Technical Writing Extension Certificate
Technical writing involves writing about a specific subject that requires explanation, direction or instruction in publications such as reports, manuals and standard operating procedure guides.
Gain practical knowledge and experience to enhance your skill set in technical writing, whether you are looking to earn a credential for professional development or embark on a new career. Using technical information, create clear, concise, correct and cohesive communications in print and online for target audiences.
Combine the skills of effective communication with practical experience using the latest tools and technology. Explore common types of technical communication, such as manuals, guides and design specifications. Learn how you can apply a systematic approach to creating technical documents from complex information. Gain writing skills for a variety of formats and hone your writing process. Identify and apply appropriate styles of writing for specific technical communications purposes, such as reports, procedural manuals and online documents.
Develop intermediate skills to create professional-looking documents, including how to use features and templates to create and format documents with more complex layouts. Examine key components of structuring policies and procedures. Build your editing skills with hands-on exercises. Explore characteristics of digital media and how they relate to information and site architecture, and examine the steps to developing a robust site structure.
The Technical Writing program is a recognized member of the Society of Technical Communication (STC). Students! Learn more about STC events.
Benefits
- Earn a recognized credential to enhance your career prospects
- Develop your personal and professional skills
- Learn from experienced industry professionals
- Demonstrate workplace competencies to potential employers
- Complete through online delivery, open to anyone, anywhere
Program format
Format: Online | Learn more
Duration: Complete the 8 required courses (140 hours). Can be completed within 1 year up to a maximum of 3 years.
Some required courses may require assignments to be submitted within 1 week after the course has finished.
The listed course hours indicate the estimated time to review the online learning units. Your actual time spent completing assignments may vary.
Required Courses
Online LearningWe offer a variety of online learning options. Visit our learning formats page for more information. |
Foundations of Technical Communication
Explore the discipline of technical writing and enhance your writing techniques to meet the demands of today's marketplace. Study the concepts involved in the creation of clear, concise, correct and cohesive communications, including writing with purpose, audience analysis and document organization.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
No textbook required.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10004 | 20 Hours Fee: $449 |
| CRN 90400 |
Online | Sept. 19 - Oct. 31 |
MS Word for Technical Writers and Editors
(formerly: Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors)
Develop intermediate skills to create professional looking documents. Learn how to use features and templates to create and format documents with more complex layouts, including styles, tables, pictures and objects, columns, numbering, headers and footers, tables of contents and templates.
Strongly recommended: Previous knowledge in MS Word
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
No textbook required,
Subject (for registration): Computers - Word Processing
| Subject code: XWOP 10011 | 15 Hours Fee: $309 | |
| CRN 90070 | Online | Nov. 7 - Dec. 12 |
Creating Publications
(formerly: Document Layout & Design)
Discover how to design visually engaging documentation both for print and online publications. By learning how to properly execute visual design principles, typography and effective use of styles, you will design effective and readable technical documents. Put these principles into practice by designing technical documents using MS Word®.
Recommended Preparation: Successful completion Foundations of Tech Communication and MS Word for Technical Writers and Editors before taking this course. Strong working knowledge of MS Word, English grammar, punctuation, spelling and style.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
Textbook (Optional): The Non-Designers Design Book (4th Ed.), Williams, Robin., Peachpit Press (a division of Pearson Education). Available independently or at the Cougars Campus Store.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10022 | 20 Hours Fee: $449 |
| CRN 90401 | Online | Nov. 7 - Dec. 19 |
Preparing Policies & Procedures
Documenting effective policies and procedures is a major focus for technical writers as these documents support regulations and quality standards as they relate to business operations. Students will examine key components of structuring policies and procedures including writing guidelines, research methods, content organization, use of active voice and presentation methods.
Recommended Preparation: Successful completion of Creating Publications before taking this course.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
Textbook (required): 7 Steps to Better Written Policies and Procedures. Page, Steven B., Process Improvement Pub (1999). ISBN-13: 978-
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10017 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | |
| CRN 90167 | Online | Sept. 26 - Oct. 31 |
Editing for Technical Writers
(formerly: Editing Basics for Technical Documents)
Editing is a vital step in creating professional, accurate and usable technical documentation. This course will discuss the role of the editor and the editing process, as well as examine the types of edits that documents can undergo. Various edit types will be learned through hands-on exercises.
Recommended Preparation: Successul completion of Creating Publications before taking this course.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
No textbook required.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10023 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | |
| CRN 90113 | Online | Nov. 7 - Dec. 12 |
Information Architecture
(formerly: Site Architecture for Online Media)
As the opportunity for website designers and content creators grows, there is a high demand for authoring in an online world. In this course, you will learn the characteristics of digital media and how they relate to information and site architecture, explore navigation methods as they relate to website design, and examine the steps to developing a robust site structure.
Recommended Preparation: Successful completion of Creating Publications before taking this course.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10025 | 15 Hours. Fee: $429 | |
| CRN 90168 | Online | Sept. 19 - Oct. 24 |
Project Management for Technical Writers
(formerly: Documentation Project Management)
This course will focus on the skills required by technical writers to independently manage their documentation projects. Focus will be given to documentation projects as they relate to the four stages of project management: initiating and planning, developing and executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. This course will also explore the relationship between the technical writer and the subject matter expert.
Recommended Preparation: Successful completion of Creating Publications before taking this course.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
No textbook required.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10032 | 20 Hours Fee: $449 | |
| CRN 90402 | Online | Oct. 31 - Dec. 12 |
Creating Training Manuals and User Guides
(formerly: Creating Training Manuals AND Writing User Guides)
Learn to design and prepare effective training materials and user guides to train or explain concepts to your readers. Learn the process of creation through the use of MS Word, including defining characteristics, task analysis, visual instructions, the cognitive learning model and elements of instruction.
Recommended Preparation: Successful completion of Creating Publications before taking this course.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
No textbook required.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10033 | 20 Hours Fee: $449 | |
| CRN 90467 | Online | Sept. 19 - Oct. 31 |
Professional Development
Effective Business Writing
(This course does not count towards the Technical Writing Extension Certificate but does count toward the Writing and Editing for Business Certificate of Completion)
Develop and refine your writing skills to meet the challenges of a professional workplace environment. Learn how to write clear, concise and dynamic emails, letters and reports with competence and ease. Review common grammatical mistakes, style principles, document design, and editing basics.
Please note: this course is not part of the certificate program; however, this is a very beneficial course for those interested in the subject area who are seeking further professional development and it does count toward our Writing and Editing for Business Certificate of Completion.
Required textbook: Good Writing is Good Business, Chandler, M. (2017) Green Fuse Inc. Available at amazon.ca
Note: This instructor-facilitated online
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10013 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | |
| CRN 90083 | Online | Oct. 17 - Nov. 21 |
Producing Software Specifications
(This course does not count towards the Technical Writing Extension Certificate)
Functional requirements and design specifications are vital to any development or manufacturing project. Explore the role these and other technical documents play in developing a software product, and discover the elements they must have to describe a product properly using Use Cases and other specification documents. Prepare representative documents using MS Word.
Please note: this course is no longer part of the certificate program; however, this is a very beneficial course for those interested in the subject area who are seeking further professional development.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions.
No textbook required.
Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing
| Subject code: XTBW 10024 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | Not offered this semester |
| Tentative Course Order | |||
| Fall (Sept. - Dec.) |
Winter (Jan. - April) |
Spring/Summer (May - Aug.) |
|
| Foundations of Technical Communication | • | • | • |
| MS Word for Technical Writers and Editors | • | • | |
| Creating Publications | • | • | • |
| Preparing Policies and Procedures | • | • | |
| Editing for Technical Writers | • | • | |
| Information Architecture | • | • | |
| Project Management for Technical Writers | • | • | |
| Creating Training Manuals and User Guides | • | • | |
|
The schedule above is subject to change. Courses start on various dates within each semester. Fall schedule and registration available in June. Winter schedule and registration available in November. Spring/Summer schedule and registration available in March. |
A Grade 12 level of proficiency in written and spoken English — and established intermediate skills in MS Word and Windows — are strongly recommended requirements.
To make the most of your learning, we recommend taking courses in the following order:
Foundations of Technical Communication AND MS Word for Technical Writers and Editors
Creating Publications
The remaining courses in any order
Victoria Clarke
I’m a native Newfoundlander who moved to Calgary in 1998. Although I trained as a Computer Programmer Analyst, I had experience with technical writing and knew it was my passion. I landed a technical writing job as soon as I arrived in Calgary and never looked back.
Twenty years later, I’ve worked in multiple industries developing help files, instructional guides, classroom training, templates, and more. I’ve created graphics, videos, and online courses, and written in plain English. I’ve watched waterfall software development turn to agile and worked with the teams to incorporate technical writing into scrums. I’ve managed teams, been managed by others, and eventually become my own manager as an independent contractor. Along the way, I’ve been lucky enough to mentor and teach other writers about this career.
Within my field, I work full time as an Instructional Designer, I’m a certified professional technical communicator – expert, and I’m the Chair of the Technical Writing Advisory Committee at Mount Royal University.
Glynndon Dobson BA, MA
Glynndon has a Master’s Degree in English Literature, with a focus on Post 1950’s American War Literature, specializing in Violence in Male Identity. He is a senior professional who specializes in professional writing with a focus on profit generation and business development. He is currently a Senior Writer and leads Turner & Townsend's Business Development team in Western Canada. He is a goal oriented individual whose demonstrated abilities include: Local, National and International Profit Generation, Proposal Development, Proposal Writing, Bid Development, Technical Writing, Social Media Strategy Development, University Course Instruction, University Course Development and Project Coordination.
Dr. Richard Erlendson
Dr. Erlendson has the distinction of serving as a long-time professor in both the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies and the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension at MRU. In both faculties, he has taught professional writing, editing, reporting, design, publishing and visual communication. He is a career journalist and photojournalist, and he has received the Canadian Word Award for magazine writing. Richard has also twice been awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award at MRU. He holds master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Alberta with undergrad degrees in journalism and education.
Richard’s portfolio includes 11 published books, freelance editing for a variety of corporate clients and publishers, and freelance writing for a variety of magazines – including American Cowboy for which he once served as the Canadian Correspondent. Richard has been teaching in the Professional Editing and Technical Writing Certificate programs in the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension since 2013. Courses he has taught include Editing for Beginners, Editing for Technical Writers, Editing Fundamentals, Editing Portfolio, Effective Business Writing, Grammar and Punctation Essentials, Structural Editing, Stylistic Editing, and Writing and Editing for Digital Media.
Richard Metcalf
Like many in the field, Richard didn’t start out with ambitions of being a technical writer. Beginning his studies in engineering before finishing with a degree in psychology, he took a more roundabout route to discover the profession. But, after he was given the opportunity to work as a technical writer, he found it was the perfect match to satisfy his interest in technical information and human learning and behavior. Since then, he has spent many years in the field working for clients in several industries. He currently works as a consultant where he creates and delivers training and develops policies, processes, and procedures. He’s passionate about mentoring others and sharing his experience in the industry. When he’s not working or helping students, he loves to travel. That includes everything from exploring the sights in our beautiful province to adventures further abroad (ideally somewhere with a beach).
Michelle G. Shaw
Michelle brings more than 25 years of industry experience to classroom. She spent a number of years working in a variety of roles as writer, software developer and manager in the Calgary technology community. Michelle believes that effective software development relies on clear and well written documentation that is timely and accessible to a range of stakeholders.
She holds a BSc. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary, and is working on a Master's degree. When she isn't working, Michelle can often be found hiking in the mountains near Calgary, or riding a bike along our amazing network of bike paths.
Lyndsay Steffler
Lyndsay Steffler is a native Calgarian, and as such it's unbelievable she doesn't work in oil and gas but rather in aviation. She earned her Degree in Applied Communications (Technical Writing) and began her career as a Technical Editor; eventually working her way into a full-time technical writing role. She has added Project Management, Enterprise Content Management, and Adult Education certifications to her portfolio and began teaching for the technical writing program at MRU in 2006. Lyndsay loves working with the students and is always working diligently to support them throughout the program. Although Lyndsay is passionate about her work, when she's not in the office or the classroom, you are likely to find her enjoying time with her husband and their three children, training for her next run, or attending a kickboxing class.
Contact us
For information about this program:
cebusiness@mtroyal.ca
403.440.6861 or 1.888.392.3655
Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary AB T3E 6K6
Customize this program for your organization through our Corporate Training unit.