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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of English

Admission Information

Students may be admitted to the Master of Science in Technical Communication program from any undergraduate major. Undergraduate preparation should include the following qualifications (or equivalents):

  • 3.0 overall undergraduate grade point average
  • 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work

The application process for all NC State graduate programs is handled entirely through a web-based tool, Slate. Step-by-step information and Frequently Asked Questions are available as are telephone and chat-based assistance, should you encounter any problems as you create your application.

Under the “Academic Program” section, please enter MS in Technical Communication in the box that asks for the program and degree. Please note: The deadline for applying for admission and assistantship is February 1, and the deadline for admission only is June 15. All application materials must be received by this date. We accept admission for fall and spring semesters.

All the online application pages will be processed through the application system, Slate, and it will be made available to us and the Graduate School. Your application should include the following materials:

  •  The Personal Statement is a part of the online application process and must be submitted in your application form. A good statement will have something to say about these topics: why you want to earn a graduate degree in Technical Communication; what your intellectual interests are; what your research interests are. Explain your interest in the MS program and what special skills or experience you may bring to it. Please limit the personal statement to two pages.
  •  Resume: Please upload your current resume to the “Personal Statement and Resume” section of your application.
  •  Writing Sample: Please upload your writing sample to the “Personal Statement and Resume” section. If the sample is too large or contains numerous graphics, it may be necessary to send hard copies, which you can mail to the MS director at the address below. Please do not convert the sample to text only, as we would like to see the design as well as the content. The sample can be academic or work-related and should be the equivalent of 5-10 pages long.
  •  Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation can be submitted through your application portal under the “Recommendation” section. Through this interface, you cannot upload a recommendation letter. Under the “add recommender” link, you will be prompted to fill out your reference’s information so the application portal can contact the person via email to submit his/her letter and complete a recommendation form for you. In addition, you can log back into your application portal and check the status of your recommendation letters through the “Edit” link at the end of the row. If you click “Edit”, you will be given an option to “Send Reminder” to your reference as well. If you have a recommendation letter you would like to have uploaded into your application, please contact the Graduate School at graduate_applications@ncsu.edu. Please provide three names and email addresses so that the application system can send a link to recommenders allowing them to complete their recommendations online. Recommendations can come from current or former professors, or if necessary, from current co-workers, preferably managers or supervisors to whom you report or have reported.
  •  GRE scores: We do not require submission of GRE scores and do not consider them as part of our admission recommendations. You are not required to submit scores, even if you have them from other institutions.
  • Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from any undergraduate or graduate institution you have attended should be uploaded with your application. This can be done under the “Education History” section of the application. If the department recommends that you be admitted, you will then be asked to submit official transcripts to the Graduate School.
    •  Official Electronic Transcripts should be emailed to graduate_applications@ncsu.edu.
    •  Physical copies of official transcripts should be mailed to:
  •  Transcripts are considered official when they are directly received by the institution. Transcripts in open envelopes or electronic transcripts received by the student are considered unofficial as official transcripts must be sealed within an envelope with a signature or electronically directed to an educational institution.

If you are interested in being considered for a teaching assistantship position, be sure to correctly fill out the “Academic Program” section of your application. You can note this by answering “yes” to the first question under the “Financial Awards” section.

The Graduate School
North Carolina State University
1000 Main Campus Drive
Campus Box 7102
Raleigh, NC 27695

Teaching Assistantship: If you are interested in being considered for a teaching assistantship position, be sure to correctly fill out the “Academic Program” section of your application. You can note this by answering “Yes” to the first question under the “Financial Awards” section.

Admissions Protocol

Completed applications are evaluated by members of the graduate faculty.  Only after the faculty recommendation is reviewed and approved by the Graduate School is a candidate officially notified of the decision. Your official notification of the decision will be available online from the dean of the Graduate School. If accepted to the program, the M.S. program director will send you information about enrolling for classes. The M.S. director will also notify you if you have been awarded an assistantship.

Financial Aid

The Department of English offers competitive teaching assistantships to about one-third of its newly admitted MS students. These students will prepare to teach undergraduate courses in technical and business writing and will receive full tuition coverage along with health insurance and a modest annual stipend. Students must apply for assistantships during the process of applying for the MS program. Appointments will be made from applications completed by February 1.

The most recent estimated costs for full-time graduate students can be found here.

Further information on financial support from other sources can be found here.  All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The priority deadline for completing the FAFSA is March 1st.

Additional sources of financial aid for international students may be found at the Office of International Scholar and Student Services.

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
2016 Harris Hall
Campus Box 7302
Raleigh, NC 27695-7302
(919) 515-2421 phone
(919) 515-8422 fax
financialaid@ncsu.edu