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Technical Communication

Professional Certificate

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About the Technical Communication Program

Learn How to Translate Complex Information into Understandable Content

The Professional Certificate in Technical Communication will provide you with the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of Technical Communication. Learn the tools and techniques of technical editing as well, and practice marking indisputable errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and usage in technical documentation. Edit technical writing using MS Word and Adobe Acrobat (Reader or Professional), learn to communicate with authors and editors, and practice writing queries and creating style sheets. Explore how decisions made before the writing process begins can have unexpected ramifications.

You will also learn how to examine your thinking processes, such as how you use reason to solve problems, form opinions, and make decisions to improve text. You will also practice identifying key questions and assumptions, assessing interpretations and conclusions, and applying criteria and standards to analysis. Technical Communication is an excellent career for writers who love to help others understand complex information. Take the opportunity to draw on your skills in writing and information design to translate complex scientific or technical information into content that a specific audience will easily understand when you enroll in the Professional Certificate in Technical Communication.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For detailed information, please enroll in the online on-demand Technical Communication Program Information Session. Questions about our classes or certificates? Contact our department at 858-534-5760 or ahl@ucsd.edu.

  • The basics of Technical Communication, such as audience analysis, usability considerations, electronic forms of communication, page layout, and ethical issues facing technical communicators.
  • The tools and techniques of technical editing, including grammar and understanding style guides.
  • Critical thinking and practice identifying key questions and assumptions, assessing interpretations and conclusions, and applying criteria and standards to analysis.
  • Information Design for technical communicators where you will learn how to write online documentation to address informational design.

You must have native-level fluency with English and must write clear, logical, and grammatically correct sentences. You will need a computer, a high-speed internet connection, MS Word, PowerPoint, and proficiency with all of the above. Students should be prepared to send and receive email regularly, navigate the web, and manage files on a computer.

Please see the application for specific admission requirements for this program.

Although a college degree or professional experience in the field are not required, applicants with such experience may receive preference for admission when program capacity is limited.

Current UCSD students may be considered for admission depending on their academic and career focus and educational performance.

Format: In-Person, Online

In-class options might be available for some courses.

Estimated Cost: $5,250

Early enrollment discount available. Cost does not include textbooks or parking.

Duration: 18 - 24 months

Varies by student and courses taken per quarter.

Contact
Department
Arts, Humanities, Languages & Digital Arts
Phone
858-534-5760
Email
ahl@ucsd.edu

Courses

Delivery Method
Show Legend
  • Live Online
  • In-Person
  • Online
  • Hybrid

Learn more about the program in a free, online information session.

Technical Communication and Copyediting Information SessionINFO-70166

Units: 0.00

Free

Copyediting and Technical Communication Information Session (INFO-70166)Free | Online Are you interested in a new career as a copyeditor or technical communicator, but not sure where to begin? Explor...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

All 14 units required. Basics of Technical Editing or Technical Communication I are recommended for the first class, but classes may be taken in any order.

Basics of Technical EditingWCWP-40307

Units: 3.00

$395

Basics of Technical Editing 10 weeks | $395 | Online The technical editor s first priority is the reader; and in this course, you will learn the basics of how to be the reader s advocate. To properl...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Winter, Summer

Technical Communication IWCWP-40151

Units: 3.00

$395

This is a practical, hands-on technical writing course for all currently practicing or would-be technical communicators wishing to get a firmer grasp on this extremely broad and quickly evolving indus...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Spring

Critical Thinking for CommunicatorsWCWP-40265

Units: 3.00

$395

Critical thinking affects all communication but one may not realize it. It must be learned to ensure that one thinks, reads, writes, and edits with integrity and communicates with clear language, espe...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Spring

Writing Online DocumentationWCWP-40158

Units: 3.00

$395

As more print publications and manuals go online, it s vital to understand the similarities and differences between writing for print and writing for online delivery. Explore theories and practices fo...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Spring

Information Design for Technical CommunicatorsWCWP-40150

Units: 2.00

$295

Professionals who produce technical communications--whether they are technical writers, web and graphic designers, trainers, or engineers--can benefit from knowledge of information design. In broad te...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

This is a required class. All other required courses, listed above, must be completed before this course.

Technical Communication IIWCWP-40154

Units: 3.00

$395

This capstone course draws on the knowledge and skills you acquired in the core courses. You will work on one big project the entire quarter, which will involve project estimating and scheduling, proj...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Spring

Students must choose 7 units of electives from the list below.

Grammar LabWCWP-40234

Units: 3.00

$595

Grammar Lab (WCWP-40234)10 Weeks | $595 | OnlineThis ten-week online Grammar Lab course is skillfully designed to meet the needs of all students. It is beneficial for those with little grammar experie...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Students must choose 7 units of electives from the list below.

User Interface DesignART-40535

Units: 3.00

$670

Gain a strong understanding of user interface design so you can begin to learn how to be an interactive designer or enhance your design skills. This graphic and web design training course covers refer...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Project Management for Technical CommunicatorsBUSA-40667

Units: 2.00

$295

How can you keep your technical communication project on track when the goal is always changing? Let an experienced project manager teach you how to tame your wild project. Learn to do document needs ...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Winter, Summer

Tools for Technical CommunicatorsWCWP-40266

Units: 3.00

$395

Technical communicators use a variety of tools to create and present information. We will review and discuss such tools as word processors, text editors, HTML editors, desktop publishing software, and...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall

Adobe PhotoshopART-40311

Units: 3.00

$570

Adobe Photoshop I: Introduction 9 Weeks | $595 | Online In-ClassAn introduction to Adobe Photoshop, the imaging software application used by professional graphic artists to create and modify images...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Adobe InDesignART-40533

Units: 3.00

$570

Adobe InDesign 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineLearn to use Adobe InDesign, a comprehensive page layout software, in conjunction with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create various kinds of publications an...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Adobe IllustratorART-40527

Units: 3.00

$570

Adobe Illustrator 9 Weeks | $595 | Online In-ClassLearn the industry-standard professional vector drawing program Adobe Illustrator. In this graphic design training course, students will gain pract...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Introduction to Adobe Creative CloudART-40665

Units: 3.00

$570

Introduction to Adobe Creative Cloud 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineThis introductory course will get your feet wet with some basics in the Adobe Software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver...

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Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

UX for Technical CommunicatorsWCWP-40341

Units: 0.00

TBD

...

See Details
Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered:

Summer

Download PDF

This Program Is Designed For:

  • Communicators working in every field, from accounting to pharmaceuticals to telecommunications.
  • Those who desire to learn how to create a wide variety of documents and scripts, including environmental impact statements, financial reports, training materials, user guides and more.
  • Demand is greatest for communicators who have degrees in science or engineering, but there are opportunities for those with a background in communications, journalism, English, visual media, and other fields.
  • The program is also designed for technical communication professionals working in the field that want to advance their careers, and the program can be completed entirely online for those with working lives.

Certificate Guidelines

The program consists of 24 quarter units in Writing and other disciplines related to technical communications. It can be completed in eight academic quarters. You must earn a Pass (C-) or better grade in each course. Extension courses in science, computing, and engineering may be applied toward electives with department approval.

Advisory Board

Kathleen Balgley

Associate Director of Writing

Sixth College, UCSD

Lynne Friedmann, APR

Consultant

Friedmann Communications

Bonni Graham

President/CEO

Manual Labour Documentation Services

Steven Margolin

Owner

Margolin Communications

Barbara Newton-Holmes

President

Adept Writing Services

Al Rubottom

Technical Publications Manager

Tyco Video Systems Division

David Sumner-Smith

Technical Writer

Gen-Probe

Michelle Wier

Director of Operations

Technical Standards, Inc

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.

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