Apply to an MSc degree program

We admit new students for the Fall and Spring semesters only.

MSc Degree Programs

MSc in Information Design & Communication (36 credit hours)
MSc in Information & Instructional Design (36 credit hours)

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college, in any field
minimum GPA of 2.75*
2 years related work experience

*If your GPA is less than 2.75, you may apply, but may be placed on provisional status. You will be required to take the Transition Courses and make a grade of "B" or better in both courses. After you have successfully completed the Transition Courses, the Graduate Review Committee will re-review your application for admission to the graduate program you applied for.

Application Materials

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to gather and compile the following documents for your application. All requirements are effective for Fall 2012 admission:

Application for Admission
Although the form instructs you to send the application for admission to the Graduate Admissions office, send it instead to Donna McPherson in the English, Technical Communication & Media Arts department.
Application fee
Send a $50 non-refundable application fee with your application. Make the check payable to Southern Polytechnic State University.
Application essay
Your essay should be at least 2 pages (500 words minimum), double-spaced, and typed. Focus on your career goals and the ways in which an MSc degree would support those goals. Also indicate the desired focus of your coursework. If you want to focus on graphics, you may be required to take IDC 5002—Graphics in the Profession, or present a portfolio of work for review by the Graduate Review Committee.
Professional resume
Show current and past work and other relevant experience.
Immunization waiver
As an applicant to an online program, you are not required to have current immunizations, but you will need to return the immunization form as part of your application. Fill out the "Student Information" section at the top, check the second box under "Exemptions," and send the form with the rest of your application materials.
Transcript(s)
Ask every institution you've attended to mail an official transcript to Donna McPherson in the English, Technical Communication & Media Arts department. If you are an international students who did not earn a baccalaureate degree from a college in the U.S., ask your institutions to submit an official English-translated transcript of college-level education.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores or portfolio
You may be exempt from the GRE* requirement if you have 2 years' relevant work experience or have completed the Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication at SPSU. In either case, you can instead submit a portfolio** for review by the Graduate Review Committee. International students who did not earn a baccalaureate degree from a college in the U.S. should submit TOEFL scores.
Timed essay
Schedule this essay with Donna McPherson after you have sent in all other application materials. She will send you a topic and set of instructions on the scheduled day. You will have 2 hours to write the essay and email it to Donna as an attached electronic file.

*While the department does not set a specific cut-off score, successful candidates would likely score 153 for Verbal Reasoning, 144 for Quantitative Reasoning, and 4 for the writing component. GRE results may take up to 6 weeks to reach the English, Technical Communication & Media Arts department at SPSU. In addition to your scores, we will receive a copy of the essay you write for the GRE. For more information about the GRE, visit www.ets.org/gre.

**Your portfolio should be online (provide the URL to Donna McPherson) and should include a description of the audience, purpose, and your role in creating each piece in the portfolio.

Admission Decisions

The Graduate Review Committee, made up of department faculty, will evaluate your application materials packet. They will assess your submission carefully and determine your suitability for admission to your program of choice.

The committee meets immediately after the application deadline passes. Because admission decisions need to be made quickly, they will only consider completed applications. The Graduate Review Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application.

You'll be notified in writing once a decision is made on your application.

Your application materials are due for consideration by these dates:

July 1 for Fall Semester (begins mid-August)
November 1 for Spring Semester (begins early January)

Send all your application materials to:

Donna McPherson, Program Assistant
English, Technical Communication & Media Arts Department
Southern Polytechnic State University
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Atrium Building, J333
Marietta, GA 30060

Next steps:

English, Technical Communication & Media Arts Department | Southern Polytechnic State University
Atrium Building, J333 | 1100 South Marietta Parkway | Marietta, GA 30060

678-915-7202 | 678-915-7425 (fax) | tcom@spsu.edu | Site Map