Online Master of Science in Technical Communication

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Technical communication writer
ASU’s master of science in technical communication will provide you with knowledge and skills for the design, production and management of print and digital texts using traditional and developing technologies.What it costs?
ASU Online offers start dates every 7.5 weeks.
Multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
Required number of credits to complete this degree.

College of Integrative Sciences and Arts

The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the professional, ethical, and cultural issues in the field. The combination of theory and practice will help you develop your analytical abilities, technological expertise and skills necessary for success in technical communication careers. You will learn from skilled faculty with a range of expertise, including visual communication and information design, content strategy and management, global and cross-cultural communication, social media, and user experience (UX).

As a technical communication graduate, you will be prepared for careers in writing, editing, design, and research in which you will communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences. These skills may support you in your current position or help you build a new career in technical communication.


University Achievements:

  • #1 in the U.S. for innovation
  • #1 public university chosen by international students
  • #4 in the U.S. for online undergraduate degree programs
  • A top producer of world’s elite scholars
  • A prestigious global university

Calendar

Next Start Date:

01/07/19
Most Innovative

Featured Courses

Complete Course Requirements

36 credit hours including a thesis, or 36 credit hours including the required applied project course (TWC 593)

Required Core (6 credit hours)

TWC 504 Applied Rhetoric and Technical Communication (3)

TWC 505 Research in Technical and Applied Communication (3)

Restricted Electives (24 credit hours)

TWC 501 Fundamentals of Technical Communication (Students who do not have previous technical communication coursework or relevant industry experience must take this course) (3)

TWC 511 Principles of Visual Communication (3)

TWC 514 Visualizing Data & Information (3)

TWC 521 Principles of Web Authoring (3)

TWC522 Social Media in the Workplace (3)

TWC 531 Principles of Technical Editing (3)

TWC 543 Grant & Proposal Writing (3)

TWC 544 User Experience (3)

TWC 545 Content Management & Topic-Based Authoring (3)

TWC 546 Technical and Scientific Reports (3)

TWC 551 Copyright & Intellectual Property in the Electronic Age (3)

TWC 552 Information in the Digital Age (3)

TWC 598 Special Topics (may be repeated for credit with different topics (3)

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)

TWC 593 Applied Project (6) or TWC 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information

Students who do not have previous technical communication coursework or relevant industry experience must take TWC 501 Fundamentals of Technical Communication (3) as a restricted elective. For a full list of the approved electives courses, students should inquire with the academic unit.

Faculty

Arizona State University’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts faculty members are deeply committed to exploration in their fields of work. Many of the college’s faculty and staff are recognized both nationally and internationally for their achievements, including the following national honors and awards:

  • Fulbright Scholars
  • American Educational Research Association fellows
  • Distinguished Leader for Women in Psychology Leadership Award
  • American Psychological Association fellows
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Society for the Promotion of Psychotherapeutic Science Section
  • Leona Tyler Award for Lifetime Distinguished Contribution to Counseling Psychology
  • Arizona Psychological Association, Faculty of the Year Award
  • Ellen Nold Award for best article in the field of computers and composition studies
  • Council of Writing Program Administrators, Best Book Award

Program Summary

Total Hours:

36

Related Careers

Graduates with an ASU Online Master of Science in Technical Communication have career opportunities illustrated in the following list. Career examples include but are not limited to:

  • Grant writer
  • Information developer
  • Web interface designer
  • User experience (UX) designer

Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and application fee
  2. Official transcripts
  3. Statement of purpose
  4. Portfolio
  5. Three letters of recommendation
  6. Proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

Since this degree requires a high degree of proficiency in English, an applicant whose native language is not English will be expected to have one the following TOEFL scores: 600 traditional paper-based, 100 Internet-based, or 250 computer-based.

All applicants must submit a written letter of application that includes a detailed statement of purpose as well as a portfolio of at least three documents that demonstrate the applicant's ability to write in a variety of genres. Portfolio documents can include both academic and professional writing for a range of audiences and purposes and need not be in the area of technical communication. The portfolio should be 15 to 30 pages in length. The writing samples in the portfolio will be evaluated using a rubric that considers several criteria, including a demonstration of the ability to focus on a specific purpose and to meet audience needs and show organization, clarity, mechanical soundness and overall effectiveness.

All applicants must submit three letters of reference, either academic or professional, that speak to the background and capabilities of the applicant.

Affording College

Learn about the different types of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available. ASU offers a Cost Calculator, Budget Worksheet and Scholarship Search to make the college planning process easier.

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