Technical Communication
The master of arts in technical communication (MATC) program is a student-centered graduate program that accommodates experienced professionals and recent graduates from various disciplines. Evening courses are offered in traditional classrooms and in online environments to suit full and part-time students who live and work in Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, and Round Rock.
The MATC program prepares students to write, design, and communicate effectively in technical, scientific, and professional environments.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Christopher Dayley
matc@txstate.edu
512.245.2627
Flowers Hall (FH), Room 363
Advisor Support
Dr. Flore Chevaillier
f_c99@txstate.edu
512.245.7683
Flowers Hall (FH), Room 361
“My MATC degree has provided me with many opportunities in many different fields. I love it because I know I’m not restricted to just one career path for the rest of my life.”
— Breauna Stanek, M.A. ’17, Medical Writer, Worldwide Clinical Trials
Course Work
The program equips students with a strong foundation in technical communication and editing, rhetorical theory, intercultural and international communication, user research, social media and digital design, technical marketing communication, and software, among other marketable skills.
The MATC program has two tracks — thesis and internship — both requiring only 10 classes (30 semester hours) to complete. Students who currently work full-time or who will work in the field typically choose the internship option. Students who plan to pursue a doctoral degree typically choose the thesis track.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. | 30 | Non-Thesis | Minor optional |
| M.A. | 30 | Thesis | Minor optional |
| Texas State Round Rock Campus This program can be completed in Round Rock, though taking courses in both San Marcos and Round Rock will result in quicker degree completion. |
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| Online Availability This program is offered completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the eligibility requirements of enrolling in online programs and contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with questions. |
Students and alumni have worked at Microsoft, MIT, IBM, EA Sports, Google, National Instruments, Dell, Motorola, USAA, Texas Department of State Health Services, and other companies, agencies, and universities.
Program Mission
The MATC program prepares students to write and communicate effectively in the rapidly changing and expanding technological and professional world. The objectives of our humanities-based and interdisciplinary curriculum are to:
- strengthen your ability to write clear technical and scientific information
- build and refine your technical editing skills
- teach you to create end-user and developer documentation
- help you to design and create digital content for specific audiences
- provide access to a state-of-the-art usability lab to conduct user experience research
- acquaint you with the ethical and cultural issues in technical communication
Program Faculty
Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized researchers with records of teaching excellence. They have earned awards and board memberships from leading professional organizations in our field. All MATC faculty have work experience in business, government, scientific, and medical institutions. They have active research agendas and noteworthy publications in international and intercultural communication, medical and scientific writing, social media and usability testing, government writing, web design, video production, and curriculum development.
Career Options
The MATC program prepares students for current and emerging employment in business, government, environmental, medical, and health industries. Alumni are employed in the following roles, to name a few:
- technical writers and editors
- user-research managers and writers
- grant and communication specialists
- project coordinators
- content developers
- chief publishing officer
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a flexible deadline, which means applications received after the posted deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees for admission consideration. |
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. Read additional information about departmental funding opportunities below. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee(s)
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- minimum 3.0 GPA in 12 or more hours of undergraduate English, writing, editing, web design, or technical communication/professional writing course work. (Other courses may be approved by the graduate advisor.)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
Documents
- portfolio (submit the following items as a single PDF document):
- at least two non-fiction, prose documents (combined minimum of 15 pages, double-spaced) consisting of at least one academic research paper written for an undergraduate or graduate course
- cover letter describing the submitted two (or more) non-fiction, prose documents
- statement of purpose explaining your reasons for pursuing the MATC and including background information that demonstrates:
- interest and/or experience in writing, editing
- interest and/or experience designing online or paper documents
- other pertinent information
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.