NIU Department of English
Professional Writing Web Pages
FAQs
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What is Professional Writing?
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So a degree in English doesn’t necessarily mean a degree to teach?
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What’s special about the program at NIU?
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How long will it take me to earn a master’s degree?
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Can I apply the credits I earned for my Certificate of Graduate Study in Technical Writing
toward an M.A.?
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Are any of the courses offered in the Chicago suburbs?
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What is a Certificate of Graduate Study in Technical Writing?

How long will it take me to earn the Certificate?

How do I apply for the Certificate of Graduate Study program?
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What courses do you offer in Professional Writing?

How is professional writing different from other types of writing?

Professional Writing sounds useful, but what are the career options?
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Why should I choose a minor in Professional Communication?

What is professional communication?
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How do I complete a minor in Professional Communication?

Can I earn college credit for the courses I take at the Institute?

What courses are available at the Institute?

How do I register for classes?

What is the Society for Technical Communication?
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What does STC have to do with the Professional Writing program at NIU?
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How can I join STC?
Q. What is Professional Writing?
A. Professional writing is often referred to as technical communication. It’s a form of
writing found in business, organizations, and government. Examples include:
brochures, instructions, medical communication, newsletters, online help,
presentations, press releases, product descriptions, proposals, reports, surveys, user
manuals, websites, and white papers.
Q. So a degree in English doesn’t necessarily mean a degree to teach?
A. That’s right. You can earn a master’s degree in Rhetoric and Professional Writing, a
Certificate of Graduate Study in Technical Writing, or a minor in Professional
Communication and learn practical knowledge and skills that will help prepare you
for non-academic work.
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NIU Department of English
Professional Writing Web Pages
Q. What's special about the program at NIU?
A. Our program emphasizes both theory and practice—the rhetorical component of
professional communication and the practical application. We have an internship
program, which helps students find internships and jobs. Our faculty consistently
receives high student evaluations, is nationally recognized scholars, and has realworld experience. All of that, combined with our firm commitment to teaching, adds
up to an atmosphere for study that encourages learning, recognizes professional
potential, and fosters excellence.
Q. How long will it take me to earn a master's degree?
A. You can earn an M.A. in English with a focus in Rhetoric and Professional Writing in
two years if you take just two courses per semester, one course in the summer, plus
an internship, depending on availability of courses.
Q. Can I apply the credits I earned for my Certificate of Graduate Study in
A.
Technical Writing toward an M.A.?
Yes. The Certificate requires 18 credits and these can be applied toward the 36
credits required for the master's degree.
Q. Are any of the courses offered in the Chicago suburbs?
A. Yes. The Institute courses are usually offered in the suburbs in the fall and spring
semesters. These courses are co-sponsored by NIU and the Chicago Chapter of the
Society for Technical Communication. For more information on these courses, visit
the Institute Web page.
Q. What is a Certificate of Graduate Study in Technical Writing?
A. This certificate recognizes the successful completion of a set of courses intended to
enhance the professional qualifications of technical writers.
Q. How long will it take me to earn the Certificate?
A. By taking two courses per semester and one in the summer, plus an internship, it
could take only a year to earn the Certificate, depending on availability of courses.
Many people who pursue the Certificate work full time and, therefore, take one
course per semester.
Q. How do I apply for the Certificate of Graduate Study program?
A. You can complete the coursework as a student-at-large. For more information, visit
the Graduate School Web page for details.
Q. What courses do you offer in Professional Writing?
A. A variety of courses are offered to students who want to learn about professional
writing. Topics such as Writing Creative Nonfiction (ENGL 303), Writing Arts Criticism
(ENGL 304), Technical Writing (ENGL 308), and Technical Editing (ENGL 403) are
routinely available.
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NIU Department of English
Professional Writing Web Pages
Q. How is professional writing different from other types of writing?
A. Professional writing is different from creative writing, such as fiction and poetry,
because it focuses on specific audiences with specific purposes. Technical writing, for
example, is driven by rhetorical situations that writers address in order to persuade
or inform readers to do something.
Q. Professional writing sounds useful, but what are the career options?
A. Professional writers find rewarding careers in a variety of fields such as: law,
medicine, business, marketing, journalism, and entertainment.
Q. Why should I choose a minor in Professional Communication?
A. The minor in Professional Communication offers students (other than majors in
English and Communication studies) the opportunity to develop skills that are valued
in the workplace. Courses focus on the theory and practice of composition; the
design of both electronic and paper-based professional documents; and the theory
and practice of mediated and face-to-face interaction.
Q. What is professional communication?
A. Professional communication is often referred to as technical communication. The field
is specialized and technical in nature. Products are produced collaboratively and for
multiple formats and genres. Because it is rhetorical, technical communication is
guided by a sense of audience and purpose.
Q. How do I complete a minor in Professional Communication?
A. Typically, undergraduates develop a foundation in this area of study with courses
such as: Media Writing (COMS 355), Designing for the Internet (COMS 446), Basic
News Writing (JOUR 200A), Technical Writing (ENGL 308), and Technical Editing
(ENGL 403). Check the Undergraduate Catalog for details.
Q. Can I earn college credit for the courses I take at the Institute?
A. The IPD provides college-credit courses for traditional students and working
professionals who want to develop or enhance their knowledge and skills in technical
communication
Q. What courses are available at the Institute?
A. Studies in selected topics such as Fundamentals of Technical Communication and
Technical Communication in the Digital Age have been taught at the NIU Naperville
campus. Check listings in the Undergraduate Catalog (ENGL 424) or the Graduate
Catalog (ENGL 624) for the current offering.
Q. How do I register for classes?
A. Registration for classes depends on your student status. In other words:
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NIU Department of English
Professional Writing Web Pages

If you are currently enrolled at NIU, access MyNIU; navigate to Browse Catalog,
Class Search; and look for ENGL 424 for undergraduate credit or ENGL 624 for
graduate credit.

If you are not currently enrolled, you may be enrolled as a student-at-large.
Contact the NIU Office of Registration and Records at (815) 753-0681 or email
them at regrec@niu.edu.
For more information about the Institute, contact the Director, Dr. Jessica Reyman,
at (815) 753-6644 or jreyman@niu.edu.
Q. What is the Society for Technical Communication?
A. The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is an international organization with
members in nearly 50 countries. Its mission is to advance the arts and sciences of
technical communication. The organization is composed of professionals such as
writers, editors, document designers, graphic artists, photographers, Web masters,
usability specialists, information architects, documentation specialists, trainers, and
consultants.
Q. What does STC have to do with the Professional Writing program at NIU?
A. The Professional Writing program in the English Department at NIU has formed a
partnership with the STC Chicago Chapter called the Institute for Professional
Development (IPD). The IPD provides college-credit courses for traditional students
and working professionals who want to develop or add to their knowledge and skills
in technical communication.
Q. How can I join STC?
A. To join STC, visit their website for information about becoming a member.
There is an NIU student chapter of the STC called STC-NIU. Check the organization’s
website for information about joining, or contact the faculty advisor, Dr. Jessica
Reyman at (815) 753-6644 or jreyman@niu.edu.
To join STC, visit their website for information about becoming a member.
For more information, contact us by phone (815) 753-0611 or email askEnglish@niu.edu.
May 11, 2011
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