B.A. in Writing Rhetoric & Technical Communication
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
JMU’s Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication major occupies rarefied air.
The School of Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication is a community of exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, talented students, and energetic alumni in one of the only stand-alone programs in the U.S. dedicated to writing across a variety of modes and genres.
WRTC offers an expansive curriculum and a wide variety of opportunities for hands-on learning. Students learn the kinds of research, analytical and technical skills that allow them to become successful professional communicators as well as competitive candidates for a wide variety of graduate programs. Our faculty is comprised of practitioners and scholars from fields including rhetoric and writing, scientific and technical communication, creative nonfiction, professional communication, digital media, feminist studies, the rhetoric of health and medicine, and science studies.
The study of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication includes two concentrations in the undergraduate major: technical and scientific communication and writing and rhetoric. The WRTC major emphasizes scholarly, humanistic, and social scientific perspectives on the function and application of communication technologies, with instruction in areas such as:
- literacy studies
- rhetorical traditions
- writing pedagogy
- editing
- website theory and design
- publications management
- knowledge and information management
- writing for professional communities such as government, medical, scientific and academic
In addition to offering students the rhetorical tools with which to excel as professional communicators, the B.A. program also prepares graduates for academic studies in writing, rhetoric, and technical communication at the master's level as well as for professional programs such as law school.
The B.A. program in WRTC unites three disciplines into a flexible yet historically and theoretically grounded degree program. The WRTC degree teaches students to think in ways that cross disciplinary lines and to demonstrate accomplishment in multiple genres of writing, rhetoric, and technical communication.
Students work with their WRTC advisers to design a program that fits their unique educational needs and career aspirations.
Course requirements differ between the B.A. program and students are advised to maintain regular contact with their WRTC adviser to ensure timely graduation. Requirements and eligible courses for the B.A. in each of the two concentrations are outlined below.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
- Foreign language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
- Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3 Credit Hours
- University electives 23-37 Credit Hours
- Major requirements 39 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level (typically 232) of the student’s chosen language or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Language, Literature and Cultures’ placement test.
Major Requirements
B.A. students must complete 18 hours of core requirements.
- Core requirements 18 Credit Hours
- Concentration requirements (Students must choose a concentration in either technical and scientific communication or writing and rhetoric.) 12 Credit Hours
- WRTC electives 9 Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- WRTC 200. Introduction to Studies in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 201. Theory and Methods in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 300. Professional Editing Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 301. Language, Law and Ethics Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 495. Internship in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 496. Capstone in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for most courses above WRTC 201 require completion of WRTC 200 and WRTC 201. Students may enroll in some courses for which they have not taken the prerequisite courses with permission of the instructor.
Technical and Scientific Communication Concentrations
All students must choose a concentration in either technical and scientific communication (TSC) or writing and rhetoric (WR). In addition to the 18 credit hours of core requirements, students must take an additional 21 credit hours of WRTC electives, 12 of which are concentration-specific.
Technical and Scientific Communication
All TSC concentrators must take WRTC 350 and choose three additional WRTC courses from the following list of TSC electives. In addition, TSC concentrators must take one WR elective, one crossover elective and one community-based learning elective.
TSC Concentration Courses
- WRTC 350. Foundations of Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
TSC Electives (Choose three): 9 Credit Hours
- WRTC 352. Online Design I Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 354. Document Design Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 356. Web Theory and Design Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 358. Writing About Science and Technology Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 412. Content Strategy Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 450. Digital Rhetoric Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 452. Online Design II Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 454. Publication Management Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 456. Usability Testing Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 458. Scientific and Medical Communication Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 460. Legal Writing Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 462. Government Writing Credits: 3.00
WR Electives (Choose one): 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 330. Rhetorical Analysis and Criticism Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 332. Creative Approaches to Digital Storytelling Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 334. Introduction to Popular Writing Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 336. Writing Consultation Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 338. Genre Theory Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 340. Writing as Leading Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 342. Writing Place Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 430. Contemporary Rhetorical Theory and Practice Credits: 3.00
or - SCOM 343. Contemporary Rhetorical Theory and Practice Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 432. Rhetoric of the Personal Narrative Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 434. Advanced Popular Writing Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 436. Teaching Writing Credits: 3.00
Crossover Electives (Choose one): 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 310. Semiotics Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 312. Studies in Literacy Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 314. Writing in the Public Sphere Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 316. Research Methodologies in WRTC Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 318. Intercultural Professional Communication Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 326. Environmental Communication and Advocacy Credits: 3.00
or - SCOM 354. Environmental Communication and Advocacy Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 328. Practicum Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- WRTC 416. Rhetoric of Environmental Science and Technology Credits: 3.00
or - SCOM 465. Rhetoric of Environmental Science and Technology Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
or - SCOM 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
or - WGSS 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 426. Special Topics in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
Community-Based Learning Electives (Choose one): 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 480. Writing for Business and Industry Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 484. Writing for Nonprofits Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 486. Writing in the Community Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 488. Writing in the Health Sciences Credits: 3.00
Recommended Schedule for B.A. Majors
Students are encouraged to begin their WRTC coursework as soon as possible in their degree plans. The following sample program of study illustrates how a WRTC major might earn a B.A. degree.
First Year
First Semester
- Foreign language course 3-4 Credit Hours 1
- General Education Cluster One 9 Credit Hours
- General Education Cluster Three 3 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 Completion of an intermediate level foreign language is required for the B.A. degree (usually six hours if begun at the intermediate level) unless the language requirement is satisfied by an exemption test. In that case, university electives may be substituted for additional hours indicated as foreign language courses.
Second Semester
- Foreign language course 3-4 Credit Hours
- WRTC 200. Introduction to Studies in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- General Education Cluster Three course 3 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 6 Credit Hours
Second Year
First Semester
- Foreign language course 0-3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 201. Theory and Methods in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- B.A. Degree philosophy course 3 Credit Hours
- General Education Cluster Three course 4 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 0-9 Credit Hours
Second Semester
- Foreign language course 0-3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 300. Professional Editing Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 301. Language, Law and Ethics Credits: 3.00
- General Education course 3 Credit Hours
- University electives 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC Concentration Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 330. Rhetorical Analysis and Criticism Credits: 3.00 (for WR)
- WRTC 350. Foundations of Technical Communication Credits: 3.00 (for TSC)
Third Year
First Semester
- WRTC concentration-specific electives 6 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 6 Credit Hours
- University elective 3 Credit Hours
Second Semester
- WRTC concentration-specific elective 3 Credit Hours
- WRTC elective 3 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 3-6 Credit Hours
- University electives 6 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
First Semester
- WRTC electives 3-6 Credit Hours
- University electives 6-9 Credit Hours
Second Semester
- WRTC elective 0-3 Credit Hours
- WRTC 495. Internship in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- WRTC 496. Capstone in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Credits: 3.00
- University electives 6-9 Credit Hours
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
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- Data Science / Math / Statistics / Operations Research New Grad Positions at MITRE Corporation
- Video Journalist/News Videographer at WVVA Television, Inc.
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- Graphics Editor at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
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Writer
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- Residential Content Writer at CoStar Group
Journalism
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- Cyber Security Operational Associate Analyst at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Postdoctoral Appointee - Computer Science Research Institute at Sandia National Laboratories
- Audit Associate - October 2023/January 2024 at Aronson
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Client Delivery Consulting Associate - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- (#R25907) IDD Habilitation Specialist / Clear Creek ICF at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Staff Accountant - Remote at Groupon
- (#R24709) IDD Habilitation Assistant / Clear Creek / ICF at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Financial Accountant I at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Associate Financial Analyst at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Communications Program Manager- Internal Communications at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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- (Immediate, Flexible hours/locations) Part-Time Paid TBBT/SNL-style Actors/Actresses ( Summer 2022 to School Year 2022-23) at CaringDr Corporation
Publisher
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- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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- Student Assistant for Past the Pandemic Program at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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- Corporate Relations Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
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Internships for JMU Students
Editor
- LAI Video Assistant Editor Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
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- Data Science / Math / Statistics / Operations Research Internships at MITRE Corporation
- EDITION by Modern Luxury Print Editorial Internship - Fall 2022 (Remote) at Modern Luxury
- Educational Game Design Intern - R23506 at Epic Games
- Stagiaire en conception - Unreal Engine - R23420 at Epic Games
- UI/UX Design Intern - Unreal Engine - R23420 at Epic Games
- Full-Stack Software Engineering Summer Internship 2023 at Kapwing
- Print Reporting and Social Media Internship at Youthcast Media Group
- Public Relations Internship - August 2022 - December 2022 at Cabine Creative
- Video Editor Intern at iHeartMedia
- REMOTE INTERNSHIP - RFP and Report Writer at SkyIT
- REMOTE INTERNSHIP - Video Editor at SkyIT
- Editorial Intern at Marketing Choices
- Public Relations Internship - August 2022 - December 2022 at Cabine Creative
- U.S. Communications Intern at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids/Global Health Advocacy Incubator
- Sportswriter at CWall Sports & Entertainment
- Internship Program at Voice of America
Writer
- User Experience Intern at The Home Depot
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- Fundraising and Donor Relations Remote Internship (Fall 2022) at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
- Paid Media Intern at Brand Knew
- Journalist/Writer/Reporter Spring 2023 at WeINSPIRE Movement
- 2023 West Wing Writers Winter/Spring Internship at West Wing Writers, LLC
- Creative Services Summer Intern at CUNA Mutual Group
- NHQ:FD - Intern - Fundraising Content Creation (Fall 2022) at The American Red Cross - NHQ
- Content Writer Internship at Acoustic
- UX Designer Intern at Acoustic
- Marketing & Communications Internship for Brand Marketing with Harvard-based Non-profit (fully remote) at humanID
- Interdisciplinary Research Intern at Seattle Anxiety Specialists, PLLC
- TV Development Intern at Fabel Entertainment
- Blog Writer Intern Winter 2022/23 at Project Chimps
- Corporate Communications Intern at Railinc Corp.
- Print Reporting and Social Media Internship at Youthcast Media Group
- Real Estate Description Writer Internship at New York Habitat
- Storytelling - Content and Writing Internship for Brand Marketing with Harvard-based Non-profit (fully remote) at humanID
- REMOTE INTERNSHIP - Creative Writer at SkyIT
Journalism
- Accounting/Finance Summer 2023 Internship Position at Cummins Inc.
- 2023 Audit Summer Intern at Aronson
- 2023 Audit & Tax Rotational Summer Intern at Aronson
- 2023 Aronson Accelerate Leadership Program at Aronson
- MRCTV Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- MRC Free Speech America Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- MRC Culture Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- MRC NewsBusters Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- CNSNews Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- Accounting Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- Accounting Intern at iA
- Public Relations Intern at Merritt Group
- Corporate Communications Internship Summer 2023 at Hanesbrands, Inc.
- Intern, Broadcast at Minnesota Twins
- Intern, Baseball Communications at Minnesota Twins
- Summer Journalism Internships in Digital/Editing/Business Reporting/Audience/Data at Dow Jones News Fund
- Marketing and Strategy Intern at CUNA Mutual Group
- Property Management Internship - Summer 2023 at Van Metre Companies
- Accounting Internship - Summer 2023 at W. P. Carey, Inc.
Publisher
- Social Media Intern - Spring 2023 at IRL Agency
- Student Trainee (Biological Sciences & Natural Resources) (CEI) (Bismarck, ND) at Army Civilian Careers
- Student Trainee (Biological Sciences & Natural Resources) (CEI) (Chicago, IL) at Army Civilian Careers
- CNSNews Paid Internship - Spring 2023 at Media Research Center
- Paid WCPI Policy Internship Program (Spring 2023) at Women's Congressional Policy Institute
- Corporate Relations Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) at BNSF Railway
- Environmental Intern (Target Class: Environmental Analyst 1) at State of Connecticut Executive Branch
- Communications Intern (Summer 2023) at FedEx Ground - Corporate
- Health Policy Intern at Community Education Group
- Software Engineer - Summer Intern at Brightspot
- Summer Journalism Internships in Digital/Editing/Business Reporting/Audience/Data at Dow Jones News Fund
- Technology Services Summer Intern 2023 (Paid) (Fort Worth, TX) at BNSF Railway
- Orion Electrical Power System Characterization and Analysis at NASA Glenn Research Center Office of STEM Engagement
- Digital Media Internship Experience 1.A: Graphic Design for Web, Digital Presentations, and Marketing at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Fundraising & Development Coordinator Spring 2023 at WeINSPIRE Movement
- Journalist/Writer/Reporter Spring 2023 at WeINSPIRE Movement
- CDC Research Opportunity in Enhancing Opportunities for Multi-Sector Collaboration in Healthy Tribes Programs at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- Video/Film Expert Internship - Spring 2023 at SOFWERX at DefenseWERX
- EDITION by Modern Luxury Print Editorial Internship - Fall 2022 (Remote) at Modern Luxury
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
English Language Requirements
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