Technical Communication and Emergent Media

  • two students sitting at a table
  • student sitting speaking with Dr. Mauro
  • two students sitting at table with their laptops and cell phone

"Providing you with real-world experience to take a leadership role in an always-evolving media environment."

Nicholas L. Stefanski, JD, PhD
Program Advantages

Applications are now being accepted for this new program!

The TCEM BS will offer experiential technical education in:

  • Composing, managing, analyzing, and delivering technical information to specific audiences in a variety of forms, media, and contexts.
  • Creating and analyzing communication in emergent media environments and communities.
  • Entering the global marketplace as skilled intercultural communicators, technical practitioners, and scholars.

Additionally, the program will prepare students to be technical practitioners and scholars who can communicate about specialized information with technology and project management skills.  Students will be equipped to pursue opportunities in a variety of industries by selecting competencies in several potential areas to enhance employability for graduates of the program.

Professional Outlook

Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 5,400 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. In 2022, median pay for technical writers was $79,960; editors, $73,080; public relations specialists, $67,440; and writers and authors, $73,150.

As product innovation continues, technical writers will be needed to convert complex information into a format that nontechnical users of these products understand.  The continuing expansion of scientific and technical products and growth in digital product support needs will drive employment demand for these writers.

Occupational Title

SOC Code    

Employment 2022

Projected Employment 2032

Change

2022-2032

Percent/Numeric

Technical Writers

27-3042

54,700

58,400

7%/3,700

 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor 10/13/2023
Contact
Travis W. Matteson, PhD, English & Humanities Department Chair
Pioneer Quotes

"In the TCEM program, you will receive hands-on training for a relevant and rewarding career as a technical communicator. As a graduate of the program, you will be able to use writing to explain complicated concepts and technologies, help people solve problems, and communicate across cultures. Your TCEM degree will prepare you for your first job and provide you with the flexibility and real-world experience to take a leadership role in an always-evolving media environment, " -Travis W. Matteson, PhD and Nicholas L. Stefanski, JD, PhD, assistant professors in the English & Humanities Department