Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Master of Technical Communication


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The professional degree program in Technical Communication welcomes applications from the following types of students:

  • students interested in an academic career in technical communication.
  • working professional communicators seeking advancement and interested in gaining skills in the diverse and complex field of technical communication.
  • high school English teachers who want to expand their repertoire of English courses to include technical communication.

The entire program may be completed online and prepares students for understanding how culture, technology, and workplace research shape the field and practice of technical communication.

See techcomm.usu.edu/masters/program_masters for more information.

Master’s Admission Requirements


The GRE, MAT or GMAT are not required to be considered for the Master of Technical Communication program. Applicants need to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the last 60 credits taken in order to be considered.​ International applicants from non-English-speaking countries should see the additional requirements described on the Graduate School web page: https://gradschool.usu.edu/apply.

Master’s Admission Procedure


Master’s students must apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies at https://gradschool.usu.edu/apply/.

The MTC program application requires the following supplemental items:

  1. Letter of intent
  2. Resume or CV
  3. Two samples of applicant’s professional writing
  4. Half-page introduction to each sample

See techcomm.usu.edu/masters/application_masters for further information on these items and the criteria by which they will be evaluated.

Deadlines


There are two deadlines for the online Master of Technical Communication: March 1 for admission in summer or fall and November 1 for admission in spring. 

Additional Questions


Please address additional questions to Dr. Keith Grant-Davie at keith.grantdavie@usu.edu or (435) 797-3547 until June 30, 2021. After this time, please address additional questions to Dr. Jared Colton, Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department, at jared.colton@usu.edu or (435) 797-8412.

Financial Information


For information on the cost of the program, see USU Online’s Cost and Financial Aid Page, call (800) 233-2137, or send an email to distance.info@usu.edu.

Note that employees of Utah State University may be eligible to receive a tuition reduction for this program. Call Human Resources for further information at (435) 797-0216.

Master of Technical Communication Degree Requirements


As part of the 33 credits required to graduate, two or three online classes are offered each fall and spring semester. Occasionally, classes may be offered in the summer. 

The curriculum has been designed to allow students to complete all requirements within a three-year period, although students may take longer if they choose. The School of Graduate Studies requires students to complete their degrees in no more than six years. Extensions of this deadline are sometimes allowed, but classes expire after EIGHT years and will no longer count toward the degree.

There are no prerequisite classes, but some students may be advised to take preparatory classes. Classes may be taken in any sequence, although students should complete the three core requirements (ENGL 6400 , ENGL 6410  and ENGL 6830 ) at their first opportunity after entering the program.

Students need to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing. If the GPA falls below a 3.0, the School of Graduate Studies will take action, which could include a letter of warning, probation, or even dismissal from the program. Any grade below a B- will not count toward the degree.

Students in the master’s program who are able to come to the Logan campus may be able to include some face-to-face classes in their programs of study.

Curriculum


Students take all three core requirement classes and 24 additional credits for a total of 33 credit hours. All classes below are offered for 3 credits each, making a total of 11 courses. At minimum, 7 of these 11 courses must be Master of Technical Communication courses. Courses are not repeatable for credit unless otherwise indicated below.

B. Issues in Professional Communication (12-24* credits required)


Faculty Research Areas


See techcomm.usu.edu/faculty/index​ for more information.

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