MA Overview

A master's degree in technical writing prepares students for advanced and specialized positions in technical communication, including positions as project managers, information designers, communication analysts, teachers, and trainers. The master's degree also prepares students to pursue doctoral work in technical communication.

The OSU Technical Writing Program has two highly flexible approaches: the MA Option (30-33 hours) and the MA Emphasis (30 hours).

MA Option. The primary focus of the the MA option is on technical communication as a profession. The secondary focus is on communication skills such as writing, editing, document design, online documentation, and electronic publications. Students also focus on other secondary skills that are relevant to technical fields such as computer science, engineering, and graphic arts. Students may choose to write either a thesis or a creative component.

MA Emphasis. The primary focus of the MA emphasis is on technical communication as it complements other areas of English. Students also choose to study areas such as creative writing, composition and rhetoric, teaching English as a second language, linguistics, film, and periods of British or American literature. Students are required to write a thesis.