Technical & Professional Communication, Book Arts Lab, Creative Writing, Composition & Rhetoric
Technical and Professional Communication
Commercial, academic, governmental, and non-profit organizations employ technical and professional communicators as writers, editors, public relations experts, information designers, documentation and project managers, and mixed media creators. The technical and professional communicator is, first and foremost, an accomplished writer who produces clear, precise, timely, and effective prose. However, technical communicators are also adept at designing information layouts, integrating images with text, working in teams, translating technical concepts for diverse audiences, and engaging with users to ensure the usability of documents. Individuals interested in technical and professional communication enjoy the process of continually learning and sharing information with others. Learn more about the Technical and Professional Communication Program.
Creative Writing
Cal Poly’s English department houses one of the best undergraduate creative writing programs in the West. The university’s excellent academic reputation and the exquisite natural environment of the central coast attract creative students from all over California and the nation. Many of Cal Poly's creative writing students continue on to prestigious graduate writing programs, accept internships as editors and writers for national publications, and eventually teach writing at universities. Learn more about the Creative Writing Program.
Composition and Rhetoric
The Rhetoric and Composition Program at Cal Poly is committed to providing students with progressive and innovative approaches to writing education. Indeed, one of Cal Poly’s stated University Learning Objectives is “effective communication,” which means that you will be developing and honing your writing skills throughout your Cal Poly career. Regardless of your level, you will learn to exercise control over your writing and to make rhetorically effective choices. In other words, you will be expected to select an organizational strategy that suits you topic, to use language and punctuation that most effectively conveys your meaning, and to address an audience appropriately. In effect, you will be asked to write with care.