| Program Code: TECC | Campus: Seneca@York |
| Duration: 2 semesters (1 Year) | Start Dates: Fall Start dates are subject to change |
| Credential Awarded: Ontario College Graduate Certificate | |
This program is an intensive learning/work experience designed to prepare graduates to work as technical communicators (writers, editors, documentation specialists) in a variety of fields.
Graduates will be able to design, research, draft, edit and produce technical documents for a wide range of audiences and purposes.
The first semester of the program prepares the student for the co-operative work placement which takes place in the Winter semester. An integral component of the program, the work placement experience provides students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained in the first academic term. In turn, students acquire on-the-job knowledge and skills which will be applied to projects during the second academic term.
Placements are negotiated with appropriate employers by the Co-op Co-ordinator, who ensures that each position provides a meaningful learning experience consistent with the goals of the program.
The second academic term takes place in the summer semester and focuses on project development and the acquisition of advanced design and document management skills as well as specialized work in various electronic media.
Faculty are experienced teachers of technical writing and current practitioners in the field. Students should expect to pay approximately $500/semester for books and materials.
Program Eligibility:
Applicant Selection:
Graduates can pursue careers as technical communicators in a wide range of fields, including computer applications and development, banking and finance, telecommunications, engineering, health and nutrition, aerospace, manufacturing, environment and resources management. Graduates will find employment as technical writers and designers for product-user documents, reference manuals, templates, on-line help files, web pages, instructional and procedural documents and various marketing and organizational materials.
The co-operative education component provides students with the opportunity to secure a paid work-term between academic semesters. Job-related employment enables students to combine classroom skills and on-the-job training.
| Co-op Model | |||
| Sept-Dec | Jan-Apr | May-Aug | |
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Work Term | Semester 2 |
Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at other post-secondary institutions.
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| Athabasca University | • Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies |
| Royal Roads University | • Master of Arts – Communications |
| Semester 1 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| TCN700 | Technical Writing I | 3 |
| TCN701 | The Technical Communicator | 3 |
| TCN705 | Information Technology | 4 |
| TCN707 | Editing and Style | 3 |
| TCN708 | Coding for Web Design and for Applications | 3 |
| TCN709 * | FrameMaker I | 3 |
| CPP100 | Co-op Professional Theory | 1 |
| Semester 2 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| TCN800 | Technical Writing II | 3 |
| TCN806 | Web-Based Training and Multimedia | 3 |
| TCN807 | Document Design | 3 |
| TCN808 * | FrameMaker II | 3 |
| TCN809 * | Employment and Business Practices | 3 |
| TCN810 * | Web Design II | 3 |
| TCN811 | Single Sourcing and Modular Writing | 2 |
| CPP200 | Co-op Professional Practice | 2 |
* Full credit subjects offered in 7 weeks.
| For more information, please visit our website at: http://techcomm.senecac.on.ca/. | |
| Program Coordinator: | Beth Agnew Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 3133 Email: Beth.Agnew@senecac.on.ca |
| Program Chair: | Andrew Schmitz Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 3061 Email: andrew.schmitz@senecac.on.ca |
| Co-op Inquiries: | Yvonne Gilbert Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 3764 Email: Yvonne.Gilbert@senecac.on.ca |
| Admissions Advisor: | Mary Campbell Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2808 Email: mary.campbell@senecac.on.ca |
| Registration & Records Contact: | Joan Alexander Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 3005 Email: Joan.Alexander@senecac.on.ca |
“The Seneca Technical Writing Certificate opened up opportunities for me not only in technical writing but also in web-writing and design, marketing and in project management. The certificate was the solid credential that opened the door to the HR department and gave me a step up on other applicants.”
Rick Price,
Manager of Documentation, Triple G Software
“The Seneca College Technical Communications Program captures the realities of the role of the technical communicator and did an excellent job in preparing me for my co-op work placement. Excellent instruction, by industry professionals, drives the learning of current and truly applicable skills, both hard and soft, that not only gave me entrance into the profession, but supports my continued success.”
Paul Stapleton,
Student, Technical Communication Program
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology