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09-26-2007, 08:45 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ballantyne, South Charlotte
132 posts, read 150,353 times
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Online Courses in Technical writing?
hello,
anyone know of any accredited online courses in Technical writing? How long do they typically take? I'd really like to find a course that is not a scam.
Thank you!
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09-27-2007, 10:19 AM
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The odds are always good
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lived Large in Parsippany NJ - Lived Larger in Livingston, NJ -- Now Living Huge in Bethlehem PA
462 posts, read 576,722 times
Reputation: 401
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Check with your local community colleges - they should have something online you can take unless you want to go the DeVry route.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrecociousJewel
hello,
anyone know of any accredited online courses in Technical writing? How long do they typically take? I'd really like to find a course that is not a scam.
Thank you!
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09-28-2007, 11:42 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ballantyne, South Charlotte
132 posts, read 150,353 times
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Is DeVry a good university for the course?
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09-28-2007, 07:40 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2007
4,852 posts, read 4,250,158 times
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Do you really need a degree for tech writing? You can either write or you can't. The tech writers I have known over the years (and most of their jobs have been eliminated in downsizing) were not "degreed" or "certified" tech writers. They were in the industry in the first place and transitioned into tech writing within that same company.
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09-29-2007, 02:35 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
674 posts, read 823,884 times
Reputation: 187
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas
Do you really need a degree for tech writing? You can either write or you can't. The tech writers I have known over the years (and most of their jobs have been eliminated in downsizing) were not "degreed" or "certified" tech writers. They were in the industry in the first place and transitioned into tech writing within that same company.
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The company I work for has posted position for Technical Writers and most said they wanted a person with Technical Writing classes and those who had a degree. Unfortunately that seems to be the case with everything, so many places want a degree now, and a Bachelors Degree at that. So I would say that its very possible the person may need a degree for the job. |
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09-30-2007, 01:10 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ballantyne, South Charlotte
132 posts, read 150,353 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wi_Girl
The company I work for has posted position for Technical Writers and most said they wanted a person with Technical Writing classes and those who had a degree. Unfortunately that seems to be the case with everything, so many places want a degree now, and a Bachelors Degree at that. So I would say that its very possible the person may need a degree for the job.
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You're right wi_girl. It seems like more and more employers are looking for people who have had some formal training in technical writing. I think it also helps if you do, actually, especially if you are transitioning from another field. I know of many people who have history and art majors but now do technical writing for IT departments! And I have a background in advertising and marketing but, once I get some classes, I would consider applying for technical writing positions as well. |
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10-01-2007, 08:11 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2007
476 posts, read 680,799 times
Reputation: 79
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The Most Important Item In Writing
Dear Friend:
Obviously, the most important thought is to be an expert in your field. What is your field? If you are not an expert, then someone will quickly knock you out of that technical writing field. I have had a lot of experience in the field of electronics. I was employed as an electronics design technician with Motorola, Zenith Radio, Amphenol Corp., Hammond Organ (Church Organs) and The Du Kane Corp. In all, about thirty to forty years worth. I have also done some technical writing since I am an author. But my author expertise is in social history.
IF you want to EXCELL in technical writing, then master the 'technical' German language and especially subjects with world - wide safety organizations. For example, UL, CSA, VDE, and ISO. Hope this helps you with your quest. 
Best Regards,
Carter Glass |
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11-29-2007, 02:38 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2007
6 posts, read 3,057 times
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To PrecociousJewel:
Three good online programs I know of in Technical Writing are in New York or New Jersey. There are no on campus requirements though:
1) New Jersey Institute of Technology ( New Jersey's Science & Technology University) This is an online masters or certificate in Professional and Technical Communication which offers specialization in usability - information architecture and content management and writing for specific types of media are covered.
2) Polytechnic University (www.poly.edu)This (broken link) is an online masters or certificate in Technical Writing and Journalism. This school was just incorporated into New York University and like NJIT, has a long history of strong techical and engineering offerings.
3) Rochester Institute of Technology ( RIT - Rochester Institute of Technology) They offer two online certificates and an MS in Print Media, all entirely online. This school is very well known for its strong technical and artistic offerings.
If you want to find more courses, try searching for online or distance learning degrees or certificates on the following sites:
Guide to Graduate School, Graduate Program & Graduate School Search, Masters Degree Programs - GradSchools.com - (Under Search for Graduate Programs, drop down to Distance Education Programs at the bottom of the list)
Search for Colleges and Universities, Graduate Schools, Online Degree, Private Schools - Peterson's - (click on Online & Continuing Education link, then click Go button next to Find A School). This site allows you to search for undergradute, certificate and graduate online programs.
US News & World Report - Breaking News, World News, Business News, and America's Best Colleges - USNews.com - (click on Education tab then on E-learning and Technology tab)
Good Luck!
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11-29-2007, 02:52 PM
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Not a member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: in drifts of snow wherever you go
2,524 posts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas
Do you really need a degree for tech writing? You can either write or you can't. The tech writers I have known over the years (and most of their jobs have been eliminated in downsizing) were not "degreed" or "certified" tech writers. They were in the industry in the first place and transitioned into tech writing within that same company.
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You do not need a degree to be a tech writer. But your comment "you can either write or you can't" is incorrect. Writing is a skill that takes a long time to develop. Classes would certainly help.
Greenie |
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11-29-2007, 03:40 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
3,003 posts, read 2,931,667 times
Reputation: 800
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Unfortunately the tech writing field is just one of yet another industries being offshored to India. They can speak english right? So beware of that field now too. (another field bites the dust!)
Yes, I would take a class or two. Couldn't hurt. Am not one, but have worked with many over the years.
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