Program Overview
College of General Studies
The College of General Studies offers a variety of programs, including certificates, majors, and minors.
Majors
The college provides several majors, including:
- Dental Hygiene
- Health Professions
- Justice & Legal Studies
- Liberal Studies
- Natural Sciences
- Professional Communications
- Public Service
Certificates
The college offers various certificates, including:
- Accounting
- Communication
- Community Health Assessment
- Corporate/ Community Relations
- Digital Media
- Disability Studies
- Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies
- Information System Design
- Leadership
- Managing Health Services Programs and Projects
- National Preparedness and Homeland Security
- Nonprofit Management
- Writing
- Writing for the Professions
Minors
The college also provides minors in:
- Aerospace Studies Minor
- Law, Criminal Justice, & Society Minor
- Military Science Minor
- Public Service Minor
Writing Certificate
The Writing Certificate is a 21-credit program that integrates a variety of courses from contemporary fiction and autobiography to science writing and electronic media.
Program Description
This certificate program is offered in conjunction with the University of Pittsburghs English department. It allows students to hone their writing skills while customizing the program to fit their literary and professional interests.
Who Should Participate
The program is suitable for:
- Students already enrolled in a degree program in the College of General Studies who wish to concentrate on the development of writing skills
- Those who already have a degree, but who wish to develop their writing skills for personal or professional advancement
- People seeking to embark upon writing as a profession
Program Expectations
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Write clearly and accurately
- Apply writing skills to fiction and nonfiction
- Understand different writing forms and techniques
Credit Requirements
- The writing certificate requires 21 credits (seven courses), including two core English writing courses and 15 elective credits.
- Students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better for all courses required for the program.
- Credits earned at other accredited educational institutions may be eligible for transfer. However, five of the courses (or 15 credits) must be completed at Pitt.
Required Courses
Students must complete both of the following courses:
- ENGWRT 0520 - Introduction to Fiction Writing
- ENGWRT 0610 - Introduction to Journalism and Nonfiction
Electives
Students can choose from a variety of elective courses, including:
Poetry
- ENGWRT 0530 - Introduction to Poetry Writing
- ENGWRT 1210 - Poetry Workshop
- ENGWRT 1730 - Senior Seminar in Poetry
Fiction
- ENGWRT 1010 - Intermediate Fiction
- ENGWRT 1090 - Mastering Point of View
- ENGWRT 1091 - Autobiography and Creative Impulse
- ENGWRT 1092 - Writer's Journals
- ENGWRT 1094 - Readings in Contemporary Fiction
- ENGWRT 1710 - Senior Seminar in Fiction
Nonfiction
- ENGCMP 1103 - Public Relations Writing
- ENGCMP 1104 - Corporate Storytelling
- ENGWRT 1330 - Intermediate Nonfiction: Scene and Point-of-View
- ENGWRT 1377 - Media Literacy: Writing and Reading Your Way Through the Digital Landscape
- ENGWRT 1390 - Readings in Contemporary Non-Fiction
- ENGWRT 1391 - Writing the Review
- ENGWRT 1393 - Sports Writing
- ENGWRT 1399 - Topics in Non-Fiction: Newspaper
- ENGWRT 1403 - Topics in Non-Fiction: Electronic Media
- ENGWRT 1750 - Senior Seminar in Nonfiction
- ENGWRT 1900 - Internship: Writing
Program Planning Checklist
A handy Writing certificate checklist is available to plan and track progress in the program.
Important: Course Overlap Rules
As students plan their certificate coursework, they should review the CGS Course Overlap policy for information on how many courses can be double-counted if a student elects to pursue a CGS certificate in combination with other CGS and non-CGS majors, minors, and certificates.
Certificate at a Glance
- Convenient Format: Study part-time or full-time, on campus.
- How Many Courses?: 7 courses (21 credits)
- Completion Time: Finish in as little as 3-4 terms or at a pace that fits your schedule.
- How to Declare?: Fill out an online application form with CGS.
Certificate Admissions
Students must meet requirements for admission to the College of General Studies. An online application must be completed and returned to CGS.
Advising
For information on how to connect with a CGS academic advisor and to schedule an appointment, visit CGS Advising.