Outcomes Data: Master of Technical Communication
2024-25
For the Master of Technical Communication professional degree, the three key Learning Objectives are:
- L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
- L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
- L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
Direct Measures
In October, Drs. Rebecca Walton and Jared Colton of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee evaluated the final projects of 6 MTC students in two core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program that were offered last year: three from ENGL 6410 Introduction to Technical Communication, and three from ENGL 6830 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory.
Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects as low, medium, or high in their demonstration of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6410: Introduction to Technical Communication | |||
| Student A | L | M | L |
| Student B | H | H | H |
| Student C | M | H | H |
| ENGL 6830: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| Student A | M | M | M |
| Student B | H | H | H |
| Student C | M | L | L |
Indirect Measures
We matriculated fewer MTC students in the 2024-2025 admission cycle. Some students also worried about the program’s pedagogy focus was not meeting their professional goals. We have already implemented curriculum revisions to address this issue and are actively planning on recruitment strategies. All are outlined in the data-based decisions document.
2023-24
For the Master of Technical Communication professional degree, the three key Learning Objectives are:
Direct Measures
In December 2023, Drs. Avery Edenfield, Chen Chen, Rebecca Walton, Ryan Moeller of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 9 MTC students in three core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program that were offered last year: three from ENGL 6400 Editing, three from ENGL 6410 Introduction to Technical Communication, and three from ENGL 6830 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects as low, medium, or high in their demonstration of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6400: Editing | |||
| A | H | H | H |
| B | M | L | L |
| C | M | H | H |
| ENGL 6410: Introduction to Technical Communication | |||
| A | H | H | H |
| B | H | M | M |
| C | H | M | H |
| ENGL 6830: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| A | H | H | H |
| B | H | M | M |
| C | M | H | H |
Indirect Measures
Pressures on MTC Courses
In our last program assessment, we wrote the following:
- We consistently receive requests for more classes and we are under pressure to accept students into classes which are already full. We are unable to offer enough classes to meet current student demands. With the numbers increasing for the 2024 application cycle compared to last year, we anticipate this pressure will increase.
That pressure has increased. Graduate courses in TCR routinely fill with online/hybrid students. We discuss what we’re doing about it in our Data-Based Decisions document.
2022-23
For the Master of Technical Communication professional degree, the three key Learning Objectives are:
Direct Measures
In December 2023, Drs. Avery Edenfield, Chen Chen, Jared Colton, Rebecca Walton, Ryan Moeller of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 9 MTC students in three core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program that were offered last year: three from ENGL 6400 Editing, three from ENGL 6410 Introduction to Technical Communication, and three from ENGL 6830 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory.
Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects as low, medium, or high in their demonstration of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENLG 6400: Editing | |||
| H | H | H | H |
| I | M | L | L |
| J | M | H | H |
| ENLG 6410: Introduction to Technical Communication | |||
| A | H | H | M |
| B | H | H | H |
| C | M | H | M |
| ENGL 6830: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| O | H | H | H |
| P | M | H | M |
| Q | H | H | H |
Indirect Measures
Feedback from students about their experiences in the Master of Technical Communication program is generally positive. Though we consistently receive requests for more classes and we are under pressure to accept students into classes which are already full. We are unable to offer enough classes to meet current student demands. With the numbers increasing for the 2024 application cycle compared to last year, we anticipate this pressure will increase.
2020-21
For the Master of Technical Communication professional degree, the three key Learning Objectives are:
Direct Measures
In October 2020, Drs. Avery Edenfield, Keith Grant-Davie, Rebecca Walton, John McLaughlin, Ryan Moeller, and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Erica Leigh of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 13 MTC students in three core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program that were offered last year: five from ENGL 6400 Editing, five from ENGL 6410 Introduction to Technical Communication, and three from ENGL 6830 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory.
Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects as low, medium, or high in their demonstration of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENLG 6400: Editing | |||
| H | L | M | L |
| I | M | L | H |
| J | H | M | H |
| K | H | H | H |
| N | H | L | L |
| ENLG 6410: Introduction to Technical Communication | |||
| A | M | M | M |
| B | H | H | H |
| C | L | H | H |
| D | L | L | L |
| E | M | M | M |
| F | H | H | H |
| ENGL 6830: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| O | M | H | M |
| P | M | L | M |
| Q | H | H | H |
| R | H | H | H |
| S | L | M | H |
| T | M | M | M |
Indirect Measures
Feedback from students about their experiences in the Master of Technical Communication program is generally positive.
2019-20
Direct Measures
In October 2020, Drs. Avery Edenfield, Keith Grant-Davie, Rebecca Walton, John McLaughlin, Ryan Moeller, and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Erica Leigh of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 13 MTC students in three core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program that were offered last year: five from ENGL 6400 Editing, five from ENGL 6410 Introduction to Technical Communication, and three from ENGL 6830 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory.
Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects as low, medium, or high in their demonstration of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills
L2: Demonstrates understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
L3: Demonstrates an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6400: Editing | |||
| H | L | M | L |
| I | M | L | H |
| J | H | M | H |
| K | H | H | H |
| N | H | L | L |
| ENGL 6410: Introduction to Technical Communication | |||
| B | M | M | M |
| C | H | H | H |
| E | H | H | H |
| F | M | M | H |
| G | H | H | M |
| ENGL 6830: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| MJ | M | M | M |
| HJ | M | M | M |
| JP | H | H | H |
Indirect Measures
Feedback from students about their experiences in the Master of Technical Communication program is generally positive.
2018-19
Direct Measures
In February 2019, Jared Colton, Avery Edenfield, Zarah Moeggenberg, John McLaughlin, Rebecca Walton, and Ryan Moeller of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 9 MTC students in the core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program. The work is from ENGL 6410 (Fall 2018), 6830 (Fall 2018), and ENGL 6400 (Spring 2018). Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects in light of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills
L2: Demonstrates understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace activities
L3: Demonstrates an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6830: Intro to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| A | L | M | L |
| B | M | H | M |
| C | H | H | M |
| D | M | H | H |
| E | M | H | H |
| F | M | H | H |
| ENGL 6410: Intro to Tech Comm | |||
| G | M | M | M |
| H | M | H | H |
| I | H | H | H |
| J | M | M | M |
| K | M | H | H |
| L | H | H | H |
Indirect Measures
Feedback from students about their experiences in the Master of Technical Communication program is generally positive, though many students who are also industry practitioners requested variations of assignments that would more directly relate to their work environments. They also requested more course offerings each semester (including some summer courses) to enable them to finish their degrees more quickly.
2017-18
Direct Measures
In February 2019, Jared Colton, Avery Edenfield, Zarah Moeggenberg, John McLaughlin, Rebecca Walton, and Ryan Moeller of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 9 MTC students in the core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program. The work is from ENGL 6410 (Fall 2018), 6830 (Fall 2018), and ENGL 6400 (Spring 2018). Faculty worked in groups of two to evaluate the final projects in light of three learning objectives.
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills (student mastery of learning objective-h, m, l)
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
| Student | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6400/7400: Editing | |||
| A | H | H | H |
| B | M | H | M |
| C | M | M | H |
| ENGL 6830/7830: Intro to Rhetorical Theory | |||
| D | M | M | M |
| E | H | H | H |
| F | M | M | H |
| ENGL 6410/7410: Intro to Tech Comm | |||
| G | M | M | L |
| H | L | M | M |
| I | M | H | H |
Indirect Measures
Feedback from students about their experiences in the Master of Technical Communication program is generally positive, though many students who are also industry practitioners requested variations of assignments that would more directly relate to their work environments. When comparing MTC courses to electives, students prefer the MTC courses because of the learning community and because of the more rigorous curriculum. Students continue to request summer courses to allow them to complete their degree more quickly and to spread their courseload more evenly throughout the calendar year.
As described in the Assessment portion of this document, students in the Master of Technical Communication professional program must take 33 credits of approved classes. Below are tables evaluating how students met their learning objectives in classes from Fall 2014-2016. Students are evaluated by their high, medium, or low (H, M, or L) proficiency/mastery of each learning objective.
Please note that the assessment begins in Fall 2014 because this is when the new Director of Graduate Studies took over the position. Previous to this year we do not have hard data for meeting learning objectives in the classes.
Also, several classes have no data available because the instructor has retired. In the future we will make certain to collect this data before faculty leave for retirements or sabbaticals.
2016-17
In November 2017, Jared Colton, Avery Edenfield, Keith Grant-Davie, John McLaughlin, and Ryan Moeller of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric Assessment committee met to evaluate the final projects of 9 MTC students in the core courses of our Master of Technical Communication program. The work is from ENGL 6410 (Fall 2016), 6830 (Fall 2016), and ENGL 6400 (Spring 2017). Faculty worked in groups of two and three to evaluate the final projects in light of three learning objectives (See Assessment B).
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills (student mastery of learning objective-h, m, l)
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
| Total number of graduate students | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | H=6 M=3 L=0 |
H=5 M=4 L=0 |
H=5 M=2 L=2 |
Indirect measures
Feedback from students about their experiences in the Master of Technical Communication program is generally positive. We solicited feedback from students about the program in individual conferences. When comparing MTC courses to electives, students have said that they like our classes better, particularly the community aspect. They also like that we give them some freedom to work on projects related to their own interests in many of our courses. Students have expressed concern that we do not offer enough courses each semester for them to graduate at the pace they desire. Also, some have desired to take summer courses, which we do not currently offer.
B. Outcomes Data from Programs of Study
As described in the Assessment portion of this document (III.B, link here), students’ Programs of Study are monitored closely so as to ensure that students are taking classes that give “high priority” to the two learning objectives. Students must take 33 credits. Starting Summer 2016, students are also permitted to take up to 12 credits in approved ITLS (Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences) courses. For the reason behind this change, see Data-based decision A (link here).
Because several courses are rated “high” in at least two learning objectives, these courses appear under both columns for “Courses taken with high priority.” Those courses that are only high in one objective are bolded in the appropriate column.
Note that certain courses are repeatable for credit (for example, ENGL 6890: Studies in Writing and Rhetoric) if the course topic is significantly different from the earlier course taken. In the table below, courses taken multiple time for credit are indicated with an “x” (for example, “6890 2x” indicates that the course was taken two times for credit.)
Gradutated 2015-16
Note that summer graduates are counted with the previous academic year
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories.
| Students | High priority for L1 | High priority for L2 | High priority for L3 | # of courses in the 6400 range | # of courses in the 6800 range | Time to degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | 6400, 6420, 6430, 6450, 6460, 6470, 6480, 6800, 6860 | 6400, 6410, 6420, 6440, 6450, 6480, 6800, 6830, 6860 | 6400, 6420, 6440, 6450, 6480, 6830 | |||
| A | 6400 6420 (2x) 6430 6460 6470 (3x) (6890) |
6400 6410 6420 (2x) 6830 (6890) |
6400 6420 (2x) 6830 |
9 | 2 | 5 semesters (plus summers) |
| B | 6400 6420 6430 6450 6460 6470 (3x) (6890) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 (6890) |
6400 6420 6450 |
10 | 1 | 6 semesters (plus summers) |
| C | 6400 6420 6430 6450 6470 (2x) (6890-3x) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 6830 (6890-3x) |
6400 6420 6450 6830 |
8 | 4 | 9 semesters (plus summers) (note leave was taken) |
| D | 6400 6420 6430 6460 (3x) 6470 (3x) (6890) |
6400 6410 6450 6830 |
6400 6420 |
10 | 1 | 8 semesters (plus summers) (note leave was taken) |
| E | 6400 6420 6430 6450 6460 6470 (2x) 6800 (6890-2x) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 6800 (6890-2x) |
6400 6420 6450 |
8 | 3 | 5 semesters (plus summers) |
| F | 6400 6420 6430 6450 6460 (2x) 6470 (6890-2x) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 (6890-2x) |
6400 6420 6450 |
9 | 2 | 4 semesters (plus summers) |
Gradutated 2015-16
Note that summer graduates are counted with the previous academic year
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communication skills
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories.
| Students | High priority for L1 | High priority for L2 | High priority for L3 | # of courses in the 6400 range | # of courses in the 6800 range | Time to degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 6400 6420 6450 6470 (2x) 6800 (6890-3x) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 6800 6830 (6890-3x) |
6400 6420 6450 6830 |
6 | 5 | 4 semesters (plus summers) |
| H | 6400 6420 6450 6460 (2x) 6470 (3x) (6890-2x) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 (6890-2x) |
6400 6420 6450 |
8 | 2 | 3 semesters (plus summers) |
| I | 6400 6420 (2x) 6430 6450 6470 6480 (6890) |
6400 6410 6420 (2x) 6450 6470 6830 (6890) |
6400 6420 (2x) 6450 6480 (6890) 6830 |
9 | 2 | 7 semesters (dual degree) |
| J | 6400 6420 6450 6470 (2x) 6800 (6890-2x) (ITLS 6105) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 6800 6830 (6890-2x) |
6400 6420 6450 6830 |
6 | 4 | 4 semesters (plus summers) |
| K | 7440 (2x) 7450 7460 7480 (ITLS 6285) |
7000 7410 6820 7450 7800 7860 7920 |
7440 (2x) 7450 7480 |
n/a | n/a | PhD student opted to leave with MTC degree |
| L | 6400 6420 6430 6450 6470 (2x) (6890-3x) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 6830 (6890-3x) |
6400 6420 6450 6830 |
7 | 4 | 7 semesters (plus summers) |
| M | 6400 6420 6430 6450 6460 (2x) 6470 (3x) (6890) |
6400 6410 6420 6450 (6890) |
6400 6420 6450 |
10 | 1 | 5 semesters (plus summers) |
| Course | Total number of graduate students | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6890 McLaughlin | 9 | H=9 M=0 L=0 |
H=9 M=0 L=0 |
H=9 M=0 L=0 |
Fall 2015
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills (student mastery of learning objective-h, m, l)
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
| Course | Total number of graduate students | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6410 Walton | 7 | H=6 M=1 L=0 |
H=6 M=1 L=0 |
H=6 M=1 L=0 |
| ENGL 6420 Hailey | 12 | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement |
| ENGL 6470 Hailey | 10 | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement |
| ENGL 6480 Colton | 3 | H=1 M=2 L=0 |
H=2 M=1 L=0 |
H=2 M=1 L=0 |
Summer 2015
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills (student mastery of learning objective-h, m, l)
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
| Course | Total number of graduate students | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6470 Walton | 11 | H=10 M=1 L=0 |
H=11 M=0 L=0 |
H=11 M=0 L=0 |
| ENGL 6470 McLaughlin | 12 | H=11 M=1 L=0 |
H=12 M=0 L=0 |
H=12 M=0 L=0 |
Spring 2015
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills (student mastery of learning objective-h, m, l)
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
| Course | Total number of graduate students | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6400 Grant-Davie | 14 | H=12 M=1 L=1 |
H=12 M=1 L=1 |
H=12 M=1 L=1 |
| ENGL 6430 Hailey | 13 | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement |
| ENGL 6860 Walton | 4 | H=3 M=1 L=0 |
H=4 M=0 L=0 |
H=4 M=0 L=0 |
| ENGL 6890 Ray | 9 | unavailable | unavailable | unavailable |
Fall 2014
L1: Demonstrate practical technical communications skills (student mastery of learning objective-h, m, l)
L2: Demonstrate understanding of theories and scholarship that guide workplace practices (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
L3: Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate current workplace practice in relation to scholarly theories (student mastery of objective-h, m, l)
| Course | Total number of graduate students | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6410 Moeller | 11 | H=8 M=2 L=1 |
H=8 M=2 L=1 |
H=8 M=2 L=1 |
| ENGL 6460 Hailey | 8 | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement | Data not available due to retirement |
| ENGL 6480 McNeill | 11 | H=5 M=3 L=3 |
H=7 M=2 L=2 |
H=7 M=2 L=2 |
| ENGL 6830 Grant-Davie | 10 | H=8 M=1 L=1 |
H=8 M=1 L=1 |
H=8 M=1 L=1 |