As one of just a few U.S. Technical Communication departments located in an engineering school, we prepare our students with skills in writing, speaking, designing digital content, using advanced information technologies, working with people, and strategically engineering information for multiple delivery platforms. All Technical Communication majors complete a rigorous Technical Communication core, one of four different concentrations, a professional track (minor) of their choice, and at least one internship for practical experience.
Core Curriculum
Mercer’s Department of Technical Communication is dedicated to producing exceptional graduates. To meet this goal, we have developed a comprehensive core of Technical Communication classes that all of our majors take, regardless of concentration. This core covers the basics of every skill that a technical communicator needs in the real world. Technical Communication core classes include:
Communication in Management
Information Design
Instructional Design
Technical Editing
Usability
Web Design
Tailor Your Path
Our students do not simply follow a catalog; they map out their own paths. In addition to a rigorous Technical Communication core, students choose a concentration from one of the following options:
If you have ever read an instruction manual, watched the manufacturer’s video on how to use a product, or attended an educational workshop, you’ve experienced the work of an Instructional Designer (ID). IDs specialize in teaching people how to complete tasks and creating the documents, videos, courses, and materials necessary to teach people how to complete tasks. IDs are needed in every industry, meaning that you can apply your skills and knowledge to nearly anything that you’re passionate about.
With a concentration in Instructional Design, you’ll learn the intricacies of adult learning and the technical skills necessary to create amazing instructional materials. You’ll take courses in subjects like organizational communication, cognitive psychology, visual communication, and quality management to help you make outstanding instructional materials and lead change in any industry.
Technological innovations have exploded the field of Technical Communication into exciting new specialties that once were unheard of. Technical Communication professionals now create interactive media, videos, podcasts, and all types of other media. This concentration includes courses in visual communication, photography, videography, typography, social media, and digital audio. If you have an interest in digital media and want to create it, then a concentration in Multimedia is for you.
Technical writers write, edit, and design documents in nearly every industry. While the field has been around for decades, it has never been in higher demand than it is in today’s increasingly technology-driven world. As a technical writer, you’ll write documents ranging from proposals to journal articles, perform comprehensive editing of documents, and standardize content across multiple platforms.
A concentration in Technical Writing is much more than just taking classes in writing and editing. You’ll learn about international communication, linguistics, high-tech communication, content management, and more. These classes will uniquely prepare you to enter the rapidly evolving world of technical writing as a well-rounded, highly skilled professional.
Usability is the study of creating products with the consumer in mind. Working as a usability designer means advocating for the user of the product to ensure that it is simple to learn, enjoyable to use, and aesthetically pleasing. Professionals in the field conduct research on how users interact with different products, analyze the data, and use it to create intuitive designs.
The Usability concentration prepares students for the fast-paced world of user-centered design (UCD). Students take classes in topics such as consumer behavior, research methods, human factors engineering, and cognitive psychology to prepare for the research and development that UCD entails.
In addition, students fulfill all of the School of Engineering General Education requirements and must complete a minor.