Can a student begin the program in spring semester?
Do most students enter the program immediately after undergrad or work first?
How long does it take to finish the program?
Is it possible to work full- or part-time while attending class?
How many students are in the program?
What are the classes like?
What kinds of jobs do alumni get?
What assistance is provided for job searching?
Can a student begin the program in spring semester?
While it is recommended that you enter the program in the fall semester, you may begin in the spring. The deadline for priority consideration for the spring is November 1, though applications may be considered after this date.
We recommend beginning the program in the fall because the most foundational core courses are offered then and because assistantships are generally available only to students entering in the fall. However, particularly if you do not need an assistantship because you are working full-time elsewhere, starting the program in the spring is feasible.
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Do most students enter the program immediately after undergrad or work first?
Each year, our incoming MAPC students come from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. Some students come directly from undergrad while others come from the work world. Either way, the MAPC program can help provide you with the skills needed to succeed in any field. Work experience is not required for admission.
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How long does it take to finish the program?
It usually takes two years to finish the program. Some people take less time or more time depending on how many classes they take each semester.
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Is it possible to work full or part-time while attending class?
Yes! If you do not have a graduate assistantship position, you may choose to work off-campus to fund your education. Nearly all MAPC classes are held in the evening to accommodate students who work during the day. Students who work full-time off-campus take a lighter course load and take longer to complete the degree. Some students work part-time jobs off-campus and take a full load of courses. We value the up-to-the-minute insights into the workplace that working students bring to the classroom.
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How many students are in the program?
We keep the program small, which provides you with close interactions with both faculty and fellow students. Despite being on a large campus, you will feel like you are part of the MAPC family. About 15 students are generally admitted each year.
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You will learn so much in the MAPC program! We will not subject you to lecture after lecture. All MAPC classes are seminars with between 10 and 15 students. They emphasize discussion and hands-on application of principles learned through readings. Client-projects and engaged learning are essentials parts of our curriculum. Classes meet in the MATRF and the Studio for Student Communication.
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What kinds of jobs do alumni get?
MAPC alumni are thriving in many fields. Most MAPC graduates become web designers, technical writers or editors, teachers, or public relations professionals. For a list of jobs held by MAPC alumni, please see our where-are-they-now page. For more details about the career paths of graduates, please see our alumni profiles.
What assistance is provided for job searching?
Research shows that most jobs are found through networking, and the MAPC program provides many opportunities for students to network with potential employers and people who may be able to direct you to potential employers.
- Our student chapters of the Society for Technical Communication and the Public Relations Society of America offer networking events each semester.
- In the spring semester, we host MAPC Career Day, bringing alumni back to campus to talk about their careers and help students consider job options.
- We have a large group of active alumni who are available to give advice or assistance to students who need help with a job search.
- Your thesis or project committee chair, an MAPC faculty member, is also available to help you refine your resume and your plans for finding work.
- And finally, Clemson University's Michelin Career Center offers workshops, one-on-one counseling, and other resources for graduate students who are entering the job market.