Technical Communication (M.A.)

M.A. Technical Communication

The online MATC program prepares students to write, design, and communicate effectively in technical, scientific, and professional environments.
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Program Overview

The M.A.T.C. 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 M.A.T.C. 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.

DegreeHoursThesis OptionMinor OptionLocation
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

For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.

What Our Alumni Say

“My M.A.T.C. degree has provided me with many opportunities in many different fields. I love it because I know I'm not restricted to just one career path for the rest of my life.”

— Breauna Stanek, Class of ’17, Medical Writer, Worldwide Clinical Trials

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 M.A.T.C. 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 M.A.T.C. 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 M.A.T.C. 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.

Program Contacts

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

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For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.

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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  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • 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).
    • A 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.

  • 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.

    • 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.

Additional Information

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