English (MA) - Technical Communication

Program Overview

This Master's in English with a focus on Technical Communication is offered fully online by the University of Central Florida. Graduates will have experience in technical writing, user-centered design, and ethics in technical communication. The program prepares students for careers such as technical writers, information designers, and corporate trainers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Technical Communication track within the Master of Arts in English program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a fully online program. It equips students with both theoretical and practical skills in various areas, including:

• Technical Writing: The program emphasizes the fundamentals of creating clear, concise, and effective technical documentation.
• Usability: The program covers principles of user-centered design, ensuring that technical documents are easy to navigate and use.
• Stylistics: The program delves into the nuances of language and style, helping students craft effective and persuasive technical writing.
• Computer Documentation: Students gain expertise in creating documentation for software, hardware, and other technological products.
• Rhetoric of Science: Students learn how to effectively communicate scientific concepts and research findings to diverse audiences.
The program attracts students from diverse educational backgrounds, including Psychology, Computer Science, and English. The faculty members are recognized for their achievements, including prestigious awards and publications in the field. They also have extensive experience in teaching online courses.

Outline:

The program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, broken down as follows:

• Required Courses (15 credit hours):
• ENC6217 - Technical Editing (3 credits)
• ENC6261 - Technical Writing, Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• ENG5009 - Methods of Bibliography and Research (3 credits)
• Choose one of the following:
• ENC6338 - The Rhetorics of Public Debate (3 credits)
• LIT6435 - Rhetoric of Science (3 credits)
• ENC6951 - Technical Communication Capstone (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (15 credit hours):
• Restricted (9 hours):
Students must complete at least 3 courses from the following list:
• ENC6257 - Visual Technical Communication (3 credits)
• ENC6306 - Persuasive Writing (3 credits)
• ENC6247 - Proposal Writing (3 credits)
• ENC6292 - Project Management for Technical Writers (3 credits)
• ENC6296 - Interactive Design in Technical Communication (3 credits)
• ENC6338 - The Rhetorics of Public Debate (3 credits)
• ENC6425 - Hypertext Theory and Design (3 credits)
• ENC6335 - Rhetorical Traditions (3 credits)
• LIN5675 - English Grammar and Usage (3 credits)
• LIT6435 - Rhetoric of Science (3 credits)
• ENC6225 - User-Centered Design for Technical Communication (3 credits)
• ENC6931 - Topics in Technical Communication (3 credits)
• ENC6297 - Production and Publication Methods (3 credits)
• Unrestricted (6 hours):
Students can choose 6 credits from graduate-level English courses or approved courses from outside the department, in consultation with the graduate advisor.
• Thesis/Nonthesis Options (3 credit hours):
• Thesis Option:
Students complete a formal thesis under the guidance of an advisory committee, meeting departmental and university requirements. (ENC 6971 Thesis - 3 credits)
• Nonthesis Option:
Students can choose one of the following:
• Directed Research:
Complete a research project approved by an advisory committee, focusing on a topic in technical communication. (ENC 6918 Directed Research - 3 credits)

Teaching:

The program is delivered entirely online, and the faculty members have extensive experience in teaching online courses.

Careers:

Graduates of the Technical Communication program at UCF have found employment in various communication-related roles within the central Florida region, including:

• Technical Writers
• Technical Editors
• Web Designers
• Corporate Trainers
• Consultants
• Educators
• Documentation Specialists

Other:

The program emphasizes independent learning, with both the thesis and special project options requiring students to conduct original research and produce a final paper detailing their findings.