This is a compilation of articles and places to find Technical Communication and Instructional Design educational resources. This is far from a complete list, but I’ve tried to make it as comprehensive as possible. The lists were long, so making them into PDFs was the most manageable solution. Each list lists the institution that offers a program, and a link to the corresponding credential it offers. The lists are arranged by credential.
Be sure to check the articles at the bottom as well as additional resources on instructional design programs.
If you’d like to see a program listed here or help me make a correction (or help me maintain this list!), let me know at techcommgeekmom@me.com.
Lists of Resources:
- Technical Communication Education Resources List (download xlsx file)
(updated 8 January 2015) - Instructional Design Education Resources List (download xlsx file)
(updated 12 March 2015)
Good information articles:
- How to Choose the Right Online Instructional Design Certificate Program
- Online Education for Instructional Designers: Picking the Right Program – Learning Solutions Magazine
- Do You Need an Instructional Design Degree? by Tom Kuhlmann on the Rapid E-learning Blog
- e-Learning Developer: Degree and Certificate in instructional design / eLearning – Are these programs worthwhile?
- eLearning Technology: eLearning Certifications
- The eLearning Coach: Instructional Design and eLearning Programs (in the US)
- E-Learning Heroes: What degree/certificate programs exist?
TechCommGeekMom 
As a secondary English teacher of 26 years, I feel I have some expertise that lends itself to tech and copy writing. (I have done some minor freelance writing for retail and educational publishers.) I just need to know what software and skills I most need to position myself with credentials that will allow me to get the job. I am VERY ready to pack up my classroom and not go back, but I still need to make a living! Help!
That’s a good question, Lisa. Most likely, you do have some good skills that will easily lend themselves to tech writing and copy writing. The most basic software programs to know are Microsoft Office and part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud, like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Acrobat, just for starters. The deeper you are, and depending on the type of tech comm job you get, software will vary as well. If you are going into instructional design, it will go one way, most likely Captivate, Articulate, or Lectora, as those are three of the most commonly used (but not only) programs. For technical writing, software may include Framemaker, Flare, and Doc-to-Help, among others. It really depends! My best suggestion (and I do not claim to be an expert, but just based on my own experiences), I would look at some of the curriculum of the programs listed on the ID/TC Education Resources page here on this blog. It’ll give you an idea of the kind of coursework available, what sort of information is being taught to those who are seeking similar credentials, etc. I know that I had a classmate in my Masters program that was a community college professor who was seeking her second Masters to expand her skills as well, and much of it came easily to her. If you aren’t ready to commit to a full Masters program, there are quite a few graduate certificate programs that give you the essentials that can send you on your way. If you decide later to pursue a Masters, then you have a good chunk of your credits done with the certificate. When I started out, I started with a certificate, as I was unsure if this was the right direction for me. I loved it enough that I transferred my credits to the MSPTC program at NJIT. I liked that program, but there are several really good programs, both online and offline, out there. You should also check out the Society of Technical Communication’s website (www.stc.org) for additional information, so you can gain a better idea of the depth and breadth of the technical communications field. I hope that helps!