Brochure and Application for M.S. Program
Master of Science in Technical Communication (M.S.)
[Admissions Requirements]
The Master of Science in Technical Communication is an innovative 32-credit program that provides advanced training in the professional practice and theory of technical communication. The program has been designed to
- help you succeed in this rapidly-evolving profession, within a global marketplace;
- prepare you for upper-level positions in technical communication-as managers, supervisors or consultants; and
- enable you to solve complex communication problems for a variety of audiences, in a variety of media.
In addition to being useful to technical communication professionals, this program may also help people in a variety of fields, including education, graphic design, training, marketing, multimedia development, science and engineering. You learn how to use your knowledge in practical, on-the-job situations; and all of the professors combine academic excellence with their own real-world experience.
In keeping with Metropolitan State's commitment to working adults, the master's program in technical communication offers flexible scheduling with evening and weekend classes, and program flexibility to suit individual professional goals. Two state-of-the-art instructional labs support the technical communication program. The labs feature a full suite of professional hardware and software for creating traditional and digital information products.
Deadlines for Application:
March 1st for Summer and Fall of this year
October 1st for Spring of next year
About Technical Communication
We are surrounded by technological change-in our schools, in the workplace, in our homes. To many people, just trying to keep up with the pace of change is a major challenge. But with change comes opportunity. Technical communicators understand that opportunity. They fill the gap between people and technology, between specialized information and those who want to use it. It's a growing field that helps people cope with technology and technical information in a variety of settings.
In many ways, technical communication is a skill set that allows individuals to fill many roles within organizations. Areas of expertise for technical communicators include:
Areas of expertise for technical communicators include:
- document design;
- content development and design for digital media;
- writing and editing;
- project management;
- usability and usability testing;
- information management; and
- cross-cultural communication
The demand for technical communication skills and expertise has grown consistently, in all segments of industry, government and nonprofit organizations. There is also a growing need for professionals within the field to take leadership roles as managers, supervisors and consultants.
Prerequisites
It is important that students in the program begin with a common set of skills and theoretical background. This can be achieved to a large degree through professional technical communication experience. If you lack this experience and have not completed a directly relevant course of study in your undergraduate degree program, you will need, at a minimum, the following prerequisite courses:
WRIT 271 Technical Writing or equivalent
WRIT 371 Editing or equivalent.
In addition, the technical communication program director may recommend that you complete one or more additional courses before beginning the master's program.
Transfer Courses
With your advisor's permission, you may apply to your degree as many as two courses (no more than eight graduate credits) from other accredited graduate programs.
Advising
Academic advisors for this program are resident faculty who teach in the technical communication program. As a newly-admitted student, you confer with your advisor to lay out a course of study that includes:
- prerequisite course work, if any;
- a curricular plan-the recommended sequence of courses, based on your circumstances and the university's course scheduling; and
- electives and focus areas-special interests within the field of technical communication, if any, that you can address through course work and recommended electives.
Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for students in the master's program. Students with assistantships help faculty with teaching, special projects and program administration.
Requirements (32 credits)
Course work for the Master of Science in Technical Communication falls into two categories: core courses and electives.
Core Courses (20 credits)
Course work for the Master of Science in Technical Communication falls into two categories: core courses and electives.
WRIT 585G Rhetorical Theory (4 credits)
WRIT 671 Technical Communication Theory and Research Seminar (4 credits)
WRIT 673 Technical Communication in International Contexts (4 credits)
Technology-related class
WRIT 573G Writing and Designing for the Web (4 credits) OR
MDST 583G Online Education and Training
WRIT 683 M.S. Capstone and Final Project (4 credits)
Electives
To individualize the master's program, you select up to three 4-credit electives. These electives must be 500G-, 600-, or 800-level courses and must be approved by your advisor. You can select electives from fields such as writing, media studies, communication, business/management, computer science, natural sciences and ethics. Popular electives include WRIT 599G Topics in Technical Communication, WRIT 572G Document Design, MGMT 620 Organizational Behavior, DSCI 620 Project Management, MDST 580G Issues in Communication Technology, and WRIT 575G Environmental Communication.
You may choose one independent study or an internship as an elective. We particularly recommend internships if you have limited professional experience.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:
- B.A./B.S. from an accredited institution with course work relevant to technical communication. In some cases, professional experience may take the place of relevant undergraduate course work. (Students lacking both relevant undergraduate course work and professional experience may be asked to complete a recommended course of study as a prerequisite to graduate work.)
- Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Portfolio. The portfolio consists of representative samples/excerpts of work, including papers, reports, brochures, manuals, multimedia, Web pages and so on, created as part of professional employment or undergraduate study. The portfolio should be no longer than 25 pages.
- Two letters of recommendation mailed or e-mailed to the Technical Communications M.S. admissions office from former or current employers or teachers.
- Current resume.
- Letter of application that explains your interest in the field and the Metropolitan State program.
- Official transcripts showing completion of B.A./B.S. degree.
Brochure and Application for M.S. Program
Brochure
Application packet, checklist and guidelines *
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