Technical Communication and Media Production

Studies in the Technical Communication and Media Production Department blend the knowledge of communication practices and technology. Course work in technical communication develops essential skills for working professionals in the technical, scientific, medical, media production, or corporate communications fields.

The course work focuses on the development of reader-centered, content-driven information products produced in various areas of concentration including corporate communications, media and interactive media production, or technical writing and editing.

Bachelor of Science

The Technical Communication and Media Production Department offers a B.S. degree in Technical Communication with four concentrations, a technical communication minor, and three certificate programs. In addition, the department offers a digital media minor in conjunction with the Department of Art and the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences and an organizational development and training minor in conjunction with the Department of Teacher Education and the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. The four concentrations in the major are:

• Corporate communications and training
• Interactive media production
• Technical writing and editing
• Video production

Each individual concentration teaches theory, concepts, and practical applications that can be employed in various areas of business, industry, government, and the media production field. With the exception of the extended major option, all students must complete a minor.

Upon completion of a degree program in technical communication, students should be able to:

Communicate knowledge of the field both orally and in writing
Relate technical communication principles from their selected areas of concentration
Apply theory and principles in a practical manner to their areas of concentration
Conduct research, synthesize technical information and write in the appropriate format of their concentration
Present technical information in a media or interactive media format suitable to their areas of concentration
Produce or oversee the production of technical information in a video or interactive media format suitable to their area of concentration

Computer Skill Requirement

Computer skills are required of all students majoring, minoring, or enrolled in a certificate program in the department. Students can meet this requirement by:

Providing documentary evidence at the time they see their department advisor of previous satisfactory completion of an academic or industrial training course in
computer literacy and document processing

-Or-

Successful completion with a grade of “C” or better of an approved MSCD course
in CIS or CSS in the semester following the declaration of their major, minor, or
enrolling in a certificate program. The department advisor will work with the
student to select the most appropriate course for the student’s academic needs.

Extended Majors

To complete either of the extended major options, the student must fulfill all the
requirements specified in one of the technical communication concentrations. In addition,
the student must fulfill all General Studies and multicultural requirements of Metropolitan State College of Denver. Students enrolled in the extended major are NOT required to complete a minor.

A student completing a community college degree may enroll for an extended major within the department if the student fulfills all of the following conditions:

The curriculum for the associates degree to be used is accepted by the department;

-and-

A 2+2 agreement is in place between the community college granting the degree and the Technical Communication and Media Production Department.

Technical Communication Minors

The technical communication minor is designed to provide additional skills that will increase employability for the student majoring in a scientific or technological discipline. In addition to the required core courses, the student selects live courses that may be in
one of the specialized areas or may be divided among the areas offered by the Technical Communication and Media Production Department to provide an overview of the discipline.

Digital Media Minor

The digital media minor includes courses from the departments of Art. Communication Arts and Sciences, and Technical Communication and Media Production. This minor
consists of 24 hours, six of which must be upper division. This minor is designed to provide skills that will increase employment opportunities in the field of digital media communication.

See complete description for minor by clicking here.

Training and Organizational Development Minor

The training and organizational development minor includes courses from the departments of Teacher Education. Communication Arts and Sciences, and Technical Communication and Media Production. This minor consists of 24 hours, six of which must be upper division. This minor is designed to provide skills that will increase employment opportunities in the field of training and organizational development communication.

See complete description of minor by clicking here.

Technical Communication Certificates

The Technical Communication and Media Production Department offers three certificate programs that enable students to enhance the professional training and experience an individual already possesses in order to expand employment opportunities and advancement. The three certificate programs are:

interactive media production
technical writing and editing
video production

Students enrolling in one of the major concentrations, one of the minors, or a certificate program must confer with a department advisor.