Technical Communication Graduate Handbook
2
Program Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4
M.A. Technical Communication ................................................................................................................. 5
Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication .................................................................................. 5
Learning Outcomes for Graduate Programs in Technical Communication ........................................ 5
Contact Information ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Application and Admission .............................................................................................................................. 6
Application Process for M.A. in Technical Communication .................................................................. 6
Application Process for Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication ....................................... 6
Application Process for Non-Degree Seeking Students .......................................................................... 6
Graduate Assistantships .................................................................................................................................... 8
Teaching Assistantship ................................................................................................................................. 8
Writing Center Assistantships ..................................................................................................................... 8
How to Apply for Assistantships ................................................................................................................ 9
For Students Also Applying for Admission .......................................................................................... 9
For Current MATC Students .................................................................................................................. 9
Graduate Program Requirements .................................................................................................................. 10
Program Requirements for M.A. in Technical Communication .......................................................... 10
Program Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication ............................... 10
Electives Taken Outside the Technical Communication Program ...................................................... 11
Internships ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
Technical Communication Graduate Faculty .............................................................................................. 13
Graduate Advisor and Supervisory Committee .......................................................................................... 14
Technical Communication Advisors ........................................................................................................ 14
Reporting Problems, Concerns, or Issues of Misconduct ......................................................................... 15
Sexual Misconduct ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Emergency Resources ................................................................................................................................. 16
Boise State University Resources .............................................................................................................. 16
Boise State University Non-Discrimination Policy ................................................................................ 17
Equal Access to Students with Disabilities .............................................................................................. 17
Completing Your Program Development Form ......................................................................................... 19
Preparing the MATC Portfolio ...................................................................................................................... 20
Technical Communication Graduate Handbook
3
How Do I Submit My Portfolio? .............................................................................................................. 20
Who Reads My Portfolio? .......................................................................................................................... 20
What Do I Put in My Portfolio? ............................................................................................................... 20
Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 20
Rsum ..................................................................................................................................................... 21
Samples of Your Work .......................................................................................................................... 21
How Will I Schedule My Presentation to Students? .............................................................................. 21
How Will I Get Feedback from the Outside Reader? ........................................................................... 22
Portfolio Development Timeline .................................................................................................................. 22
Before Your Final Semester ....................................................................................................................... 22
Start of Your Final Semester ..................................................................................................................... 23
Graduate Course Rotations ............................................................................................................................ 25
Fall Courses .................................................................................................................................................. 25
ENGL 511 Rhetorical Theory for Workplace Writers (3 credits) ................................................... 25
ENGL 513 Technical Editing (3 credits) ............................................................................................ 25
ENGL 516 Topics in Print Document Production (3 credits) ........................................................ 25
ENGL 535 User Experience (3 credits) .............................................................................................. 25
ENGL 536 Proposal Development (3 credits) .................................................................................. 25
ENGL 590 Internship (1-3 credits) ..................................................................................................... 26
ENGL 592 Portfolio (1 credit) ............................................................................................................. 26
Spring Courses ............................................................................................................................................. 26
ENGL 512 Technical Rhetoric and Applications (3 credits) ........................................................... 26
ENGL 515 Visual Rhetoric and Information Design (3 credits) .................................................... 26
ENGL 518 Writing Software Documentation (3 credits) ................................................................ 26
ENGL 519 Technical Publications Management (3 credits) ............................................................ 27
ENGL 521 Topics in On-Screen Document Production (3 credits) .............................................. 27
ENGL 537 Writing for Social Media and Online Communities (3 credits) .................................. 27
ENGL 590 Internship (1-3 credits) ..................................................................................................... 27
ENGL 592 Portfolio (1 credit) ............................................................................................................. 27
Graduate Course Planner ................................................................................................................................ 28
For Students Who Will Start Coursework During a Fall Semester:..................................................... 28
For Students Who Will Start Coursework During a Spring Semester: ................................................ 29
Technical Communication Graduate Handbook
4
The technical communication program at Boise State University offers two options for graduate-
level study:
M.A. in Technical Communication
Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication
At Boise State, we see technical communication as a humanistic discipline; that is, we approach it as
a set of principles, tools, and practices that enable people to communicate with each other for
mutual benefit. Technical communication is a major means by which people navigate through a
high-tech world, but our emphasis always remains on the needs of people.
This means that students in the techn
