Graduate Certificate in Technical & Professional Communication
The Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication is designed for working adults who are employed or who are seeking employment in the field of technical communication, one of the fastest growing sectors in today's global, high-tech economy. Students pursuing the Certificate receive state-of-the-art training in the core skills demanded by the profession, including technical writing, technical editing, and graphic design. The Certificate also allows students to choose courses from a range of specialized areas within technical communication, such as multimedia authoring, user interface design and analysis, and web design.
The Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication is designed for working professionals who already have earned bachelor's degrees but who would like to enhance or upgrade their skills in the area of technical communication. Most certificate courses are offered in the evening. The Certificate is also designed for students enrolled in a master's program (including the Department of Communication's M.A. program in Communication). For such students, the Certificate can be completed as part of or in addition to the coursework required for the master's degree.
Seeking A Head Start? Graduate Certificate Courses Can be Transferred to the M.A. in Communication Degree!
Non-degree students who are officially accepted into the M.A. program following completion of the Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication may transfer all 12 hours of credits earned for the certificate as credits toward their M.A. degree.
Certificate Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication requires 12 credit hours (4 courses), with 9 hours of required courses and 3 hours of electives.
Required Courses
- CMMU 5405 Technical Communication: Writing
- CMMU 5505 Technical Editing
- CMMU 5510 Usability Testing or CMMU 6205 Empirical Research Methods for Communication and Technical Communication
Elective Courses
One elective must be taken, chosen only from the following list:- CMMU 5300 Multimedia Authoring
- CMMU 5410 Science Writing
- CMMU 5510 Usability Testing
- CMMU 5605 Rhetorical Theory for Technical Communication
- CMMU 5620 Health Risk Communication
- CMMU 5681 Communication Issues in the Trial Court Process
- CMMU 6205 Empirical Research Methods for Communication and Technical Communication
- CMMU 5290 Web Design
Grade and Residency Requirements
A grade of B must be earned in each course completed as part of the Certificate. All of the credit hours for the Certificate must be earned at the University of Colorado Denver.
Application Procedures
Students should apply for the Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication only after the completion of the required courses. To apply, students must complete the "Application Form: Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication." The form may be downloaded here or is available from the director of the Technical Communication program, Jim Stratman, or the program assistant in the Communication Department, Sally Thee. The form should be returned to Jim Stratman in his mailbox in room 102-A of the Plaza Building or mailed to him at the Department of Communication, P. O. Box 173364, Campus Box 176, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80217-3364. Once the certificate is processed, it will be mailed to the student.
Students who are not already enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver also must complete an "Application for Non-Degree Admission." The form should be returned to the Office of Admissions in the annex of the CU Building at 14th and Larimer in downtown Denver.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication may be obtained from:
Professor James Stratman
Department of Communication
Plaza Building, Room 102-F
303-556-2884
James.Stratman@ucdenver.edu
