Technical Communication A.A.S.

Associate in Applied Science
Career Degree
Cost
$10,850* (estimated)

Communicate with clarity and purpose in professional settings

Turn your love of writing into a high-paying, in-demand career with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Technical Communication at the College of Lake County. The two-year degree prepares you to create compelling content across a wide range of industries.

Through hands-on, project-based courses, you'll develop skills in:

  • technical and professional writing
  • editing
  • content organization
  • visual communication
  • digital publishing

Build a professional portfolio while learning to create real-world materials, such as:

  • proposals
  • reports
  • websites
  • instructions
  • blogs
  • communication campaigns

Create clear, audience-centered content for today's workplaces

Use your writing and digital media skills to inform audiences, explain complex ideas, support organizations and create professional content across workplace and online environments.

Technical communicators work in industries including business, healthcare, information technology, marketing and nonprofit organizations. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked technical writer as one of the Best Creative & Media jobs.

Get publishing experience 

Build real-world writing, publishing and multimedia experience inside and outside the classroom. Craft a professional portfolio by submitting writing and creative work to:

Highlights

  • Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

    Explore ways to pay for college (based on need/achievement).
  • Career Degree

    Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning an associate degree in 2 years.
  • Program Length: 2 Years

    Finish in 2 years as a full-time student.

*Estimated cost is based on the minimum number of credit hours to complete the program. This estimate includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees for the 2026-2027 academic year, before financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about the Cost of Attendance.

Career Outlook

Need help getting started?

Ask us for help. Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) will help you:

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more comprehensive list of course options and degree requirements, see the CLC college catalog.

Icon Key

  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Dual credit options available
  • Global citizenship
  • Online/Virtual options available
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CLC 120 2
    • Dual credit options available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    CMM 128 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ENG 120 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ANT 228 3
    • Dual credit options available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    MTH 140 3
    • Credit for prior learning available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code CLC 120
      Course Title
      Credits 2
      Course Highlights
      Dual credit options available
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code CMM 128
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 120
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ANT 228
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Dual credit options available
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code MTH 140
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Credit for prior learning available
      Online/Virtual options available

    Course options: Students can choose other Social and Behavioral Science courses instead of ANT 228. Student can also choose other Science or Math courses instead of MTH 140.

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CMM 122 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ENG 126 3
    • Credit for prior learning available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ENG 124 3
    DMD 111 3
    • Dual credit options available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ART 149 3
    • Dual credit options available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code CMM 122
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 126
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Credit for prior learning available
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 124
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code DMD 111
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Dual credit options available
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ART 149
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Dual credit options available
      Online/Virtual options available

    Course options: Students can choose other Communication (CMM) courses instead of CMM 122.

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    ENG 222 3
    • Course Code ENG 222
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    ENG 123 3
    ENG 266 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ENG 234 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    DMD 121 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    DMD 127 Survey of Social Media (opens in a new window) 3.00
    • Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 123
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ENG 266
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 234
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code DMD 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code DMD 127
      Course Title Survey of Social Media (opens in a new window)
      Credits 3.00
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available

    Course options: Students can choose BUS 239 or other DMD courses instead of DMD 127.

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    ENG 140 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    HUM 127 3
    • Dual credit options available
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ENG 250 3
    DMD 116 3
    • Online/Virtual options available
    ENG 288 3
    • Course Code ENG 140
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code HUM 127
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Dual credit options available
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 250
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code DMD 116
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
      Online/Virtual options available
    • Course Code ENG 288
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

    Course options: Students can choose other Humanities courses instead of HUM 127.

Total Credit Hours

62



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Meet your instructors

More than 1,000 full-time and part-time faculty teach at CLC. Nearly all of them have a master's degree or more.

CLC faculty teach the same materials you’d learn at a big school. They bring real-world experience into the classroom so you can gain job-ready skills and help you become the very best version of yourself.


Apply now: It's easy and free

Complete the application form to begin your program.

After you apply, a Career and College Navigator (CCN) will reach out to answer your questions, guide your next steps and help you get enrolled. Explore steps to apply at CLC.

Frequently asked questions

What students say about CLC

  • Thais O'Malley

    Thais O'Malley

    Graduate

    “The quality of the program helped prepare me for the real world. I got my job right after graduation. I thanked my teachers because they prepared me so well.”


    Thais studied Digital Media and Design at CLC. She now works as a graphic designer and social media specialist for the City of Lake Forest.

    Read Thais' story

    Thais O'Malley
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    Kenneth Dantes

    Transfer student

    "It felt like a community because there were actually those teachers that have time for you."


    Kenneth studied literature at CLC, then transferred to Elmhurst University. While at CLC, he worked on film projects in Chicago to gain experience and to network. He now works in Los Angeles as a production assistant for streaming shows.

    Read Kenneth's story

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  • Photo of Za'Tozia Duffie

    Za’Tozia Duffie

    Transfer student

    I don't think I would have been able to grow academically, or even personally, if it wasn't for CLC.”


    Za’Tozia studied communication at CLC. She transferred to Lake Forest College for her bachelor's degree and then to Syracuse University for graduate school.

    Read Za’Tozia's story

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Related programs

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