Technical Communication and Rhetoric - BA, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English

About This Degree

Technical communication and rhetoric (TCR) is a field that involves creating and delivering complex information to those who need to accomplish a defined task or goal. Students who have graduated from this program have gone on to work in a variety of industries and sectors, such as tech companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies; our graduates work in a variety of roles in learning experience design, usability research, user experience design, video production, copywriting and editing, publishing, marketing, risk communication, technical writing, grant and proposal writing, and project management. This degree can also prepare students for law school and other postgraduate paths. At USU, students can major or minor in TCR. USU’s TCR students learn rhetorically grounded design and communication skills, and they are encouraged to examine how their communications can better serve community needs and the public good. In TCR courses, students often work on projects that benefit communities they care about.

For more information about Technical Communication and Rhetoric - BA, BS, see the department website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) of the student’s choice.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements for This Program

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010, ENGL 2010, CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.5 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.5 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students.

Additional Information

Graduation Standards and Number of Credits

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total

Minimum Grade Accepted: C in courses taught by major, with up to 3 credits with pass/fail grades allowed for internship.

Number of Required Credits: 42

Credits in Residence: Students must complete 21 credits of major-applicable coursework at Utah State University.

Major Requirements (42 credits)

A. Required Introductory Classes (6 credits)

TCR 2100 - Introduction to Technical Communication 3 credit(s)
TCR 2110 - Digital Writing Technologies 3 credit(s)

B. TCR Major Courses (27 credits)

Selet 27 credits from the following courses:

TCR 3100 - Workplace Research 3 credit(s)
TCR 3110 - Accessibility and Disability Rhetorics 3 credit(s)
TCR 3120 - Rhetorical Theory (DHA) 3 credit(s)
TCR 3210 - Usability and Games User Research 3 credit(s)
TCR 3220 - Technical Editing (CI) 3 credit(s)
TCR 4210 - Visual Communication Design 3 credit(s)
TCR 4220 - Technology and Activism 3 credit(s)
TCR 4230 - Project Management 3 credit(s)
TCR 4240 - User Experience Design 3 credit(s)
TCR 4250 - Careers in Professional Communication (CI) 3 credit(s)
TCR 5490 - Advanced Topics in Technical Communication and Rhetoric 3 credit(s)
ENGL 4900 - Internship/Cooperative Work Experience 1-15 credit(s) 1-3 credits of ENGL 4900 may fulfill TCR major or English Electives requirements.

C. English Electives (9 credits)

Select 9 credits of English Electives (ENGL courses 3000 level or higher, including courses in Creative Writing, Literature, Linguistics, Folklore, and American Studies). Up to 3 credits of 2000-level English Core Courses may be substituted for 3 credits of English Electives. English Core Courses include the following:

ENGL 2070 - Introduction to Digital Humanities (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ENGL 2210 - Introduction to Folklore (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ENGL 2600 - Literary Analysis 3 credit(s)
ENGL 2630 - Introduction to American Studies (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ENGL 2640 - Race and Ethnicity in the United States (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ENGL 2720 - Survey of American Folklore 3 credit(s)

Total Credits: 120

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Suggested Degree Map - Technical Communication and Rhetoric - BA, BS

Technical Communication and Rhetoric BA, BS - 4 Year Degree Map