Apply to the Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication program

We admit new students for the Fall and Spring semesters only.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college, in any field
minimum GPA of 2.75*
2 years related work experience

*If your GPA is less than 2.75, you may apply, but may be placed on provisional status. You will be required to take the Transition Courses (IDC 5001 and 5002) and make a grade of B or higher in both courses. After you have successfully completed the Transition Courses, the Graduate Review Committee will re-review your application for admission to the graduate program you applied for.

Application Materials

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to gather and compile the following documents for your application. All requirements are effective for Fall 2012 admission:

Graduate Certificate application
Although the form instructs you to send the Graduate Certificate application to the Graduate Admissions office, send it instead to Donna McPherson in the English, Technical Communication & Media Arts department.
Application fee
Send a $50 non-refundable application fee with your application. Make the check payable to Southern Polytechnic State University.
Application essay
Your essay should be at least 2 pages (500 words minimum), double-spaced, and typed. Focus on your career goals and the ways in which the graduate certificate would support those goals. Also indicate the desired focus of your coursework. If you want to focus on graphics, you may be required to take IDC 5002—Graphics in the Profession, or present a portfolio of work for review by the Graduate Review Committee.
Professional resume
Show current and past work and other relevant experience.
Immunization Waiver
As an applicant to an online program, you are not required to have current immunizations, but you will need to return the immunization form as part of your application. Fill out the "Student Information" section at the top, check the second box under "Exemptions," and send the form with the rest of your application materials.
Transcript(s)
Ask every institution you've attended to mail an official transcript to Donna McPherson in the English, Technical Communication & Media Arts department. If you are an international students who did not earn a baccalaureate degree from a college in the U.S., ask your institutions to submit an official English-translated transcript of college-level education.
Timed essay
Schedule this essay with Donna McPherson, Program Assistant, after you have sent in all other application materials. She will send you a topic and set of instructions on the scheduled day. You will have 2 hours to write the essay and email it to Donna as an attached electronic file.

Additional Requirements for International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit minimum official TOEFL scores of a total of 213 computer-based, 79 internet-based, and 6.5 IELTS, to the Graduate Admissions Office.

You must be able to document that your degree is equivalent to a four year bachelor's degree awarded by an accredited United States college or university.

If you need a student visa (F-1 or J-1), you must complete a Financial Affidavit . The Financial Affidavit must show ability to meet the financial obligations of tuition, fees, and living expenses before an I-20 or acceptance letter will be issued. Current (less than one year old) letters of financial support must accompany the Financial Affidavit.

If you are applying from outside the United States, you must submit all admissions documents, including immunization certificates, at least 60 days prior to the above-stated deadlines.

Note: Southern Polytechnic State University reserves the right to require applicants to send their international educational credentials to an approved SPSU professional evaluation service before being considered for admission. For additional information visit International Graduate Students.

Admission Decisions

The Graduate Review Committee, made up of department faculty, will evaluate your application materials packet. They will assess your submission carefully and determine your suitability for admission to your program of choice.

The committee meets immediately after the application deadline passes. Because admission decisions need to be made quickly, they will only consider completed applications. The Graduate Review Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application.

You'll be notified in writing once a decision is made on your application.

Your application materials are due for consideration by these dates:

July 1 for Fall Semester (begins mid-August)
November 1 for Spring Semester (begins early January)

Send all your application materials to:

Donna McPherson, Program Assistant
English, Technical Communication & Media Arts Department
Southern Polytechnic State University
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Atrium Building, J333
Marietta, GA 30060

Next steps:

English, Technical Communication & Media Arts Department | Southern Polytechnic State University
Atrium Building, J333 | 1100 South Marietta Parkway | Marietta, GA 30060

678-915-7202 | 678-915-7425 (fax) | tcom@spsu.edu | Site Map