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Lakeland Community College LCC-ISYS: Impacting Lives Through Technology

Level 1: Lakeland Home Level 2: IT & CS Home Level 3: Technical Communications Programs

Technical Communications Certificate

The Technical Communications Certificate is a joint venture between IT & CS and the English Department at LCC. This program is scheduled to begin FALL 2008.

The current marketing brochure is available here (PDF)

Technical communication includes instructional design, online help, and writing marketing materials, white papers, procedures, and user guides. Technical communicators play an important role in connecting those who create new ideas or technologies and those who implement their ideas. The technical communicator works with both groups, and describes their work via the printed word, on the web, in person, and/or recorded media. The industry is growing quickly because of globalization, documentation requirements and technologies, and project management processes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos089.htm), the field is very competitive. “Employment of writers and editors is expected to grow 10 percent, or about as fast as the average for all occupations, from 2006 to 2016. Employment of salaried writers and editors is expected to increase as demand grows for web-based publications. Technical writing, blogging, and other writing for interactive media that provide readers with nearly real-time information will provide opportunities for writers.”

As part of this program, students will develop skills in technical writing and editing, public speaking, working in small groups, information technology, and the use common tools in the technical communications profession. In addition, students will select a traditional media, web media, or photographic media specialization. Finally, students can optionally add a focus on modern languages – bilingual communicators are in high demand.

This program is designed for practicing technical communicators who wish to update their skills, technicians who wish to develop skills in writing, editing, and public speaking, those looking to change to an exciting and growing career, and anyone who develops technical reports, user guides, manuals, or instructional materials.

Selected Course Descriptions

ENGL 2202 - Technical Research and Report Writing 3 credits Prerequisite: none
This course covers the application of standards of correct English to professional and technical material. Students will practice writing correspondence, employment letters and resumes, procedures, reports, and proposals for recommendation/feasibility reports. Additional focus is on an advanced analysis of audience and purposes as well as format and graphics, technical editing, and research using on-line communication. (3 contact hours)

ENGL 2203 Technical Editing 3 credits Prerequisite: ENGL 1121 or permission of instructor
This course offers students an overview of the duties and responsibilities of a technical editor and gives them practice in revising and editing technical documents. Covering major aspects of technical editing, including copymarking and proofreading, it focuses on copyediting and comprehensive editing, requiring students to revise for accuracy, completeness, correctness, readability and usability, keeping audience and purpose in mind. (2 contact hours)

ITIS 2501 Technical Communications Applications 3 Credits Prerequisite: [(ENGL2202 and ITIS1510) OR (MECT1150)] AND ENGL2203; or permission of instructor
This course explores the use of common tools used in technical communications. Students will learn and explore the functionality of common industry-standard tools. They will gain experience in creating documentation for common technical processes, researching using traditional and online sources, and creating a portfolio. (2.5 contact hours: 1.5 lecture, 1 lab)

Tentative List of Required Courses (Please see the current catalog for the official list)

ENGL 1110* English Composition I (A) 3
OR
ENGL 1111 English Composition I (B)  
ENGL 1121English Composition II - Technical Focus3
ENGL 2202Technical Research and Report Writing 3
ENGL 2203Technical Editing2
ITIS 1005Computers and Information Processing3
ITIS 1510Using Windows Applications: Word Processing3
ITIS 1540Using Windows Applications: Presentation Graphics3
ITIS 2501Technical Communications Applications 2
SPCH 1050Fundamentals of Public Speaking2
SPCH 1150Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication2
SPCH 2300Small Group Communication3
Choose course(s) from the Electives Groups 3
Certificate Total: 32
 
* English course selection is based on placement test results
                  (ENGL 1111 is 4 credits, only 3 credits apply to the certificate)

Electives Groups: Students must complete 3 credits by selecting all of the courses within one of the following groups of courses.

Traditional Media Group
ARTS 1130Art Drawing I3
Web Media Group
ITIS 1100Internet: Services, Tools, and Web Page Creation2
ITIS 1130Introduction to Web Design1
Photographic Media Group
PHOT 2300Electronic Imaging I3

While the following are not required in the Technical Communications for the Information Technology Professional Certificate, students may benefit from taking any of these additional courses or sequence of courses:

ENGL 1125Fundamentals of Grammar2
ENGL 1130Principles of Prose Style2
ITCS 1105HTML Programming I2
ITIS 1120Introduction to Flash2
French
FREN 1001Elementary French I4
FREN 1002Elementary French II4
FREN 2001Intermediate French I: Conversation and Grammar3
FREN 2002Intermediate French II: Culture and Civilization3
German
GERM 1001Elementary German I4
GERM 1002Elementary German II4
GERM 2001Intermediate German I: Conversation and Grammar3
GERM 2002Intermediate German II: Culture and Civilization3
Italian
ITAL 1001Elementary Italian I4
ITAL 1002Elementary Italian II4
ITAL 2001Intermediate Italian I: Conversation and Grammar3
ITAL 2002Intermediate Italian II: Culture and Civilization3
Spanish
SPAN 1001Elementary Spanish I4
SPAN 1002Elementary Spanish II4
SPAN 2001Intermediate Spanish I: Conversation and Grammar3
SPAN 2002Intermediate Spanish II: Culture and Civilization3

FAQ (All links below open in new windows)

Academic Questions

What do I have to do to be admitted to Lakeland?
Please see: http://www.lakelandcc.edu/ADMISSIO/ADMISREG/ADMIINFO.HTM After you are admitted, you should meet with an academic counselor (http://www.lakelandcc.edu/ADMISSIO/COUNSEL/CC_HOME.HTM) to discuss a plan of study, including any necessary prerequisites.
What are the required courses for the Technical Communications certificate?
http://lakelandcc.edu/academic/catalog/pdf/DegCert_ISYS.pdf
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How much will this cost?
Our current tuition costs are listed at: http://lakelandcc.edu/GENEINFO/TUITION.HTM.
How long will this take?
The degree programs are designed for two years of full time study. How long you will take depends on how many hours you can safely dedicate to study
What is the difference between a certificate and certification?
The certificate is an academic training program designed to prepare you in one specific skill set. The certification is a vendor-specific or vendor-neutral set of exams that show some degree of proficiency in a specific skill. The certification exams are not given by Lakeland faculty.
I still need more information. Who do I contact about Technical Communications program specifics?
In an effort to cut down on robo-generated email ("Spam"), we have removed the email hyperlinks from this site. All email addresses are firstInitialLastName and end with AT("@")lakelandcc DOT (".") edu. For example, Jane Programmer address would be jprogrammer @ lakelandcc . edu (without the spaces). Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

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