Those interested in TPC can find employment opportunities in commercial, academic, government, and non-profit organizations. Companies hire technical and professional communicators to produce user-centered, clear, precise, and timely text and media. The Cal Poly TPC Program provides a high-quality, experiential education that emphasizes hands-on collaboration across technical, scientific, artistic, and humanistic industries. The TPC Program equips you to succeed by providing the following:

• “Learn by Doing” classes with resume building projects.

• Professional development opportunities with organizations such as the TPC Marketing Team and TPC Club.

• Access to internship, volunteer, and project opportunities, as well as events.

• Mentorship within the community and faculty that is only available to those in the program.

In the TPC Program, you’ll have opportunities to build your professional skillset both inside and outside of the classroom.

Interested in joining the Cal Poly Program? Check out our socials (@calpolytpc) to get connected and see what students are up to!

LinkedIn Instagram Linktree

or Contact 

Dr. Krista Sarraf, Director of the Technical and Professional Comminucation Program

ksarraf@calpoly.edu

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Note that these requirements and course offerings are based on the semester curriculum.

• ENGL 2222 (4 units)

• Select a 3000-level course: ENGL 3310, 3317, 3632, 3636, OR 3637 (3-4 units)

• Select a 4000-level course: ENGL 4427, 4428, 4429, 4469, 4473, 4476, OR 4477 (4 units)

• ENGL 4491 (4 units)

Planning Units

This program requires 15-16 units. Due to scheduling, the program normally spans 3-5 academic semesters. Students are encouraged to begin taking courses early on to earn the certificate while attending Cal Poly.

TPC Certification Courses

ENGL 2222: Introduction to Technical and Professional Communication (4 units)

Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1A with a grade of C- or better; and completion of GE Area 1B with a grade of C- or better.

Required course. Introduction to the rhetorical, stylistic, and genre conventions used in technical and professional communication. Emphasis on the analysis, evaluation, and production of technical and professional documents. Counts toward the English major.

ENGL 3000 Courses (3-4 units)

Prerequisite: Junior standing; and completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better.

Select one of the following ENGL 3000 courses.

• ENGL 3310: Corporate Communication (3 units)

Fulfills GE Upper-Division Area 4 and GWR.

Additional Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better; and completion of one lower division course in GE Area 4.

• ENGL 3317: Humanistic Perspectives in Technical and Professional Editing (3 units)                                         Fulfills GE Upper-Division Area 3 and GWR.          Additional Prerequisite: English major or TPC Certificate; completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better; and completion of one lower-division course in GE Area 3.

• ENGL 3632: Writing Grant Proposals and Fundraising Appeals (3 units)    Fulfills GWR.

• ENGL 3636: Copywriting (3 units) Fulfills GWR.

• ENGL 3637: Designing Content and Information for the Web (4 units) Counts toward the English major. Additional Prerequisite: English major, English minor, or TPC Certificate.

ENGL 4000 Courses (4 units) Prerequisite: Junior standing; English major, English minor, or TPC Certificate; and one of the following: ENGL 310, ENGL 317, ENGL 319, ENGL 3310, ENGL 3317, ENGL 3627, ENGL 3632, ENGL 3636, or ENGL 3637.

Select one of the following ENGL 4000 courses. All courses listed below count toward the English major.

• ENGL 4427: User Experience Writing and Research for Social Impact

• ENGL 4428: Creative Problem-Solving for Social Impact in Technical and Professional Communication

• ENGL 4429: Writing for Nonprofits

• ENGL 4469: Advanced Topics in Technical and Professional Communication

• ENGL 4473: Designing Instructional Materials

• ENGL 4476: Digital Content Management Strategy

• ENGL 4477: Freelance Writing and Entrepreneurship

ENGL 4491: Practicum in Technical and Professional Communication (4 units) Prerequisites: Junior standing; and one of the following: ENGL 310, ENGL 317, ENGL 319, ENGL 3310, ENGL 3317, ENGL 3627, ENGL 3632, ENGL 3636, OR ENGL 3637.

Required course. Designing solutions for a real-world communication and design challenge. Problem definition, concept generation, feasibility, and solution. Completion of an independent or team-based project. Instruction in the professional skills of project management, teamwork, and communication.