The professional and technical writing program prepares writers to be confident participants in all genres of professional communication. Students take classes in two areas focused on rhetoric and technical writing. First, they build a theoretical foundation in rhetoric so that they can assess any writing situation and adapt their writing to the context as audience-aware, self-aware, and ethically aware writers. Second, they learn how to implement software to design and create professional documents. Through these courses, students learn both how to write and why they are writing; thus, the program prepares them for the ever-changing job markets of the professional community.

An important component of the program is helping students become professionals with ethical standards that prepare them for the job market. Accordingly, the program defines professional writing broadly enough to allow students to supplement their training in technical writing with such topics as rhetoric, usability studies, graphic design, and publishing. Students in this major are also strongly encouraged to earn a minor in a subject area that will broaden their intellectual background and help them advance in their careers.

Competencies
By the end of the program, students will be able to engage in professional discussions about the following issues and technologies relevant to technical communication practice:

• The natures of different texts
• Hardware and software for text production
• Theoretical issues in perception and reading
• Rhetorical theory and strategies
• The importance of teamwork in the writing profession
• Document and publication design

They will be able to demonstrate that their experiences within the program have provided them with the following skills and abilities: