The graduate program in technical communication prepares students to be professional information developers, technical writers, and editors who are skilled at using the written and spoken word, along with visuals, to effectively inform and instruct a wide range of audiences. Graduates typically pursue work in industry, teaching opportunities, or doctoral studies.
All coursework may be completed in residence or online. Students who are 100% online learners pay resident (in-state) tuition.
Candidates for the Master of Arts in English: Technical Communication Option complete a concentration within the Department of English. The core curriculum includes a combination of practical, skills-oriented coursework (such as manuals writing, web design, and technical editing) and theory-based coursework (such as technical and scientific literature and rhetorical theory courses, including visual rhetoric). All courses must be in the English department with the exception of courses approved by the technical communication faculty.
Full-time students in residence can complete the degree in one year; 100% online learners can complete the degree in one and one-half to two years.
Applicants must submit a one-page personal statement (to the Graduate Director, Department of English), describing their background and interests in technical communication. Entrance requirements include at least 28 quarter or 18 semester hours in one or more of the following areas: literature, linguistics, speech, or mass communications.
The GRE is not required as part of the admissions material for this program.
Candidates whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL score of 550 or above.
For a Graduate School Application form and information, visit the College of Graduate Studies website.
Completion of the degree requires designated coursework (50% of which must be taken at the 600 level), an internship, and either a thesis or alternate plan paper. An oral defense is required of all thesis writers.
Designated coursework:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 575 | Editing Technical Publications | 4 |
| ENG 577 | Technical Documentation, Policies, and Procedures | 4 |
| ENG 673 | Research and Theory for Technical Communicators | 3 |
| ENG 678 | Technical and Scientific Prose | 3 |
| ENG 679 | Rhetorical Theory Applied to Technical Documents | 3 |
| ENG 674 ENG 680 |
Topics in Technical Communication* or Proposals |
3 |
*May be repeated under various topics.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 568 | Document Design & Usability | 4 |
| ENG 569 | Project Management in Technical Communication | 4 |
| ENG 571 | Visual Technical Communication | 4 |
| ENG 572 | Topics in Technical Communication* | 4 |
| ENG 573 | Desktop Publishing | 4 |
| ENG 574 | Researching and Writing Technical Reports | 4 |
| ENG 576 | Online Documentation | 4 |
| ENG 674 | Topics in Technical Communication* | 1-3 |
*May be repeated under various topics.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 698 | Internship | 3-6 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 699 | Thesis | 3-4 |
| ENG 694 | Alternate Plan Paper | 1-2 |
Dr. Roland Nord
English Department
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-5402
E-mail: roland.nord@mnsu.edu
If you do not find answers to your questions on this web page, or if you need more information about this English Department graduate program at the Minnesota State University, Mankato, please contact
Dr. Stephen Stoynoff
Director of English Graduate Studies
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-5502
E-mail: graduatedirector@mnsu.edu
The Mankato region is home to growing software, medical, and publishing industries as well as to a number of manufacturers and agribusinesses; MSU, city and county government, and new business-education partnerships provide additional internship possibilities. Students and graduates also find internships and employment in the Twin Cities (70 miles north) and Rochester (75 miles east).
Minnesota State University, Mankato has an award-winning Student Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) that offers a number of opportunities for professional growth:
MSU Technical Communication students may find the Twin Cities STC Chapter particularly useful for their professional advancement.
Graduates have numerous career options open to them of which technical writing and editing for the computer industry, grant writing, governmental and corporate publishing, environmental writing, as well as publication information, are but a few. Candidates choosing the Technical Communication Option in English will find the degree appropriate preparation for careers in independent consulting, government and business writing, and technical and scientific writing and editing.
MSU is a leader in wireless communication, offers state-of-the-art computer classroom facilities, and provides the largest campus computer lab in the region.
The Academic Computer Center (ACC) has over 475 computers and printers for student use. The computers are constantly upgraded to keep current with technology, and all computers have access to the Internet. Surrounding the open lab are six classroom/labs for hands-on interactive instruction. In addition, a service area houses black and white and color laser printers for Macintosh and IBM microcomputers. A multimedia area provides access to the latest technology in digitizing art, flatbed and 35 mm scanning, MIDI, video, and sound editing.
A number of satellite labs, with over 300 computers, are located around campus. Many classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors and wiring for laptop connections.
Additional microcomputers, scanners and color printers are available for graduate student use in the English Department.
Students who have personal computers with modems in their rooms or at home can access the campus computer network through telephone, DSL, or cable lines.
The Department of English employs about 30 teaching and research assistants at stipends of approximately $9000 over two semesters. Assistants receive full tuition remission for up to 18 credits over the academic year (two semesters). All graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of six credits per semester. Assistants are provided office space and have faculty library privileges.
Teaching Assistants in the English Department typically teach freshman composition. The TA Director provides a supportive atmosphere where assistants learn composition theory and pedagogy. In addition, assistants are trained in the latest methods of computer-assisted writing instruction. For more information, visit the English Graduate Assistantships web page.
Other assistantships are available from Student Affairs, Learning Center, Memorial Library, and Residential Life offices of the University. For a list of available graduate assistantships, visit the Human Resources Job Posting web page on the College of Graduate Studies web site.
For information about other types of financial assistance, students should write to
Office of Financial Aid
Minnesota State University, Mankato
109 Wigley Administration Center
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-1185
Web site: http://www.mnsu.edu/campushub/
