Technical Communication, Certificate

The Technical Communication Certificate (TCC) has established itself as a program that meets industry and government agencies' demands for students with skills as communicators and for communication specialists. Because employers value well-developed communication skills, TCC courses will enhance success in co-op/intern positions and post-graduation careers. TCC graduates overwhelmingly confirm not only that the certificate gave them an edge over other candidates during the recruitment process, but also that the communication knowledge, skills, and attitudes they acquired while in the program helped them succeed in their jobs and helped prepare them for the diverse communication and management tasks in today's multifunctional team environments.

The Technical Communication Certificate, housed in the College of Engineering, complements all undergraduate degrees, but is especially designed to fit in well with an engineering degree. TCC students gain experience in career-applicable skills by

• Receiving education in principles and processes for communicating about technical subjects (including problem solving methods, audience analysis, rhetorical analysis, conventions of format, and usability testing).
• Gaining education in the fundamentals of written, oral, and visual communication (including organization, structure, style, mechanics, format, and delivery).
• Learning effective interpersonal communication and management skills (including teamwork, interviewing, leading and facilitating groups, project management, and international communication).
• Gaining opportunities to research and think analytically about contemporary issues and to consider ethical issues.
• Using current technology to encourage effective communication in a variety of environments (including use of the web, distance communication, electronic publishing, group software, and layout and presentation software).

While the certificate is designed especially for engineering students, students from other fields sometimes seek out the program to enhance their career options. Students who complete the certificate will have the notation "Technical Communication Certificate" added to their transcripts.

Aside from the relevant courses offered in the TCC, students especially value the close contact with faculty through advising and development of a TC Certificate Portfolio. Students in the program often take on leadership roles in other college or campus student organizations and projects, further developing their communication, team, and management skills.

1. Demonstrate knowledge in the historical trends in the field, the theoretical underpinnings and the role of English in society and as an international language.
2. Become familiar with the sound and grammatical systems of English.
3. Understand an apply basic principles in the teaching of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
4. Understand the principles of second language acquisition.
5. Construct and execute well-crafted lesson plans.

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

Joseph Nosek
TESOL Certificate Advisor
[email protected]