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 Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Noon - 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
It is strongly recommended that the first three courses are taken in the order indicated above. The remaining courses can be completed in any order.
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.
Program questions?