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Q: What is technical writing?
A: Technical writing, also known as technical communication, encompasses all types and aspects of written and oral communication performed for practical purposes on the job. Examples of technical writing products include white papers, training materials, proposals, user manuals, online help and tutorials, websites, and technical marketing materials.
Q: Who enters the field of technical writing?
A: Individuals with a variety of backgrounds enter the field of technical writing, including those possessing strong technical backgrounds and those possessing no technical background whatsoever, but having a desire to make technical material more understandable to other non-technical customers and colleagues.
Q: What types of jobs do technical writers hold?
A: Technical writers hold positions as documentation specialists, technical communicators, usability specialists, user education specialists, instructional designers, knowledge management specialists, and information product designers.
Q: What sectors of industry hire technical writers?
A: Technical writers are hired by companies in biotechnology, high technology, environmental and engineering sectors, and medical products and services, in addition to being hired by various government departments and agencies.
Q: Which companies in Ottawa hire technical writers?
A: Many if not all of our placement companies hire technical writers on a permanent or a contract basis.
Q: How much do technical writers get paid?
A: The Bureau of Labour Statistics data indicates that the average annual wage for an entry-level writer in the US was approximately $ 36,400 (US$) in 2007. No comparable Canadian data exists due to the specialization of the job function.
Q: What grades do I require for admission?
A: High grades in English, communications, and report writing courses in a university degree or a college diploma program are required for admission.
Q: Do I require a degree for admission?
A: While it is preferred that you have completed either a university degree or a three-year Ontario Community College Advanced Diploma prior to application, applicants possessing a two-year Ontario Community College Diploma will also be considered, given demonstrated evidence of significant writing experience in the workplace.
Q: What kinds of work samples act as substitutes for academic credentials?
A: While work samples will not act as a substitute for academic credentials, such samples will serve to supplement academic credentials. A variety of written communication products such as proposals, reports, product documentation, and technical specifications can act as evidence of significant writing experience in the workplace.
Q: How do I get my international academic credentials assessed for North American equivalency?
A: You may use any one of a number of agencies listed online by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) to get your international academic credentials assessed for North American equivalency.
Q: What are the English language requirements for admission?
A: Given that this is a technical writing program, a very high English language proficiency level is required for admission. This language proficiency is confirmed through the grades in your postsecondary courses that require a significant level of writing and through the completion of a computerized writing test done at Algonquin College.
Q: Do I require testing for admission?
A: All applicants must achieve high results on a computerized writing test administered by the Algonquin College Test Centre.
Q: Can I do the writing test online?
A: It is preferred that you complete the writing test in the Algonquin College Test Centre, but if distance from the Test Centre prevents you from doing so, then arrangements for testing can be negotiated with the Program Coordinator.
Q: What is the deadline for application?
A: The early registration deadline is February 1 so application prior to that deadline is recommended to guarantee a position in the program. Applications received after February 1 will be processed as long as places are available.
Q: What is the duration of the program?
A: This program is three terms in length running from September through June. Levels 1 and 2 are spent on campus in class while Level 3 is comprised of a placement in the workplace which counts as a course.
Q: Can I complete this program on a part-time basis?
A: This program must be completed on a full-time basis in a sequential fashion, as the courses in Level 1 of the program are prerequisites for the course in Levels 2 and 3. Moreover, many of the courses in each level are co-requisites (i.e. they must be taken simultaneously).
Q. Can I complete the program full-time but off-cycle?
A: Level 1 of the program must be completed in the Fall term, Level 2 of the program must be completed in the Winter term, and Level 3 must be completed in the Spring/Summer term, as many of the courses in Level 1 are prerequisites for the courses in Levels 2 and 3.
Q. Can I continue to work while in the program?
A: It is possible to continue working while in the program, although some reduction of daytime hours spent at work may be necessary. The program requires 16 hours/week of class time in Levels 1 and 2, of which 25% is hybrid (online), in addition to the time required for the completion of course assignments and study. Level 3 requires closer to 40 hours/week in terms of a time commitment, however.
Q: How many students are in the program?
A: There are usually approximately 25 - 30 students in the program.
Q: What are the backgrounds of the students in the program?
A: The students come from technical and non-technical backgrounds. Some students come directly from a degree or a diploma, while other students have significant work experience. The education backgrounds of our students include studies in English, professional writing, journalism, political science, social science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, business, and broadcasting.
Q: What is the training format of the program?
A: The training format is a mix of in-class and hybrid courses. Some of the in-class work is instructor-led and lab-based, some of it is instructor-led, and some of it is instructor-facilitated guest speaker-based.
Q: How much does the program cost?
A: The program costs $2217 per term in tuition for Levels 1 and 2, and $692 in tuition for Level 3.
Q: Are there any additional fees for the program, outside of the tuition costs?
A: The following additional fees apply:
- $95 OCAS fee
- Information Technology fee: $50/term for Levels 1 and 2 and $25 for Level 3
- Student Activity/Sports fee: $150/term for Levels 1 and 2 and $16.80 for Level 3
- Student Centre Building fee: $17.50/term for Level 1 and 2
- Health Services Fee: $10/term for Levels 1 and 2 and $5 for Level 3
- Health Plan Fee $123.08/annually; can request refund with proof of other coverage
- $35 graduate fee payable in final term
- $25 transcript fee payable in the first term of attendance
- International Student premium (if applicable): $4200/term, plus all Canadian fees
Q: Do I need to purchase special software to do my homework for this program?
A: You may wish to purchase FrameMaker and RoboHelp to complete your assignments at home. However, in-class lab time is provided to complete assignments, and extra lab time is also available.
Q: How do I access the lab?
A: You will be provided with a security pass so that you may access the student lab 24 hours/day, except when other classes are scheduled in the lab. Our program shares a lab with another Graduate Certificate program.
Q: Does this program qualify for Second Career funding?
A: This program is in the process of qualifying for Second Career funding. Please check online with Employment Ontario or make an appointment with a local Assessment Advisor to determine your eligibility.
Q: What kinds of scholarships and bursaries are available to students in this program?
A: While there are no scholarships and bursaries available to students specifically in the Technical Writer program, there is an extensive list of bursaries available to students attending Algonquin College. Please see the Financial Aid page on the Algonquin College website for more details.
Q: Where are most of the classes held?
A: Most of the classes are held in T331 as all of our program-specific software is loaded on the computers in this lab.
Q: How many hours per week do the courses run?
A: The courses run 16 hours per week in Levels 1 and 2, of which 25% is online.
Q: What kind of courses are in the program?
A: This program has courses in technical writing, document planning and management, desktop publishing, editing, document design, online documentation, web-based documentation, and usability.
Q: What makes a successful student in this program?
A: This program is well suited for students who possess advanced written and oral communication abilities and interpersonal skills for collaboration with colleagues. Advanced Microsoft Office (Windows platform) skills are also required to complete assignments and as a prerequisite for other software applications.
Q: Is co-op offered as part of this program?
A: While co-op is not offered as part of this program, an unpaid field placement is provided in Level 3 as part of the Project course.
Q: How do I find a placement?
A: The Program Coordinator arranges the onsite practical workplace assignment except in the case where a student has a placement at his or her own preferred location.
Q: What kind of jobs can I expect to get when I graduate?
A: Upon graduation, you can expect to find contract or permanent work as a technical writer, documentation specialist, technical communicator, usability specialist, user education specialist, instructional designer, knowledge management specialist, or information product designer.
Q: What is the placement rate of graduates in their field of study?
A: The placement rate of Technical Writer graduates in their field of study is extremely high. Total employment figures indicate that over 90% of the students are employed in their field of study within one year of graduation. The unpaid placements frequently lead to long-term contracts or permanent work.
Q: What type of credential will I graduate with?
A: You will graduate with a Graduate Certificate from the Technical Writer program.
Q: How do I apply for the program?
A: All applications are handled online by the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS).
Q: Whom do I contact if I have questions?
A: Contact the Program Coordinator with questions about the program. |
