Major Academic Plan (MAP)

Why study Tech Com?

Technical Communication is a professional program designed to prepare students for a career as a technical writer. Because of the diverse nature of the profession, students will develop a broad base of professional writing skills, including work in documentation, editing, graphic design, and public relations. The major includes a professional internship, requiring at least 200 hours of supervised work in a business, industry, or agency related to the student’s career goals. Eastern Washington University offers the only BA in Technical Communication in the State of Washington.

What is Tech Com?

Having a problem using the new features on your smart phone or using a new computer program? Can’t figure out how to assemble the new barbeque? Technical communication focuses on how information can be communicated in ways that help people use the products, technologies, and information that make up their daily lives. Technical communicators are writers, editors, artists, managers, educators, and media specialists who are employed in virtually every industry. Technical communicators develop, edit, and manage software and equipment manuals, maintenance procedures, websites, online tutorials, and proposals. They also design user interfaces and test documents and products for usability.

Design Minor

The DESN classes planned into this major fulfill requirements for a Visual Communication Design minor (a fancy name for Graphic Design).

Program Director and Advisor

Dr. Teena Carnegie211C Patterson Hall Cheney, WA 99004509.359.2869tcarnegie@ewu.edu

Department ChairDr. Logan Greene203 Patterson HallCheney, WA 99004509.359.2400lgreene@ewu.edu

Department AssistantDiane Weber203 Patterson HallCheney, WA 99004509.359.6039dweber@ewu.edu

Sample CareersTech WriterEditorCommunications SpecialistPublic Relations SpecialistPolitical organizerAdvertising Specialist

Associate in ArtsBA in Technical Communication with Visual Communication Design and Public Relations(91-101 credits)English DepartmentCollege of Arts, Letters, and Education

Degree Requirements (AA-DTA) with Suggested Classes that Fulfill EWU Prerequisites/Requirements

Required Courses for Undergraduate Students at EWU

International Studies (4 quarter credit minimum) BUS 120 International Business (5) GEOG 230 World Regional Geography

(5) HIST 142 History of Japan (5) HIST 230 Latin American History (5) HUM 224 Contemporary Global Cinema

(5) HUM 241 The Impact of the Nazi Past

(5) MUSC 109 World music (5) POLS 102 Comparative Government (5) POLS 125 Introduction to Global Issues

(5) POLS& 203 International Relations (5) POLS 205 Islam and the West; Theater

of Cooperation and Conflict (5) SOC& 201 Social Problems (5)

COMMUNICATION (10 credits)ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5) ENGL 101 College Composition:

Argument and Exposition (5)ENGL& 102 Composition II (5) ENGL 201 College Composition:

Analysis/Research/Document (5)QUANTITATIVE/SYMBOLIC REASONING (5 credits)Consult your advisor for course options. HUMANITIES (15 credits)Consult your advisor for course options. SOCIAL SCIENCES (15 credits)Consult your advisor for course options. MATHEMATICS/SCIENCE (15 credits)Consult your advisor for course options. HEALTH/REC/LEISURE/ACTIVITIES COURSES (5 credits)PHOTO 101 Introduction to Photography (5)

DESN 350 Digital Imaging Photography (5)

ELECTIVES (25 credits)ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5) TCOM 205 Technical Communication

(5)These courses can be taken before or during the major Program. Foreign Language

o Two full years of high school-level or one full year of college-level credit is required for graduation.

Cultural Diversity (4 quarter credit minimum) ANTH& 210 Indians of North America (5) ART 112 Non-Western Art (5) CMST 226 Gender Communication (5) CMST 227 Intercultural Communication

(5) ENGL 247 American Multicultural

Literature (5) ENGL278 Women Writers (5) HIST& 219 Native American History (5) HUM 102 Introduction to Women’s

Studies (5) HUM 107 Introduction to Cultural

Studies (5) SOC 221 Race and Ethnic Relations (5) SOC 230 Sociology of Gender (5) WS 201 Women of Our World (5)

Course(s) listed in the left column are those offered at your institution, course(s) listed in the right column are those that are equivalent at EWU.