Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing and Professional Communication
Overview
The graduate certificate offers students an interdisciplinary program that focuses on communication in non-academic professions, particularly business, government, high technology industries, and the non-profit sector. It centers on the competencies necessary for successful technical communication (writing, rhetorical analysis, editing, and document design) as well as on the key print and digital genres of the workplace (reports, project proposals, grant proposals, feasibility studies, web sites, presentations, correspondence and manuals). The certificate serves not only students who wish to be technical writers but also those from a range of disciplines who wish to add value to their graduate degrees by acquiring a supplementary credential.
Certificate Requirements
The certificate recognizes the multiple demands of written, oral, and digital communication in the workplace, as well as the interdisciplinary character of writing and communication studies in the academy. Thus, while centered on writing, the certificate also includes course options in rhetoric, communication, design, digital media, speech, and group dynamics. It emphasizes the rich theoretical and rhetorical principles that govern effective communication across a range of contexts as well as the pragmatic skills needed in the workplace.
The certificate requires four courses (12 credits) divided among the boxed categories on the following page: one in writing; one in theory; and two electives. A minimum of one course must be from outside the student's home discipline. Because professional writing encompasses an exceptionally wide variety of tasks, students will be advised to take those electives that best match their particular needs and goals. As with graduate degrees, participants are required to map out a coherent Program of Study with the certificate coordinator. The structure of the certificate is flexible enough so that most students, with advance planning, can pursue it without impeding regular degree progress.
Courses
The certificate requires four courses (12 credits) from among the categories below.
Writing
Students choose one.
-
Technical Communication (ENGL 759)
-
Introduction to Professional Writing (ENGL 510)
-
Agriscience Communication (AGCOM 810)
|
Rhetorical or Communication Theory
Students choose one.
- Rhetorical Theory (ENGL 755)
- Seminar in Persuasion (SPCH 726)
- Argumentation Theory (SPCH 525)
- Rhetorical Criticism (SPCH 733)
- Communication Theory (MC 765
|
Related Electives
Students choose two, in consultation with Program Coordinator.
- Graphic Design for Digital Environments (ART 575)
- Graphic Design/VisualCommunication (ART 820)
- Advanced Typography (ART 576)
- Instructional Design (EDETC 763)
- Topics/Multimedia (EDETC 786)
- Interactive System Design (EDETC 863)
- Hypermedia (EDETC 886)
- Visual Communication (EDTC 756)
- Writing Literary Non- Fiction (ENGL 502)
- Expository WritingWorkshop (ENGL 604)
- Problems in English/Independent Study (ENGL 799)
|
- Organizational Behavior (MANGT 520)
- Behavioral Management Theory (MANGT 820)
- Multimedia Techniques (MC 575)
- Advertising Techniques (MC 555)
- Magazine Writing (MC 615)
- Public Relations Techniques (MC 636)
- Political and Corporate Speechwriting (SPCH 630)
- Small Group Communication (SPCH 716)
- Leadership Communication (SPCH 735)
- Persuasion (SPCH 526)
|
|
Faculty or students may petition to add new courses related to technical writing and professional communication.
Most of these courses are offered on a rotating basis rather than every semester. To find out which courses are offered in the current and coming semesters, see Course Schedules (http://courses.ksu.edu/).
Links to Participating Departments
Program of Study Form for Certificate
Contact
Dr. Irene Ward of the English Department coordinates the program, in consultation with the Graduate Program Directors of participating departments. She can be reached at:
English Department
117B English/Counseling Services Building
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-6501
785.532.2152
iward@ksu.edu.
|
Graduate Links
Children's Literature
Creative Writing
Cultural Studies
Language, Composition,
and Rhetoric
Literature
Technical Writing and
Professional Communication
Department of English
108 E/CS Building
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
66506-6501
english@ksu.edu
Phone (785) 532-6716
FAX (785) 532-2192
| 
