Technical Communication (M.A.)
M.A. Technical Communication
Program Overview
The MATC program is a student-centered graduate program for experienced professionals and recent graduates from a variety of disciplines. The program can be completed fully online and can accommodate full- and part-time students. Competitive out-of-state tuition, as well as scholarships and assistantships, are offered.
Course Work
The program equips students with a strong foundation in technical communication and editing, rhetorical theory, intercultural and international communication, user research, social media and digital design, technical marketing communication, and software, among other marketable skills.
The MATC program has two tracks - thesis and internship - both requiring only 10 classes (30 semester hours) to complete. Students who currently work full-time or who will work in the field typically choose the internship option. Students who plan to pursue a doctoral degree typically choose the thesis track.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.A. | Hours 30 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis Internship | Minor Option Minor optional | Location Online |
Degree M.A. | Hours 30 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option Minor optional | Location Online |
Online Availability
This program is offered completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Online and Extended Programs. International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the eligibility requirements of enrolling in online programs and contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with questions.
Program Details
Students and alumni have worked at Microsoft, MIT, IBM, EA Sports, Google, National Instruments, Dell, Motorola, USAA, Texas Department of State Health Services, Tesla, and other companies, agencies, and universities.
Program Mission
The MATC program prepares students to write and communicate effectively in the rapidly changing and expanding technological and professional world. The objectives of our humanities-based and interdisciplinary curriculum are to:
- Strengthen your ability to write clear technical and scientific information
- Build and refine your technical editing skills
- Teach you to create end-user and developer documentation
- Help you to design and create digital content for specific audiences
- Provide access to a state-of-the-art usability lab to conduct user experience research
- Acquaint you with the ethical and cultural issues in technical communication
Career Options
The MATC program prepares students for current and emerging employment in business, government, environmental, medical, and health industries. Alumni are employed in the following roles, to name a few:
- technical writers and editors
- user research managers and writers
- grant and communication specialists
- project coordinators
- content developers
- chief publishing officers
Program Faculty
Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized researchers with records of teaching excellence. They have earned awards and board memberships from leading professional organizations in our field. All MATC faculty have work experience in business, government, scientific, and medical institutions. They have active research agendas and noteworthy publications in international and intercultural communication, medical and scientific writing, social media and usability testing, government writing, web design, video production, and curriculum development.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Christopher Dayley
matc@txstate.edu
512.245.2627
Flowers Hall (FH), Room 363
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Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall - Priority | U.S. Citizen January 15 | International January 15 |
Deadlines Fall - Standard | U.S. Citizen June 15 (*Flexible) | International June 1 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen November 1 (*Flexible) | International October 1 |
*This program’s deadline is flexible. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Funding Information If you are applying for a departmental graduate assistantship (IA/TA), you must submit required materials for both the technical communication program and the IA/TA position by January 15 for the following academic year. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- minimum 3.0 GPA in 12 or more hours of undergraduate English, writing, editing, web design, or technical communication/professional writing course work. (Other courses may be approved by the graduate advisor.)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
- portfolio (submit the following items as a single PDF document):
- at least two non-fiction, prose documents (combined minimum of 15 pages, double-spaced) consisting of at least one academic research paper written for an undergraduate or graduate course
- cover letter describing the submitted two (or more) non-fiction, prose documents
- statement of purpose explaining your reasons for pursuing the M.A. in Technical Communication and including background information that demonstrates:
- interest and/or experience in writing, editing
- interest and/or experience designing online or paper documents
- other pertinent information
Review important information about documents.
- portfolio (submit the following items as a single PDF document):