Advanced Certificates Admissions

Admission requirements

At least one of the following admissions requirements must be met for admission into the Advanced Graduate Certificate Program:

Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication
Graduate degree in technical communication (or closely related
field) from an accredited school (some additional foundation
coursework may be required)

Additionally, all applicants must submit a professional portfolio which will be reviewed by the admissions committee. (Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication Program may submit the portfolios they completed in the certificate program capstone course—IDC 6800, Certificate Portfolio.)

Transfer of credits

Courses from other institutions cannot be counted towards the Advanced Graduate Certificate.

Admission deadlines

Applicants can be admitted to the certificate program by the following deadlines:

	for Fall Semester	August 1

	for Spring Semester	December 1 (of the preceding year)

	for Summer Semester	May 1

Admission procedure

By the deadlines listed above, new applicants must submit the following to the respective offices:

	SPSU Admissions Office
	•	SPSU application form for certificate programs (this is a different form from the application form for degree programs). You can apply online or complete a paper application.

	•	Application fee ($20, non-refundable; make checks payable to Southern Polytechnic State University)

	•	One official transcript sent directly from each college or university attended

	•	Certificate of immunization (sign the waiver at the bottom of the form)


	•	Three letters of recommendation (NOT the reference forms in the application) from supervisors, clients, professors, or professional colleagues (letters from friends or relatives are not appropriate)

	•	Essay focusing on why the applicant has chosen an online learning environment for an advanced graduate certificate (essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, and typed)

	English, Technical Communication, and Media Arts Program Office
	•	Essay written under proctoring (written in a specified length of time in response to an assignment given at the time). Contact the Program Assistant, Donna McPherson, to schedule a time to write the essay.

International Students: International students who do not possess either a Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication or a graduate degree in technical communication (or closely related field) from an accredited school in the United States must submit the following materials along with their application:

1. An official English-translated transcript of college-level
education

2. Applicant's TOEFL scores

3. An affidavit indicating financial security.

For further information on admissions or to request an application, please contact Donna McPherson at 678-915-7202.

The English, Technical Communication, and Media Arts Department is a part of Southern Polytechnic State University and can be contacted at TCOM@spsu.edu.
1100 South Marietta Parkway Marietta, GA 30060-2896
Tel: (678) 915-7202 FAX: (678) 915-7425