The Technical Writing MA has a breadth of course offerings that provide students with the foundation for solving communication issues in the workplace. Students take practical classes in Management Writing, Writing in Digital Spaces, and Writing in the Disciplines. Courses in rhetorical theory, such as Classical and Modern Rhetoric and Applied Linguistics, provide a theoretical foundation for the practices in all of the course work. Students also learn a variety of research methods aside from traditional library research in the Writing Research Methods class that are applicable to a wide range of problem solving. There is also flexibility to pursue depth if students wish to focus on teaching with additional courses in Technical Writing Pedagogy, Online Writing Instruction, or Teaching with Technology, or on Digital Media production with courses such as Cybercultures and Digital Writing, Writing with Film, New Media Theories and Practices I and II.
Program Highlights
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Opportunity for students to receive credit for a graduate level writing-based internship
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Opportunity to present at national conferences, such as SIGDOC, CCCC, ATTW, and CPTSC
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Evening and video streaming courses to accommodate work schedules
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Students have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of communication technologies and practices
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Students are encouraged to develop a professional portfolio
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Technical Writers
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Web Developers
Design, create, and modify Web sites. Analyze user needs to implement Web site content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web and multimedia content.
Copy Writers
Write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services.
Editors
Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.
Alumni Careers
Requirements
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GRE
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Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your readiness for graduate-level writing
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An undergraduate degree in English or a related field is preferred but not required. (An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for non-English majors.)
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International students must submit TOEFL scores, a sample of scholarly writing, and three recommendations, one of which evaluates ability in English. Regular admission requires a score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL (the equivalent of 570 in the older, paper-based score scale or 80 on the TOEFL iBT)
Featured Courses
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
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