Technical Communication

(EDP 302356)

Technical communication is one of the fastest growing professions in the country. Rapidly expanding software, hardware, consumer electronics, biopharmaceutical, and financial services industries have increased the demand for technical communicators and editors in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the nation. And competitive salaries and flexible schedules are making technical communication an increasingly attractive career option. UC Berkeley Extension can help you get a competitive edge in the field with the Professional Sequence in Technical Communication, tailored to meet your professional needs.

Technical communicators play a vital role in bridging the gap between those who create new ideas or who are subject matter experts (such as scientists and engineers) and those who must understand how to implement their ideas. The technical communicator works with these specialists, then explains their work through the written word, or in the form of online documentation, to an audience of end-users. As an additional challenge, the technical communicator often works while the product is still under development and subject to change.

Core competencies

Technical communicators come from varied backgrounds and are often asked to tackle even more varied projects during their career. The core competencies for the profession should include the ability to:

Communicate using the written word, with excellent grammar
Conduct good research
Hone reading and listening skills
Interview subject matter experts while having limited knowledge of the subject
Master software publishing tools
Manage and plan projects and time

The required and elective courses in this curriculum can help you enhance these competencies.

Who Should Enroll

New or less experienced technical communicators
People with little or no experience or education in the field who want a credential to demonstrate their knowledge, training, and commitment
People who are changing careers
Technical communicators who wish to continue their professional development

Program Requirements

The sequence consists of 8 units/120 hours made up of three required courses (6 units/90 hours) and 2 units/30 hours of elective courses. Coursework must be completed within three years after enrolling in the first course, with a minimum gradepoint average of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C. To enroll in the professional sequence, print, fill out and submit the paper form along with the nonrefundable application fee, or submit the online registration form.

Prerequisites

You should take Technical Communication I X465 first. Otherwise, the prerequisite for each individual course is as stated.

Required Courses

Technical Communication I, X465

Technical Communication II, X466 (offered online)

Technical Editing, X437 (offered summer term)

Elective Courses:

Technical Writing, X412 (*see below)
Visual Design for Technical Communication, X467 (offered future term)
Project Management for Technical Communicators, X422 (offered future term)
Developing Online Help, X448 (offered summer term)
Principles of Information Architecture, X461
Document Design Using FrameMaker, X443 (offered future term)
Usability Testing for Technical Communicators, X439 (offered spring term)

Further Study

New! Effective Presentation Skills for Technology and Sustainability Professionals, X425
New! Publishing with Content Management Systems, X438
Digital Authoring for Dynamic Publishing, X463 (offered future term)

Substitution and Waiver Requirements

The online course Technical Writing* X412 can be substituted for Technical Communication I X465, and the online course Technical Communication II X466 can be substituted for its classroom version (also X466). No other substitutions or waivers are allowed in the professional sequence.

Registration Procedure

We recommend that you register before you begin the second course in the professional sequence. To register, please complete and submit the Program Registration Form, and include the nonrefundable registration fee. Professional sequence registrations cannot be taken by phone.

Requirements may be updated based on new developments in the field of study; we recommend completing the program in a timely fashion.

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