• M.S. Degree
  • Apply
    • US Applicants
    • Internationals
  • Career Opportunities
  • Financial Support
  • Curriculum & Thesis
  • Grad Courses
  • About Our Students
• Ph.D Degree
  • Apply
    • US Applicants
    • Internationals
  • Career Opportunities
  • Focus & Objectives
  • Requirements
  • Financial Support
  • Graduate Courses
• Grad Resources
  • Forms
  • Graduate Manual
  • FAQ's
  • Recommendation Letters
  • CSU Grad Bulletin
  • Campus & Community

Guidelines for Applying to JTC Master's Program
for US Citizens

Application Requirements

The Department of Journalism and Technical Communication follows the University Requirements for admission to its master's program in Technical Communication; see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin and the requirements specified below.

You can also download a quick-reference guide in PDF format.

We will consider your potential for completing the degree based on the following: a degree from an accepted four-year college; undergraduate grade point average; GRE scores; professional experience, if any; three letters of recommendation; statement of career plans; three samples of writing and communication production skills and any other evidence.  Exceptions to specified requirements may be made if warranted.

For instructions for international students, please see the "Instructions for International Applicants".

Application Guidelines

Review the Graduate School’s application packet and the Graduate and Professional Bulletin online and the following departmental guidelines. When preparing your application packet, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Prepare and Submit the Application Packet

1. Submit to the CSU Graduate School (online):
   1. Complete the Graduate School’s online application and submit the $50 fee
   2. Append the following supplemental materials the online application (Part 2 – Graduate Supplemental Application) by logging back in and selecting the application in progress:
      1. Résumé or curriculum vitae showing dates and details of professional and academic experience.
      2. A statement of purpose indicating your reasons for pursuing an M.S.
2. Submit to the JTC Department:
   1. Cover letter indicating semester of interest and stating whether you plan to pursue the degree full-time or part-time. Indicate what documents will follow, if any. We need your completed application and all supporting materials before we can evaluate your application.
   2. Two official transcripts of all collegiate work completed. (Colorado State University transcripts are not required.)
   3. Three letters of recommendation
   4. Three writing samples
   5. GRE scores
   6. Submit your application packet to the department in a 9x12 or larger envelope so the application materials remain flat.Mail your application packet to:

      Coordinator, Graduate Program
      Department of Journalism and Technical Communication
      Campus Delivery 1785
      Colorado State University
      Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785

   7. Submit all application materials as early as possible. Your file should be completed no later than the admissions deadlines for your circumstances. Depending on the number of applicants, the Graduate Committee usually makes recommendations to the Department and Graduate School shortly after these deadline dates. Admitted applicants begin their program the following August or January. Please note that the cutoff date for U.S. citizens to submit graduate applications is two weeks prior to the start date of the term.
   STEP 2: Obtain Letters of Recommendation
   
   Please have three individuals - advisors, professors, employers, supervisors or individuals in similar positions - who have known you in different capacities send us letters of recommendation on your behalf.
   
   When asking for letters of recommendation:
   1. Provide each individual with a copy of the Guidelines for preparing letters of recommendation.
   2. Have the individuals send their letters directly to:

      Coordinator, Graduate Program
      Department of Journalism and Technical Communication
      Campus Delivery 1785
      Colorado State University
      Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785

   STEP 3: Complete the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and Submit Your Scores
   1. Have ETS send your GRE scores to Colorado State University.Our institution code is 4075, and our department code is 4503. Scores will be forwarded to our department.
   2. If you have not completed the general section (verbal, quantitative, analytical segments) of the Graduate Record Examinations, do so as soon as possible. To obtain a GRE application and examination dates, contact:

      GRE-ETS
      P.O. Box 6000
      Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
      
      Telephone Inquiries
      1-609-771-7670
      Princeton, NJ
      Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7:45 p.m. EST (except for U. S. Holidays)
      
      Or visit the Graduate Record Examinations web site.