Technical Communication Certificate
Please note: The admissions and administration processes of the Technical Communication Certificate has transferred to its collegiate home of the Writing Studies Department in the College of Liberal Arts. The information on the following Web pages is applicable to current students only.
All prospective students should continue to apply for admission through the Graduate School Web site. All questions about the program or application process should be directed to the Writing Studies office:
Nan Nelson
170B Wesbrook Hall
77 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
nelso789@umn.edu
612-624-4761
The graduate-level certificate in technical communication is designed to provide instruction for working technical and scientific communicators and graduate-level communication students to enhance their knowledge and skills base. After completing this certificate program, students should be able to apply technical communication principles to analyze a project's audience and purpose and, based on this analysis, produce technical documents in several media that are of professional quality and appropriate for the communication situation.
This Technical Communication Certificate is approved for use in the Master of Science in Scientific and Technical Communication.
Career Outlook
The growing field of technical writing is expected to increase locally and nationally through the year 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to writing technical reports and journal articles, technical writers provide detailed information on how to install, use, or repair products. This is important because scientific and technical information often needs to be communicated to people who do not have a technical or scientific background.
What You'll Learn
You will enhance your knowledge and skills in technical and scientific communication through authentic learning opportunities. You will design a program that fits your professional goals, whether you're looking for a career change or just want to hone your skills. In addition, you will:
- Collaborate with a community of learners and professionals
- Engage in projects for authentic clients
- Apply knowledge of technical communication with specific workplace situations
- Learn and strengthen core competencies in information design, editing, and visual design
- Apply technical communication principles to analyze a project's audience and purpose and then produce technical documents in several media
Certificate Benefits
Real-world knowledge for real-world success – that's what credit certificates at the University offer you. Enhance your knowledge and skills, learn new skills, or begin working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. These accredited certificate programs are:
- Designed for working professionals
- Shorter than degree programs
- Used as an area of study in a degree program
- Flexible and offered at various times
- Taught by University faculty
