Technical Writing (English, M.A.)
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.
Technical Writing (English, M.A.)
Description
What is Technical Writing at ODU like?
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
What makes Technical Writing at ODU unique?
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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
Available On-Campus and Online
Careers
What are some careers in this field?
Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Technical Writers
$74,440
MEDIAN SALARY
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Web Developers
$74,110
MEDIAN SALARY
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.
Editors
$68,230
MEDIAN SALARY
Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.
Copy Writers
$72,120
MEDIAN SALARY
Write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services.
Employers
Graduates from this major have gone to work at
NASA Langley, LifeNet Health, URS
Courses
What are some courses offered in Technical Writing at ODU?
ENGL 539:
Writing in Digital Spaces
This course offers composition practice in critical contemporary digital environments. Readings and discussions will provide the history of and context for these digital spaces. Students should expect to participate in, develop, and engage in critical discussions about a range of digital spaces, including websites, wikis, blogs, and various interactive media.
ENGL 706:
Visual Rhetoric and Document Design
This course focuses on how visual elements, whether verbal or graphic, work within different types of documents. Theory and research in visual rhetoric and technical communication will be used to develop models for how people process visual information in terms of a variety of social and cultural contexts.
ENGL 715:
PROF WRITING THEORY/PRACTICE
This course surveys the history of professional writing, competing theories and research methodologies in the field. The tensions between workplace practices, professional writing scholarship, and professional writing pedagogy will also be explored.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for Technical Writing at ODU?
Students entering the Master of Arts program in Technical Writing should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Graduate Admission)
GRE
Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your readiness for graduate-level writing
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.)
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)
Cost
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Virginia Resident
Per Credit:
$ 571
Non-Resident
Per Credit:
$ 1,394
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Per Credit:
$ 595
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid
Next Steps
I like this program. What are the next steps?
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Contact
Need help applying?
Meet Your Enrollment Team
Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Name:
Julia Romberger
Location:
5024 BATTEN ARTS & LETTERS, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-4012
Graduate Admissions
Location:
1000 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3685
Fax:
757-683-6512
Email:
gradadmit@odu.edu
International Admissions
Location:
2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3701
Fax:
757-683-3651
Email:
intladm@odu.edu
Additional Programs
Are there other programs at ODU I may be interested in?
With over 120 undergraduate programs, 130 graduate programs at the master's, education specialist and doctoral levels plus a wealth of certificate and professional development programs, Old Dominion University has the program for you. Visit our academic program listing page to see other programs ODU has to offer.
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