This page explains the organized mentoring that you receive as a student in either the Certificate in Professional Communication or MA in English, concentration in Technical & Professional Communication. Of course, during the time when you are enrolled in one of our programs, all technical & professional communication faculty are available to answer questions and counsel you about the classes they teach and about concerns that you might have outside of class work. Take advantage of their expertise through email, instant messaging, and face-to-face meetings. 

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1. First point of contact will probably be Brent Henze, currently technical & professional lead faculty. He'll introduce you to the programs and probably counsel you about your classes for the first semester that you enroll. [However, Sherry Southard will be your advisor. See #3.]

2. Through an electronic listserv, you'll learn about academic matters, professional development, and jobs/ internships available.

3. As a graduate-level Certificate or MA student, you'll be assigned Sherry Southard as your advisor to help you decide what classes to enroll in. Although your advisor will be the primary faculty to help you plan your course work, you are always welcome and encouraged to discuss your plans with any of the tpc faculty.

4. At the beginning of each semester or summer session, you'll be asked to complete start-up activities: one set for those in their first or second "semester" and another for those in their third and subsequent "semester."

For MA in English, concentration in Technical & Professional Communication

1. During your last semester enrolled, you'll complete your comprehensive exam (exit interview). For this exam/interview, you'll choose any tpc faculty member to serve as your director. Your director should be chosen according to who helped you with your paper/project and/or who has expertise in the subject matter/genre of your paper/project. 

You and your director select two other faculty members to be on your comprehensive exam committee. At least one of those two should be TPC faculty.

2. If you participate in the English Department Graduation Ceremony, you'll be officially "hooded." The faculty hooding you can be ANY faculty member.

3. For additional information about and forms related to the requirements for MA degree, click here .