The Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Communication, now offered 100% online, prepares you for a position as a technical writer/editor, content strategist, or proposal writer. Our classes are offered in 8-week asynchronous sections, providing flexibility for students.

Graduates of the program work in every industry you can imagine and are highly successful. They're usually employed in a technical communication position within a year of graduation, and most are working in the field immediately upon graduating.

Core courses (12 hours)

These 4 courses are required for all students:

  • TECM 5185 - Principles of Technical Communication
  • TECM 5191 - Digital Literacies for Professional Communicators
  • TECM 5195 - Editing Technical Documents
  • TECM 5280 - Designing Technical Documents
Topics courses (9 hours)

Choose 3 courses from the following:

  • TECM 5170 - Grants and Proposals
  • TECM 5175 - Writing in Professional Settings
  • TECM 5180 - Professional Writing
  • TECM 5190 - Style and Technical Writing
  • TECM 5200 - Digital Content Strategies for Communication Professionals
  • TECM 5290 - Design and Development of High-Tech Training Materials
  • TECM 5550 - Studies in the Teaching of Technical Communication
  • TECM 5740 - Content Analysis in Technical Communication
  • TECM 5750 - Measuring Usability and User Experience for Professional and Technical Communication
Practicum or thesis (6 hours)

All students must complete a practicum or thesis to graduate. The vast majority choose the practicum option, which requires you to find and successfully complete an internship.

  • TECM 5640 - Practicum in Technical Communication

or

  • TECM 5950 - Master's Thesis
Electives (3 hours)

A graduate course approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Portfolio review and defense

Your portfolio review is a collection of projects you created in your courses accompanied by a defense of your decisions in creating them.

Am I eligible for admission to the MA?

Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate semester credit hours prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree or a 2.8 GPA on all undergraduate work. 

The MA requires no foreign language competency. 

No GRE is required. 

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a score on the TOEFL examination. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is not in professional and technical communication may be required to take 3-6 hours of graduate leveling courses as approved by the graduate director. These courses would count as electives toward the MA degree.

NOTE: We do not accept test scores other than the GRE and TOEFL (or IELTS) scores. The department does not grant conditional admission to applicants who have not submitted all test scores.

How much will this program cost?

UNT has been named one of America's Best College Buys® for 24 consecutive years. You can use a calculator to estimate your tuition and fees to get more information about the cost of the program.

What are the classes like?

All TECM classes emphasize skills needed in the workplace, like writing documentation, designing for user experience, using generative AI, or coding websites.

You'll learn to use the software applications employers list on job postings (Adobe RoboHelp, MadCap Flare, Figma, WordPress, ChatGPT), and most classes involve client-sponsored projects that include work you can put in a portfolio.

What steps do I need to take to apply to the MA program?

Steps to Complete Application to MA Program

  1. Complete your online application (see below)
  2. Request your official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
  3. International applications must submit their TOEFL scores.
  4. Write a 500-750 word personal statement in response to one of the following prompts:
    1. Describe a situation where you successfully used technical communication. How do you believe UNT’s MA with a major in professional and technical communication will complement what you already know about the field?
    2. Summarize the most recent article you read about technical communication. Discuss how this article informed your thinking about technical communication and then how UNT’s MA with a major in professional and technical communication will enhance your understanding of the field.
  5. A current vita or resume.
  6. A writing sample or professional portfolio (optional)

Spring 2025 Applications

If you are applying for Spring 2025:

  1. Complete your online application via applytexas.org.
  2. Email your personal statement, vita/resume, and writing sample/professional portfolio to tcgrad@unt.edu.

Summer 2025 Applications and Later

If you are applying for Summer 2025 or later, use the UNT Grad CAS (Centralized Application System) to submit your application and all supporting materials.

Are all courses offered every semester?

No--some courses are only available in the spring or fall semesters. It's critical that you speak with your graduate advisor to ensure you're taking the right classes at the right times so that you can graduate on your schedule.

What marketable skills does this degree develop?

You'll learn interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas that are valued by employers and are primary or complementary to the major.

UNT's marketable skills were faculty-developed and approved by employers or discipline-specific agencies, like internship providers, chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, and other workforce-related entities. Learn more here.

How do I get started?

Graduate advising is by appointment only. Email TCgrad@unt.edu or call the office at (940) 565-4458 to schedule an appointment with the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Ready to get started? Contact your advisor now for help getting admitted to UNT, signing up for classes, and more.