1. Major Academic Plan (MAP)
Associate in Arts & Sciences
BA in Technical Communication with Visual Communication Design and Public Relations
( credits)
English Department
College of Arts, Letters, and Education
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 Carnegie
211C Patterson Hall
Cheney, WA 99004
Department Chair
Dr. Logan Greene
203 Patterson Hall
Cheney, WA 99004
Department Assistant
 Diane Weber
203 Patterson Hall
Cheney, WA 99004
Sample Careers
Tech Writer
Editor
Communications Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Political organizer
Advertising Specialist

2. AA-DTA Degree Requirements with Suggested Classes that Fulfill EWU Prerequisites/Requirements
BIG BEND C.C. COURSE
E.W.U. COURSE EQUIVALENT
ENGLISH (10 credits)
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5)
ENGL 101 College Composition: Exposition and Argument (5)
ENGL& 102 Composition II (5) OR
ENGL 201 Advanced Academic Research Writing
ENGL 201 College Composition: Analysis/Research/Documentation (5)
QUANTITATIVE SKILLS (5 credits)
Consult your advisor for course options.
HUMANITIES (min. 15 credits)
CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5)
CMST 200 Introduction to Speech Communication (5)
SOCIAL SCIENCES (min. 15 credits)
MATH/SCIENCE (min. 15 credits)
SPECIFIED ELECTIVES (10 credits)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH & WELLNESS (3 credits)
GENERAL ELECTIVES (12 credits max.)
ENGL 109 Applied Technical Writing (3)
TCOM 205 Intro to Tech Communication (5)
The courses listed below transfer to satisfy EWU Graduation Requirements and can be taken before or during the major programs:
Foreign Language Two full years of high school-level or one full year of college-level credit is required for graduation.
Cultural Diversity (one course)
ENGL 261 Women’s Literature (5)
HUM 214 Diversity Issues: Race, Class and Gender (5)
SOC 204 Gender and Power (5)
International Studies (one course)
HIST 121 History of Mexico (5)
PHIL 250 Asian Philosophy (5)
POLS& 203 International Relations (5)
REL 201 World Religions (5)
SOC& 201 Social Problems (5)