Graduate Certificate Program in International Technical Communication

The Graduate Certificate Program in International Technical Communication is designed for students who wish to pursue technical communication careers developing information for international audiences and organizations.

Admission

Students applying from universities outside the United States must have completed a U.S. bachelor's degree equivalent and must meet the following requirements:

1. Earn a minimum score of 250 on the computer-based (or 600 on the paper-based) TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS exam or secure the consent of the Program Coordinator and two program faculty members.
2. Submit a portfolio of writing samples in English as well as a "Statement of Purpose" in both English and the student's native language.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of computers and business operations through undergraduate courses such as business or technical communication, the portfolio, or experience as described in the Statement of Purpose.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and/or work experience.

Students applying from universities within the United States must have completed a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA and must meet the following requirements:

1. Demonstrate a reading proficiency in a second language as demonstrated by a score of "Level 5" on the UW System Placement Test for French, German, or Spanish. Other languages will be considered depending on appropriateness and availability of testing.
2. Submit a portfolio of writing samples as well as a "Statement of Purpose" in English.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of computers and business operations through undergraduate courses such as business or technical communication, the portfolio, or experience as described in the Statement of Purpose.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and/or work experience.

Credits and Courses

Students must complete 18 credits of course work as outlined below. At least 6 of these credits must be completed at the 700 level or above. Students must earn a 3.0 grade point average or better in the courses that apply to the Certificate.

Professional/Technical Writing Courses (in consultation with the Program Coordinator), 9 cr

English 435 Professional and Technical Writing

English 436 Writing for Information Technology

English 437 Project Management for Professional Writers

English 439 Document Design

English 708 Advanced Professional Writing

English 709 Rhetoric, Writing, and Information Technology

English 710 Advanced Project Management for Professional Writers

Students who within the past five years have successfully completed any of these courses while enrolled as undergraduate students are not expected to repeat those courses for graduate credit. In consultation with the Program Coordinator, they will select alternate graduate courses that will substitute for the courses already completed.

Two Elective courses selected from areas other than English (in consultation with the Program Coordinator), 6 cr

Lubar School of Business

Communication Department

Translation and Foreign Languages

Courses outside these areas may be substituted with permission of the Program Coordinator.

Capstone Requirement (must engage international study), 3 credits

Students must complete 21 credits of course work as outlined below. The certificate will be awarded when students achieve the following:

Complete 9 credits in required courses.

Complete 9 credits in elective courses from at least two areas other than English.

Complete a 3-credit Capstone Requirement that engages international study.

Complete at least 6 of these credits at the 700 level or above.

Earn an overall 3.0 grade point average or better in the courses that apply to the Certificate.

With the consent of the Program Coordinator, students who have completed appropriate courses for graduate credit at UWM or other institutions may transfer a maximum of six credits into the certificate program, provided that the courses were completed with in the last five years with a grade of B or better.

Required Courses, 9 cr

Students who within the past five years have successfully completed any of these required courses while enrolled as undergraduate students are not expected to repeat those courses for graduate credit. In consultation with the Program Coordinator, they will select alternate graduate courses that will substitute for the courses already completed.

Advanced Technical Writing (English 435)

Topics in Advanced Writing: Document Design and Evaluation (English 431)

Writing for Computer Technology (English 436)

Electives, 9 credits

Students, in consultation with the Program Coordinator, will take 9 credits selected from two of the following areas, although courses outside these areas may be substituted with permission of the Program Coordinator.

Lubar School of Business

Communication Department

Translation and Foreign Languages

Graduate Certificate Capstone Requirement, 3 credits

The Capstone Requirement is intended to help students integrate their interdisciplinary coursework and prepare them to be competitive in the international technical communication market. With the approval of the Program Coordinator, this requirement can be fulfilled in one of three ways:

1. Students register in Writing Internship in English (English 449 U/G) and complete an internship abroad at an international company.
2. Students may take an appropriate course abroad at a cooperating university or through distance education via the Internet. The course must be approved for UWM graduate credit or transferable to UWM.
3. Students may complete a faculty-supervised study that involves intensive interdisciplinary research on an international issue at a local business with global operations.

Students who also are interested in an M.A. in English must apply for admission to both the Certificate and degree programs. Students who have completed the Certificate Program may transfer up to 12 credits to the M.A. program, upon approval of the English Department Coordinator of Graduate Studies and the Graduate School. Those concurrently enrolled in the Certificate Program and the MA in English are strongly encouraged to consult the Certificate Program Coordinator and the Plan G Coordinator to develop the most economical program of study. Students seeking admission to master's programs in other departments and schools are advised to seek the advice of graduate coordinators in those areas.

Time Limit

Students must complete all requirements for the Certificate within 4 years of initial enrollment.