Re: Is there a formal degree offered?

[David Sams <davids -at- ALLENSYSGROUP -dot- COM>]

University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers a BA in Professional &
Technical Writing. I believe there is also a follow-on grad program. Am
a grad of the program (after a change in career paths).

                ----------
                From:  Brandy Michelle Pariso
                Sent:  Sunday, March 22, 1998 5:36 PM
                Subject:  Re: Is there a formal degree offered?

                On Fri, 13 Mar 1998 18:16:15 EST Abohl <Abohl -at- AOL -dot- COM>
wrote:
                > I am looking to change careers paths and would very
much like to break into
                > the tech writing field.
                >
                > I have a degree in Microbiology and 5 years experience
in a pharmaceutical
                > manufacturing company.  I need some direction.  Any
suggestions would be
                > greatly appreciated.
                >
                > Thank you
                > Amy Bohlman

                Amy,

                I don't know of any undergraduate degrees offered in
technical
                communication. I am currently finishing my Master's
degree in technical
                writing at the University of North Texas. We also offer
a certification
                program--9 hours of upper-level coursework in technical
writing.

                You might try taking some classes at a university close
to you and see if
                technical writing interests you. I think a course or two
would be
                beneficial. Technical writing is definitely a skillset,
and I think it
                would be helpful to know about audience analysis,
passive voice, and
                nominalizations. And, of course, a technical writer must
always be able to
                discuss the merits of active white space. . . :)

                I digress. . .

                In your search for a program, I encourage you to search
for one that
                emphasizes strong writing and a strong
technological/computer background.
                Having these tools at your disposal will only make your
more competitive in
                the job search.

                Best of luck to you and let me know if you have any
questions. . .

                Brandy







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