BA in
B.A. in Writing Rhetoric & Technical Communication James Madison University
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
Editor
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Publications Specialist at American Industrial Hygiene Association
- Content Strategy Associate at BKO
- Data Visualization & Cartography Editor at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Reading and Writing Tutor (Remote) at Upswing
- Digital Content Manager at WFXR
- Technical Editor - (964) at Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.
- Data Science / Math / Statistics / Operations Research New Grad Positions at MITRE Corporation
- Video Journalist/News Videographer at WVVA Television, Inc.
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Associate Medical Editor at IPG Health
- Residential Content Writer at CoStar Group
- Creative Services Writer/Producer/Editor at NewsWest 9
- Android Mobile Reverse Engineer at Cipher Tech Solutions
- Production Coordinator and Marketing Assistant at National Recreation and Park Association
- Editorial Assistant at Pew Research Center
- Research Analyst, Home Services at U.S. News & World Report
- Graphics Editor at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Managing Editor at Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy
Writer
- Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in Statistics - Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Case Western Reserve University
- Social Media Content Curator (Finance/Economics Focus) - Part Time at Qnary
- NPDES Permit Writer (Natural Resource Specialist 3) at Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Content Strategy Associate at BKO
- Health & Fitness Article Writer at Bodybuilding.com
- Consulting or Senior Bat Biologist - (967) at Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.
- Reading and Writing Tutor (Remote) at Upswing
- Full-Time Lecturers - Department of English at Case Western Reserve University
- Senior Permit and Policy Consultant (Natural Resource Specialist 4) at Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- Digital Content Manager at WFXR
- Senior Technical Writer at Microchip Technology Inc.
- Postdoctoral Investigator - Biology - Shellfish Disease at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Proposal Writer at S.B. Ballard Construction Company
- Technical Writer at Belimo Americas
- Marketing Copywriter (Entry Level - Immediate or February 2023 Start Class) at Nexus Marketing
- Technical Writer I at Mayvin
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Residential Content Writer at CoStar Group
Journalism
- Accounting/Finance Entry Level Full-Time Position at Cummins Inc.
- Accounts Receivable Manager at PBS Distribution
- Postdoctoral Fellows at Houston Methodist
- SRNL Statistician - Advanced Modeling and Simulation at Savannah River National Laboratory
- SRNL Senior Fellow Electrical Development Engineer at Savannah River National Laboratory
- Social Media Specialist at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
- 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
- Health & Fitness Article Writer at Bodybuilding.com
- (Immediate, Flexible hours/locations) Part-Time Paid TBBT/SNL-style Actors/Actresses ( Summer 2022 to School Year 2022-23) at CaringDr Corporation
Publisher
- Postdoctoral Appointee - Computer Science Research Institute at Sandia National Laboratories
- Data Entry Associate at MJH Life Sciences™
- Affiliate Partnership Development Content Analyst at DMi Partners
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Patent Examiner (Electrical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Chemical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Biomedical Engineer) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Physics) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Part-Time Sports Intern (MassLive Media) at Advance Local
- Publications Specialist at American Industrial Hygiene Association
- Personnel Security Specialist - Investigations Case Analyst at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) - HQ Quantico, VA
- Social Media Associate at BKO
- (Immediate, Flexible hours/locations) Part-Time Paid TBBT/SNL-style Actors/Actresses ( Summer 2022 to School Year 2022-23) at CaringDr Corporation
- Student Assistant for Past the Pandemic Program at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Book Transcriber at Flight Line Media
- Corporate Relations Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
- Placement Counselor at Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
Internships for JMU Students
Editor
- LAI Video Assistant Editor Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
- Intern, Motion Designer/Video Editor at Minnesota Twins
- Summer Journalism Internships in Digital/Editing/Business Reporting/Audience/Data at Dow Jones News Fund
- 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
- Marketing Assistant (Internship) at Ben Glass Law
- 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.