Mercer University

Program Information

Degree Offered

MS in Technical Communication Management, Graduate-level certificates in Foundations of Technical Communication, Applications of Technical Co

Format: Online

Program Description:

"The Master of Science Program in Technical Communication Management is directed toward working professionals and practitioners who have at least three years of experience in technical communication or a related discipline. Current graduate students have an average of 12 years of professional work experience.
We are diverse. Our students are technical communicators, translators, software specialists, and training specialists, as well as engineers, managers, and educators.
Our philosophy of graduate education in the program follows that of Jerome Bruner, Harvard University's constructivist learning theorist. As an outgrowth of Bruner's philosophy, our approach focuses on the discovery learning process of self-motivated adults, who explore and manipulate educational content to correlate with their life and work experiences.
Course content and projects combine current industry practice with up-to-date theory and research accessed through the Internet. Students have the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively on real-life projects, such as usability inspections of a handheld computer application for physicians-in-training, telecommuting planning for virtual technical communication organizations, and structured path scriptwriting for multimedia.
All of the students enrolled in the program are distance learners. They span the globe, from Tampa to Tokyo, and our alumni hail from Asia and Europe, as well as from North America.
Our synchronous class sessions currently use text chats. Faculty and students also contact each other asynchronously through an e-mail listserv, and access the course syllabus, text and podcast lectures, assignments, chat transcripts, and other resources. Online research materials are available through Mercer's libraries.
From time to time, teleconferences may be held. As digital video technologies advance, we will be further enhancing our electronic communications capabilities, both synchronously and asynchronously.

Accreditation:

There is no program-specific accrediting body for academic programs in technical communication. Mercer University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Eligibility Requirements:

Application with fee; 2 official transcripts from all schools attended; TEOFL score, if required; 2 letters of recommendation, one from a former professor and one from a manager familiar with applicant's work; letter of intent stating why applicant wants to enroll in the program, professional experience, and readiness to participate in an online learning experience; current resume, detailing applicant's work experience.

International Student Requirements:

All international students whose native language is not English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a Certificate of Proficiency from an ELS Language Center. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550. English proficiency at ELS Level 109 is expected.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities I

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Small City

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999