The technical communication graduate program provides a comprehensive curriculum that enhances written, oral and visual communication skills. Through this program, you will develop the skills to become a highly trained technical communicator who can facilitate technology transfer between technical experts and the users of technology. The program requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit and includes both a thesis and non-thesis option. The thesis option requires six hours of thesis research in addition to the 10-course sequence. The non-thesis option requires a comprehensive exam during your final semester.
*Completion of the graduate certificate program does not guarantee admission into the master's degree program. You must apply for admission and be accepted.
Ed Malone, B.S. Ed, M.A., Ph.D.
Technical communication is interdisciplinary in nature; therefore, the program will consider an applicant who has a bachelor's degree in almost any field, such as science, engineering, humanities, communication, journalism, or information technology.
Although there is no minimum GRE score required for admission, the applicant must have a GRE score, or earned S&T's graduate certificate in Technical Communication. The applicant's GRE score and GPA will be factored into the admission decision.
International requirement: TOEFL score of ≥ 79 (iBT) or ≥ 550 (paper). An IELTS score of ≥ 650 may be accepted in place of TOEFL scores. A student who has not taken the TOEFL or IELTS may be admitted provisionally and required to take the TOEFL before the end of his/her first semester.
Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for an admission decision; however, before you may register for a second semester at Missouri S&T, you must submit official transcripts from all schools attended. In order for a transcript to be counted as official, it must be sent directly from the school to Missouri S&T.
This program requires a statement of purpose (2-3 paragraphs explaining why you are applying to this program) and 3 letters of recommendation. You will be asked to upload or provide this information during the online application process.
Students will acquire the technological and rhetorical skills necessary for creating effective online help systems, including context-sensitive help for computer applications. Prerequisites: One semester of college writing or technical writing, or graduate standing.
The principles and practices of technical editing, including usability, audience analysis, contextual editing, the conventions of scientific and technical communication, and the role of the editor in document development and publication. Students will also learn standard practices of copy editing and the use of style guides. Prerequisites: One semester of college composition or technical writing, or graduate standing.
Students in this course will study and apply methods used by technical communicators to evaluate usability. Students will study methods used to evaluate human interaction with communication tools and how to make those products more suitable for human use. Prerequisites: One semester of college composition or technical writing, or graduate standing.
Familiarizes graduate students with many aspects of writing proposals for various purposes in academic, professional, and public spheres. Offers opportunities to write documents to promote their academic, professional, or personal goals or those of their organization(s). Credit will not be given for both TCH COM 4550 or TCH COM 5550. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Covers such topics as advanced writing and editing for the web; the creation of rhetorically effective websites; the use of blogs, wikis, and other web genres to communicate technical information. Prerequisites: One semester of college composition or technical writing, or graduate standing.
Introduction to the roles of the technical communicator and the technologies of communication from ancient cultures to the present. Prerequisites: One semester of college composition or technical writing, or graduate standing.
Students learn essential research methods in technical communication, including audience analysis, interviewing techniques, working with subject matter experts, and experimental research design. Prerequisites: One semester of college composition or technical writing, or graduate standing.
An in-depth investigation and analysis of historical and contemporary visual theories and their impact on technical communication, includings visual rhetoric, semiotics, and design and critical theories.
Advanced study of international technical communication. Includes topics such as graphics, icons, symbols; user interface design; intercultural communication. Requires field work at student's expense. Students may not earn credit for both TCH COM 4450 and TCH COM 6450. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.
Introduction to themes and issues, methods, and genres that define technical communication.