At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Department of English offers an 18-credit minor leading to a Technical Writing certificate to all students, regardless of major or college, who want to do concentrated work in technical writing.
What is Technical Writing?
The Minor in Technical Writing responds to the growing need in business, industry, and government for people who can communicate the results of technical work at a level of competence substantially above that usually found in beginning professionals. Indeed, industry and government leaders testify repeatedly that professional success depends both on excellent professional work and on the powerful communication of that work. This 18-credit minor provides all undergraduate students, regardless of college or major, the opportunity for concentrated work in technical writing.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ENGL 418 | Advanced Technical Writing and Editing | 3 |
| Additional Courses 1 | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 3-6 credits from the following: | 3-6 | |
Organizational Communication Theory and Research  | ||
| Organizational Communication Theory and Research | ||
| Rhetorical Theory and Practice | ||
| Rhetorical Traditions | ||
| Current Theories of Writing and Reading | ||
| Rhetorical Approaches to Discourse | ||
| Issues in Rhetoric and Composition | ||
STS/PHIL 407 | ||
| Ethics in Science and Engineering | ||
| Select 6-9 credits from the following: | 6-9 | |
| Advanced Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Science Writing | ||
| The Editorial Process | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Writing for the Web | ||
| Advanced Expository Writing | ||
| Communication Design for Writers | ||
| Internship | ||
| Select 3-6 credits from the following: | 3-6 | |
| Interactive Learning and Web-Design | ||
| Visual Images on the Web | ||
| Introduction to Web Design | ||
| Introduction to Graphic Design | ||
| World Technologies and Learning | ||
INSYS 441 | ||
| Engineering Psychology | ||
| Advanced Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas 1 | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 0-3 credits | 0-3 | |
- 1
Some courses in this category may have prerequisites that are not required in the minor.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
harrisburg
Russell Kirkscey
Assistant Professor of English and Technical and Professional Writing
W355 Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6189
trk82@psu.edu
New Kensington
Andrea Adolph
Director of Academic Affairs
3550 Seventh Street Rd.
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6031
aea13@psu.edu
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
113 Burrowes Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8032
selber@psu.edu
https://english.la.psu.edu/undergraduate/
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
W355 Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6189
trk82@psu.edu
New Kensington
3550 Seventh Street Rd.
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6031
aea13@psu.edu