Technical Communications

Description:

This certificate offers an interdisciplinary program of courses in writing, Art/New Media, and Computer Information Systems to prepare students for a variety of technical writing and professional communication careers. The certificate includes the theory, writing skills, design background, and computer applications knowledge needed for jobs in technical communication.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

analyze audience information needs.
compose concise, clearly written professional documents organized with the audiences' needs in mind.
design printed pages and online screens that communicate organizations' values, enhance readability, and are easy to use.
demonstrate basic skills in the use of word processing, page design, help systems development, and web design applications.
evaluate organizations' communication goals with technical writing ethics in mind.

Course List:

Required Program

Total Units:			21.5 - 22.5
ARTNM	352	Design for Publication (3)	3 - 4
or [ CISA	330	Desktop Publishing (2)
and CISA	331	Intermediate Desktop Publishing (2) ]
CISA	305	Beginning Word Processing	2
CISW	300	Web Publishing	3
TECCOM	300	Introduction to Technical/Professional Communication	3
TECCOM	330	Technical/Professional Communication: Writing Technical Manuals	3
TECCOM	340	Technical/Professional Communication: Developing Help Systems	1.5
A minimum of 6 units from the following:			6
BUS	100	English for the Professional (3)
CISW	321	Web Site Development using Dreamweaver (3)
CISW	400	Client-side Web Scripting (4)
CISW	410	Middleware Web Scripting (4)
TECCOM	310	Technical/Professional Communication: Writing Reports (3)
TECCOM	320	Technical/Professional Communication: Proposal Writing (3)

Click here for Printable Degree - Course Check Off Sheet

Career Opportunities:

Technical communicators find employment in medical, scientific, high tech, business, university, and government settings. They may write white papers, tutorials, reference and procedure manuals, help systems, user assistance video scripts, grants and proposals, and more.

Search Jobs:

Example terms and keywords to use in job search sites:

Terms: Technical Communications Certificate Entry Level - California

Job Search Titles:
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
Information Technology Analyst Level I/II
Technical Writer
IP Case Assistant
Administrative Assistant II
Technical Writer/Editor
Marketing Assistant
Administrative Support Coordinator
Information Systems Technician I

Sample Job Search Websites:

Indeed.com - http://www.indeed.com/

SimplyHired.com - http://www.simplyhired.com/

Monster.com - http://www.monster.com/

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Resources for Jobseeker or Worker:
http://www.bls.gov/audience/jobseekers.htm

LinkedIn.com - Job Search:
https://www.linkedin.com/job/home?trk=nav_responsive_sub_nav_jobs