MSTC Admission Requirements
Karlyli Juarez
Associate Director, Graduate Studies
CHSSGradStudies@uhd.edu
Graduate Degree and Graduate Certificate Application Deadlines
Spring 2025
Jan. 1, 2025
Admission to the Program
The Admissions Committee will consider several factors when determining admission eligibility into the Master of Science in Technical Communication program, including the candidate’s:
- Experience and interest in the field
- Proven academic ability
- Demonstration of skills necessary to complete the program successfully
- Ability to contribute to the fields of professional writing or technical communication
Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
- A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in prior undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Proficiency in English (if a graduate of a university in which English is not the
native language) provided by an adequate TOEFL. Preferred TOEFL scores are as follows:
- internet-based score of 86
- computer-based score of 250
- paper-based score of 600
Applicants who do not meet the full requirements above may be given conditional admission to the program if their other application materials provide good evidence that they will be successful in the program.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete and submit all of the following items in order to be considered for admission. Resumes, personal statements, and writing samples can be uploaded through the applicant portal, emailed to gradadmissions@uhd.edu, or mailed to:
Office of Admissions – Graduate Admissions
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main Street, Suite GSB 308
Houston, Texas 77002-1001
- Submit an application
- Pay the $35 application fee
- Request/submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended to the email or mailing address above (including community college work and prior graduate work).
- Provide a professional/personal résumé detailing your work experience and education
-
Provide a personal statement of approximately 1,000 words that addresses the following questions in detail.
- Why do you want to study professional writing and technical communication?
- What topics or issues in the field might you want to study further and why?
- What qualifies you to embark upon this field of study?
- What experience do you have in this field?
- How do you plan to use your degree?
- Provide the names and email contact information for two recommenders in the application.
- Your recommenders/references should be individuals with knowledge of your work and who are able to address your academic potential such as former professors, work supervisors, or professional colleagues.
- Your recommenders will be contacted and provide their recommendations directly into the application system. Please make sure you have accurate email addresses for both recommenders.
- Provide TOEFL scores as outlined above (if a graduate of a university in which English is not the native language).
Transferring Coursework
The Program Director may approve up to 6 hours of coursework to be transferred into the program from another institution. Coursework to be transferred into the program from another institution. Students must have earned a grade of B or above in a course to qualify for transfer credit. Fill out transfer credit request form (pdf).