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Home >> 2010 - 2011 Graduate Catalog >> Programs & Courses >> Degree Programs >> Master of Science Program in Information Design and Communication Degree Requirements

Master of Science Program in Information Design and Communication Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication, the Master of Science in Information Design and Communication, and Advanced Certificates in Technical Communication:

Applicants admitted into the MS in Information Design and Communication degree program, the Technical Communication Certificate program, or the Advanced Certificate program must demonstrate strong written communication skills, a solid academic record, a good understanding of how their career goals fit within the field of technical communication, and a clear potential to contribute to the profession. All degree and certificate applicants must complete the following in order to be considered for admission:

Completed application, including a $20 non-refundable application fee.
One official transcript from each college attended. These must be in sealed envelopes sent directly from the school.
For any degree/transcript reflecting a GPA below 2.75, applicants must provide an explanation for the academic performance, as well as a statement demonstrating why they feel able to perform well at the graduate level.
Immunization certification or immunization waiver. This documentation must be submitted to the school nurse, Julie Scala, jscala@spsu.edu, fax# 678-915-7367.
Three academic or professional references on letterhead, placed in a sealed envelope, with the writer's signature placed over the seal.
Professional resume showing current and past work experience.

In addition, students must submit the following materials depending on their program:

Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication

An application essay focusing on why the applicant has chosen an online learning environment for a graduate certificate in Technical Communication. The essay should also include a list of elective courses the applicant is most interested in taking and why these courses support the applicant's professional/academic goals. Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, and typed.
A timed essay. Contact the Program Assistant, Donna McPherson, tcom@spsu.edu, to schedule a day and time to write the essay. The essay topic and 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 Department within three hours of beginning the essay.
A signed Memorandum of Understanding stipulating that you understand that successful completion of the certificate program is not a guarantee of admission to the master's program.

The Master of Science in Information Design and Communication

GRE scores (Test scores may be waived, if an applicant has 2 or more years of relevant work experience. An applicant may submit, to the ETCMA Graduate Review Committee, a portfolio of work, along with appropriate descriptions and narrative justification of the relevancy of the work experience to the candidate's suitability for graduate degree study. ie.: explanation of audience, purpose of each of the samples, and the applicant's role in creating them.)
An application essay focusing on why the applicant has chosen an online/hybrid learning environment for an MS degree in Information Design and Communication. The essay should also include a list of elective courses the applicant is most interested in taking and why these courses support the applicant's professional/academic goals. This essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, and typed.
A timed essay. Contact the Program Assistant, Donna McPherson, tcom@spsu.edu, to schedule a day and time to write the essay. The essay topic and 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 Department within three hours of beginning the essay.

Advanced Certificates in Technical Communication Admission requirements:

A graduate certificate or master's degree in technical communication or related field from SPSU or another university.
A portfolio reflective of your work with a description of the audience, purpose, and your role in creating each product.
An application essay focusing on career goals and explaining how the Advanced Certificate program will help the applicant meet these goals.

Note: SPSU Certificate in Technical Communication and/or MS Information Design and Communication graduates need only to submit a portfolio reflective of your work with a description of the audience, purpose, and your role in creating each product, along with an application, in order to apply for one of the advanced certificates.


IDC 6001	Professional Practices of Communication	3
IDC 6002	Information Design	3
IDC 6030	Foundations of Graphics	3
IDC Electives	Select 7 elective courses with an IDC prefix	21
IDC Option	(Select one of the options listed below)	6

Total For The Program

Internship Option

Internship (IDC 7601-7603)

While taking the internship, students may enroll in a maximum of 9 hours per semester:

3 hours of internship plus two courses or 6 hours of internship plus one course.

Thesis Option

Thesis (IDC 7801-7803, six-hour minimum)

When taking the thesis, students may enroll in a maximum of 9 hours per semester--to include no more than 3 hours of thesis per semester.

All Coursework Option

Select an additional 2 elective courses (6 hours) with an IDC prefix.

NOTE: IDC 6001 must be taken the first semester of work in the program, and IDC 6002 and IDC 6030 should be taken as soon as possible after admission.

Elective Courses for IDC Options

IDC 6004	Research Methods	3
IDC 6005	Visual Thinking	3
IDC 6010	Writing Across Media	3
IDC 6035	Information Graphics	3
IDC 6040	Applied Graphics I	3
IDC 6041	Applied Graphics II	3
IDC 6045	Foundations of Multimedia	3
IDC 6050	Applied Multimedia	3
IDC 6060	International Technical Communication	3
IDC 6071	User Assistance	3
IDC 6080	Professional Oral Presentations	3
IDC 6090	Medical Communication	3
IDC 6110	Communications Project Management	3
IDC 6120	Usability Testing	3
IDC 6135	Website Design	3
IDC 6140	Instructional Systems Design	3
IDC 6155	Online Instructional Development	3
IDC 6145	Performance Technology	3
IDC 6150	Marketing Communication	3
IDC 6160	Rhetoric: History, Theory, and Practice	3
IDC 6180	Information Architecture	3
IDC 6901-6903	Special Topics	1-3
IDC 7501-7503	Independent Study	1-3

Graduate students may take up to 9 hours outside of the program with prior approval from both the Graduate Coordinator and the Department Chair.

NOTE: A grade of "B" or better is required in all courses that are applied to graduation (with the exception of the internship and thesis, which require an "S").