Program Overview

Overview of the Professional Writing Certificate

The Certificate in Professional Writing, offered by the Department of English, is designed to provide students with training that will prepare them to be polished communicators in a variety of professional environments. This certificate aims to equip students with the skills to effectively use digital tools, convey field-specific information, collaborate with diverse teams, and interact with cross-cultural audiences. Upon completion of the certificate, students will have assembled a portfolio of accomplished work, demonstrating their ability to apply the knowledge and skills learned in their majors to real-world settings.

Requirements for the Professional Writing Certificate

To earn the Professional Writing Certificate, students must select a total of five courses in Writing, with specific requirements at the 2000 and 3000 levels.

• 2000-Level Courses: Select two courses from the following list:
  • ENG 2006: Non-Fiction Writing
  • ENG 2007: Writing for Business and Industry
  • ENG 2008/2696: Technical Writing
  • ENG 2009: Writing the Research Essay
  • ENG 2022: Beyond the Field: Sports and Storytelling
  • ENG 2104: Writing the Memoir
  • ENG 2714: Writing for the Arts
  • ENG 2831: Literacy and Society
  • ENG 2832: Science Writing
  • ENG 2833: Medical Writing
• 3000-Level Courses: Select at least two courses from the following list:
  • ENG 3009: Building Electronic Portfolios
  • ENG 3085: Career Internship (Must be taken for at least 3 credits.)
  • ENG 3813: Writers at Work
  • ENG 3814: Topics in Professional Writing
  • ENG 3821: Linguistics and Grammar
• Electives: Select one elective from either the 2000 or 3000 level list.
• Total Credit Hours: 15

Important Notes

• Students who are majoring in English may double-count no more than two courses between these programs.
• Certificates are awarded only at the time of completion of the bachelor's degree and cannot be awarded either as a stand-alone program of study or after completion of the first bachelor's degree.
• Campus Location: Main
• Program Code: LA-PRWR-CERT