The graduate certificate in Technical Communication prepares students to be usability specialists, professional information developers, technical communicators, and editors who are skilled at using the written and spoken word, along with visuals, to effectively inform and instruct a wide range of audiences.
Candidates for the certificate in Technical Communication complete a concentration within the English Department. The curriculum focuses on practical, skills-oriented coursework (such as manuals writing, web design, and technical editing). All courses must be in the English department with the exception of courses approved by the technical communication faculty.
All coursework may be completed in residence or online. Students who are 100% online learners pay resident (in-state) tuition.
Entrance requirements for the graduate certificate in technical communication include
The GRE is not required as part of the admissions material for this program.
Candidates whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL base score of 550 or above.
For a Graduate School Application form and information, visit the College of Graduate Studies web site.
Completion of the graduate certificate requires the following coursework:
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 571 | Visual Technical Communication | 4 |
| ENG 575 | Editing Technical Publications | 4 |
| ENG 577 | Technical Documentation, Policies and Procedures | 4 |
| ENG 680 | Topics: Computer-Assisted Writing* | 3 |
*May be repeated under various topics.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 572 | Topics in Technical Communication* | 1-4 |
| ENG 573 | Desktop Publishing | 4 |
| ENG 574 | Researching & Writing Technical Reports | 4 |
| ENG 576 | Online Documentation | 4 |
*May be repeated under various topics.
All required courses in the certificate program will be offered online within a two-year rotation.
Dr. Roland Nord
English Department
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-5402
E-mail: roland.nord@mnsu.edu
If you do not find answers to your questions on this web page, or if you need more information about this English Department graduate program at the Minnesota State University, Mankato, please contact
Dr. Stephen Stoynoff
Director of English Graduate Studies
English Department
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Telephone: (507) 389-5502
E-mail: graduatedirector@mnsu.edu
Minnesota State University, Mankato has an award-winning Student Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) that offers a number of opportunities for professional growth:
MSU Technical Communication students may find the Twin Cities STC Chapter particularly useful for their professional advancement.
Graduates have numerous career options open to them of which technical writing and editing for the computer industry, grant writing, governmental and corporate publishing, environmental writing, as well as publication information, are but a few. Candidates choosing the Technical Communication Option in English will find the certificate appropriate preparation for careers in independent consulting, government and business writing, and technical and scientific writing and editing.
MSU is a leader in wireless communication, offers state-of-the-art computer classroom facilities, and provides the largest campus computer lab in the region.
The Academic Computer Center (ACC) has over 475 computers and printers for student use. The computers are constantly upgraded to keep current with technology, and all computers have access to the Internet. Surrounding the open lab are six classroom/labs for hands-on interactive instruction. In addition, a service area houses black and white and color laser printers for Macintosh and IBM microcomputers. A multimedia area provides access to the latest technology in digitizing art, flatbed and 35 mm scanning, MIDI, video, and sound editing.
A number of satellite labs, with over 300 computers, are located around campus. Many classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors and wiring for laptop connections.
Additional microcomputers, scanners and color printers are available for graduate student use in the English Department.
Students who have personal computers with modems in their rooms or at home can access the campus computer network through telephone, DSL, or cable lines.
The Department of English employs about 30 teaching and research assistants at stipends of approximately $9000 over two semesters. Assistants receive full tuition remission for up to 18 credits over the academic year (two semesters). All graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of six credits per semester. Assistants are provided office space and have faculty library privileges.
Teaching Assistants in the English Department typically teach freshman composition. The TA Director provides a supportive atmosphere where assistants learn composition theory and pedagogy. In addition, assistants are trained in the latest methods of computer-assisted writing instruction. For more information, visit the English Graduate Assistantships web page.
Other assistantships are available from Student Affairs, Learning Center, Memorial Library, and Residential Life offices of the University. For a list of available graduate assistantships, visit the Human Resources Job Posting web page on the College of Graduate Studies web site.
For information about other types of financial assistance, students should write to:
Office of Financial Aid
Minnesota State University, Mankato
109 Wigley Administration Center
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-1185
Web site: http://www.mnsu.edu/campushub/
