Program overview
Technical information design is a growing multidisciplinary communication field that requires understanding and skills in the development and use of text, graphic design, multimedia, and other techniques to enhance contemporary technical communication. Success in this field demands that the practitioner have superior writing skills, adeptness at selecting and using available and emerging media, and the ability to recognize excellence in the visual aspects of communication design. This program focuses on the information designer’s use of technology to create documentation and deliver information to the intended audience.
Curriculum
The advanced certificate includes three required core courses plus a minimum of 12 credit hours of electives, chosen with the approval of the program adviser.
Program discontinuing
Effective fall 2013, the advanced certificate in technical information design will no longer be offered. This change will not affect currently matriculated students.
Technical information design, advanced certificate, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 3088-711 | Technical Information Design | 4 |
| 3088-731 | Technical Procedures | 4 |
| 3088-741 | Usability Design and Testing | 4 |
| Choose three of the following*: | 12 | |
| 4004-730 | Interactive Media Implementation | |
| 4004-741 | Fundamentals of Web-based Multimedia | |
| 4004-745 | Theories in Interactive Computing | |
| 3088-721 | Creating Technical Proposals | |
| 3088-732 | Managing Technical and Scientific Communication | |
| 2081-723 | Contemporary Publishing | |
| 3088-714 | Science Writing | |
| Web Design courses (with approval from adviser) | ||
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 24 | |
* Other electives from relevant fields of study, such as human-computer interface, computer graphics, or project management may be used with an adviser’s approval.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the advanced certificate in technical information design, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate (or equivalent degree) from an accredited institution,
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B)
- Submit two professional recommendations, and
- Complete a graduate application.
- International applicants, whose native language is not English, must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) is required. Scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are accepted in place of the TOEFL exam. Minimum acceptable scores will vary; however, the absolute minimum score for an unconditional acceptance is 6.5. Students with a lower score may be admitted conditionally and may be required to take a prescribed program in English, along with a reduced program course load. Students entering this program also are expected to have basic skills in technical writing and editing, and technical document design.
Students with a lower GPA than required may take courses on a nonmatriculated basis and be admitted after successful completion of two or more courses and permission of the program chair.