Missouri S&T's Department of English and Technical Communication is the only program in Missouri to blend the humanistic study of English with the principles and practices of technical communication in a single degree program. The STEM-focused environment of S&T sets us apart from any of our peer programs in English or technical communication: it allows us to leverage S&T's existing strengths in STEM and to focus on adaptive thinking and ethical training that today's job market demands and that global citizenship requires. The ETC program provides students with innovative undergraduate research and coursework opportunities that do not exist in traditional departments, including the chance to complete several client-based classroom projects that allow students to collaborate professionally with customers and other colleagues. The ETC program teaches students to use technology in order to make complex topics understandable and to make information usable. As a result, our graduates are in high demand and find career opportunities in a wide range of professional domains, including engineering, health care, technology, education, publishing, government, natural sciences, and nonprofits. ETC majors at S&T can even earn a master's degree in technical communication with only one additional year of study past graduation.
The interdisciplinary nature of the ETC degree at Missouri S&T enables you to acquire the qualifications you need to be competitive and flexible in an ever-changing technological environment. When you graduate, you will have a solid technical background in computer-enhanced information systems, an understanding of how organizations function, and strong communication skills. Areas employing our graduates include computer manufacturing and software development, consumer electronics, banking and financial institutions, telecommunications, chemical and pharmaceuticals, hospitals and research labs, and academic institutions and libraries. Our graduates become teachers, writers, editors, designers, and managers, and they hold job titles such as UI/UX Manager, Operational Excellence Analyst, Social Media Strategist, Visual Information Specialist, and Senior Technical Writer.
In technical communication courses, you will study both the theory and practice of communication in written, oral and visual forms, and produce a variety of technical documents in print, electronic, and digital forms. Because technical communicators work at the interface of technical experts and product users, you will gain experience with project management in a user community and become adept in audience analysis, needs assessment, document design, and team building.
English coursework involves the study of language, literature, and culture. Topics include literary history, criticism, literary forms, and detailed examinations of individual authors. Additional genre and theme courses are available, including world literature, literature and film, and science fiction. Linguistics and writing courses include the history and structure of the English language, advanced composition, and creative writing. Speech and media studies courses focus on oral modes of communication and the social dynamics of leadership in groups and organizations.
If you plan to become a secondary school teacher of English/language arts, the department offers an emphasis area in secondary education.
Eleven minors are available. American studies, creative writing, literature, writing, technical communication, literature and film, linguistics, social media in industry, game studies, communication studies, and leadership communication. You can major in any other academic filed and minor in these areas.