• Bachelor’s degree: A bachelor's degree is required. However, because of the interdisciplinary nature of technical communication, the bachelor's degree may be in almost any field, such as science, engineering, humanities, communication, journalism, or information technology.

• Grade Point Average (GPA): There is no minimum undergraduate GPA required for admission to our program; however, the faculty will take GPA into consideration when making decisions about admission and funding.

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): GRE scores are NOT required for admission to our program.

• Letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation are not required when applying for the non-thesis track, but you may include them if you wish. The letters should be written by university professors and workplace supervisors who are familiar with your work. The letters should be confidential. (We do not admit new students to the thesis track, only the non-thesis track. After a student comes to Rolla and has completed a semester of study, the student can find a willing thesis supervisor and submit a thesis proposal to the technical communication faculty. When the proposal is approved, the student can switch to the thesis track.)

• TOEFL/IELTS: Applicants from many countries must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission. Applicants from the U.S. and some countries are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  

• Writing sample: Submission of a writing sample is not required, but it is encouraged. A writing sample will be considered if it is included with the application.

• Statement of purpose: An applicant must submit a purpose statement explaining their interest in our MS program and demonstrating their understanding of what technical communication is (see stc.org for information). The applicant should indicate whether they would like to be considered for a quarter-time graduate teaching assistantship (the only type of funding we offer). If you are interested in a GTA position, discuss your teaching experience and teaching philosophy in the purpose statement. Although teaching experience is not required for a GTA position, most applicants have some relevant experience, such as mentoring, coaching, tutoring, etc. The purpose statement should be several paragraphs long (about 1000 words total).

• Résumé: Applicants must submit an up-to-date résumé listing their academic degrees, past and present places of employment, significant accomplishments, computer skills, etc.

Missouri S&T and UMSL have joint policies for the cooperative M.A. in English program. Applicants must meet the graduate admission requirements of both universities and those of the English departments at both universities to be considered for admission.

• Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, with at least 24 hours in English above the freshman level and 12 hours in literature courses.

• Normally, only applicants with a GPA of at least 3.0 in undergraduate English courses and an overall average of 2.75 will be considered.

• Applicants must submit scores for the GRE.
  
  

• TOEFL/IELTS: Please contact Admissions at intadm@mst.edu for admission requirements.

• The program requires two letters of recommendation from English professors with whom the student has worked.

• Students must submit fiction or poetry in application for the creative writing track.

The applicant’s letters of recommendation, undergraduate record and GRE scores will be the basis for the admission decision.