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New IDC/IID Students: How to Apply

We welcome your application to any of our IDC or IID graduate programs. On this page you'll find information for applying to:

  • M.Sc. in Information Design & Communication (IDC)
  • M.Sc. in Information & Instructional Design (IID)
  • Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication
  • Advanced Certificates (with concentrations)

In order to be considered for admission to any of the above programs, you'll need to make sure we have all your materials by these dates:

  • July 1: for courses starting in the Fall Semester (mid-August)
  • November 1: for courses starting in the Spring Semester (early January)

To download the MSIDC or MSIID application, please click here.

To download the Certificate application, please click here.

The application process to the degree or certificate programs includes several steps, and all materials must be sent to the Program Assistant, Donna McPherson in the ETCMA department office.  To contact our Program Assistant, Donna McPherson an email address, physical address, and a phone number are located at the bottom of this page.

Your application can't be evaluated by the Graduate Review Committee until we have all of your materials. Please leave yourself plenty of time to get transcripts, obtain reference letters, and compile the documents you'll require. The table, below, indicates what you'll need for your application. All requirements are effective for Fall 2012 admission.

 

MSIDC or MSIID

Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication

Advanced Certificate

Basic Academic Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited school. Bachelor's degree from an accredited school. Master's degree in technical communication or equivalent.
IDC and IID do not require a specific undergraduate degree as a prerequisite. Students come to our programs with varied undergraduate degrees including journalism, business, engineering, and biological sciences. A GPA of 2.75 is required. Students with a GPA lower than 2.75 may apply but, if accepted, will be placed on provisional status. As a provisional student IDC 5001 and 5002 are required.  
 Transcripts Official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts from all institutions attended.

Official transcripts from all institutions attended.

 GRE

Yes

The GRE requirement may be exempted with 2 years’ relevant work experience and submission of a portfolio for review.

 No  No
 Portfolio1

See above.

 No

Yes1

Letters of recommendation No No No
Application Essay Yes Yes Yes
 

An essay focusing on why you have chosen an online learning environment for graduate-level study. If you're applying for the master's degree please indicate if you'll be focusing your coursework in graphics (Graphics Track). Students without a background in graphics may be required to take IDC 5002 or present a portfolio of work for review.

Your essay should also include a list of elective courses you are most interested in taking and why these courses support your professional/academic goals. Essay should be at least 2 pages (500 words minimum), double-spaced, and typed.

Timed Essay

Yes Yes Yes
  For the timed essay (written in a specified length of time in response to an assignment given at the time) contact the Program Assistant, Donna McPherson, donna@spsu.edu, or 678-915-7202 to schedule a day and time to write the essay. The essay topic and a set of instructions will be sent via email, on the day scheduled. The applicant is responsible for timing the essay and sending an electronic copy back to the ETCMA Department within two hours of beginning the essay.

Professional Resume

Yes Yes Yes
 

This professional resume should show current and past work experience.

Certificate of Immunization

Waive the certificate

Waive the certificate Waive the certificate
International Students International students whose native language is not English and who do not possess a baccalaureate degree from a college in the United States must submit (1) an official English-translated transcript of college-level education, (2) the TOEFL scores. Students taking fully online courses and who will NOT be moving to the US, do not require an affidavit indicating financial security.
1See About Portfolios

About Portfolios

If you're submitting a portfolio, it must be an online portfolio of materials. Again, you'll need to contact the Program Assistant and provide the URL to your portfolio.

  • Master's degrees—You must have at least 2 years relevant work experience and your portfolio must contain samples of your professional work. You'll need to include a description of the audience, purpose, and your role in creating each product.
  • Advanced certificates—submit a portfolio that's reflective of your work; you'll need to include a description of the audience, purpose, and your role in creating each product.

Your Application and the Graduate Review Committee

The Graduate Review Committee evaluates every application packet. The committee assesses your submission carefully and determines your suitability for admission to the degree or certificates. Your academic record and writing samples—with, if required, your GRE score or portfolio submission—are part of the committee's holistic evaluation.

The committee meets immediately after the July/November application deadline passes. Because admission decisions need to be made quickly, only completed applications will be reviewed.

Application Decisions

You'll be notified in writing about the status of your application once the committee has met. The Graduate Review Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application.

Provisional Admission

Students with a GPA less than 2.75 or who require—by determination of the committee—preparatory coursework in writing or graphics, may be admitted provisionally. Provisional admits are required to take IDC 5001 and 5002. If a grade of B or higher is achieved in both courses, the Graduate Review Committee will review your application for admission to the degree or certificate.


For More Information...

  • Learn how to apply to the IDC degree or certificate programs
  • Read more about our M.Sc. in IDC
  • See if our graduate-level Certificates are right for you
  • Review the IDC Courses required for the degree and certificate programs

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact our Program Assistant.

Email: donna@spsu.edu    Address: 1100 South Marietta Pkwy  
Phone: 678-915-7202                         Atrium Bldg, J333
                                                             Marietta, Ga 30060

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