Technical and Professional
Communication Concentration
(Concentration Website)

East Carolina University's online graduate programs in Technical and
Professional Communication provide advanced preparation for students
seeking careers in technical and professional communication and a
variety of related fields requiring communication expertise. Students
develop proficiency in technical editing and publishing; communication
media and technologies; research design and methodology; teaching
and training; communication in specific professional contexts such as
healthcare, science, and government; professional writing genres; and
many other areas.  

Students from a variety of academic backgrounds develop the knowledge
and skills to thrive as communicators in industry, academe, and the
public sector. Our programs offer practicing communication professionals
the opportunity to step back from their everyday tasks to reconsider the
technological and conceptual changes that influence their work. Our
graduates become public relations specialists, fund-raising and educational
outreach professionals, program directors and communication specialists,
teachers and trainers, writers in government, and technical communicators
in high-tech industries.

For answers to questions about the TPC program, contact the TPC area
coordinator, Dr. Brent Henze (TPC@ecu.edu). For help with course
selection, contact the TPC graduate advisor, Dr. Sherry Southard
(southards@ecu.edu).

Course Work and Other Requirements

Core
7701 (formerly 7730): Research Methods in Technical and Professional 
                              Communication
7702 (formerly 7701): Research Design in Technical and Professional 
                              Communication

Select 15 hr from the following courses
6700: Technical Editing and Production
6715: Technical Writing
6721: Copyediting in Professional Communication
6725: Directed Readings in Technical and Professional Communication
6740/6741: Internship in Technical and Professional Communication
7705: Ethical Issues in Professional Communication
7710: Professional Communication
7712: Proposal and Grant Writing
7716: Classics in Scientific and Technical Literature
7730: Issues in Technical and Professional Communication
7745: Teaching Professional Communication
7746: Training in Professional Communication
7750: Writing Public Science
7765: Special Studies Seminars in Technical and Professional 
         Communication*
7766: Special Studies Seminars in Communication and Emerging 
         Technologies**
7780: Theory of Professional Communication
7785: History of Professional Communication
7790: Public Interest Writing

 *7765 may be completed multiple times with different topics.
 **7766 may be completed up to two times with different topics.

Electives  12 hr
(English or non-English; may include courses from the list above)

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

Research Skills Requirement
(computer skills or foreign language)

Up to 9 hours of non-degree courses may be counted automatically;
6 additional hours may be counted (for a total of 15 hours) with approval.
Transfer courses will be considered in accordance with the ECU Graduate
School transfer credit policy.