Technical Communication (Data Visualization), BS
Health care, technology, business, government, finance and nonprofit organizations rely on professionals who can interpret data and communicate findings effectively. Learn how to turn complex data into clear stories.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Technical Communication (Data Visualization), BS degree description
The data visualization concentration in the Bachelor of Science program in technical communication prepares you for the innovative work of collecting, processing and visualizing data in clear, accurate and dynamic ways to a variety of audiences.
You learn how to structure, model, clean and correlate data. You learn myriad types of data visualizations and how to develop and refine visualizations using a variety of software, read and develop analytics dashboards, and communicate data-driven recommendations and findings. You gain experience visualizing proportions, patterns over time, complex relationships and spatial data through graphics. You also learn about data visualization ethics, including how to spot misleading graphs and how to ensure the production of responsible and accurate visualizations.
Why specialize in data visualization at ASU?
You do not need a technical background to begin here. This concentration opens visual communication skills to every student, and its interdisciplinary design draws on the expertise of three programs to mirror how real workplaces actually operate with information design and analytics studies.
You can also tap the CRUX Lab for hands-on user experience research.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| TWC 122 Introduction to Social Media |
| TWC 150 Introduction to Technical Communication |
| TWC 201 Writing for Digital Media |
| TWC 214 Storytelling with Data |
| TWC 260 Accessibility and Inclusion in Communication and User Experience |
| TWC 305 Research in Technical Communication |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Design clear, ethical and persuasive communication products for diverse audiences.
- Develop recommendations to improve the design and impact of technical content using user experience research methods.
- Evaluate emerging technologies to determine appropriate methods for delivering content for different audiences and purposes.
- Evaluate the affordances and limitations of visualization methods, tools, and techniques.
- Visualize data for a range of contexts and audiences.
Design clear, ethical and persuasive communication products for diverse audiences.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Studying abroad while learning about data visualization in the world of technical communication gives students an advantage in many workplaces. Understanding the global view of applied workplace communication, students become well-rounded communicators, able to use various print and digital information products to relate technical and specialized information. When they participate in one of the more than 300 available Global Education programs, students expand their scope of learning beyond the classroom and gain hands-on experience in different and exciting cultures.
Many of the School of Applied Professional Studies programs allow students to earn credit toward their major for their experiences studying abroad.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | 7.9% | $105,850 | Learn more |
| Data Management Specialist | 9.4% | $139,500 | Learn more |
| Document Management Specialist | 5.1% | $116,580 | Learn more |
| Market Research Analyst | 7.0% | $78,760 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this data visualization concentration prepares you for
Software and electronics companies, media corporations, financial institutions, government agencies and nonprofits are among the organizations that need technical communicators. Graduates of the program prepare for careers such as:
- big data engineer
- communication manager
- computer and information systems manager
- data specialist or analyst
- data visualization developer
- digital designer
- information architect
- market research analyst
Graduates are prepared for high-demand data visualization and data scientist roles across many industries and workplace environments.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Applied Professional Studies
|
SANCA 233
CISA@asu.edu
480-727-1526
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
