technical writing master degree

• School of Arts & Letters

• Graduate Technical Writing Programs

Master of Arts and Graduate Certificates in Writing

• Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication

Working professionals know today’s marketplace demands the ability to write well, particularly using digital platforms. Employers value writers who communicate clearly in a professional setting. Our graduate degrees will enhance your existing credentials, preparing you for advancement in many career options.

Middle Georgia State offers two  fully online  graduate programs in technical writing:

• Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing This 30-hour program provides a practical focus on writing and communication skills for today’s technical and professional settings. Upon completion of the MA, students may also earn the Graduate Certificate.
• Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication This 15-hour program can be taken as a stand-alone credential, whose completion conveniently provides eligibility to the Master’s program.

Both the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing and the Graduate Certificate are:

• Fully online
• Taught in 8-week sessions
• Designed to complement and extend undergraduate training by developing skills in writing, editing, communication, and web development
• Interdisciplinary, with course offerings by the Department of English; the Department of Media, Culture, and the Arts; and the School of Information Technology
• Taught by master teachers and highly experienced writers

The Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing is also stackable with two  NEW  fully online Graduate Writing Certificates, beginning in Fall 2023:

• Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing This 15-hour program can be taken as a stand-alone credential; its classes can be used as electives for the Masters in Technical and Professional Writing
• Graduate Certificate in Teaching College Writing This 18-hour program can be taken as a stand-alone credential; four of its classes are also requirements or electives for the Masters in Technical and Professional Writing. 
• Technical Writer
• Social Media Manager
• Web Content Editor
• Instructional Designer
• Creative Director
• Non-profit Information Professional
• Project Manager
• Office Manager
• Digital Copywriter
• Market Research Analyst
• Brand Strategist
• Corporate Blogger
• Small Business Owner
• Government Information Officer
• Municipal Information Officer
• Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing

What is the difference between the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication and the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing?

The Graduate Certificate is a 15-credit hour program made up of these courses required:

• ENGL 5106 – Technical Writing in the Digital Age
• NMAC 5108 – Writing and Publishing in Digital Environments
• ITEC 5300 – Web Development
• ITEC 5320 – Instructional Design
• ENGL 6200 – Grant Writing
• ITEC 5310 – Human Computer Interaction

The Master of Arts program includes all the certificate courses above; ENGL 5106, NMAC 5108, ITEC 5300, ITEC 5320, and ENGL 6200 are required for the MA, with ITEC 5310 as a possible elective.  The MA adds 5 additional courses for a total of 30 credit hours:

• ENGL 5206 – Public and Professional Writing
• ENGL 5650 – Theory and Practice in Editing and Style
• ENGL 6200 – Grant Writing (also certificate elective; required in MA)
• COMM 5000 – Rhetoric:  Written, Visual, and Oral Communication
• 2 of a variety of elective courses (which includes ITEC 5310)

What electives can be students choose in the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing?

Students in the Masters in Technical and Professional Writing program can choose from a wide variety of electives to fulfill their two elective classes.  These include:

• ITEC 5310 – Human Computer Interaction (also a certificate elective)
• COMM 6610 Social Media Communication and Advertising
• CRWR 5040 Fiction Writing
• CRWR 5050 Poetry Writing
• CRWR 5440 Screenwriting 
• CRWR 5700 Narrative Journalism
• CRWR 5900 Publishing and the Creative Writer
• ENGL 5990 Graduate Internship
• ENGL 6100 Seminar in Landmark Reports and Papers
• ENGL 6300 Teaching First Year Composition
• ENGL 6400 Teaching Developmental Writing
• ENGL 6500 Teaching Online Research and Writing
• MCOM 5010 Public Relations Writing and Research
• MCOM 5030 Crisis Communication
• MCOM 5131 News Writing and Reporting
• MCOM 6000 Production and Design for Public Relations

Can I complete one technical writing program without the other?

Absolutely. Both the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication are stand-alone graduate credentials.

Can I complete both technical writing programs?

Yes. A number of students have completed both degrees.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication may then apply to the Master’s program. Their completed courses will count toward the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing. For this option, contact the Graduate Coordinator.

Students in the Masters of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing may also choose to graduate with both the MA and the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication, completing course work simultaneously. For this option, contact the Graduate Coordinator after your admission to the MA.  We encourage all MA students to add this certificate to their program of study.

If I am admitted to the Master’s program, can I complete only the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication?

Definitely. Admitted M.A. students can still earn the certificate whether or not they complete the M.A. curriculum, as long as they complete the required Graduate Certificate course work. Students wishing to move from the MA program to the Graduate Certificate program should contact the Graduate Coordinator for more details.

Can I later add on other MGA Graduate Writing Programs, such as the Graduate Certificates in Creative Writing or Teaching College English?  Or move into those programs after completing the MA?

MGA’s School of Arts and Letters offers “stackable” graduate programs. Students can be enrolled in up to two graduate programs at a time. In fact, we encourage all MA students to add the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication, as you can earn both credentials with no additional coursework.

The Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing contains courses that can be used as electives in the MA in Technical and Professional Writing; the Graduate Certificate in Teaching College Writing includes courses also required in the MA and that can be used as electives. These courses will transfer directly into the certificate programs. Please contact the graduate coordinator for further details.

Any testing requirements for admission?

We do not require admissions exams for acceptance into the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing or the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication.

Financial aid available?

While federal financial aid is available for the M.A., it is not currently available for the certificate. However, we do offer Graduate Certificate students other financing options such as Nelnet payment plans , alternative loans , tuition assistance programs (TAP), and third-party scholarships.

Are letters of recommendation required?

Letters of recommendation are not required for either the Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing or the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Digital Communication.

What is “evidence of aptitude for success in graduate-level studies”?

A graduate admissions committee determines aptitude for success by reviewing applicants’ official transcript(s) and statement of interest. No additional materials beyond those indicated in the application instructions are required.

If I do not meet the GPA requirement, can I still apply?

Applicants with undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 cannot be admitted straight into the Master of Arts program, but they can be admitted to the certificate program. On completion of the Graduate Certificate, these students would then be eligible for entry into the Master’s program.

Applicants who do not meet the 2.5 GPA threshold cannot be admitted into the Graduate Certificate or the M.A. program. Students may enroll in MGA’s undergraduate Professional Writing (PFWR) courses as transient students to raise their GPA and gain valuable related instruction that will equip them well for the graduate program if/when they are admitted.

Do the Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs start only in fall semester?

Not so. Admitted students may begin either program in fall, spring, or summer semester.

Do I need to live in Georgia or near Macon?

Not at all. Both programs are fully online. We do have students from across Georgia, but also students from as far away as Pennsylvania, Texas, and Oregon.

Are there application deadlines?

Yes. Check application deadlines by program here:  https://www.mga.edu/graduate-admissions/programs/index.php  

However, we review applications on a rolling basis and will make every attempt to review an application that comes in after a deadline.

How do I apply?

Detailed information is available by program at:  https://www.mga.edu/graduate-admissions/programs/index.php

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• Master's in Professional Writing Online

Master's (MS) in Professional Writing Online

100% online study option.

Fully online and 36 credits, the MS in Professional Writing pairs the convenience of learning from any location with the quality of an NYU graduate degree. Real-world assignments in core and elective courses allow you to build a comprehensive, digital writing portfolio before you graduate. MS in Professional Writing students develop their creative abilities with a focus on dynamic careers across a range of industries and evolving fields. Our curriculum encourages students to leverage new technologies while they confidently craft content that has measurable impact.

You are the future of writing. We are your people.

It’s almost impossible to explain the odd, wonderful, frustrating compulsion that drives the creative writing impulse. If you are a pocket-journal scribbler, a life-long learner, or a lover of words (of arranging them, deleting them, and sometimes even inventing them), the MS in Professional Writing is the gold-standard to level up or pivot into a passion-fueled career. 

Our flexible, online MS in Professional Writing prepares the next generation of writers for a broad spectrum of senior-level  writing careers , preparing students with irreplaceable expertise in a world of A.I. innovations. 

Develop the skills for innovative full-time and freelance writing careers in technical writing/UX writing, science writing, business communications, writing for digital media/content creation, medical writing, financial writing, grant writing and more.

Degree Advantages

Anyone can learn writing skills, but not everyone is born with the drive and instinct to tell stories. We go beyond typical writing instruction to elevate your writing practice and natural storytelling abilities.

• Be the human voice: In a world of AI-generated content language, learn to champion humanity in your work.
• Precision in every word: Craft messages, strip away jargon, break down complexity, and let your message shine.
• Radically empathetic writing: Step into your audience's shoes, immerse yourself in their world, and track how well your messages resonate with them.
• Weave integrity into your words: Use your talents ethically and respect your audiences with a commitment to honest and accurate content.
• Be a chameleon of communication: Shape-shift your style for the canvas at hand. Develop an unstoppable command of unique tones, styles, and voices for traditional and digital spaces.
• Proofreading finesse: Edit, refine, revise, and polish prose to create content that wins hearts and minds.

Program At-A-Glance

• Flexible, fully online
• Complete in 3 semesters (full-time) or 6 semesters (part-time)
• Core curriculum : Foundational courses give you the safety and confidence that comes with a firm command of the basics, allowing you to dive deeper into your writing and editing practice.
• Electives: Elective courses provide an extensive and nuanced understanding of your industry specific styles, supporting your personal, professional writing goals.
• Internship or Directed Study: Earn course credit for real-world experiences with professional internships or a mock-freelance-directed study.
• Thesis and Digital Portfolio: Your hard work culminates in your final semester with an original thesis project and an individual digital writing portfolio, showcasing your unstoppable work.

VIEW FULL CURRICULUM AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS>

Quick links:, explore graduate opportunities at nyu sps.

Join an upcoming online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs including the MS in Professional Writing. As an attendee of an Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS session, you will meet members of our team and have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and application process.

6:00 PM until 7:30 PM EDT  

Application Deadlines

Want to start in the Fall, Spring, or Summer? Make sure your application is complete and submit before the deadlines below:

Fall: July 1  Spring: January 5 Summer: March 1

What is the application process?

• This isn’t required but is a great way to get more information on the program and application process. We’ll also waive the $150 application fee when you attend an Information Session.
• Complete the online application
• Request one reference letter
• Upload your college/university transcripts
• Upload your resume
• Upload your personal statement (500 words)
• Pay $150 application fee (waived when you attend an Information Session!)
• Upload a writing portfolio with samples of your work (submit 10-15 pages of writing that you are proud of)

For additional application details, visit the NYU SPS Admissions page or contact the team at 212-998-7100 or  [email protected] .

Flexible Courses

Our master’s degree in professional writing offers a weekly guided structure that keeps you on track with optional opportunities to engage live, around your schedule. In each of our tech-forward and small-sized online writing classes , you get the most from our flexible workshop-model curriculum.  Guided by industry-expert faculty members, you will work through assignments that target corporate, academic, and real-world audiences to build your professional-quality writing portfolio.

Career-Focused Curriculum

It’s an exciting time for professional writers! Over the next 10 years, career opportunities for professional writers are projected to grow at a faster rate than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our core courses equip you with powerhouse writing skills while our electives prepare you to be a fiercely competitive applicant for specific industries like:

• Environment
• Public Relations
• Corporate Communications
• Advertising
• Grants and Fundraising

Writing Community

Mirroring the increasingly digital, global, and collaborative work environment of today’s professional world, the MS in Professional Writing brings faculty members, students, and guest lecturers together as part of an interactive, online educational community. Learn, write, edit, and revise writing projects with a cohort of classmates from NYC, across the country, and around the world.

Students join our program from all academic, professional, creative writing, and technical backgrounds. So whether you are hoping to graduate into senior writing positions, to feel confident about your writing skills, to advance your current career, or to pivot into a new professional path that feeds your passion, our professors support and mentor you towards your personal and professional goals.

Connect With Us

Your request has been submitted, department highlights, joining the mspw teaching team: introducing sophie plitt, joining the mspw teaching team: introducing simon mullin, scribe at spirit week: the translated and queer/banned book expo, joining the mspw teaching team: introducing patrick gray, 2023 website prototype projects by ms in professional writing students, networking with confidence: janel abrahami tells how, mspw student spotlight: vivian udeh’s ux writer internship at google, nyu sps club owls wins community engagement prize, 2022 nyu mspw convocation award recipients, mspw student spotlight: brandi addison, ai in the professions: professional writing, translation, and the new face of content creation, mspw announces documenting global pandemic experiences project, dr. kristine rodriguez kerr, academic director of the ms in professional writing, speaks at the 2019 words without borders gala, professional writer at work: interview with megan diamondstein, acting deputy director of marketing and communications & digital director for the center for reproductive rights, mspw & msti academic directors awarded faculty innovation and antiracism microgrant, nyu sps academic director and associate professor kristine rodriguez kerr is named an upcea diversity in leadership scholar, frequently asked questions, what is professional writing.

Professional writers are employed in many job titles and professional writing is everywhere! Just consider how much writing you see all day long. Depending on the context, professional writing can be clear and concise or creative and expansive. It can be organized for quick access or meandering for maximum storytelling impact. From brand voice to SEO keywords, professional writers are hard at work shaping messages, persuading audiences, and measuring impact.

From the marketing email in your inbox, to the political policy being read on TV, to the brand experience campaign in Times Square, to the website you're reading right now: all of that is professional writing.

Ranging from creative writing to technical writing, professional writers are paid for travel writing, blogging, documenting research, writing pamphlets, developing white papers, producing public relations strategies, sellings products with ad copy, creating annual reports, working on communication plans, and cracking jokes on social media.

In full-time writing positions, part-time jobs, and freelance writing careers, professional writers produce strategic copy for companies and clients in ways that leverage new and emerging technologies to reach target audiences.

What is an MS in writing?

An MS in Writing is a Master of Science degree in Writing. Earning this degree prepares graduates with advanced education and training in writing, style, and rhetoric with in-depth explorations of emerging communication practices, document design, and the principles of effective communication. We pride ourselves on a curriculum that has real-world relevance and prepares confident writers with the skills to craft strategic, ethical copy for companies and clients across industries.

Who should apply for the MS in Professional Writing?

Turn your passion for writing into a lucrative career. A masters in professional writing is a springboard to a myriad of flexible career opportunities. Our workshop-model curriculum is an exciting fit for English majors, journalists, liberal arts majors, creative writers, educators; those working in technology, medicine, and the sciences; as well as individuals in the fields of digital media and advertising or business communications.

If you love writing and want to build a career with your words; if you are ready for communication leadership roles; or if you are looking to pivot full-time to a passion project/industry you care about, we look forward to reviewing your application.

You can also use your time in the program to try a range of industries and writing roles before launching a career that matches your writing strengths and interests.

Is a professional writing degree worth it?

For those looking to make a career in writing, higher education is a wise investment to unlock new career paths and secure better job opportunities. As technology advances to produce lazy, canned copy in seconds, the world recognizes the value of better writers with a mastery of different styles now more than ever. While many feared AI-generated content would cannibalize writing jobs, employment opportunities are projected to increase over the next 10 years for talented and creative writers with technical skills and proven abilities. However, now that generative language can do the job of a junior role in seconds, the labor market will likely require writers to come in with a powerful human voice and unique command of language. Our faculty know this and our curriculum is geared for these shifts. Our classes help students leverage new technologies while they hone advanced storytelling techniques, precise editing skills, and critical communication practices. Words have power and professional writers have impact.

What industries hire professional writers?

Almost all industries have a need for writers. Our master’s degree prepares graduates for active and engaging  professional writing careers in sectors that include: technical writing, government, technology, education, financial, grant writing, nonprofit/fundraising, marketing copywriting, medical/healthcare/wellness, science/environment/energy, and corporate communications.

What kind of jobs do people with a master's in professional writing apply for?

The alumni from the MS in Professional Writing program at NYU SPS have moved into the following job titles:

• Technical Editor/Technical Writer
• Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships
• Content Designer/UX Writer
• Senior Medical Editor/Writer
• VP, Marketing & Communications
• Head Writer, In-house Marketing
• Head of Content 
• Assistant Director of Communications & Engagement
• Freelance Writer/Editor
• Marketing Copywriter

Why do I need a graduate degree in Professional Writing?

Earning an MS in Professional Writing from NYU will move you forward in your professional writing career—at any stage. Our coursework will help you improve your craft as a writer and you will graduate with a professional-quality writing portfolio and access to a network of professional peers. For those looking to make a career in writing, higher education is a wise investment to unlock new career paths and secure better job opportunities. Find out why in the “Is a professional writing degree worth it?” question above.

Does every student graduate with a writing portfolio?

Yes! Every MS in Professional Writing student curates their most exciting writing projects into an engaging, digital, professional-quality portfolio in their final semester to showcase their expert writing skills. Every class has multiple real-world assignments that could be included in a digital writing portfolio.

How long does it take to earn an MS in Professional Writing?

The MS in Professional Writing is a 36 credit degree program. If you choose to study full-time, you can complete your degree in as little as 3 semesters. Most part-time students complete the MS in Professional Writing degree in 6 semesters.

Is Financial Aid available for the MS in Professional Writing?

Yes! We encourage our applicants to  explore the financial aid and resources available to them. This includes a unique  scholarship opportunity for first-semester MS in Professional Writing students.

What’s unique about the MS in Professional Writing program at NYU School of Professional Studies?

Our students! With each class you take, you will build connections and cultivate an online writing community that will grow into your professional network. Students join the MS in Professional Writing program with a variety of interests, experiences, and individual goals. They know that their writing can foster understanding, communicate important messages, and create change in the world. And they have fun along the way.

A few other things that make our MS in Professional Writing unique:

• High-touch, innovative workshop curriculum designed to match the flexible scheduling and tech-forward working life of professional writers. Learn more about the  online courses available in the MS in Professional Writing.
• Specialized electives for industry exploration allow students to explore a range of interests and different styles of writing in their coursework. If students know what industry they're interested in, they can cluster their electives in that area to do a deep dive. 
• Industry-experienced faculty members who are leaders in their professions and care deeply about impacting the next generation of writers in their fields. Faculty and industry leaders work together to continuously update our courses, preparing you with the latest communication skills and technical writing abilities needed to be a trailblazer in your work.
• Technology-infused and career-focused curriculum combines traditional writing development and communication theories with emerging writing practices and platforms. While in the program, students explore media making and AI content generating tools, developing their ability to think strategically and lead communication projects confidently as they hone their writing craft.

We partner with the  NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS to provide career coaching and connection to a global network of peers and professionals.

What are the benefits of our online Master's degree in Professional Writing?

• Advance your skills to unlock new and exciting job opportunities for writers
• Pursue your individualized career goals
• Leverage the 600,000+ member NYU alumni network
• Expand your writing skills, styles, and portfolio range
• Transform creative writing skills and personal interests into lucrative career options
• Learn to use technology and AI content generating tools to speed and support your writing practice

What will you learn in the online Master's degree in Professional Writing?

You will learn the elevated skills to graduate into senior-level writing positions in a variety of industries. Our core courses equip you with a firm writing foundation, while our electives sharpen your skills to be fiercely competitive in the job market as an in-house full-timer or a powerhouse freelancer.

Is it OK to get an online Master's degree?

In today's dynamic educational landscape, advancing your knowledge has evolved beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings. Online learning provides unparalleled flexibility, increases access, and enables diverse communities of writers from across the globe to collaborate and learn together. Experienced faculty members leverage interactive forums and the latest technology to engage the classroom. Learning in the digital space also gives students essential technical skills vital to modern writing jobs. From navigating version control across remote teams to mastering online research techniques, students in online programs develop proficiencies that are directly applicable to the ever-evolving landscape of writing and communications.

Accredited online programs maintain the same curricular rigor and employ the latest innovative technology to instruct, inspire, connect, and prepare students for the professional world. Today, many higher education institutions leverage online degrees to meet increasing demand for flexible learning options.

What master's degree do you need to be a writer?

There are lots of programs for aspiring writers. The best option for you depends on your career goals.

The best writing degree for someone who wants to work in a professional setting (marketing, public relations, medical writing, corporate communications, research, policy, technical writing) is a master's in professional writing.

Should I get a master's degree in writing?

Pursuing a master's program in writing can be a smart strategy to future-proof your career and take advantage of a growing demand for expert writers. While AI-generative technology may encroach on junior-level writing positions, the career outlook for skilled writers is strong. Master’s degree graduates will be equipped with the portfolio-proven skills to be fiercely competitive in a growing labor market for experts in writing, editing, content strategy, and communications. The most successful employers know that investing in powerhouse writing skills is essential for success. Businesses depend on professional writers to create change-making policy documents, engaging social media posts, stand-out website copy, persuasive grant writing, influential annual reports, and the list goes on and on. Our workshop-model curriculum is designed to help writers hone their skills and develop nuanced understandings of specific industries.

Take the next step

Learn more about your program of interest and apply.

Online Degrees

Master of arts in technical and professional writing.

Middle Georgia State University’s Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing teaches the knowledge, skills, and theoretical grounding for the analysis, design, and production of documents for our high-tech age. The program develops students’ mastery of technical and professional writing in a variety of public and workplace genres, using traditional print and evolving digital formats.

8 Weeks per class

Total classes

30 Total credit hours

Middle Georgia State University’s Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing focuses instruction on document design, document production, and editing in print and digital formats. The program is fully online, offered in convenient eight-week short semesters. Flexible and interdisciplinary, the program offers high-impact instruction from accomplished faculty in English, New Media, Communication, Journalism, and Information Technology. In addition to offering instruction in the craft of technical and professional writing, the program includes topics such as digital literacy, visual rhetoric and multimedia composition, usability testing, project management, website development, and publishing across print and digital platforms. The interdisciplinary structure of the program allows graduates to prepare for a variety of professional careers, not only as technical and professional writers, but in IT, instructional design, journalism, editing, social media management, education, advertising, business, government, non-profits, marketing, and public relations.

The M.A. in Technical and Professional Writing provides mastery of skills in these highly valued areas of working-world competency:

• advanced critical thinking
• applied workplace research
• emerging methods of online collaboration
• nuanced audience assessment and persuasion
• visual design for print and digital environments
• polished, professional-caliber writing in a variety of public and workplace genres, in print and in evolving digital formats
• advanced editing tools and techniques
• advanced principles in human-computer interaction and instructional design.

View the list of courses for this program in the course catalog .

Related Careers

Graduates with an MGA Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing have career opportunities illustrated in the following list. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Source for career data: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

*Additional source for career data: www.payscale.com

• Technical writing
• Social media and web-content management
• Advertising

Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:

• First-time students
• Transfer students
• Former students

Once you’ve satisfied admissions requirements, click here to apply!

Next Start Date:

January 12, 2022.

Point of Contact

Liz Douglas 478.929.6865 [email protected]

Technical Writing (English, M.A.)

The Technical Writing MA has a breadth of course offerings that provide students with the foundation for solving communication issues in the workplace. Students take practical classes in Management Writing, Writing in Digital Spaces, and Writing in the Disciplines. Courses in rhetorical theory, such as Classical and Modern Rhetoric and Applied Linguistics, provide a theoretical foundation for the practices in all of the course work. Students also learn a variety of research methods aside from traditional library research in the Writing Research Methods class that are applicable to a wide range of problem solving. There is also flexibility to pursue depth if students wish to focus on teaching with additional courses in Technical Writing Pedagogy, Online Writing Instruction, or Teaching with Technology, or on Digital Media production with courses such as Cybercultures and Digital Writing, Writing with Film, New Media Theories and Practices I and II.

Program Highlights

Opportunity for students to receive credit for a graduate level writing-based internship

Opportunity to present at national conferences, such as SIGDOC, CCCC, ATTW, and CPTSC

Evening and video streaming courses to accommodate work schedules

Students have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of communication technologies and practices

Students are encouraged to develop a professional portfolio

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Copy Writers

Write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services.

Web Developers

Design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web and multimedia content.

Alumni Careers

Requirements.

Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your readiness for graduate-level writing

An undergraduate degree in English or a related field is preferred but not required. (An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for non-English majors.)  

International students must submit TOEFL scores, a sample of scholarly writing, and three recommendations, one of which evaluates ability in English. Regular admission requires a score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL (the equivalent of 570 in the older, paper-based score scale or 80 on the TOEFL iBT)

Featured Courses

This course offers composition practice in critical contemporary digital environments. Readings and discussions will provide the history of and context for these digital spaces. Students should expect to participate in, develop, and engage in critical discussions about a range of digital spaces, including websites, wikis, blogs, and various interactive media.

This course focuses on how visual elements, whether verbal or graphic, work within different types of documents. Theory and research in visual rhetoric and technical communication will be used to develop models for how people process visual information in terms of a variety of social and cultural contexts.

This course surveys the history of professional writing, competing theories and research methodologies in the field. The tensions between workplace practices, professional writing scholarship, and professional writing pedagogy will also be explored.

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU.  For more information visit University Student Financial aid

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Graduate Admissions

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International Admissions

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With over 120 undergraduate programs, 130 graduate programs at the master's, education specialist and doctoral levels plus a wealth of certificate and professional development programs, Old Dominion University has the program for you. Visit our academic program listing page to see other programs ODU has to offer.

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Graduate Program Professional and Technical Writing

• Program Details
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• Admission Details

Degree Details

• Masters (M) Total Credits 48 (mix of online, hybrid, and on-campus courses) Start Term Fall, Winter, Spring Delivery Method On campus Flexible

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods

Professional and Technical Writing Master's Degree Overview

Mix of in-person, hybrid, and online courses for maximum flexibility.

To accommodate both working professionals and full-time students, most of our courses are offered during late-afternoon or evening hours, fully online, or as hybrid courses. Our small classes encourage a personalized experience. 

We encourage applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including recent college graduates in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines, those embarking upon new careers, as well as students from outside of the US.

Professional and Technical Writing Master's Degree: Why PSU?

What can i do with a master's degree in professional and technical writing.

• Technical writer at a Portland software company
• Research consultant at a national health insurance company
• Account manager at a creative agency
• Technical content specialist for an office at PSU

Professional and Technical Writing

• Professional and Technical Writing, Editing and Publishing Concentration, M.A.
• Professional and Technical Writing, Nonfiction Writing Concentration, M.A.
• Professional and Technical Writing, Technical Writing Concentration, M.A.

Certificates

• Business and Professional Writing Graduate Certificate
• Online Writing Instruction Graduate Certificate

Career Opportunities

• Documentation and Training Specialist
• Technical Writer
• Documentation Team Lead
• Proposal Manager

Potential Employers

• Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company
• Arkansas Community Foundation
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Request more information about the Professional and Technical Writing program at UA Little Rock.

Professional and Technical Writing Program

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English - Technical Writing Online

• Master of Arts
• College of Arts & Letters
• Department of English

Why ODU for English and Technical Writing Online?

Develop professional skills in writing, document design, and textual analysis through the technical writing concentration of our master's degree program in English. Courses in this concentration focus on the theory, practice, and dynamics of writing in a variety of workplace settings.

Core English courses cover rhetoric, research, theories, and the impact of technology on writing practices. You can also select courses in specific technical writing topics, such as:

• digital writing
• management writing
• visual rhetoric and document design
• professional writing theories and practices
• new media theory and practice

This program can also help you prepare for doctoral work in professional and technical writing.

When you graduate, you will earn a Master of Arts with a major in English and a concentration in Technical Writing.

Want to learn more? Contact us!

Best Online Master's Degree Programs in English, 2024 -  AcademicInfluence.com

Required Courses

• 30 credit hours

You will take four core courses and then choose from a variety of topics to focus on your area of interest.

This degree has the following final exam options:

• Portfolio project and oral exam: The portfolio is a collection of individual texts with a meta-narrative, 10,000-15,000 words in length.
• Comprehensive oral exam only
• Thesis and oral exam

Online Learning Environment

Access course materials online from any location. Some classes will have live, regular online meeting times, while others will not. The instructor may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

• Online Experience

Calculating Cost

Rates are effective Fall 2023 and subject to change. * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

• ODU Tuition and Financial Aid

Meet Your Team

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

Ready to get started?

How to apply.

GRE is not required. You must submit a writing sample that demonstrates your readiness for graduate-level writing. An undergraduate degree in English or a related field is preferred but not required. (For non-English majors, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required.)

International students must submit TOEFL scores, a sample of scholarly writing, and three recommendations, one of which evaluates ability in English. Regular admission requires a score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL (the equivalent of 570 in the older, paper-based score scale or 80 on the TOEFL iBT).

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Want to get started now?

You may be able to take up to four courses (12 credit hours) as a non-degree graduate student, before you are accepted into a specific degree program. 

Please contact us to discuss this option with an expert advisor.

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Technical Writing Graduate Academic Certificate Online

Graduate academic certificate offered by the UNT College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Total Classes

Total Credit Hours

Estimated TX Resident Tuition & Fees

Avg. Salary

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Our online Technical Writing GAC is a flexible four-course certificate offered in 8-week sessions and taught by award-winning scholars in the field of technical communication. We offer two pathways for prospective students. For students looking to change careers and become technical writers, we offer an industry-centric pathway that highlights the writing, designing, and production skills contemporary technical writers need. Students pursuing the industry pathway must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, but the degree does not need to be in a field related to technical writing. For students who already have an MA or a PhD in a related content area and who want additional technical writing teaching credentials, we offer the teaching-centric pathway that highlights pedagogical and writing strategies for technical writing classrooms. We offer rolling admissions, and new sessions begin every 8-12 weeks.

Employment Outlook

Request more information.

Technical Communication

• Academic Programs

Master's Degree: MA

We are currently waiving the gre for admissions decisions., what degrees are offered.

We offer the Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Communication. Our MA program prepares students for positions as technical writers/editors, content developers, or usability professionals. Our graduates most often take positions in companies within the information technology, consulting, and healthcare industries.

Graduates of our MA program have a 100% job placement rate. Learn more about the field of technical communication and your career opportunities .

How much will this program cost?

UNT has been named one of America's Best College Buys® for 23 consecutive years. You can use a calculator to estimate your tuition and fees . If you want to compete for a departmental scholarship, you must apply and be admitted before February 1.

What classes do I take?

All TECM classes emphasize skills needed in the workplace: like writing documentation, designing for user experience, and coding websites. Students learn advanced software skills (e.g., MS Word, Adobe InDesign, MadCap Flare, etc.), and most classes involve client-sponsored projects that produce work students can show off to potential employers.

Core courses, 12 hours

• TECM 5185 - Principles of Technical Communication
• TECM 5191 - Digital Literacies for Professional Communicators
• TECM 5195 - Editing Technical Documents
• TECM 5280 - Designing Technical Documents

Topics courses, 9 hours from the following

• TECM 5170 - Grants and Proposals
• TECM 5175 - Writing in Professional Settings
• TECM 5180 - Professional Writing
• TECM 5190 - Style and Technical Writing
• TECM 5200 - Digital Content Strategies for Communication Professionals
• TECM 5290 - Design and Development of High-Tech Training Materials
• TECM 5550 - Studies in the Teaching of Technical Communication
• TECM 5740 - Research in Technical Communication
• TECM 5750 - Measuring Usability and User Experience for Professional and Technical Communication

Practicum or thesis, 6 hours

• TECM 5640 - Practicum in Technical Communication
• TECM 5950 - Master's Thesis

ELECTIVES, 3 HOURS

• a graduate course approved by the Director of Graduate Studies

PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEFENSE

• a collection of artifacts created in coursework accompanied by a defense of your decisions in creating them

For the complete list of degree requirements visit the Graduate Catalog . Not all courses are offered every semester. Talk with the graduate advisor about upcoming courses.

What are the admission requirements?

We offer rolling admissions for our Master's program. Admission into any of Tech Comm's MA program is a two-step process.

1. Apply to the Toulouse Graduate School

• Complete your online ApplyTexas application .
• Request your official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
• Submit your standardized test scores. All applicants must submit GRE scores. International applicants must also submit their TOEFL (or IELTS) scores.

To be eligible for admission to the MA with a major in professional and technical communication, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate semester credit hours prior to receiving a bachelor's degree or a 2.8 GPA on all undergraduate work. The MA requires no foreign language competency.

The applicant must also submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit a score on the TOEFL examination. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is not in professional and technical communication may be required to take 3-6 hours of graduate leveling courses as approved by the graduate director. These courses would count as electives toward the MA degree.

NOTE: We do not accept test scores other than the GRE and TOEFL (or IELTS) scores. The department does not grant conditional admission to applicants who have not submitted all test scores.

2. Email the following documents to the Tech Comm Graduate Advisor

• Describe a situation where you successfully used technical communication. How do you believe UNT's MA with a major in professional and technical communication will complement what you already know about the field?
• ​Summarize the most recent article you read about technical communication. Discuss how this article informed your thinking about technical communication and then how UNT's MA with a major in professional and technical communication will enhance your understanding of the field.
• A current vita or resume.
• A writing sample or professional portfolio (optional).

An admission decision will be made once the applicant's file is complete. Tech Comm accepts applications throughout the year; however, visit the Toulouse Graduate School Web site for their application deadlines.

For the complete list of admission and degree requirements, visit the UNT Graduate Catalog.

What marketable skills does this degree develop?

Marketable skills for this degree include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas, that are valued by employers, and are primary or complementary to the major. The marketable skills goal was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. UNT's marketable skills were faculty-developed and approved by employers or discipline-specific agencies, e.g., internship providers, chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, and other workforce-related entities. For information on these marketable skills - https://vpaa.unt.edu/thecb/class/tecm .

Who do I talk to?

Graduate advising is by appointment only. Please email [email protected] or call the office at (940) 565-4458 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Lam , Director of Graduate Studies.

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Department of English Master of Technical and Professional Communication

• English |  
• Programs |  
• Graduate Degrees |  
• Master of Technical and Professional Communication

Associate Professor

Director of Graduate Studies

Our Master of Technical and Professional Communication degree at Auburn University is the only one of its kind in Alabama. In the MTPC program, you’ll learn the theory and practice of technical communication, which will prepare you for a career as a writer, editor, information analyst, web developer, proposal specialist and more. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook , technical writers will continue to be in demand, and our graduates can do far more than write. The MTPC program will also prepare you for doctoral study in technical and professional communication.

Classes are taught by faculty with both academic and workplace experience. You’ll have opportunities to practice document design, writing, editing, web development and production techniques for online and print media.

These recommendations are intended to keep you on track for graduation. The sequenced list assumes that you began the MTPC program in fall semester and that you are taking or have taken 9 hours for each semester during your first year.

First Year, Fall and Spring Semesters

• Try to complete required courses (ENGL 7000, 7010, 7060, 7080, 7940).
• If you are a graduate teaching assistant within the English department, you must complete 18 hours of coursework in English before fall semester of your second year. If not, you will lose your GTA.
• Begin thinking about elective courses in technical and professional communication, rhetoric and composition, or linguistics (9 hours) and a coordinated minor (9 hours in English or in another department).
• Begin thinking about an MTPC faculty member to act as chair of your advisory committee and two other English department faculty (at least one other MTPC) to serve as committee members. Be aware that your first choice may not be available, as professors sometimes take research leaves or may already have committed to chair or serve on their maximum number of advisory committees.

Second Year, Fall Semester

• Early in the of fall semester: Confirm faculty members to act as chair and members of your advisory committee.
• Gather documents for your portfolio.
• Complete your Plan of Study and submit it for approval through the Graduate School. The form is listed on the Graduate School website. (Look near the bottom of the homepage for Forms Directory). The name is Graduate Plan of Study in DegreeWorks. The Plan of Study must be approved by the day of graduation the semester before the student intends to graduate.
• Have your Graduation Check performed before the end of the semester and register for graduation. The form is listed under Forms and Policies on the Graduate School website. The name is Graduation Application on My Academics tab in AU Access. This form must be completed by the day of graduation the semester before you intend to graduate.
• Before the end of the semester: Meet with the chair of your advisory committee to discuss your portfolio and decide on the documents to be included, as well as your overall approach to the portfolio and presentation.

Second Year, Spring Semester

• Mid-January: Meet with the chair of your advisory committee to select possible date(s) for your portfolio presentation and oral exam. The date must be confirmed by the Coordinator of the MTPC Program and by all members of the advisory committee. Once that date is set, you and your committee chair must agree on deadlines for submitting the completed portfolio. When setting deadlines, keep in mind that (a) the chair will need two weeks to review the portfolio before asking for suggestions from the rest of the committee, and (b) the committee will need to receive the portfolio at least three weeks before the portfolio presentation and oral exam.
• As you work on your portfolio, please keep in mind the MTPC faculty's rubric for assessing the MTPC program . We ask that you use two or three keywords from this rubric (e.g., "theory: approaches," and "theory/research: document design") as keyword labels for your memo and each of your meta-analyses.
• Early February: Be sure that all incomplete grades are cleared.
• Early February (or before): Submit a complete draft of the portfolio to your advisory committee chair for review. Based on the chair's suggestions, revise the portfolio.
• At least 3 weeks before the scheduled oral presentation and exam: Submit the revised portfolio to the chair and the other members of the advisory committee. Establish a time to meet with the entire committee to discuss the portfolio and portfolio presentation and exam.
• At least 1 week before the scheduled oral presentation and exam: Meet with committee to receive further suggestions for revision and ask the committee to review the PowerPoint presentation. You must revise your portfolio according to the recommendations made by the chair and other members of the committee. You may also ask for guidance on how to prepare for oral exam questions.
• No later than early April: Present your portfolio and pass the oral exam. Bring a filled-out, ready-to-sign copy of Form 8 to your exam.
• Immediately after your portfolio presentation and after passing your oral exam: Submit the website and PDF of your revised portfolio on CD-ROM to the chair of your advisory committee so that it can be archived. You will then receive a signed copy of Form 8, confirming that you have met the requirements for the MTPC, to take to the Graduate School. You cannot graduate without submitting Form 8. It must arrive at the Graduate School before April 15.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. Students may take these courses in any sequence.

• ENGL 7000: Technical and Professional Editing (3)
• ENGL 7010: Technical and Professional Communication Issues and Approaches (3)
• ENGL 7060: Web Development (3)
• ENGL 7080: Document Design in Technical and Professional Communication (3)
• ENGL 7940: GTA Practicum (2)
• Three elective courses in English approved by the student's advisory committee (9)
• Three courses in a coordinated minor or three additional courses in English (9). Minor courses may be from a department outside of English. All courses must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

Students must develop an academic portfolio of work acceptable to their advisory committees, present the portfolio, and pass an oral exam. Students' advisory committees serve as the examining committees.

The MTPC program has no language requirement and no thesis requirement.

MTPC Courses

For a listing of courses offered during the current semester, please see the English Department's Course Descriptions and Schedules .

ENGL 7000: Technical and Professional Editing Students in this course develop the knowledge and skills to edit technical and professional documents, including how to copyedit for correct usage, grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as well as for consistency in format and style. Editing to improve content and organization is also covered. The latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style is used in this course.

ENGL 7010: Technical and Professional Communication: Issues and Approaches This course is an introduction to the discipline and profession of technical and professional communication. ENGL 7010 will cover the historical and current practices in technical and professional communication; the major forms, modes, and genres of technical and professional communication; and also the chief stylistic and rhetorical features of technical and professional communication.

ENGL 7020: The Pedagogy of Technical and Professional Communication Students enrolled in this course will develop an understanding of educational theory as it relates to the teaching of technical and professional communication and to the teaching of writing generally. Students will discuss various pedagogical approaches to technical and professional communication and the data-collecting methods used in educational research. Students will learn how to conduct educational research applied either to technical communication or composition.

ENGL 7030: Studies in Technical and Professional Communication This course's focus is dependent upon the interests of the professor and the students and is theoretical in nature. Topics for this course have been diverse, from Writing Public Policy (with a rhetoric, ethics, and social justice focus) to Rhetoric of Science. Students spend time learning about the historical and social context of the course's topic and complete a semester-long research paper or project, as well as other smaller projects.

ENGL 7060: Web Development This course focuses on the current research and the practice of web development and design. Students will learn how to develop websites using HTML as well as web development programs. They will also conduct primary research (lab-based usability research) and secondary research (library-based research) on web development.

ENGL 7070: Grant and Proposal Writing This course introduces students to proposals as important tools for putting ideas into action—gaining permission, approval, or funding—whether in business and industry, the sciences or academia, nonprofits, or the government. This course particularly focuses on foundation grants and the rhetorical and situated nuances of the process. Students will work through the grant-writing process from start to finish, from finding and interpreting grant opportunities, to soliciting support, to writing and presenting the grant, and, finally, to planning for following up with a foundation after the funding announcement.

ENGL 7080: Document Design in Technical and Professional Communication This course studies the concepts of and rationale for using document design in technical communication. Students learn techniques for designing and producing technical and professional documents, including instruction in typography, page layout, and color use. The goals of the course are to inform students about the principles of technical and professional communication and to help them gain experience working both individually and collaboratively in designing documents. This course also provides instruction in using software programs for document design.

ENGL 7090: Topics in Technical and Professional Communication Students enrolling in this seminar course explore various topics related to the field of technical and professional communication. The focus of the course varies annually, depending on the interests of the professor and student demand. Previous topics have included the correlation between science and public policy, biotechnology, usability, and writing in the health professions.

ENGL 7910: Practicum in Technical and Professional Communication This course offers instruction in the practical and theoretical dimensions of workplace writing and design activity. Toward that end, this course incorporates two principle components. The first is a 60-hour internship in which students work for a professional client in a local organization. The second is a weekly class meeting where students convene to discuss course readings, analyze the function and production of workplace documents, and, generally, refine the ways in which they engage with writing as a socio-cultural practice and a situated rhetorical activity. Combined, these foci will enable students to investigate and assess how writing, and written genres more broadly, mediates activity in and across different professional settings and workplace practices.

Academic Portfolio

A satisfactory academic portfolio, a presentation of the portfolio, and an oral exam are required for graduation from the MTPC program. The portfolio, the presentation of the portfolio, and the oral exam are reviewed by your advisory committee. The advisory committee consists of three faculty members—a chair and two other faculty. The chair must be a member of the MTPC faculty; the other two may be from other areas of the department. One member may be from outside the department.

The academic portfolio consist of five parts:

• A portfolio website. This site should be your original design and follow best practices. The site should be usable, accessible, well-conceived, well executed, and attractive. You may adapt images and snippets of code as appropriate as long as the design remains your own and you have appropriately addressed permissions, copyright, and attribution.
• An introductory memo of no more than 2000 words to the advisory committee. This memo must address these two general questions: (a) Based on your coursework, what do you see as the major issues in technical and professional communication as a discipline? (b) How do you as a professional and the work presented in this portfolio address those issues? At least 10 sources must be cited following Chicago, APA, or IEEE style. After responding to these two questions, you should provide an overview of the documents in the portfolio. Also, please label the memo with two, three, or four most relevant keywords (e.g., "Theory/research: usability and accessibility") from the rubric that the MTPC faculty use to assess the program . 
• A résumé or curriculum vita.
• Five documents—print or online—that you have worked on during your two years in the MTPC program. These should include at least one document from ENGL 7000: Technical and Professional Editing and one document from ENGL 7080: Document Design in Technical and Professional Communication.
• For each of those five documents, a 500-word meta-analysis. The meta-analysis should include:
• Name of the course and the professor.
• Two or three keyword labels (e.g., "Application: document design") from the rubric for MTPC program assessment .
• Audience(s) and purpose(s) for the document.
• Your role in creating the document if the document was prepared collaboratively.
• Your goals for the document and a description of the document-development process.
• Theories and principles that informed the development of the document.
• In-text and reference list documentation of secondary sources that support the document-development choices. Follow Chicago, APA, or IEEE style.

The portfolio should be submitted to your advisory committee as a usable website and a PDF on USB drive. 

Review Process for Academic Portfolio When you are ready to start work on the portfolio, you should talk with the advisory committee chair to clarify any questions and to decide which documents to include. Before you submit the portfolio to the rest of the advisory committee members, give the chair at least two weeks to review the portfolio. You are required to make any revisions your committee chair suggests.

When the chair gives permission, you can submit the portfolio to the other two members of the advisory committee. This submission of the portfolio to the other committee members should occur at least three weeks before the scheduled date of your portfolio presentation and oral exam. You should set up a meeting with the advisory committee 10 days before the presentation of the portfolio/oral exam. You must incorporate any suggestions you receive during that meeting. The advisory committee may also review a draft of your oral presentation.

Presentation of Portfolio and Oral Exam Besides the portfolio, you are required to pass an oral presentation of the portfolio and an oral exam. The oral exam follows the presentation of the portfolio.

The time and day for the presentation of the portfolio and oral exam should be set early during the semester you plan to graduate, and it should afford enough time for you to make multiple revisions to the portfolio. According to a Graduate School requirement, you must satisfactorily complete your portfolio presentation and oral exams before mid-April to graduate in May.

The presentation of the portfolio is usually a PowerPoint presentation showing three or four documents from the portfolio. Other MTPC students, faculty, and friends are invited to attend. Besides showing the documents, you should discuss them, according to what you did and how the theory you learned in the MTPC program informed your choices. The talk should not last more than 30 minutes, and questions will follow.

After your presentation, the invited guests leave the room, and the advisory committee conducts the oral exam. Because graduates of the MTPC program are expected to have well-rounded knowledge of technical and professional communication as a discipline, questions in the oral exam may involve theory and practice beyond what is demonstrated in the portfolio. Some committee members may be willing to talk with you about the questions they plan to ask before the exam, but some may not.

Final Submission

So that MTPC faculty can navigate the electronic versions of the portfolios easily in future years, please do the following when transferring your web portfolio site and materials to USB drive:

• Name the home page of the web portfolio "index.html."
• Ensure that this file sits at the root of the site file structure, preferably at the top level of data on the USB drive. In other words, we should be able to see the index.html file immediately and without drilling down when we open the drive and look in File Manager.
• Revise any hyperlinks on sub-pages of the site to reflect these changes so that all links to pages work.
• Finally, ensure that all examples, reflections, and other materials are accessible via hyperlink from within the site.

When you have successfully defended the portfolio and turned in the USB drive to the chair of your advisory committee, your committee members will sign your prepared copy of Form 8. After you make copies of the form, you will take the original to the Graduate School.

Professional Development

MTPC graduate students enjoy a range of activities that provide opportunities for professional development, including academic and industry conferences, opportunities to publish, and opportunities to network with people in industry. Whether you are headed to work in industry or academia, we encourage you to be involved and are happy to help you become actively and professionally engaged in multiple ways.

Local and Regional Opportunities

Our program has hosted speakers and regional conference. Conferences typically include guest speakers from both industry and academia, poster presentations, and tours of LUCIA (Lab for Usability, Communication, Interaction, and Accessibility), a CLA research facility co-developed by our program. These opportunities allow you to do more than learn about research: they give you a chance to network and discover more about pragmatic issues in field.  

National Conference Opportunities

Conferences help you build knowledge as you attend sessions. Any conference that allows you to present your student work in a talk or poster session helps you build a professional reputation. If you are academically oriented, you can receive feedback to help you turn you work into publications. If you are industry oriented, you can establish connections for the job market.

Publishing Opportunities

Publishing not only raises your professional profile but also engages you in larger disciplinary conversations. We encourage you to publish in venues suitable for your work and are happy to mentor you through the process.

Department of English

Dietrich college of humanities and social sciences, technical writing program, the technical writing program is a subspecialty of professional writing, focused on the skills for making complex, technical information accessible and navigable to both users and stakeholders..

The Technical Writing Program is a strong fit for students with dual interests in writing and STEM fields, or who wish to strengthen a primary major in STEM with the communication skills expected of team members and managers.

As English’s only Bachelor of Science degree, the major blends coursework in writing, document design, and user experience methods with additional work in computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Students specialize further through elective courses and professional experiences, earning a concentration in either science and medical communication, or technical communication.

Technical writers are sought after for their plain language and user experience research skills by software companies, instructional design firms, hospitals and insurers, and in engineering and federal government positions.

Declare Technical Writing

Professional & Technical Writing

Explore Technical Writing

Primary major, additional major, technical writing faculty.

• Undergraduate Admissions

Questions? Reach out to Laura Donaldson, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Programs and Academic Advisor at  [email protected]

Want To Visit? Schedule a visit to the Technical Writing Program through  this form.

Spotlight: Wilson Ekern

Meet wilson. .

Wilson (Class of 2021) majored in Technical Writing in the Department of English. He also graduated with an additional major in German Studies.

What was your favorite English course and why?

Style. It really teaches you the tools for writing clearly and communicating your ideas effectively.

Learn more about Wilson!

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• Oakland Review

Online Professional and Technical Writing Programs in America

1-21 of 21 results

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

Baltimore, MD •

Johns Hopkins University •

Graduate School

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

Johns Hopkins University ,

Graduate School ,

BALTIMORE, MD ,

19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student... .

Read 19 reviews.

College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences - Clemson University

Clemson, SC •

Clemson University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: I've just started, but so far, so good! The staff has been very supportive and helpful. The online software can be a bit tricky to get the hang of, but the material itself is good. ... Read 2 reviews

Clemson University ,

CLEMSON, SC ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I've just started, but so far, so good! The staff has been very supportive and helpful. The online software can be a bit tricky to get the hang of, but the material itself is good. .

Read 2 reviews.

Missouri University of Science and Technology - College of Arts, Sciences, and Business

Rolla, MO •

Missouri University of Science and Technology •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Master's Student: Hello, I am a second semester master's student in Missouri University of science and technology. Before joining the university I had a few research about it and how the university courses that helpful my career. Events that held in the university are more interesting and engaging. As after my academic I have allover best experience for academics I have enjoyed with my courses which are in my first and second semester. Those courses with professor taught and helps me to get a projects on IT sector which is more developing right now. Other best experience is the university events, awareness programs, resources for students ( we ourselves called as miners). In every semester we have a career fair which is bigger than any other Universities career fairs. As coming to worst parts, as my experience I didn't get any worst but a small thing I got exhausted is we don't have the KFC or MC Donald's but we have spicy chicken from Chicken fil a. ... Read 1 review

Missouri University of Science and Technology ,

ROLLA, MO ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Hello, I am a second semester master's student in Missouri University of science and technology. Before joining the university I had a few research about it and how the university courses that helpful my... .

Read 1 reviews.

Chatham University

Graduate School •

PITTSBURGH, PA

• • Rating 4.32 out of 5   22

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Department of English

The online version of the master's degree in technical communication provides professional development for people working in technical communication. It also provides the qualifications for entering the career for people in other career fields. The specific goals of graduate study are:

• Knowledge of history, theory, research, genres, and practice of technical communication
• Knowledge of principles and techniques in the field
• Development of effectiveness in technical communication

Upon completing the MATC curriculum successfully, students should be able to do the following:

• Create effective technical documents justified with relevant theory. 
• Analyze and respond appropriately to rhetorical situations and key issues in the field, including the differing goals and agendas of audiences, organizations, and societies.
• Employ and justify user-centered approaches to technical communication.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the ethical, professional, and cultural issues that face technical communicators. 
• Use communication technologies and media appropriate to users and situations.
• Write clear, correct, and stylistically effective prose.

Students' success in meeting the outcomes stated above will be measured through the following means:

• A semester review by the Director of Graduate Studies in Technical Communication and Rhetoric
• A professional portfolio of work to be completed in the last semester of MATC coursework after taking the Capstone course.

Degree Requirements Emphasis Areas Portfolio Requirements Internships

Dr. Beau Pihlaja Program Director [email protected]

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English (MA) – Technical Communication

Program at a glance.

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

The Technical Communication track in the Master of Arts in English program is completely online and provides students with theoretical and applied skills in such areas as technical writing, visual design, usability, ethics, stylistics, computer documentation, international communication, and the rhetoric of science.

Students in this program come from a variety of educational backgrounds such as Psychology, Computer Science, and English. The program's faculty members have won prestigious awards, are well published in the field, and have considerable experience in teaching online courses.

Our graduates hold a variety of jobs in the central Florida region; they have found work as technical writers, technical editors, information designers, web designers, corporate trainers, consultants, information developers, educators, documentation specialists, or have other communication-related jobs.

Each student must complete at least 33 credit hours of coursework including 15 credit hours of required courses and 15 credit hours of elective courses. Near the end of the degree program, each candidate must complete a Capstone Course and complete a thesis option, a nonthesis option with a research project approved by the faculty, or a nonthesis option consisting of an additional 6000-level three-credit-hour Technical Communication course taught by the Department of English.

Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Please note: English (MA) - Technical Communication may be completed fully online , although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/ . If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Application Deadlines

• International

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• Campaign Director
• Editor / Publisher
• English Literature Professor
• High School Teacher
• Research Consultant
• Technical Writer

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Track Prerequisites

Admission to the English MA Technical Communication Program.

Degree Requirements

Required courses.

• ENC6217 - Technical Editing (3)
• ENC6261 - Technical Writing, Theory and Practice (3)
• ENG5009 - Methods of Bibliography and Research (3)
• ENC6338 - The Rhetorics of Public Debate (3)
• LIT6435 - Rhetoric of Science (3)
• ENC6951 - Technical Communication Capstone (3)

Elective Courses

• ENC6257 - Visual Technical Communication (3)
• ENC6306 - Persuasive Writing (3)
• ENC6247 - Proposal Writing (3)
• ENC6292 - Project Management for Technical Writers. (3)
• ENC6296 - Interactive Design in Technical Communication (3)
• ENC6425 - Hypertext Theory and Design (3)
• ENC6335 - Rhetorical Traditions (3)
• LIN5675 - English Grammar and Usage (3)
• ENC6225 - User-Centered Design for Technical Communication (3)
• ENC6931 - Topics in Technical Communication (3)
• ENC6297 - Production and Publication Methods (3)
• Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Students in consultation with the graduate adviser will choose two graduate-level English courses or approved courses from outside the department.

Thesis/Nonthesis Options

• Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Students complete a formal thesis written in consultation with an advisory committee and will meet both departmental and university requirements for the thesis. ENC 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)
• Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Students will enroll in directed research and complete a research project approved by an advisory committee. This project will be on a topic in technical communication and in a format other than that of a traditional thesis. ENC 6918 Directed Research (3 credit hours) Or, students will enroll in an additional 6000-level course in technical communication taught by the Department of English.

Independent Learning

• Both the thesis and special project options of the Master's in English, Technical Communication Track require students to conduct original research and to produce a final paper detailing the subject, purpose, scope, methodology, and conclusions of the study, thus providing students the opportunity to engage in independent learning.

Grand Total Credits: 33

Application requirements, financial information.

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.