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Major · Communication

Technical and Scientific Communication

A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media; and that prepares individuals to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists. Includes instruction in scientific and technical writing and editing, graphic and information design, web design, audience analysis, document usability and field testing, publications management, and applications to specific technical fields.

Schools offering
17
Annual completions
70
Typical degree level
Associate's + Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$62k

About this major

A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media; and that prepares individuals to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists. Includes instruction in scientific and technical writing and editing, graphic and information design, web design, audience analysis, document usability and field testing, publications management, and applications to specific technical fields.

Examples of specialized tracks: Technical Communication, Scientific Communication.

Section 3 · Careers

Where this major leads

Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.

Occupation Median wage Job growth Typical education
Editors $75k +0.6% Bachelor's degree
Technical writers $92k +0.9% Bachelor's degree
Communications teachers, postsecondary $78k +2.1% Doctoral or professional degree
Section 4 · Earnings

Earnings at a glance

Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.

Median 5-year earnings

$62k

Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings

Associate's

$55k

Bachelor's

$62k

Section 6 · Where to study

Top colleges for Technical and Scientific Communication

Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
University of North Texas Denton, TX 0 17 17
Utah State University Logan, UT 0 12 12
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA 0 12 12
Ball State University Muncie, IN 0 6 6
Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 0 5 5
John A Logan College Carterville, IL 4 0 4
Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 0 4 4
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA 0 3 3
Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO 0 2 2
Mercer University Macon, GA 0 2 2
Section 9 · Frequently asked

Common questions

What can I do with a Technical and Scientific Communication degree?
Graduates commonly pursue careers such as Editors, Technical writers, Communications teachers, postsecondary.
Is a Technical and Scientific Communication associate's enough, or do I need a bachelor's?
Both credentials exist. The associate's is typically faster and cheaper; the bachelor's unlocks higher-earning roles. See our earnings table above.
How many colleges offer Technical and Scientific Communication?
17 colleges offered this major in the most recent IPEDS year, graduating about 70 students a year combined.