CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION REPORT
Planning and Review Committee
Consultant Recommendation
I.
Degree: MS Technical and Professional Communication
Date of Review: 2013/14
Program Director: Julie Watts
PRC Consultant(s): Georgios Loizides and Heidi Rabeneck
Purpose of the Review: The review was conducted to assess the quality of the MS in
Technical and Professional Communication degree program as part of the ongoing sevenyear cycle of every UW-Stout academic program.
Committee Findings: The PRC recommends that the Technical and Professional
Communication program continue to be one of UW-Stout’s degree programs for the
ongoing seven-year cycle and that recommendations made by the committee be
implemented.
Abstract: The MS Technical and Professional Communication (MSTPC) program,
launched in 2010, is a fully online, customized instruction program designed for working
professionals. The MSTPC was the first graduate program in the College of Arts,
Humanities and Social Sciences and has gone through one program revision (in 2011)
since its inception.
Growth of careers in the field of technical and professional communication is projected
nation-wide and in our state. According to the Salary Database, in 2012, Wisconsin had
the state with the second greatest gain in the number of technical writers. Overall,
Wisconsin ranks 17th out of the United States for the number of technical writers
employed. In tough economic times, an excellent way to increase one's marketability and
job security in the technical and professional communication field is to obtain a graduate
degree.
The MSTPC has achieved its goals for year 4 enrollment based on initial projections by
adopting a series of enrollment initiatives. These initiatives include (1) increasing
admission entry points from one to three throughout the year. Students can now enter
during the spring, summer, and fall terms. (2) Developed a marketing plan and budget to
support it, (3) Attend and exhibit at the Society for Technical Communication Summit
each year. This has attracted at least one enrolled student each year. (4) Creation of two
new online, six-credit professional development certificates to serve as additional
program revenue streams and to increase student interest in the MSTPC. These
certificates provide an additional way to credential students beyond a baccalaureate
degree. In addition, certificate coursework is transferable into the MSTPC.
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II.
Process Followed for Current Review:
The PRC Chair met with the program director to discuss the review process. The PRC
consultants also met with the program director to review the procedures and offer
assistance. Data regarding several aspects of the program were collected from students,
key instructors within and outside the department, program committee members, and
program graduates through surveys.
Student surveys were obtained via online survey. A total of 16 out of the 25 students
responded, providing a 64% response rate.
The data was analyzed and returned to the program director and PRC members. The
program director completed the self-study report and presented the report to the PRC.
The consultants then wrote the recommendation report. The report was edited and
approved and then forwarded to the deans for their responses.
III.
Previous Review Year N/A
The MS Technical and Professional Communication degree program was first delivered
in 2010. The 2013-14 review is the first in this programs review cycle.
IV.
Current Year Program Review:
Program Strengths-Indicate Source:
1. Flexible, online learning: Online programs in technical and professional
communication (TPC) are fairly scarce, and the UW-Stout program is designed
for online delivery, reaching place-bound, working adults (PD self-report;
Student survey).
2. Polytechnic curriculum: The program course array goes beyond writing. It has
an edge in the more polytechnic aspects of technical communication such as
information design and user-centered design. It also approaches emerging
technologies through a cultural lens, giving students a well-rounded and practical
education (PD self-report).
3. Engaged program faculty: Program faculty in the MSTPC meet weekly to
discuss student progress, curriculum, recruitment, assessment, and other program
initiatives… The program and its success would not be possible without their high
level of engagement (PD self-report; Advisory Committee; Faculty surveys;
Student survey).
4. Industry competencies: The program’s curriculum is characterized by several
areas of focus that are critical for technical communicators, including multilingual
and transnational technical communication; project management; user experience
and user design; communicating through emerging media; and oral and
interpersonal communication. The type and breadth of these areas are unlike any
regional Master’s program and unlike many across the country (PD self-report).
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5. Affordability: The $525/credit hour tuition (2013/14) is a flat rate, regardless of
residency… Of the 12 peer institution TPC programs surveyed, nine listed
graduate tuition rates higher than UW-Stout, most were double the per-credit rate
(PD self-report).
6. The Program is responsive to the needs of industry: Courses continually adapt
to meet changing vocational needs… The program collaborates with industry to
provide the best possible education that meets the needs of companies… (the
program is) frequently adapting and adjusting to changes in industry, technology
and society (multiple Advisory Committee members’ comments).
7. Flexible and Cutting edge curriculum: Cutting edge courses, flexibility…
Forward thinking courses… The program offers both foundational and cutting
edge coursework in a format that is easily accessible to working professionals…
Innovative curriculum (Advisory Committee).
8. Excellent Program leadership: The Program Director offers comprehensive
support to students… Strong support from Program Director… The Director is
wonderful because she is always accessible… Julie Watts is a major strength
(Advisory Committee; Faculty surveys; Student survey).
Areas of Concern-Indicate Source (NOTE: All issues of concern need to have a
recommendation related to it. However, there may be some recommendations that don’t
relate to a particular issue of concern):
1. Recruitment. Continue to recruit quality students from beyond Wisconsin and
the United States to diversify the student body and capitalize on the asynchronous
online instruction and competitive tuition rate. An excellent method for reaching
national and international prospective students is by continuing to take advantage
of recruitment opportunities afforded through the Society for Technical
Communication (STC). The program director exhibits annually at the STC
national conference, attracting at least one student who has enrolled in the
program each year (PD self-report; Key faculty ‘A’ survey).
2. Independent Research. Improve the quality of students’ independent research
(IR) experience by increasing the percentage of students who successfully
complete their IR within the standard timeframe (one semester for 735, two
semesters for 770) and more clearly articulate the role of the students’ IR as it
relates to academic and professional workplace experiences/goals (PD selfreport).
Recommendations to Program Director:
1. Continue efforts to recruit quality students from out of state (and internationally).
2. Continue efforts to improve the quality of students’ independent research by
increasing the proportion of students who successfully complete their independent
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research within the standard timeframe; and by articulating more clearly the role
of IR as it relates to students’ academic and professional experiences.
Recommendations to Department Chair:
Continue to work with the Program Director to improve the quality of students’
independent research by increasing the proportion of students who successfully
complete their independent research within the standard timeframe; and by
articulating more clearly the role of IR as it relates to students’ academic and
professional experiences.
Recommendations to Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences:
Continue to work with the Program Director to recruit quality students from out
of state (and internationally).
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