Format
8 required courses (140 hours)
Delivery
Online | Learn more
Duration
Complete in 1 year, or up to 3 years
Technical writing involves writing about a specific subject that requires explanation, direction or instruction in publications such as reports, manuals and standard operating procedure guides.
Gain practical knowledge and experience to enhance your skill set in technical writing, whether you are looking to earn a credential for professional development or embark on a new career. Using technical information, create clear, concise, correct and cohesive communications in print and online for target audiences.
Combine the skills of effective communication with practical experience using the latest tools and technology. Explore common types of technical communication, such as manuals, guides and design specifications. Learn how you can apply a systematic approach to creating technical documents from complex information. Gain writing skills for a variety of formats and hone your writing process. Identify and apply appropriate styles of writing for specific technical communications purposes, such as reports, procedural manuals and online documents.
Develop intermediate skills to create professional-looking documents, including how to use features and templates to create and format documents with more complex layouts. Examine key components of structuring policies and procedures. Build your editing skills with hands-on exercises. Explore characteristics of digital media and how they relate to information and site architecture, and examine the steps to developing a robust site structure.
To be successful in this program, a Grade 12 level of proficiency in written and spoken English — and intermediate skills in Microsoft Word and Windows — are strongly recommended.
“The Technical Writing Certificate has helped advance my professional growth by providing me with the confidence and skills to tackle more complex projects. Adding this certificate to my existing degree from MRU opened the door for me to land a job in this field, something I wouldn’t have been able to do without it.”
— Heather Herman, Technical Writing Extension Certificate Graduate
Highlights and benefits
Earn a recognized credential | Enhance your career prospects
Enhance your life | Develop your personal and professional skills
Real-world knowledge | Learn from experienced industry professionals
Gain hands-on experience | Demonstrate workplace competencies to potential employers
Online delivery | Enjoy the flexibility of online learning and complete this program from anywhere
One program could change everything
Learning has no limits. Brett Bernakevitch (not pictured) is a professional mechanical engineer in the oil and gas manufacturing industry, who earned a Technical Writing Extension Certificate in 2020.
Though taking your career in a new direction isn't always easy, it doesn't have to be drastic. You can begin by learning new skills that are outside of your "comfort zone". Brett started in 2019 when he began his technical writing studies at Mount Royal and is moving toward building a career in technical writing. Read on to learn more about Brett's experience at Mount Royal and what he's doing now.
Read Brett’s story
Learn more about professional writing in business
Interested in becoming more organized and effective in your business communication?
Consider our Writing and Editing for Business Certificate of Completion to help you communicate effectively in writing and correspondence in the workplace.
View courses
Information session
Interested in learning more about our Technical Writing Extension Certificate ? Speak with program staff and instructors, and have your questions answered. Join us for a free virtual information session on Monday, January 12, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. MST.
Register nowCourse schedule
Course schedule by semester
| Fall (Sept. - Dec.) |
Winter (Jan. - April) |
Spring/Summer (May - Aug.) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Technical Communication | ON | ON | ON |
| MS Word for Technical Writers and Editors | ON | ON | ON |
| Creating Publications | ON | ON | |
| Preparing Policies and Procedures | ON | ON | |
| Editing for Technical Writers | ON | ON | |
| Information Architecture | ON | ON | |
| Project Management for Technical Writers | ON | ON | |
| Creating Training Manuals and User Guides | ON | ON |
Legend
BL: Blended (Online & Classroom)
CL: Classroom
FT: Fast Track
ON: Online
IDS: Independent Study
P: Practicum
This schedule is subject to change. Courses start on various dates within each semester. Fall schedule and registration is available in June; Winter schedule and registration is available in November; and Spring/Summer schedule and registration is available in March.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this program intended for?
This program is for individuals who want to develop their technical writing skills to prepare for a career as a technical writer or as professional development to excel in writing technical documents for their workplace.
What type of career options are available if I complete this certificate?
There is not one specific career option for people who complete this certificate. It can be used as a great addition to your resume to help you obtain a position in many different work environments, including, but not limited to:
- professionals with a technical background and a passion for writing
- those who are responsible for producing technical documents, software manuals, training materials, policies and procedures, web pages, online information systems or corporate information
- those who need to acquire or upgrade their technical writing skills
- those who have experience in technical writing but seek formal training and a credential
Note: additional education and training may be required for some positions.
Do I have to take the courses in order?
No, each course is designed to stand alone, but we suggest starting with XTBW 10004 Foundations of Technical Writing, XWOP 10011 MS Word for Tech Writers and Editors, and XTBW 10022 Creating Publications first before continuing with the other courses in the certificate.
How will I be graded in each course?
Each course has several graded assignments. These assignments vary per course; however, they are all designed to assess the outcomes of each course. These assessments include, but are not limited to, discussion board posts, short answers and quizzes.
How many hours am I expected to work on each course?
You should plan to access your D2L course site at least 3 times per week. Depending on the course, you can expect to spend approximately 6 hours per week reading material, completing learning activities or assignments, and attending Google Meet sessions. Larger projects may require more time.
Is attendance required for Google Meet sessions?
No, these sessions are not mandatory, but they are recommended. Attending Google Meet sessions allows you to get to know your instructor and classmates and provides you with the opportunity to ask questions about content, assignments or due dates.
How many courses can I take at a time?
You can take as many courses as your schedule will allow. There are no restrictions on the number of courses you can take at one time.
Will I get a job once I'm done the certificate?
While having a professional certificate will certainly put you in a favourable position when looking for employment, there are many factors to consider for each individual that it would be impossible to pre-determine your employment success. Our graduate statistics have shown that a significant percentage of past students have experienced a measurable increase in salary, responsibility, and/or activity after completing our programs.
Will Mount Royal help me locate career opportunities?
No, Mount Royal does not have a system in place to assist students with career opportunities upon completion of our certificate. However, there are periodic job postings advertised on our website.
Additional information
Refer to CE Student Information for more information.
Program questions?