In 2004-2005, the Technical Communications program at Austin Community College (ACC) was renamed the Business & Technical Communications (BTCM) program and restructured to address the professional and career needs of information specialists in government and business.

This move was in response to the needs of professionals in government and business who do a lot of writing in their work but who are not trained as writers and whose job titles do not include "writer." It was also in response to the evolution of the technical communication field where the job title "information specialist" has become as common as "technical communicator" and "technical writer."

The program now consists of two specializations:

• Business & Government Communications Specialization. For professionals in government and business who do a lot of writing in their work but who are not trained as writers and whose job titles do not include "writer."


• Technical Communications Specialization. For the traditional technical communicator/writer who develops new-product documentation in high-tech industries but who also writes technical reports and other documents in business and government.

More often called "information specialists," individuals in government write administrative rules (which proceduralize legislation), guidance documents (which translate administrative rules for the general public), write compliance and audit reports. Individuals in both government and business often write policy-and-procedure documents, a wide variety of reports, grant proposals, and business plans. The Business & Government Specialization addresses needs.

ACC's Business & Technical Communications program provides the knowledge and skills needed to enter these fields or the opportunity to update your skills if you're already there. Many of our instructors currently hold positions at places like IBM, Dell, Tivoli, Compaq, National Instruments, the Attorney General's Office, and the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality.

• Both specialization areas of the Business & Technical Communications program offer an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Certificate.
• The Business & Technical Communications staff includes professionals currently practicing in the field.
• Courses focus on important document types in business and government: policy-and-procedure documents, audit and compliance reports, administrative rules, business plans, project proposals, grant proposals, business plans, and correspondence.
• Advanced courses feature such in-demand software as Adobe FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Visio, Pagemaker, Acrobat, Quadralay WebWorks, RoboHELP, Quark Xpress, Macromedia Dreamweaver, SoftQuad XMetaL.
• Most classes are held in well-equipped computer labs with the latest versions of the previously mentioned software and have open lab hours for students enrolled in the Business & Technical Communication program.
• All courses are available online classes and can be taken from anywhere in the world.
• Students in the major take a special-problems course to build their portfolios and an internship in which they gain on-the-job experience.
• Courses provide opportunities for employment or continuation to a four-year institution.
• The program maintains a close association with the Austin chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, an excellent resource for learning about the profession, meeting practicing technical writers, using the job bank, talking to recruiters, and posting resumes.

If you answer yes to one or more of the following, contact the department chairperson for the Business & Technical Communications program (see below):

• Do you work in government and business where you do a lot of writing but you have no training as a writer and your job title does not include "writer."
• Do you have an aptitude for language and an interest in technology and science?
• Are you a career-changer looking for better opportunities? (Basic college requirements such as freshman English and algebra can be transfered in if you have attended college in the past.)
• Are you a technician wanting to improve your writing skills? Have you been called upon to write product literature or to document organizational processes?
• Are you a practicing technical communicator wanting to freshen your skills or explore areas such as web publishing, online helps, XML, structured authoring, single sourcing, graphics, or team-based documentation processes?

Employers! The Business & Technical Communications program can bring either its credit courses or its continuing-education courses to your place of business; or these courses can be made available to your employees online. Call the department chairperson for details.

The Business & Technical Communications program consists of two specializations each offering an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Certificate:

Business & Government Communications Specialization:

Associate of Applied Science and Certificate

Technical Communications Specialization:

Associate of Applied Science and Certificate

ACC participates in a variety of federal, state, and local financial aid programs. A financial aid office is located on each campus. If you are employed, check with your employer for tuition assistance; many organizations offer tuition reimburesement plans.

See BTCM course information for details about BTCM courses, including extended descriptions, representative syllabi, sample assignments, and schedules.

The Business & Technical Communications Department is located in Building 4000 on Northridge Campus, at the corner of Metric Boulevard and Stonehollow Drive. You are invited to write or call:

David McMurrey, Department Chairperson
Business & Technical Communications Department
Austin Community College
11928 Stonehollow Drive
Austin, Texas 78758-3101

Voice: (512) 223-4804
Facsimile: (512)223-4988
E-mail: davidm@austincc.edu