Certificate & MS Program Student Opportunities and Support

Our program faculty and staff support Certificate and MS students throughout their programs. We provide various opportunities to help students get the most out of their studies, including experiential learning, a mentorship program with industry leaders, and various student and professional development resources. The College of Liberal Arts and the Graduate School also provide academic, professional, and personal support for graduate students.

Importantly, the Certificate and MS programs are committed to fostering a community that models accessibility, celebrates diverse viewpoints and goals, and is welcoming and inclusive to all. We recognize that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) must be addressed on individual and group levels. Read our department’s Equity and Diversity Statement for more about how we enact our DEIA values. 

Technical Communication Advisory Board

A unique feature of the Certificate and MS programs is the opportunity to work with the Department of Writing Studies’ Technical Communication Advisory Board (TCAB). Students learn from technical communication industry leaders through webinars, a mentor program, internships and networking opportunities, and more. TCAB members also provide critical program and curricular feedback so that we can better bridge the gaps between industry and academia.

Experiential Learning and Internships

Our programs offer students various opportunities to work with professors outside the classroom, obtain real-world experience, and become more engaged citizens and members of technical communication communities. Our project-based courses allow students to work with community and industry partners and apply their studies toward their interests and professional goals. 

MS students can complete an internship as part of their program to enhance and apply their coursework to a professional context. Internships can be taken for elective credit, as determined in consultation with the student’s advisor. 

Student Development Hub

We offer current students support through a program website called the MS/Certificate Student Development Hub. This website offers:

  • information on program milestones, policies, and procedures;
  • resources to help students learn new skills, identify an area of specialization, and prepare for the next step in their careers; and
  • wellbeing resources for professional students.

Department and Professional Events

Certificate and MS students can engage with a wide variety of departmental events intended to support their professional development and student experiences, including:

  • workshops and webinars with academic and industry experts;
  • participation in departmental governance through the WRIT Graduate Committee;
  • diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programming; and
  • celebrations of the National Day on Writing and World Usability Day.