Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Scientific and Technical Communication M.S.Writing Studies Department
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Writing Studies, 214 Nolte Center, 315 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-4761; fax: 612-624-3617)
Email:
writgpc@umn.edu
Website: http://cla.umn.edu/writing-studies
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The Department of Writing Studies trains students to understand how people use written communication (digital, visual, textual) to shape the world around them, with a particular emphasis on communication in scientific and technical areas. The MS in Scientific and Technical Communication focuses on applying basic theory and research-driven approaches to the creation and adaptation of content to solve complex problems in technical communication workplaces. Students connect with workplace professionals through client projects, virtual and global teamwork, mentorships, and emerging technologies. These experiences enable students to develop unique strengths in digital, usability, and science/health/medical communication.
MS courses are taught by graduate faculty who themselves have active research agendas in these areas. Students also have the opportunity to work with the Technical Communication Advisory Board (TCAB), a group of business leaders who provide pathways to experiential learning opportunities including networking, mentoring, and internships.
This fully online program equips professionals for transition to the technical communication field and/or for specialized study tailored to career goals. All coursework from the Certificate in Technical Communication program can be applied to the MS.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
21
major credits and
9
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: WRIT 8505, the capstone course, provides a structured setting for students to complete a research project that will position them for applied work in technical communication.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
All coursework must be taken for an A-F grade and completed with a minimum grade of B-, unless the course is only offered for an S/N grade.
Core Coursework (15 credits)
Take the following courses for a total of 15 credits.
WRIT 5001 - Foundations and Futures of Technical Communication
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5112 - Information Design: Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5501 - Usability and Human Factors in Technical Communication
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5561 - Editing and Style for Technical Communicators
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5662 - Writing With Digital Technologies
(3.0 cr)
Electives (3 credits)
Take at least 3 credits of electives, selected in consultation with the advisor or director of graduate studies. Under some circumstances, 3 credits of independent study (WRIT 5291) or internship (WRIT 5196) may be substituted with the director of graduate study’s approval.
WRIT 4562 - International Professional Communication
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 4573W - Writing Proposals and Grant Management
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5664 - Science, Medical, and Health Writing
(3.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (9 credits)
Select at least 9 credits outside the Department of Writing Studies, in consultation with the advisor or director of graduate studies. Courses can be from the following list or others with approval of the advisor or director of graduate studies. Note: CI 5106, CI 5351, CI 5474, GDES 5372, MOT 5001, and MOT 5002 are not offered online.
CI 5106 - Multicultural Teaching and Learning in Diverse College Contexts
(3.0 cr)
CI 5156 - Popular Culture, Teaching, and Learning
(3.0 cr)
CI 5301 - Foundations of Computer Applications for Business and Education
(3.0 cr)
CI 5307 - Technology for Teaching and Learning
(1.5 cr)
CI 5323 - Online Learning Communities
(3.0 cr)
CI 5325 - Designing and Developing Online Distance Learning
(3.0 cr)
CI 5331 - Introduction to Learning Technologies
(3.0 cr)
CI 5336 - Planning for Multimedia Design and Development
(3.0 cr)
CI 5351 - Technology Tools for Educators
(3.0 cr)
CI 5361 - Teaching and Learning with the Internet
(2.0-3.0 cr)
CI 5362 - Foundations of Interactive Design for Web-based Learning
(3.0 cr)
CI 5371 - Learning Analytics: Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
CI 5472 - Teaching Critical Media Analysis in
Schools
(3.0 cr)
CI 5474 - New Literacies Frameworks and Instruction: Digital Texts and Digital Reading
(3.0 cr)
CI 5475 - Teaching Digital Writing
(3.0 cr)
COMM 5441 - Communication in Human Organizations
(3.0 cr)
EPSY 5101 - Intelligence and Creativity
(3.0 cr)
EPSY 5243 - Principles and Methods of Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
EPSY 5261 - Introductory Statistical Methods
(3.0 cr)
GDES 8361 - Color, Design, and Human Perception
(3.0 cr)
HINF 5430 - Foundations of Health Informatics I
(3.0 cr)
HINF 5502 - Python Programming Essentials for the Health Sciences
(1.0 cr)
HINF 5510 - Applied Health Care Databases: Database Principles and Data Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
HINF 5520 - Informatics Methods for Health Care Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Safety
(2.0 cr)
HINF 5531 - Health Data Analytics and Data Science
(3.0 cr)
KIN 5202 - Current Issues in Health
(2.0 cr)
MOT 5001 - Technological Business Fundamentals
(2.0 cr)
MOT 5002 - Creating Technological Innovation
(2.0 cr)
NURS 5115 - Interprofessional Health Care Informatics
(3.0 cr)
NURS 5116 - Consumer Health Informatics
(2.0 cr)
NURS 7118 - Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction in Health Informatics
(3.0 cr)
OLPD 5201 - Strategies for Teaching Adults
(3.0 cr)
OLPD 5501 - Principles and Methods of Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
OLPD 5607 - Organization Development
(3.0 cr)
OLPD 5612 - International Human Resource Development
(3.0 cr)
OLPD 5616 - Instructional Design for e-Learning
(3.0 cr)
PHAR 5201 - Applied Medical Terminology
(2.0 cr)
PHAR 5700 - Applied Fundamentals of Pharmacotherapy
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 6724 - The Health Care System and Public Health
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 6735 - Principles of Health Policy
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 6741 - Ethics in Public Health: Professional Practice and Policy
(1.0 cr)
PUBH 7710 - Setting Priorities and Framing Public Health Issues
(2.0 cr)
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4501/Writ 5501 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4662W/Writ 5662 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | 5351 or 5362 recommended |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 5347/CI 5475 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3101/EPsy 5101 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | OLPD 5501/EPsy 5243 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3264/5231/5261/5263 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | OLPD 5501/EPsy 5243 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phar 1002/Phar 5201 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phar 3700/Phar 5700 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PubH 6735/PubH 6835. |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |