The Basic Technical Writing Certificate consists of three courses that have been developed for those entering into the field for the first time or those in the downsized IT industry. The Certificate in Technical Writing program is Instructor-Led, meaning you learn from highly qualified industry and tech writing university faculty. Our program has been designed for those who lack sufficient experience in the field or those who want to enhance existing careers in technical writing or move in a new direction within the corporate workplace. (See Below Outlook for Technical Writers Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The certificate is specifically focused for the following:

• Those who aspire to develop their technical language and communication skills.

• Those who need to update their knowledge and skills.

• Those who need preparation for teaching professional communication.

• Those who must prepare and deliver training for their companies.

• Those who aspire to advance in documentation and other technical communication positions.

• Those who seek a verifiable Certificate Credential from an accredited university.  

Common Questions

Do the instructors provide feedback? Instructors provide feedback on assignments. Some assignments are posted on web pages, others are delivered through Blackboard, WebCT and other Learning Management Delivery Platforms.

What credits do you receive by completing this course? These are CEU credits (Continuing Education Credit). They do not transfer to a "for-credit" institution. However, you can expect to take these online courses under stringent guidelines to gain a high quality educational and learning experience. Earning a valid Technical Writing Certificate will help you advance your career and increase your salary in the workplace.

Is any software to be installed, or is contact only through email? There is no software to be installed. You do need to be able to send files in Word or Open Office format. Contact can be made through email.

Do I need to submit a transcript to enroll in the Certificate Program? No, you do not.

What happens once I register? Once you register e-mail notification will be sent to your instructor and also to you. Course of study begins shortly thereafter.

When you say self-paced, do you mean that there are no deadlines on assignments or that you can start assignments when you wish to? You must complete your work within the 6-week per module allotted time period unless other arrangements are made between you and your instructor. Your assignments can be handled on a rather open-ended deadline. The Technical writing faculty will often work with a student to accommodate their requests for extensions.

How much time should I devote to study, assignments and projects? Individual learning behaviors and workloads can vary. We think about 5 hours minimum per week should be devoted to the Certificate.

Must I sign up for all three courses at the same time? We suggest you do. You can take them one at a time. We do, however, discount the three workshops if you enroll in all three at one time.

Are there textbooks that I need to buy for any of the courses? No additional textbook purchase is required for this course of study.

Upon successful completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Analyze audiences and purposes for various technical documents and write effective technical documents by incorporating editorial changes and user feedback

• Correct instances of improper usage, eliminate trite and redundant phrases, so you can write clear and precise sentences

• Apply sound formatting principles to the design and layout of documents and insert eye-catching graphics, charts, and tables that illustrate key points

• Create information plans and content specifications and implement publications projects

• Manage production processes and evaluate project successes and failures

90 Hours

This Certificate Course must be completed within the specified time period noted at the time of enrollment. Extension fees are applicable beyond the end date if additional time is needed; reach out to courseinfo@jeronline.com for additional information.  Upon successful completion of this course, you may apply for a paper-based certificate from one of our Accredited University Partners by writing to requestmycertificate@jeronline.com. Certificate fees apply.

Outlook for Technical Writers Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employment of technical writers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations as the need to explain a growing number of electronic and scientific products increases. Job prospects are expected to be good for those with solid writing and communications skills and a technical background.

Legal, scientific, and technological developments and discoveries will generate demand for people who can interpret technical information for a general audience. Rapid growth and change in the high-technology and electronics industries will result in a greater need for people who can write users` guides, instruction manuals, and training materials in a variety of formats and communicate information clearly to others. This occupation requires workers who are both skilled writers and effective communicators and familiar with a specialized subject area.

Increasing acceptance of interactive media to provide nearly real-time information will create employment opportunities for technical writers because of the need to revise online information. Businesses and organizations are making more material available online often in formats that permit greater scrutiny and comparison of detailed information.

The growing amount and complexity of information available on the Web will spur demand for technical writers. Professional, scientific, and technical services firms will continue to grow and should be a good source of new jobs even as the occupation finds acceptance in a broader range of industries, including data processing, hosting, and related services and educational services.

Job prospects, especially for applicants with solid communication and technical skills, are expected to be good. The growing reliance on technologically sophisticated products in the home and the workplace and the increasing complexity of medical or scientific information needed for daily living will create many new job opportunities for technical writers. However, competition will exist for technical writing positions with more desirable companies and for workers who are new to the occupation.

In addition to job openings created by employment growth, some openings will arise as experienced workers retire, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force. Also, many freelancers may not earn enough money by freelancing to remain in the occupation, thus generating additional job openings.