Online Graduate Certificate
Overview: Technical Writing Certificate
The online Technical Writing graduate certificate program reaches out to working professionals who want to develop their skill base to gain employment in the growing Technical Writing field. Learning how to plan write, manage, and edit professional documents will enhance students' chances for employment in business and industry. This four-course, online graduate certificate program in Technical Writing is for students who want to learn new skills, but who do not require a degree. Students will complete 12 hours of graduate level coursework.
In this four-course, online graduate certificate program, students learn to create user-friendly documents in a variety of media within the cultures of business, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. Students will also develop professional editing strategies and practices to use when editing the work of clients.
Program graduates are employed in the following fields and roles:
- Technical Writers
- Editors
- Copy Writers
- Independent Contractors
- English Language Teachers, Public and Postsecondary
The tabs below contain additional information about courses, the admissions process, and testimonials from students.
Practical application of technical writing in industry, business, and the sciences. Uses workshop approach. Extra fee. Approved for Distance Ed.
Resources and current research in the field of technical writing. Development of skills, awareness of reference and research tools relevant to technical communication.
Practical application of technical editing in industry, business, and the sciences. Uses workshop approach. Extra fee. Approved for Distance Ed.
A survey of ethical issues in technical communication. Includes the study of Codes of Ethics for technical communicators and their influence on the profession of technical communication. Study of ethical situations which affect technical communicators providing information globally. Approved for Distance Ed.
1. Submit Your Graduate College Application Online
Apply Now or Return to Existing Application
Note: All graduate level programs use the same Graduate College Application. A $45 nonrefundable application fee is assessed for domestic applications. The international application fee is $75. All graduate level programs use the same Graduate College Application. There is a non-refundable application fee.
2. Submit Transcripts
As part of the online application process, you will upload scanned copies of transcripts from all institutions attended. Upon admission, final official transcripts from each degree-granting institution must be submitted to the Graduate College. GRE General Test scores are NOT required of applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing.
TOEFL scores are required from applicants whose native language is not English. For information visit the Educational Testing Service website.
Request that transcripts (and test scores, if applicable) be sent directly to:
Graduate College
120 McFall Center
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403
3. Letters of Recommendation
As part of the online application process, you will request three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from instructors who have taught you within the past three years, from employers, or from other individuals qualified to evaluate your potential for success in a graduate program. You will submit names and email addresses within the application system and the system will contact recommenders and give them directions for submitting their letters of recommendation. Before completing this step in the application, please communicate with your recommenders and confirm their agreement to write letters of recommendation.
Please contact the program advisor for more information.
Having already spent a dozen years working on international business projects, I wasn't sure what to expect from the Technical Writing Certificate program. I would not be disappointed. Professors were both accessible and challenging, opening my eyes to a whole new way of looking at technical communication—especially in an international context. I thought I knew enough, but these classes at BGSU showed me how much my technical documents could improve.
—Matthew Meyers
Application Developer, Telecommunications Industry
As a student interested in studying the intersection of the environment and sociology, I was seeking a course that allowed me to execute an interdisciplinary way to expand my curiosities. A mentor in my senior year suggested I take ENG 4860: Writing for the Web.
At the end of the semester, I had a comprehensive website that addressed environmental sustainability in business. “Writing for the Web” gave me the opportunity to sharpen many skills that would help me in creating a business and would be integral to my success in graduate school. The course covered topics in technical writing, word choice, project management techniques, design thinking, user-centered design, and more.
In this class, I was able to take four years’ worth of knowledge and create a cohesive website where people globally can read about my work and ideas. After graduating, I used the foundation of my website to start my own consultation business. I have since been asked by various people in the sustainability industry to collaborate on projects. I also utilized many of the skills I developed in this class to create a freelance website and a personal blog. These have been great ways to engage in my community and share my experiences with others. Taking ENG 4860 has had a big impact on the way I approach my work and how I communicate my ideas to others.
-Adam Smith
Graduate Student, BGSU Dept of Sociology
When I researched educational opportunities in technical writing and discovered that my alma mater, BGSU, had a distance-learning program, I immediately signed up. The course study was very informative … and has opened my eyes to writing opportunities I never realized were out there. The online courses were just the ticket, and the knowledge I gained about written and oral communication have already proven invaluable in my current job.
—Brenda Cole
Systems and Communications Vice President, National News and Information Industry.
President Alabama STC Chapter
I am currently a Fire Administration (FIAD) major at BGSU. I have been in the career fire service for 24 years as a Firefighter / Paramedic and have served the last 7 years as a Lieutenant. ENG 3880 Introductory Technical Writing provided valuable information and skills to provide effective and efficient professional communications in my job.
In the fire service we provide various elements of communications, such as incident reports, proposals, equipment and apparatus purchase specifications, personnel evaluations reviews, public information media releases, emails, memorandums, and other forms of written communications within the fire department and to the city, supply vendors, service providers, and the public.
ENG 3880 taught us to consider the basic elements of a document’s presentation and visuals and how to catch and maintain the attention of our audience in various forms of written communications. We developed our knowledge and skills in constructing proposals, memorandums, emails, resumes, cover letters, and instructions. The course provided a strong foundation for written communications to be delivered in a professional manner, including considering the message and providing our audience with clear, concise, and appropriate content. There were many key “tricks of the trade” I found to be very enlightening and useful in my professional writing tasks. The final project had us propose, research, generate and publish an original document to fulfill the needs of a “client.” This allowed us to demonstrate the vast array of knowledge and skills we developed over the semester. I feel the course provided me several useful tools for my toolbox as I provide professional written communications in my career field. This is an excellent course to develop your written communication skills for professional documents.
-Marcus Ketner
Lieutenant; Twinsburg Fire Dept. (OH)
Bowling Green State University, Fire Administration Student
I recommend this program to anyone needing to further their job possibilities. More and more colleges and universities are requiring technical communication in their degree requirements. It has opened my eyes to a lot of things I never thought I could do—given me more confidence.
—Marlene Wrasman
Technical Writer
For more information about the certificate program and about the application process, please contact:
- Program Director, Jennifer Warnke
- Graduate Coordinator, Rachel Walsh
- Graduate Secretary, Danielle Burkin
Updated: 05/14/2024 10:28AM