Technical Communication (CERT)

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Certificate

Major Credits

24

Total Credits

24

Locations

Online

Career Cluster

Languages and Literature

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Program Requirements

Major Common Core

This course provides analysis and training focused on concepts and practices of visual design as they relate to technical and professional communication.

Prerequisites: none

Editing the content, organization, format, style, and mechanics of documents; managing the production cycle of documents; and discovering and learning computer and software applications for technical editing tasks.

Prerequisites: none

Creating both online and print documentation for products, with emphasis on computer software and hardware documentation for users. Attention also to policies and procedures as written for a range of uses (e.g., employee handbooks, manufacturing processes, usability testing).

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Restricted Electives - Choose 12 Credit(s).

Introduces students to theories of usability and teaches students various methods to evaluate design for usability including heuristic evaluations, card-sorting, task-based evaluations, and fieldwork.

Prerequisites: ENG 271W or ENG 272W

This course is designed to introduce students to technical project management. This introduction is achieved through participation in a simulated project management experience. Assignments include standard documentation associated with project management and reflective writing. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: ENG 271W

Overview of technical communication theory with emphasis on contemporary approaches. Hands-on workshop which implements the theories discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Brief history of publishing and typography, conventions of desktop publishing, and hardware and software application tools for desktop publishing. Students need not have prior experience with DTP, but some word processing and microcomputer experience will be helpful.

Prerequisites: none

Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, and data analysis of information to be used in reports.

Prerequisites: ENG 271W or ENG 272W

Creating both online and print documentation for products, with emphasis on computer software and hardware documentation for users. Attention also to policies and procedures as written for a range of uses (e.g., employee handbooks, manufacturing processes, usability testing).

Prerequisites: none

Practice in the development and production of proposals, focusing on the researching, writing, and management of proposals by technical communicators.

Prerequisites: none

Other Graduation Requirements

English Department policy does not permit double-counting of courses for any English major or minor.

Policies

Grade Policy. Students must earn a "C-" or better for a course to apply to their major.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to a major in English may not be taken on a P/N basis, except where P/N is mandatory.

English Majors. Students majoring in English may elect one of the following minors: Film Studies, Linguistics, and Technical Communication. However, a course used to meet the requirements of an English major, minor, or certificate cannot also be used to meet the requirements of another English major, minor, or certificate. Consequently, because Technical Communication shares required courses, students may elect only one of them: BA English Studies Technical Communication Emphasis, BS English Technical Communication Option, the certificate in Technical Communication, or the Technical Communication minor.

Residency Requirements. Students pursuing a major and/or minor in the Department of English must complete at least 50% (half) of the required credits for the major and/or minor at Minnesota State Mankato.

Limits to Independent Work. Students pursuing a major or minor in the Department of English may earn no more than 33% (one-third) of the required credits through supervised independent work such as independent studies or internships, not including capstone experiences.