Professional and Technical Communication

Your Future in Professional and Technical Communication

Are you a clear and concise writer? Do you have an eye for detail? Are you familiar with computer science or web design? If so, you should pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional and Technical Communication at the University of North Texas. We are the only university in the region to offer a degree in this field.

Technical communication focuses on making technical topics understandable and using technology to make information usable. By earning a degree in this field, you can work as a(n):

• Editor
• Information architect
• Proposal writer
• Usability tester
• Website designer

Texas employs more technical communicators than any other state except California, and the DFW metroplex employs the sixth most technical communicators among metropolitan areas in the United States.

What we offer

Our curriculum provides you a broad liberal arts background and intensive training in the principles of technical communication. Our wide range of courses gives you the real-world skills you need to succeed in a technical communication career. A unique feature of the curriculum is the completion of several client-based classroom projects, which allow you to collaborate professionally with customers and other colleagues. Past projects have included:

• Creating promotional materials for an art gallery
• Creating style guides for companies
• Designing websites for local businesses and nonprofit organizations
• Editing engineering manuals
• Redesigning logos

As a Professional and Technical Communication major, you will use the Technical Communication Lab whenever you are enrolled in a Technical Communication course. The Technical Communication Lab is equipped with the technology and software needed to complete course work. Lab staff will help you learn the software skills, such as word-processing, desktop publishing, photo manipulating, and web designing, required for technical and business documents. Our faculty members are outstanding teachers with diverse backgrounds. They have years of experience as writers, editors, creative directors and consultants for various companies and organizations. Many are also active participants in professional organizations such as the Society for Technical Communication and the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing.

Internship and job opportunities abound because of the university’s location. The Dallas-Fort Worth region employs the sixth most technical writers in the nation. Recent Professional and Technical Communication majors have interned or worked full-time for National Instruments, Sabre, Southwest Airlines, Siemens and Texas Instruments.

What to expect

In addition to the university’s core curriculum, you’ll complete 36 credit hours of required courses and specialized electives. Courses include:

• Commercial publications for high-tech industries
• Information design for electronic media
• Technical editing
• Writing grants and proposals

The Career Center, Learning Center and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources available to you at UNT. The Career Center can provide advice about internships, future employment opportunities and getting hands-on experience in your major. The Learning Center offers workshops on speed reading, study skills and time management. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to enroll at UNT

High school students

Get detailed information on recognized high school graduation programs and SAT/ACT requirements.

In your senior year, apply for admission at ApplyTexas.org by the March 1 priority date and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office. Do you live out of state? For your convenience, you can apply through the Common Application.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT.

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our online transfer guides, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to review your degree plan. Proper planning will allow you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you with a peer mentor and other campus resources.