Writing Technical Information Certificate 

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.

What courses are required?  There are two courses required for the certificate.  Please note that the two classes can be taken in either order: Spring then Fall or Fall then Spring.

Writing and Managing Effective Information

Fall 2008
Dates of Class:  Thursday, October 9, 2008 - Thursday, January 29, 2009
5:45 - 9:45pm
An additional class meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 9am-4pm
Class will not be held on November 27, December 25 or January 1.
Snow make up days will be held on February 5 and 12 if needed.
Bedford campus, AR-108
Tuition:  $1,499

Do you want to learn how to effectively communicate technical information?  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.  This course is not eligible for waivers and vouchers.

About the instructor: Charles (Chuck) Murray, with more than 19 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. 

Authoring and Distributing Technical Documents

Winter/Spring 2009:  Note:  Application Deadline is February 19, 2009
Dates of Class:  Thursday, February 26 - Thursday,  June 4, 2009
Time of Class:  5:45-9:45pm
An additional class meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 9am-5pm.
Class will not be held during the college's spring break (March 19, 2009) 
Location:  Bedford campus, AR 108
Tuition:  $1,499. Payment must be made on or before February 19, 2009

Are you responsible for writing technical documents? Do you want to learn how to effectively 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 skills, familiarity with technical documentation and MS Office is recommended for this course. This course is not eligible for waivers or vouchers.

About the instructor:  Andrew Harrington is a seasoned instructor and technical writer. As a Principal Technical Writer at Avid Technology, Inc he 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 twelve years of experience teaching college English.

  

What topics are covered?

Authoring and Distributing Usable Information

Writing and Managing Effective Information

To earn the certificate in Writing Technical Information, students must successfully complete both courses.  Classes may be taken in no particular order.

Are there connections to industry?

The Writing Technical Information Certificate is supported by an industry advisory board comprised of documentation managers who provide input into the curriculum.  Companies represented include:

EMC Corporation
Sun Microsystems
Zoll Medical Corporation
Avid Technology, Inc.
Cadence Design Systems
Juniper Networks 
Oracle 

 

In addition, companies regularly contact us regarding internship opportunities for our students.

Can I take just one course?

Students not interested in the certificate may take one course.  Please contact:

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

FAX:  781-280-3812  

e-mail:  linsdeyc@middlesex.mass.edu

 How do I apply for the certificate?

The Writing Technical Information Certificate is a post-graduate, noncredit certificate. 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.  

Application deadline for Spring 2009 class is February 19, 2009. 

To apply, please submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 3-5 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's office to send transcript directly to the MCC Community Education and Training Department (address below).
• Professional recommendation letter attesting to your ability to work in a team
• $25 application fee

Note:  You do not need to wait for the college transcript and letter of recommendation to submit your application.  Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample,and application fee and request the transcript and letter of recommendation to be sent directly to MCC.  Please submit application materials to:

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

FAX:  781-280-3812
e-mail:  lindseyc@middlesex.mass.edu

What happens after I apply?

Upon review of your application, you will be contacted to determine next steps which will include a personal interview.

How can I learn more?

Please contact Sheila Morin at morins@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3416 for more information.