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Professional and Technical Communication Master's
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
2-3 years
Credit Hours:
30
Increase your ability to write, think and communicate strategically.
Technical communicators are valued because they make information more useable and
accessible, and, in doing so, advance a company's or organization's goals. Our degree
program caters to students from all academic backgrounds who have strong motivation,
time management skills, self-discipline and a high energy level.
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Request More InfoWhy Earn a Professional and Technical Communication Master's?
The M.A. in Professional and Technical Communication rigorous curriculum balances the study of complex theories with practical application. The coursework
equips students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills that are immediately applicable. We work with industry partners to modify our curriculum and technology standards regularly
to provide our students with the most up-to-date skills in order for them to successfully begin their careers in tech comm. Students in the M.A. program complete an internship at a major organization and produce
a portfolio for review. Classes are designed around a flexible schedule that enable
students to balance their work and personal life with a strategic career investment.
Marketable Skills
- Web/social media content strategies
- User experience research
- Advanced technical writing
- Pedagogical practices
- XML programming
Professional and Technical Communication Master's Highlights
Our faculty members are active researchers and recognized scholars with industry experience,
which is infused into their instruction.
Faculty research has examined usability, social media and science communication, and
has been published in major journals such as Technical Communication Quarterly, Technical Communication, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication and International Journal of Business Communication.
Our students have leadership opportunities through teaching assistant positions, lab
tutor positions in our TECM Lab, and involvement in our student organization (ETC).
Our curriculum also prepares you to enter a doctoral technical communication program.
Recent graduates have earned fellowships at some of the nation's premiere programs.
Coursework leading to a Graduate Academic Certificate in Teaching Technical Writing
is also available.
The program has a 15-plus year reputation of excellence and holds an impressive job
placement record.
What Can You Do With a Professional and Technical Communication Master's?
Our graduates work for AT&T, Apple, Microsoft, Sabre Airline Solutions, Hewlett Packard and GE Healthcare. Recent graduates have generally started their careers with a $50-$55,000 annual salary.
Key job sectors include:
- Aerospace
- Information technology
- Defense
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Pharmaceuticals
Graduates of our M.A. program have a 100% job placement rate.
Professional and Technical Communication Master's Courses You Could Take
Digital Literacies for Professional Communicators (3 hrs)
Examination of the digital literacies used in professional contexts. Intensive theory
and practice of authoring tools, content management, single sourcing and coding.
Editing Technical Documents (3 hrs)
Practical application of technical and professional communication in industry, business
and the sciences, using the workshop approach.
Style and Technical Writing (3 hrs)
Study of the principles of technical style with intensive practice in writing and
analyzing technical prose.
Digital Content Strategies for Communication Professionals (3 hrs)
Advanced study of content strategy skills important for technical communicators. Students
learn about how technical communicators use content strategies to develop web content.
Students also use and analyze major web content management systems, including Drupal,
Word Press and Joomla.
Measuring Usability and User Experience for Professional and Technical Communication
(3 hrs)
Client-based approach to the methods used to analyze the usability and user experience
of documents, software, web sites, mobile applications and other interfaces used by
professional and technical communicators. Methods may include card sorting, think
aloud protocols, interviews, observations, cognitive walkthroughs, task analysis,
heuristic evaluations and eye tracking.
Principles of Technical Communication (3 hrs)
Practical application of technical and professional communication in industry, business
and the sciences, using the workshop approach.
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