Professional Writing Certificate (16-18 credits):
This certificate is open to all interested undergraduate students. There is a significant need for college graduates who can research and communicate information at a high level of competence in business, industry, and government. The Professional Writing Certificate is designed to give students a firm grounding in the skills of oral, written, and electronic communication and prepare them to enter professions that require extensive writing skills. Conferral of the Professional Writing Certificate requires successful completion of 16 credits in selected courses, including a 1-credit Civic Engagement and Service Education Partnerships Program (CESEP; formerly CASE) unit or 3-credit internship (students using the certificate as a minor program at the School of Arts and Sciences must complete the 3-credit internship for the full 18 credits).
Technical Writing Certificate (18 credits):
This certificate is open to undergraduates with majors or minors in approved scientific or technical subject areas. The need for technical writers capable of communicating scientific or technically sophisticated information to various audiences is well established, and technical writing skills are in demand in a wide range of fields. This certificate program is designed to give students with a science or technical background a strong foundation in the skills of oral, written, and electronic communication. In order to receive a Technical Writing Certificate, students must successfully complete a major or minor in an approved scientific or technical field (such as biology, mathematics, engineering, or computer science) and 18 credits in selected courses, including a 3-credit internship. Students at the School of Arts and Sciences can use the Technical Writing Certificate to fulfill a minor program requirement.
Certificate Requirements:
Both certificates require six courses in four key skill areas:
1. Writing Training (6 credits)
Since writing competence is at the heart of the certificate program, students must complete two writing courses intended to improve writing, editing, collaboration, and general communication skills. Electives may be chosen from among the following writing courses:
01:351:312 Literature and Technology (3)
01"355:202 Technical Writing Essentials (3)
01:355:203 Business Writing Essentials (3)
01:355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3)
01:355:342 Science Writing (3)
01:355:352 Writing as a Naturalist (3)
01:355:355 Writing in the Professions (3)
01:355:365 Technical Editing (3)
01:355:375 Collaborative Writing Practices (3)
2. Research Practice (3 credits)
In the information and technology economy, the ability to conduct research and use information to develop viable plans of action is essential to success and advancement. Students therefore must complete a research writing course in business or technical writing. These courses will also fulfill most students' second level writing requirements (consult with your school's academic advising office for specific requirements in your program). Research writing courses include:
01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
01:355:303 Writing for Business and Professions (3)
01:355:312 Writing for Biology/Natural Sciences (3)
01:355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3)
01:355:322 Writing for Engineers (3)
3. Computer Knowledge (6 credits)
Basic computer knowledge and the ability to learn new programs quickly are essential to success in business and technical writing environments. Students in our program will be introduced to general and advanced writing software in many classes, and they will be required to pass an introductory course in computer science.
a) Though several of our courses will expect students to learn relatively simple programs (such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint), students are also required to take one of the following courses that teaches advanced writing software, covered in our upper-level workshop courses. These include:
01:351:312 Literature and Technology (3)
01:355:402 Advanced Writing Workshop (3)
01:355:415 Information Design (3)
01:355:425 Web Authoring (3)
b) Students will also need to pass one of the following introductory computer science courses:
01:198:110 Introduction to Computers and Their Application (3)
01:198:111 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
01:198:170 Computer Applications for Business (3)
4. Internship Experience (1 or 3 credits for a Professional Writing Certificate; 3 credits for a Technical Writing Certificate)
Hands-on training in the work environment offers an invaluable, practical component to the certificate program, providing students with useful experience while encouraging professional attitudes toward work. In our program, students will have the option of fulfilling an independent internship or taking credits through the CESEP Program:
01:355:395-396 Internship (3)
01:355:399-400 CESEP (1)
Please see the Internships website for more information.
The writing program also offers a minor program in business and technical writing through the School of Arts and Sciences. For more information on the certificate programs or the minor, please see http://wp.rutgers.edu.
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