Technical Writer
Meet the demand for quality professional documentation in the workplace.
- Learn highly prized skills that enable you to work in either the public or private sector, and in a freelance, part-time or full-time capacity
- Enjoy a combination of real-world learning, group projects, and collaborative learning activities
- Graduates find careers as writers, editors, documentation specialists, information architects, content developers, technical editors, instructional designers and communication officers
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Open
Closed
Waitlisted
Start Term
Availability
Competitive?
Winter 2025
No
Spring 2025
No
Fall 2025
No
Schedule
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
Other Campuses
Other Delivery Options
Work Integrated Learning
The Technical Writer Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and training needed for a career in technical communication. Throughout this one-year program, you create different types of workplace documents to help users enjoy all features of a product, service, or information. In particular, you learn to:...(read more)
Overview
Meet the demand for quality professional documentation in the workplace.
The Technical Writer Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and training needed for a career in technical communication. Throughout this one-year program, you create different types of workplace documents to help users enjoy all features of a product, service, or information. In particular, you learn to:
- research and analyze technical material
- connect with an intended audience
- use specialized tools to author documents
- manage multiple projects to meet the goals of a group
- create structured documents that cater to different user tasks
These skills are so highly prized in the workplace that you can choose to work in either the public or the private sector, and in a freelance, part-time or full-time capacity.
The Technical Writer program will teach you how to create different kinds of online and print documents such as instruction sets, training materials, user manuals, white papers, proposals, online help, instructional videos and podcasts.
Through a combination of real-world learning, group projects, and collaborative learning activities, you can confidently apply these skills in all areas of industry including manufacturing, health and medicine, government, high-tech and private training institutions.
At the end of the program, you will be ready to begin careers as:
- information architects
- content developers
- technical editors
- instructional designers
- communication officers
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Possess advanced written and oral communication abilities.
- Enjoy designing, developing, writing and refining online and print material.
- Possess interpersonal skills for collaboration with colleagues.
- Enjoy researching, collecting, analyzing and organizing technical information.
- Function in a self-directed manner in a team environment.
- Organize their work and pay attention to detail.
- Enjoy using software tools to create documents and websites.
Courses
Read this before applying:
This program has undergone significant changes for the 24/25 academic year and may impact your program completion timeline for the program of study version that you are currently following. For more information, please see the Additional Information tab.
Online  |
| Course Number | Hours | Course Name | Winter | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level: 01 | ||||||
| TWR2000 | 56.0 | Introduction to Technical CommunicationTWR2000 Introduction to Technical CommunicationTechnical communicators must craft documents that inform, instruct and persuade. Students learn how to communicate technical information by profiling audiences and structuring documents to meet the needs of busy readers at work. In addition to communicating technical information in written form, students communicate orally through the delivery of presentations. Through writing assignments and activities, students develop their abilities to work individually and collaboratively. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2009 | 28.0 | Emerging Trends in Technical CommunicationTWR2009 Emerging Trends in Technical CommunicationSignificant changes in the workplace are the result of new and advanced technologies. Students are introduced to emerging trends in the field of technical communication, and are shown possible career options in a number of different sectors of local industry. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2010 | 42.0 | Designing VIsual InformationTWR2010 Designing VIsual InformationTechnical communicators must ensure that written content is supported by visual elements. Students learn the principles of designing effective visual information including the textual, spatial and graphic elements that support the rhetorical situation. Through analysis and assignments, students learn to maximize communication impact through the assessment and redesign of online and print elements. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2014 | 56.0 | Information Planning and ManagementTWR2014 Information Planning and ManagementContent is generated by organizations to support their products, services and processes. Students take a unified content strategy approach as they produce project plans, content specifications, estimates, and proposals. Through their involvement in collaborative projects, students practise skills in planning, designing, managing, and controlling online and print content, with an emphasis on their relationship to other team members in information development. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2017 | 56.0 | Editing ITWR2017 Editing ITechnical communicators often act as editors. Students formalize their abilities to edit written work at the copyediting and proofreading levels in a variety of media. Students develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an editor. Emphasis is on reviewing and applying the basic rules of grammar, mechanics, spelling, punctuation and usage to passages and documents for improvements in clarity, conciseness and precision. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2019 | 42.0 | Developing Technical DocumentationTWR2019 Developing Technical DocumentationTechnical communicators frequently author content using a code-based approach. Students learn the docs-as-code process by writing and editing in Markdown, understanding the tools and principles of source control, managing repositories, and developing microsites. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| Level: 02 | ||||||
| TWR2003 | 42.0 | Online Help AuthoringTWR2003 Online Help AuthoringTechnical communicators must be proficient at creating online help systems. Students are provided with a strong foundation with a leading help authoring tool that can publish content to multiple channels. Through guided learning and laboratory activities, students learn how to improve the quality, visual appeal, presentation and functionality of help systems. Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2010 This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2004 | 56.0 | Producing Technical ProjectsTWR2004 Producing Technical ProjectsTechnical communicators must get information from subject matter experts and translate their knowledge into useable documentation. Students research a product, information or service in order to refine their communication skills. Through collaboration with clients, users, experts and/or other group members, students develop task-oriented technical project. Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2010 This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2011 | 35.0 | Usability and UxTWR2011 Usability and UxUser experience (UX) plays a critical role in making our physical and digital lives frictionless and enjoyable. Students integrate principles of information architecture, content strategy, and visual design with components of usability and interaction design to understand UX design fundamentals. Through task analysis, user interface prototype design, and website usability analysis, students learn to characterize, describe and improve UX. This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2012 | 56.0 | Web-Based Tools and TechnologiesTWR2012 Web-Based Tools and TechnologiesTechnical communicators must be aware of the latest tools in order to be effective in the workplace. Students learn current tools and technologies used in industry to create web-based content. Through assigned readings, projects, and computer-based instruction, students design and edit websites, produce social media content, create screencast videos, and develop coding skills. Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2019 This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2018 | 56.0 | Editing IITWR2018 Editing IIAdvanced editing skills are required by technical communicators. Students enhance their abilities to edit written work at the copyediting and comprehensive levels in a variety of media. Through the use of assigned readings, exercises and collaborative assignments, they refine their abilities to apply advanced rules of grammar and usage, style and organization to documents, such as technical reports for improvements in clarity, conciseness, precision, correctness, accuracy and readability. Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2017 This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
| TWR2201 | 42.0 | Instructional Design and the Technical CommunicatorTWR2201 Instructional Design and the Technical CommunicatorThe job of a technical communicator often involves creating training materials. Students learn how to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate instructional material that can be used to train adult learners. Through a variety of learning activities, students learn to conduct training sessions, embrace emerging technologies and build a career portfolio. Pre-requisites: TWR2009 This course is part of a complete program of study, individual course registration is not available. | | |||
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
TWR2000 Introduction to Technical Communication
Technical communicators must craft documents that inform, instruct and persuade. Students learn how to communicate technical information by profiling audiences and structuring documents to meet the needs of busy readers at work. In addition to communicating technical information in written form, students communicate orally through the delivery of presentations. Through writing assignments and activities, students develop their abilities to work individually and collaboratively.
TWR2009 Emerging Trends in Technical Communication
Significant changes in the workplace are the result of new and advanced technologies. Students are introduced to emerging trends in the field of technical communication, and are shown possible career options in a number of different sectors of local industry.
TWR2010 Designing VIsual Information
Technical communicators must ensure that written content is supported by visual elements. Students learn the principles of designing effective visual information including the textual, spatial and graphic elements that support the rhetorical situation. Through analysis and assignments, students learn to maximize communication impact through the assessment and redesign of online and print elements.
TWR2014 Information Planning and Management
Content is generated by organizations to support their products, services and processes. Students take a unified content strategy approach as they produce project plans, content specifications, estimates, and proposals. Through their involvement in collaborative projects, students practise skills in planning, designing, managing, and controlling online and print content, with an emphasis on their relationship to other team members in information development.
TWR2017 Editing I
Technical communicators often act as editors. Students formalize their abilities to edit written work at the copyediting and proofreading levels in a variety of media. Students develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an editor. Emphasis is on reviewing and applying the basic rules of grammar, mechanics, spelling, punctuation and usage to passages and documents for improvements in clarity, conciseness and precision.
TWR2019 Developing Technical Documentation
Technical communicators frequently author content using a code-based approach. Students learn the docs-as-code process by writing and editing in Markdown, understanding the tools and principles of source control, managing repositories, and developing microsites.
TWR2003 Online Help Authoring
Technical communicators must be proficient at creating online help systems. Students are provided with a strong foundation with a leading help authoring tool that can publish content to multiple channels. Through guided learning and laboratory activities, students learn how to improve the quality, visual appeal, presentation and functionality of help systems.
Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2010
TWR2004 Producing Technical Projects
Technical communicators must get information from subject matter experts and translate their knowledge into useable documentation. Students research a product, information or service in order to refine their communication skills. Through collaboration with clients, users, experts and/or other group members, students develop task-oriented technical project.
Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2010
TWR2011 Usability and Ux
User experience (UX) plays a critical role in making our physical and digital lives frictionless and enjoyable. Students integrate principles of information architecture, content strategy, and visual design with components of usability and interaction design to understand UX design fundamentals. Through task analysis, user interface prototype design, and website usability analysis, students learn to characterize, describe and improve UX.
TWR2012 Web-Based Tools and Technologies
Technical communicators must be aware of the latest tools in order to be effective in the workplace. Students learn current tools and technologies used in industry to create web-based content. Through assigned readings, projects, and computer-based instruction, students design and edit websites, produce social media content, create screencast videos, and develop coding skills.
Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2019
TWR2018 Editing II
Advanced editing skills are required by technical communicators. Students enhance their abilities to edit written work at the copyediting and comprehensive levels in a variety of media. Through the use of assigned readings, exercises and collaborative assignments, they refine their abilities to apply advanced rules of grammar and usage, style and organization to documents, such as technical reports for improvements in clarity, conciseness, precision, correctness, accuracy and readability.
Pre-requisites: TWR2000 and TWR2017
TWR2201 Instructional Design and the Technical Communicator
The job of a technical communicator often involves creating training materials. Students learn how to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate instructional material that can be used to train adult learners. Through a variety of learning activities, students learn to conduct training sessions, embrace emerging technologies and build a career portfolio.
Pre-requisites: TWR2009
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may be successful in finding work as writers, editors and documentation specialists. Canadian and international demand is high for qualified technical communicators in both the private and the public sectors. While most graduates may work as employees in large organizations, some choose self-employment in the field.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Plan, design, manage, and control online and print documents.
- Research, collect, analyze, and organize relevant technical information for the writing and editing of online and print documents.
- Communicate technical information clearly, concisely, and correctly.
- Edit online and print documents.
- Use authoring tools to create online and print documents.
- Analyze users' needs to design, develop, and refine technical documents and communication products.
- Collaborate and interact with subject matter experts, colleagues, and users for the purpose of generating effective technical documents and communication products.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
2024/2025 Academic Year
Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.
Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar's Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.
Fees are subject to change.
Additional program related expenses include:
The approximate cost of books and supplies is $450 over the program duration. For more information visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials.
Admissions Requirements
Program Eligibility
For the Technical Writer program, applicants should ideally satisfy one of the two following conditions:
- Successful completion of a degree, with a strong showing in the courses for which high standards of writing are demanded.
- Successful completion of a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, with a strong showing in the courses for which high standards of writing are demanded.
- However, applicants possessing the following background will also be considered: Successful completion of a two-year Ontario Community College Diploma, with a strong showing in the courses for which high standards of writing are demanded, paired with demonstration of significant experience in the workplace in the production of a variety of written communication products.
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 104, with the minimum of the following scores: Reading 26; Listening 26; Speaking 24; Writing 28; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 130, minimums of 130 in Literacy and 115 in Production.
Application Information
TECHNICAL WRITER
Program Code 1182X09FAO
Applications to full-time programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Avenue
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro
Additional Information
Program Resources
This program has undergone significant curriculum changes, which were made to improve the overall quality of the program and the student experience. These changes will take effect as of the Fall 2024 term and may impact your program completion timeline for the current program of study version that you are following.
For students who have completed all level 01 and level 02 courses by the end of the Spring 2024 semester, you must take WKT2000 in either the Fall 2024 semester or the Winter 2025 semester. If you choose not to complete this course within this timeframe, you will likely be reassessed to the new program of study, and this may result in your having to complete additional courses.
For students who have completed some or all level 01 courses by the end of the Spring 2024 semester you will automatically be moved to the new program of study, therefore, eliminating the need to complete the level 03 course WKT2000.
If you have concerns with your progression and require assistance, you can contact your Student Advisor (if you are a full-time online student) or your Program Support Officer (if you are a part-time student) at https://www.algonquincollege.com/academic-success/ac-online/
PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.
PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed). For more information please contact your Student Advisor (https://www.algonquincollege.com/academic-success/ac-online/).
Contact
For additional information, please contact AC Online at online@algonquincollege.com or 613-727-4723 ext. 3330.