JMU’s Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication major approaches writing as a tool and a career.
The School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication is a community of exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, talented students and energetic alumni in one of the only stand-alone programs in the U.S. dedicated to the art and craft of writing in applied contexts.
WRTC offers an expansive curriculum and a wide variety of opportunities for hands-on learning. Students learn the kinds of research, analytical and technical skills that allow them to become successful professional communicators as well as competitive candidates for a wide variety of graduate programs. Our faculty is comprised of practitioners and scholars from fields including rhetoric and writing, scientific and technical communication, creative nonfiction and professional writing, digital media, UX and usability studies, feminist and gender studies, rhetoric of health and medicine and science studies, and environmental and science writing.
The major is a part of the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, an academic unit within the College of Arts and Letters.
The study of writing, rhetoric and technical communication includes five advising tracks in the undergraduate major: Professional Writing and Publishing, Inclusive Design, Writing for Law and Society, Science and Health Writing, and Design Your Own Track. The WRTC major emphasizes scholarly, humanistic and social scientific perspectives on the function and application of communication technologies, with instruction in areas such as:
- editing
- online theory and design
- usability and user experience
- publications management
- knowledge and information management
- writing for professional communities such as government, medical, scientific and academic
In addition to offering students the rhetorical tools with which to excel as professional communicators, the B.A. and B.S. programs also prepare graduates for study at the master's level as well as for professional programs such as law school.
The B.A. and B.S. programs in WRTC provide a flexible yet historically and theoretically grounded degree program. The WRTC degree teaches students to create in multiple genres and to think critically in ways that cross disciplinary lines.
Students work with their WRTC advisers to select a track and design a program that fits their unique educational needs and career aspirations. Tracks include Professional Writing and Publishing, Inclusive Design, Writing for Law and Society, Science and Health Writing, and Design Your Own Track.
Course requirements differ between the B.A. and B.S. programs and students are advised to maintain regular contact with their WRTC adviser to ensure timely graduation. Requirements and eligible courses for the B.A. and B.S. are outlined below.
Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
- Degrees Offered:
- B.A. in Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication
- B.S. in Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication
- B.A. in Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication
- Concentrations: None
- Minors:
- Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
Career Planning
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