Graduate Degree Programs in Technical Communication

If you are interested in becoming one of the thoughtful innovators who guide our profession in new directions, a graduate degree program is a good way to get there. Whether you are a seasoned professional seeking more credentials or fresh out of college, here are some possibilities. The University of Washington has a full-time program for the PhD, and both day and evening programs for the MA. There is also a certificate program in user-centered design. Information is available at the College of Engineering’s Technical Communication site.

If distance learning is the best option for you, both masters and doctoral programs are available online from Texas Tech, a longtime leader in the field. English Department Chair Sam Dragga said, “This year we pioneered the Ph.D. in Technical Communication by distance education—the only such program in the world.” More information is available here.

Application deadlines not specifically listed on the site include:

Online MA: 2 months before the target semester (about Nov 15 for spring)

Online PhD: March 1 for fall courses and September 1 for spring

About the Author

Patricia Cornette teaches in the Technical Communications certificate programs at Bellevue Community College. She also has 25 years' experience as a technical writer in various fields, including internal technical documents and user documentation. She is a Senior Member of the STC and a long-time member of the Puget Sound chapter.