• Prepare to enter the field of technical writing for science, technology, education, oil and gas, business communications, web-based publishing, freelance writing and editing, and more
• Identify common types of technical communications, including but not limited to manuals, guides, design specifications and online documents
• Demonstrate skills in using key software programs commonly used by technical writers
• Apply a systematic approach to creating technical documents
• Identify and apply appropriate styles of writing for specific technical communications purposes
• Conduct an audience analysis to organize and present technical information
  evaluate the effectiveness of the content and presentation of a technical communication form
• Earn a credential
• Develop highly sought-after technical writing skills using the latest tools, methods and key software programs

• Complete the 10 required courses plus 22.5 hours of optional courses (172.5 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.

Recommended Preparation

• A grade 12 level of proficiency in written and spoken English and strong intermediate skills in MS Word and Windows are strongly recommended requirements.
• We strongly recommend completion of Foundations of Technical Communication and Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors before beginning other courses in the certificate.

TECHNICAL WRITING SCHEDULE
Required Courses Recommended Order	Fall (Sept.-Dec.)	Winter (Jan.-Apr.)	Spring (May-June)
Foundations of Technical Communication	•	•	•
Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors	•	•	•
Document Layout and Design	•	•
Writing User Guides	•	•
Preparing Policies and Procedures		•
Editing Basics for Technical Documents	•	•
Producing Software Specifications		•	•
Site Architecture for Online Media		•
Design and Authoring for Online Media		•	•
Documentation Project Management	•	•
Optional Courses (choose 22.5 hours)
Grammar and Punctuation Essentials (classroom)	•	•
Writing and Editing for Digital Media (online)	•	•	•
Effective Business Writing (classroom)	•	•
Effective Business Writing (online)	•		•
Creating Training Manuals	•	•	•

The above schedule 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.

Required Courses

Document Project Management
Learn techniques for managing documentation projects, including the four stages of project management; initiating and planning, developing and executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing the project. This course will also explore the relationship between the technical writer and the subject matter expert.

Recommended Preparation: Foundations of Technical Communication and Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10032

12 Hours Fee: $369

CRN 30211

Online

Mar. 30 - Apr. 27

 

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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 technical writing, including audience analysis, document organization, and grammar and writing skills to create clear, concise, correct and cohesive communications. Apply these through practical exercises.

Recommended Preparation: Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10004

18 Hours Fee: $439

CRN 50105

Online

May. 4 - Jun. 15

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Design and Authoring Online Media
Discover how to author pages that are organized, readable, easily comprehended and credible. Apply these skills while authoring pages using a combination of XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) within a managed environment. Information websites, online help and Intranets are prevalent in the business and technology world. Review the benefits and challenges, and examine and practice the skills necessary to author pages.

Recommended Preparation: Foundations of Technical Communication and Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10026

15 Hours Fee: $419

CRN 50353

Online

May. 11 - Jun. 8

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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.

Recommended Preparation: Foundations of Technical Communication

Strongly recommended: Previous knowledge in Microsoft Word Levels 1 and 2 (available here)

Subject (for registration): Computers - Word Processing

Subject code: XWOP 10011

15 Hours Fee: $299

CRN 50186

Online

May. 25 - Jun. 22

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P roducing Software Specifications
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.

Recommended Preparation: Foundations of Technical Communication and Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10024

15 Hours Fee: $419

CRN 50106

Online

May. 25 - Jun. 29

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Site Architecture for Online Media
Digital media is redefining the way our world communicates, accesses information and shares ideas. According to online statistics, there are as many as 2 billion websites currently in operation throughout the world. With the explosion of social media and mobile technology in recent years, how users interact with those sites is changing on a regular basis, creating incredible new opportunities for website designers and content creators.

Recommended Preparation: Foundations of Technical Communication and Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10025

15 Hours Fee: $419

CRN 70263

Online

Jul. 20 - Aug. 24

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Optional Courses

Choose 22.5 hours

We strongly recommend completion of Foundations of Technical Communication and Advanced Microsoft Word for Writers and Editors before beginning any optional courses.

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Effective Business Writing
Are your writing skills holding back your career because you struggle to express yourself clearly, concisely and efficiently? Review and apply the principles of effective writing and revising. Learn how to create powerful workplace documents including emails, letters and reports that achieve the results you want. Review the basic design principles and survey professional editing techniques.

Textbook (required): Chandler, M. (2017). Good Writing is Good Business . Green Fuse Inc. Available at the Campus Store . eBook available at www.goodbusinesswriter.com

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10013

15 Hours Fee: $419

CRN 50182

Online

May 25 - Jun. 22

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Writing and Editing for Digital Media
The rapid growth and evolution of digital media has presented tremendous opportunities and new challenges for writers and editors. Be introduced to principles, strategies and techniques for writing and editing relevant, compelling content for various digital media platforms.

Subject (for registration): Communications

Subject code: XCOM 20010

15 Hours Fee: $419

CRN 50107

Online

May 4 - Jun. 1

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Creating Training Manuals
Learn to design and prepare effective training materials for a variety of training situations. Study the process of creating training materials using MS Word, including task and audience analysis, documentation standards, teaching roles, learning sequences and evaluation techniques.

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing

Subject code: XTBW 10028

7.5 Hours Fee: $259

CRN 50241

Online

Jun. 8 - Jun. 22

 

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Refer to your Confirmation of Registration for specific course and textbook information.

Textbooks may be purchased independently or through the Campus Store.

Course materials are provided on Blackboard 3 days prior to class start.

"I liked the exercises a lot. They really help drive home the ideas."- Foundations of Technical Communication student

"Very practical, relevant and up to date information, good to learn what employers want and how to market myself."- Portfolios for Technical Writers student

"Clarified exactly what policies and procedures should accomplish, applicable to my current job."- Preparing Policies and Procedures student

"Very useful information, 'hands-on' learning all day long. It's exactly what I wanted to learn."- Preparing Policies and Procedures student

Margaret Chandler BA, MEd

Margaret Chandler is a continuing education instructor at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. At Mount Royal University, she teaches grammar and punctuation, effective business writing, and editing courses. She also delivers customized workshops for clients in the private and non-profit sectors. When not busy teaching, she works as a freelance editor and writer.

Margaret studied literature and journalism at the Freie Universität in Berlin and has a BA in history and a MEd in Adult and Community Education from the University of Calgary.

She greatly enjoys sharing her passion for the English language and helping people become better writers. Students appreciate the practical tools, techniques, and resources she provides that make the writing process less difficult and more rewarding.

Richard Erlendson

Dr. Richard 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 has received the Canadian Word Award for magazine writing. Richard is also a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award at MRU. He holds both a masters and doctorate from the University of Alberta with undergrad degrees in journalism and education.

Michelle G. Shaw

Michelle brings over 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 presently 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 3 children, training for her next run, or attending a kickboxing class.

Glynndon Dobson BA, MA.

Glynndon Dobson is a Technical Writing and Professional Editing Program Instructor in Continuing Education here at MRU. Having previously taught University courses at the University of Saskatchewan he brings both passion and experience to the classroom and is excited to be a part of the Mount Royal instructional team. Glynndon completed his Bachelor's Degree in English Literature at the University of Alberta. After working in Finance for a number of years he pursued a Master's of Arts at the University of Saskatchewan. The focus of his Master's Degree was Violence in Male Identity: Post 1950's American War Literature. He now works as a freelance Technical Writer in Calgary.