Technical Writing Minor
Professor in Charge :
Stuart Selber
143 Burrowes Building
863-8032
selber@psu.edu
This 18-credit Minor provides all undergraduate students, regardless of college or major, the opportunity for concentrated work in technical writing.
The Minor in Technical Writing responds to the growing need in business, industry, and government for people who can communicate the results of technical work at a level of competence substantially above that usually found in beginning professionals. Indeed, industry and government leaders testify repeatedly that professional success depends both on excellent professional work and on the powerful communication of that work.
Students completing the Minor in Technical Writing will be awarded a Certificate in Technical Writing .
English majors may use the same courses to satisfy both the English Major requirements and the Minor requirements.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR: (18 credits)
Prescribed courses (3 credits) : English 418 _________
Additional Courses (12-15 credits*) :
Students must take credits from each of the following three groups for a total of 12-15 credits:
Select 3-6 credits from:
ENGL 470, 471, 472, 473, 474SPCOM 440W, 452, STS 489
Select 6-9 credits from:
ENGL 415, 416, 417, 421, 495Select 3-6 credits from:
ART 270, 271PSY 421, 432
INSYS 412, 413, 441
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (0-3 credits)* :
Students may select a course at the 400-level in a technical or scientific area with the approval of the department.
*Some of the courses in this category may have prerequisites that are not included in the minor.
Summary of Courses from Other Units
| Number | Title | Prerequisites |
| ART 270 | Beginning Graphic Design | None |
| ART 271 | Typography | ART 270 |
| INSYS 412 | Developing Effective Training Presentations | None |
| INSYS 413 | Designing Instructional Manuals and Text | EDPSY 421, INSYS 415 |
| INSYS 441 | Design, Development and Evaluation of Computer-Based Instruction | INSYS 440 |
| PSY 421 | Advanced Cognitive Psychology | PSY 002 |
| PSY 432 | Introductory Engineering Psychology | PSY 002, STAT 200 |
| SPCOM 440W | Systems and Theories of Human Communication | SPCOM 230 |
| SPCOM 452 | Organizational Communication | SPCOM 230 or 352 |
| STS 489 | Technology and Human Values | None |
