MCC's 125-hour Writing Technical Information Certificate is a career enhancement opportunity for individuals who have well-developed writing skills and want to improve their effectiveness in communicating technical information. Classes run one night per week (Thursdays, from 5:45-9:45 pm) and one Saturday (9 am - 5 pm) per semester. Courses are not eligible for waivers or vouchers.

Note:  Two courses are required for the certificate.  Student may begin with either the Fall or Spring Semester.  Students may also take either course individually. Tuition: $1,499 per course.

Authoring and Distributing Technical Documents, Winter/Spring 2010

Thursday nights:  February 25 - June 3, 2010.
Time:  5:45 - 9:45 pm
One Saturday Class:  May 15, 2010 (9-5)
Location:  591 Springs Road, Bedford, MA  01730, Building 1, Academic Resources, Room 108
Tuition:  $1,499
Application deadline: February 11, 2010

Description:  Are you responsible for writing technical documents? Do you want to learn how to author and distribute usable information using the industry's standard tools? Join us for this 15-week course and learn the introductory skills needed to make information usable, create books and PDF files using Adobe Framemaker, design a web page, create an online help system and convert HTML to XML. Well-developed writing and computer skills, plus familiarity with technical documentation are recommended for this course.

About the instructor:  Andrew Harrington is a seasoned instructor and technical writer. As a Principal Technical Writer at Avid Technology, Inc, Andrew develops print, online and multimedia documentation for industry-standard film and video editing software. He has won numerous awards for his technical manuals and online documentation and brings 12 years of experience teaching college English. 

Topics Covered:

• Usability
• Mark-up languages
• Authoring information for print and PDF distribution
• Authoring for electronic distribution

Writing and Managing Effective Information, Fall 2010

Thursday nights:  October 7, 2010 - January, 2011
Time:  5:45 - 9:45pm
One Saturday: January , 2011 (DATE TBA)
Location:  591 Springs Road, Bedford Campus, AR-108, Building 1
Tuition:  $1,499
Application Deadline:  September 27, 2010 (see below for details).

 Description:  Do you want to learn how to communicate technical information effectively?  Learn how to conduct audience and task analysis, work with subject matter experts, understand product documents and the product development cycle, write clear procedures, manage writing projects and make content usable. Well-developed writing skills are recommended for this course. 

About the instructor: Charles (Chuck) Murray, with more than 20 years of experience as a technical writer and teacher, provides students with a solid grounding in technical writing fundamentals. Chuck's career has been spent recently at Oracle where he creates printed manuals and help systems and previously at Digital where he was a project leader. Chuck has also taught technical writing at Northeastern University and high school English. 

 Topics Covered: 

• Types of technical content
• Audience analysis and task analysis
• Research skills
  • Working with subject matter experts
  • Learning the product
  • Understanding the product development cycle
• Grammar overview
• Editorial review process and revision
• Project management

To Apply: 

The Writing Technical Information Certificate is a post-graduate, non-credit certificate program. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent, three years' work experience and demonstrated aptitude for understanding technical information. Review of applications will continue until the program is filled.  To apply, please submit:

• Cover letter and resume
• 1-2 page writing sample. This should be a descriptive piece (it does not need to be technical) which clearly demonstrates your writing skills
• Official transcript of the highest degree program completed.  Contact the institution's registrar office and have them send your transcript directly to the MCC's Community Education and Training Department (address below).

Note:  Please do not wait for the college transcript to submit your application.  For immediate consideration, please e-mail your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to:  Sheila Morin, morins@middlesex.mass.edu. 

Your official college transcript can be sent directly to:

Middlesex Community College
Ms. Chris Lindsey
Community Education & Training
Middlesex Community College
591 Springs Road
Bedford MA 01730

Upon review of your application, you will be contacted to determine next steps which will include a personal interview. Please contact Sheila Morin at morins@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3416 for more information.