development, and related fields. It emphasizes the devel...

The Bachelor's in Scientific and Technical Writing is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to communicate complex scientific and technical information effective...

The Bachelor of Arts in Technical Writing program prepares students to effectively communicate complex technical information in clear, concise, and accessible language. It combines coursework in writi...

The Bachelor's in English with a specialization in Technical Writing and Rhetorics focuses on developing students' abilities to communicate complex technical information effectively. The program empha...

The Technical Writing Certificate is a stackable certificate designed to prepare students for an entry-level position as a Technical Writer in the field of information technology. Program completers will be able to obtain positions in any organization or in IT service organizations.

The PhD program in Technical Writing and User Experience Design focuses on advanced research and practice in the fields of technical communication and user-centered design. Students engage in coursewo...

The Bachelor's program in Technical Writing and User Experience focuses on equipping students with essential skills to create clear, concise, and effective documentation and digital content. The curri...

The Technical and Applied Studies - B.T.A.S. program is designed for students who want to develop practical skills across various technical fields. It offers a flexible path where students can choose ...

The Master of Technical Communication program is designed to prepare students for careers in technical writing, editing, and communication across various industries. It provides a comprehensive curric...

The Associate of Technical Studies (A.T.S.) program is designed to provide students with a broad foundation in technical skills, focusing on preparing them for various careers that require hands-on ex...