Technical Communication, MS
Dive into advanced study of communication, technology, research, design and user experience. Build the expertise to lead content strategy, improve information experiences, and help organizations communicate effectively across industries and audiences.
Quick facts
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Technical Communication master's description
In the Master of Science program in technical communication, you learn how to design, produce and manage print and digital texts using a variety of tools and technologies.
You gain an understanding of the professional, cultural and ethical issues that shape the field. The program balances theory and practice to ensure that you develop the analytical approaches, technological expertise and skills necessary for success as a technical communicator.
Why study technical communication at ASU?
If you're based in the Phoenix area, you can tap into the Communication, Research and User Experience Lab, a dedicated space to carry out your research.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
36 credit hours including the required capstone course (TWC 596)
Required Core (24 credit hours) Restricted Electives (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
TWC 501 Fundamentals of Technical Communication (3)
TWC 504 Applied Rhetoric and Technical Communication (3)
TWC 505 Research in Technical and Applied Communication (3)
TWC 511 Principles of Visual Communication (3)
TWC 514 Visualizing Data and Information (3)
TWC 531 Principles of Technical Editing (3)
TWC 536 Project Management in Technical Communication (3)
TWC 544 User Experience (3)
TWC 522 Social Media in the Workplace (3)
TWC 535 Global Issues in Technical Communication (3)
TWC 543 Grant and Proposal Writing (3)
TWC 545 Content Strategy (3)
TWC 546 Technical and Scientific Reports (3)
TWC 551 Copyright and Intellectual Property in the Electronic Age (3)
TWC 552 Information in the Digital Age (3)
TWC 596 Technical Communication Capstone (3)
Students select three of the restricted elective courses. Courses should be selected in consultation with the program advisor.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Communicate complex information clearly, ethically, and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Employ research methods to improve potential impact of technical content.
- Create visual communication products for diverse audiences and purposes.
Communicate complex information clearly, ethically, and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information All applicants must submit a written letter of application that includes a detailed statement of purpose and a portfolio of at least three documents that demonstrate the applicant's ability to write in a variety of genres. Portfolio documents can include both academic and professional writing for a variety of audiences and purposes and do not have to be in the area of technical communication. The portfolio should be 15 to 30 pages. The writing samples in the portfolio are evaluated using a rubric that considers several criteria, including a demonstration of the ability to focus on a specific purpose, to meet audience needs, and to show organization, clarity, mechanical soundness and overall effectiveness. All applicants must submit three letters of reference, either academic or professional, that speak to the background and capabilities of the applicant.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Because this program requires a high degree of proficiency in English, an applicant whose native language is not English is expected to have a TOEFL iBT® score of at least 5 on the new scale, or a score of 100 on the TOEFL iBT® taken in a testing center before January 21, 2026.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this technical communication master's degree prepares you for
Professionals with expertise in technical communication are in high demand across sectors and industries, including technology, business, entertainment, education and community organizations. Graduates are prepared for positions in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, with plenty of professional opportunities for career advancement.
Professionals who have the skills to analyze users and data, write and create visuals, and manage online content are highly valuable to businesses and institutions. Maintaining rhetorical awareness and understanding of complex information is critical to impactful management and presentation of specialized content to broad audiences. Graduates of this program are accomplished writers, editors, designers, project managers and researchers who can respond effectively to a variety of audiences, issues and communication situations.
Career examples include:
- instructional designer
- interface designer
- IT project manager
- public relations manager
- social media manager
- technical writer
- user experience specialist
- web administrator
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Applied Professional Studies
|
SANCA 233
SAPSGrad@asu.edu
602-496-0446
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
