This site is dedicated to the technical communication program at the University of Kansas. KUTC is part of the English Department, and all of our courses earn students credit in English and writing.

We offer four classes that focus on developing good technical-writing and -editing skills; see the navigation at the top of each page to access information about those courses and to meet our program graduates. English 362 is the course that lays the foundation for the advanced courses in the program, and it or a completed undergraduate degree is the prerequisite for enrolling in English 562 or English 564; either of the advanced courses is the prerequisite for enrolling in the final course in the program, which can be either English 563 or English 596.

Starting in Summer 2008, we will be offering the Advanced Technical Communication courses as a two-week, in-class intensive program with projects due at mid-term and during Finals Week. For 2008, English 562 is offered as a night class at the KU Edwards Campus while English 564 is offered as an afternoon class at the KU Lawrence Campus. Students are encouraged to enroll in both courses to help them complete the Technical Communication program more quickly without interfering with their major-degree course of study.

We also give a Technical Writing Award, and we are planning new Technical Writing and Technical Editing internships. Watch this site for updates as we continue to expand the program.

If you represent an organization interested in working with well-trained interns, drop Chris McKitterick a note expressing interest, and we can discuss setting up writing or editing internships with your organization.

The courses in the KU program are designed for:

• Students expecting to write technical documents in their careers, especially those headed into the fields of science, engineering, technology, and business. If you are earning a degree in these fields, a solid background in technical communication can really enhance your resume, because most scientists, engineers, and businesspeople spend much of their work-life writing technical documents.

• Students interested in a technical communication career. Full-time technical communicators work in the exciting worlds of science, research, business, and industry, alongside experts in their fields. Experienced technical communicators with a strong portfolio of samples are always in high demand, and they can earn as much as many engineers and scientists. So if you're interested in science, high-tech, and engineering breakthroughs but aren't interested in becoming a scientist or engineer, technical communication might be for you! Check out the STC's site to learn more about this fulfilling career, and take a look at the WinWriters' survey page to learn about what technical communicators earn and think about their jobs.

• Area professionals who need to increase their technical-communication skills and their value to their organizations, who wish to change careers, or who seek a means to move either vertically or laterally in their current workplaces. Most businesses require employees to continually enhance their value to the company through personal and career development. This includes learning new skills and becoming more versatile. According to the University of Maryland – Baltimore County, “Businesses complain that many of their employees, though college graduates, cannot communicate effectively in writing. They are willing to pay for this skill, so if you can write, you’re ahead of the field. People who can write are simply more effective at what they do than those who can’t.”

Technical writing is a core skill in high demand, yet few technical writers become famous. They work hard, constantly need to learn new things, and collaborate with all kinds of smart and difficult people. But the rewards include earning a very good living and working at the forefront of technological and scientific change. If this sounds exciting rather than harrowing, check out KU's technical-writing program! It could lay the foundation for wonderful things.

Chris McKitterick's email address: cmckit@ku.edu