What degrees are offered?

We currently offer the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Professional and Technical Communication.

Both programs prepare students for entry-level positions as technical writers/ editors, content developers, or usability professionals, most commonly working on teams to create user guides, web content, and proposals in companies within the information technology, consulting, and healthcare industries. Students earning the BS will be especially well-qualified for technology-heavy positions (e.g., front-end web developer, business analyst, etc.) in information technology and software companies.

We also offer exceptional undergraduate students a five-year, combined BA or BS + MA in Professional and Technical Communication (Grad Track Pathway).

Learn more about the field of technical communication and your career opportunities.

How much will these programs cost?

UNT has been named one of America's Best College Buys® for 22 consecutive years. You can use a calculator to estimate your tuition and fees. Get more information about the cost of undergraduate programs.

When do I need to apply?

We have rolling admissions so you can apply at any time. If you want to compete for a departmental scholarship, you must apply and be admitted before February 1. Get more admissions information for freshmen or for transfer students.

What classes do I take?

All TECM classes emphasize skills needed in the workplace: like writing documentation, designing for user experience, and coding websites. Students learn advanced software skills (e.g., MS Word, Adobe InDesign, MadCap Flare, etc.), and most classes involve client-sponsored projects that produce work students can show off to potential employers.

Look below for the list of required courses and sample syllabi.

Beginning with the 2018-19 Catalog, students are required to take 10 major courses (30 hours).

• TECM 1500: New Media
• TECM 2700: Technical Writing
• TECM 2800: The Profession of Technical Communication
• TECM 3100: Visual Technical Communication
• TECM 3200: Information Design for Electronic Media
• TECM 3550: Content Strategy in Technical Communication
• TECM 4100: Writing Proposals
• TECM 4180: Advanced Technical Communication
• TECM 4190: Technical Editing
• TECM 4300: Usability & User Experience
• TECM 4500: Content Analysis

Students are also required to take 2 elective courses (6 hours).

• TECM 3500: Digital Media for Professional Communication
• TECM 4250: Writing Technical Manuals & Procedures
• TECM 4400: Advanced Information Design
• TECM 4800: Special Topics
• TECM 4920: Cooperative Education (Internship)

Instead of meeting the CLASS-required foreign language requirement like BA students, BS students must complete 2 technology foundation courses (6 hours) from one of the options below.

NOTE: Some of the options do not yet appear in the UNT Catalog. Confirm your course plans with the Department's Faculty Advisor.

Group 1: Computer Science

• 2 CSCE courses at UNT

Group 2: Business Computing

• BCIS 2610: Computers in Business
• BCIS 3630: Object Oriented Programming for Business
  or BCIS 3610: Basic Information Systems

Group 3: Data Analysis

• DSCI 2710: Data Analysis with Spreadsheets
• DSCI 3710: Business Statistics with Spreadsheets

Group 4: Information Science

• INFO 4203: Information Indexing and Organization
• INFO 4223: Introduction to Metadata for Information Organization or INFO 3020: Introduction to Computation with Python

For the complete list of degree requirements visit the Undergraduate Catalog.

Not all courses are offered every semester. You can view the planned course offerings here.

What marketable skills does this degree develop?

Marketable skills for this degree include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas, that are valued by employers, and are primary or complementary to the major. The marketable skills goal was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. UNT's marketable skills were faculty-developed and approved by employers or discipline-specific agencies, e.g., internship providers, chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, and other workforce-related entities. For information on these marketable skills - https://vpaa.unt.edu/thecb/class/tecm

Who do I talk to?

**We strongly encourage our students to meet with an advisor before enrolling each semester.**

Please call the office at (940) 565-4458 to schedule an appointment to meet with the undergraduate advisor.

Mr. Oren Bruton, Undergraduate Advisor

Dr. Ryan Boettger, Assistant Department Chair