Faculty of Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication

www.poly.asu.edu/ecollege/multimedia

480/727-1287

SUTON Third Floor

Barry M. Maid, Faculty Head

Professor

Maid

Associate Professor

Stone

Lecturer

D’Angelo

MULTIMEDIA WRITING AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION—BS

In the Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication program, students learn how to produce, design, and manage information using traditional and leading edge technologies. Students

 1. learn to communicate, orally and in writing, across audiences and cultures;

 2. become aware of issues of ethics in technical communications;

 3. gain an awareness of the global nature of technical communication—culturally and economically—and develop the ability to evaluate print, oral, and electronic sources;

 4. gain an understanding of appropriate technical genres and learn to demonstrate technical editing skills in all work; and

 5. become able to incorporate appropriate visual elements and design in written documents and oral presentations and to work in appropriate media.

The program serves students who wish to pursue careers as technical writers, technical editors, Web page and intranet page designers, multimedia designers, desktop publishers, publications managers, and information designers.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate with a BS degree in Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours, including university graduation requirements and the requirements of the major.

Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication Core

TWC 301 General Principles of Multimedia Writing L (3)

TWC 401 Principles of Technical Communication L (3)

TWC 411 Principles of Visual Communication L (3)

TWC 421 Principles of Writing with Technology L (3)

TWC 431 Principles of Technical Editing L (3)

TWC 490 Capstone (3)

Total 18

Major Electives

Fifteen semester hours are considered electives in the major (TWC). At least six of which need to be in genre courses, such as TWC 443 Proposal Writing or TWC 447 Business Reports. An Internship (TWC 484) or supervised work experience is strongly recommended.

For information about program requirements and courses, access the Web at www.poly.asu.edu/ecollege, or call an East College advisor at 480/727-1333.

Related Area

Students select a related area consisting of 12 semester hours of study in one other discipline. At least nine of these 12 semester hours must be in the upper division. Suggested disciplines might be, but are not limited to, applied psychology, business administration, or computer graphics. Students, with the help of an advisor, may also develop a coherent interdisciplinary related area.

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE—BAS

A Bachelor of Applied Science is also offered with a concentration in multimedia writing and technical communication. The BAS degree is a “capstone” degree for the Associate of Applied Science degree. The BAS degree exposes students to advanced concepts and diverse critical thinking skills that prepare them for future career opportunities and professional advancement.

Admission

Admission to the BAS degree program is restricted to students holding an AAS degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited U.S. postsecondary educational institution. A GPA of 2.00 or higher is required for all resident applicants and a 2.50 for nonresident applicants.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the AAS degree, the BAS in Applied Science through East College consists of 60 semester hours of upper-division (300-level and above) courses, with 30 semester hours in residence.

Assignable credit (6)

BAS core (15)

General Studies (19)

MWTC concentration (20)

Total 60

General Studies Curriculum

The BAS curriculum builds on the general education content of the AAS degree. Additional General Studies (L, CS, and awareness areas) are met with courses in the core or concentration. General Studies courses focus on contextual learning.

L (3)

MA (3)

HU (3)

HU or SB (3)

SB (3)

SG (4)

Total 19

Assignable Credit

Assignable credit offers students the flexibility within the curriculum to take the prerequisite courses needed for success. The courses (six semester hours) are determined by the student and an advisor.

BAS Core

The area core (15 semester hours) is focused on management and organization, professional communication, qualitative analysis, and computer competency.

Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication Concentration

In consultation with an advisor, students select 20 semester hours of upper-division TWC courses.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

An undergraduate Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication Certificate is available and requires 18 semester hours.

For students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree, a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication is available that also requires 18 semester hours.

Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication

The postbaccalaureate certificate in Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication requires the following courses:

TWC 501 Principles of Technical Communication (3)

Two of the following courses (6)

TWC 511 Principles of Visual Communication (3)

TWC 521 Principles of Writing with Technology (3)

TWC 531 Principles of Technical Editing (3)

Three 500-level TWC courses at least two of which must
be genre courses, such as TWC 543 Proposal Writing
or TWC 547 Business Reports (9)

Total 18

For more information about both certificate programs, call an East College advisor at 480/727-1333, or access the Web site at www.poly.asu.edu/ecollege/multimedia.

BIS CONCENTRATION

A concentration in multimedia writing and technical communication is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the BIS program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see School of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Omnibus Courses. For an explanation of courses offered but not specifically listed in this catalog, see Omnibus Courses.

Graduate-Level Courses. For information about courses numbered from 500 to 799, see the Graduate Catalog, or access www.asu.edu/aad/catalogs on the Web. In some situations, undergraduate students may be eligible to take these courses; for more information, see Graduate-Level Courses.