The Bay Area needs well-trained technical writers and editors. The high-technology businesses of the Santa Clara Valley require people who are able to write quality manuals, reports, and papers; write clear business reports and promotional materials; communicate clearly both with consumers and within the company; understand the publication process.

To train students for such writing and editing jobs, the Department of English and Comparative Literature offers matriculated students two ways in which to complete technical writing studies at the undergraduate level:

• As a minor, in conjunction with any Major Degree Program

• In the Career Writing Concentration of the English Major
  

The certificate program parallels these tracks within a degree program, but offers non-matriculated students a stand-alone program for completing the same training.

Similar to the Concentration in Career Writing, students enroll in upper-division writing and editing courses, English 106, and 107; and are recommended to enroll in English 129, in which they receive hands-on experience in planning and writing two publications: The Department of English and Comparative Literature Newsletter and The Writing Life.

These courses concentrate on writing original compositions, using as models documents from the technical community that surrounds SJSU. Writing assignments will include abstracts, proposals, instructions, procedural descriptions, formal reports, and a variety of business communications. Graphic communication, interviewing techniques, document review, and the specific requirements of technical writing will be additional topics.

English 199 allows students to earn college units for work in the field, as a writing or editing intern. An internship is not required. Contact the Career Writing Program Coordinator for information on internships.

With the remaining units, each student builds a program of study that reflects the industry- or genre-specific training that he or she is preparing for. Students meet with the program advisor to map out this course of study.

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See the Career Writing Program Coordinator for information on internships.

Undergraduate Career Writing Coordinator

Cindy Baer
(408) 924-4451
Cindy.Baer@sjsu.edu
Faculty Offices 110

 

Important Form(s)

Certificate in Professional and Technical Communication Worksheet (Word doc)

 

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Course Requirements

Prerequisite
	Passing WST
Requirements for the Certificate			18 units
	ENGL 106 ENGL 107	Editing for Writers Professional Technical Writing	6 units
	Select four advisor-approved electives, including one Technology elective		12 units

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