Those with strong writing skills and an aptitude for computers are encouraged to enter this program. Taught by practicing professionals from the high tech industry, students learn to use the most current technologies and processes. Students enrolled in this certificate program are eligible for special internship opportunities and can apply for scholarships sponsored by the Society for Technical Communication.

Required Courses: (4)
42.408 Principles of Technical Writing
42.412 Software Writing
42.413 Advanced Software Writing
90.306 Introduction to XML

Electives - Choose 2:*
42.221 Writing for Interactive Media
90.227 Developing Interactive Help Systems: Macromedia® RoboHelp®
90.228 Introduction to Adobe® FrameMaker
90.291 Intro to DHTML


*Note: This is a partial list of elective courses. For a complete list of courses that may be applied as electives to this program, see the Continuing Studies Undergraduate Course Catalog or check our online course listings for computer courses with a 90. OR 92. prefix. For assistance with your course selection, please contact the Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

Course Descriptions

42.408 Principles of Technical Writing (Formerly 42.401)
Provides the fundamental concepts and principles of technical writing, including technical description, audience analysis, editing, document specifications and outlines, graphics, definitions, and revising documents. Writing assignments include preparing a document specification, editing, and creating graphics.
Prerequisite: 42.102
Credits: 3

42.412 Software Writing
Focuses on the document preparation process from start to finish, focusing on each stage in the process. Includes document design, document organization, using examples and illustrations, style, creating an index and the review process.
Prerequisite: 42.408
Credits: 3

42.413 Advanced Software Writing (Formerly 42.403)
Introduces a range of advanced topics in software writing. Topics may include electronic publishing, hypertext, advanced graphics, document set components, and working in project teams. In this course, the student selects some aspect of the computer industry that interests him/her and documents it.
Prerequisite: 42.412
Credits: 3

90.306 Introduction to XML
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) picks up where HTML leaves off. If you've studied HTML, you've learned the Web's formatting language. To structure content on the Web, you will need to learn XML. In this introductory course, you will learn basics of XML and the DTD (Document Type Definition), XSL (the style sheet for XML), and CDF (Channel Definition Format) commonly used in push technology.
Prerequisite: 90.291; students should have a mastery of DHTML and be familiar with database concepts
Credits: 3

42.221 Writing for Interactive Media
Adds new dimensions to traditional, text-based writing. Hypertext links allow for multiple story lines, while integrating audio, animation, and video presents new challenges for the writer. Participants will examine successful multimedia scripts and work on their own creations.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

90.227 Developing Interactive Help Systems: Macromedia® RoboHelp®
This course is designed for technical writers, project managers, web developers and designers or anyone interested in creating, developing, and managing Help systems. Students will learn to use Macromedia’s RoboHelp to create professional Help systems and documentation for desktop and web-based applications, including CD-ROMs, .NET and Rich Internet Applications. Students will learn to create Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, context-sensitive Help, and how to generate Help systems in any popular online Help format, plus press-ready printed documentation. Students will also explore the use of RoboDemo as a potential add-in to make help systems more interactive by incorporating Flash movies and video. Prerequisite: Familiarity with technical writing and/or web/multimedia development. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: Familiarity with technical writing and/or web/multimedia development
Credits: 3

90.228 Introduction to Adobe® FrameMaker
This introductory course teaches the fundamentals of Adobe FrameMaker, the tool of choice for technical documentation professionals. Using a hands-on approach, the student will learn how to validate an EDD, understand the concepts of DTD, SGML, and XML, work with formats in a structured template, validate XML and SGML documents, work with markup languages, import and export documents to other formats, and more.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

90.291 Introduction to DHTML
Starts with the basics of Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language using the tool that most professional Web developers use - HTML-Kit. The course covers the W3C standards for HTML 3.2 and 4.0, Web protocols, Web server basics, Web design theory, and provides a survey of JavaScript, Cascading Style Sheets, XML, Perl, and Dynamic HTML.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete the indicated series of certificate program courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate programs at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses per semester (which is the average recommended course load). Students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction and they are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Courses held on campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, for 14 weeks during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters (Summer courses are also offered over two 6-week condensed sessions). Call for a course bulletin or check our website course listings for specific course scheduling information.

Application into the Program
Those who wish to enroll in a certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies and Corporate Education. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses
Continuing Studies and Corporate Education offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website at http://continuinged.uml.edu. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy
With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising
Program coordinators and general Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. To schedule an appointment with a program coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or (978) 934-2474. General walk-in advising is available Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-8:00pm and Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at the Continuing Studies Faculty and Student Support Center located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North For online advising, email our Faculty and Student Support Specialists at Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

Awarding of Certificates
Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Continuing Studies and Corporate Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition
Please refer to our website course listings or our current printed course bulletin for the latest information on tuition and fees.

For More Information
For additional information on any of our programs, call Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the University's Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.