Program Overview

Writing, Editing and Publishing Certificate

The Certificate in Writing, Editing and Publishing complements any major while giving students hands-on experience producing and publishing texts. Students will have opportunities to practice a variety of kinds of writing and to experiment with new and emerging forms.

Program Details

• Program type: Certificates/Programs - Undergraduate
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated time to complete: 2 years
• Credit hours: 15

Why Earn a Certificate in Writing, Editing and Publishing?

In the digital age, the ability to write effectively for a range of media platforms and audiences is more important than ever. Today's employers look for employees who can communicate articulately and professionally. This certificate prepares students to write for a range of careers, while learning more about what makes writing effective. Classes in the certificate offer active, collaborative learning and innovative projects. Students will have opportunities to design quality websites and to build online digital collections for public use. Students receive individualized attention as they develop the following:

• Strong written communication skills
• The ability to consider audience, purpose, medium, and form when producing text
• An understanding of how information is used in our culture, both in print and electronic media

Writing, Editing and Publishing Certificate at UND

• Take classes that highlight active, collaborative learning
• Gain hands-on experience producing and publishing texts
• Develop creative thinking skills
• Improve written communication skills
• Learn to assess and design quality websites
• Build online digital collections for public use

Writing, Editing and Publishing Careers

Strong writing skills and the ability to think critically are essential in every career. The ability to craft a message for both a digital landscape and the print world is highly valued by a range of employers. A certificate in Writing, Editing and Publishing from UND develops professional communication suitable for a variety of careers, including:

• Publisher
• Journalist
• Public relations specialist
• Attorney
• Technical writer
• Social media manager
• Digital marketer

Writing, Editing and Publishing Certificate Courses

• Art of Writing Nonfiction (ENGL 308): Intermediate-level study and practice of creative nonfiction writing, with peer workshops and discussions of craft. Prerequisite: ENGL 130 or ENGL 226. Offered: Fall, Spring.
• Advanced Composition: Writing for Digital Environments (ENGL 408): Advanced writing for public and professional contexts. Prerequisite: ENGL 120 or ENGL 125 or ENGL 130. Offered: On demand.
• Introduction to Creative Writing (ENGL 227): A course that introduces students to issues of environmentalism, sustainability, and ecocriticism through discussion of literary texts and film. Repeatable. Offered: Fall, Spring.
• Social Media Strategy (COMM 345): This course focuses on scholarly and commercial aspects of social media strategy as a communicative practice. Offered: Spring.
• Digital Humanities (ENGL 428): Examines the growing necessity for digital products in the humanities and moves the concept of publishing from hard copy to electronic copy. Students will have hands-on opportunities to create new knowledge by working on projects across campus. Offered: Spring, odd years.
• Introduction to Writing, Editing, and Publishing (ENGL 234): An overview of editing as a career and of publishing as a process from the perspective of both the editor and the writer. Explores job opportunities in the field and helps students develop an introductory skills set for gaining those jobs. Offered: Fall.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: August 15
• Spring: December 15
• Summer: May 1