Certificate in Writing and Editing

The ability to present ideas and concepts articulately and in a professional style is highly valued by employers, no matter what the medium or context - print or digital; business, commerce, or the academy.

Courses are designed with three goals for student learning:

1. to introduce the role of the processing of information in our current culture, both in print and electronic media;
2. to offer hands-on experience in the production of texts in academic and commercial contexts;
3. to promote the clear and concise dissemination of ideas and information.

Those students going on to academic careers will have been involved in an advanced, specialized aspect of publication and authorship in Scholarly Editing, for example. Digital Humanities, offered in cooperation with the staff of the Chester Fritz Library, provides both theory and practice in digitizing archival materials.

The certificate is comprised of 16 credit hours and may be earned in any major or on its own. Because the courses are not consecutive or sequential, the program is flexible, making it possible to complete the work in two semesters. The following courses are required for the certificate:

• English 425, Introduction to Editing and Publishing
• English 426, Professional Writing and Editing
• English 427, Scholarly Editing
• English 428, Digital Humanities
• English 429, Studies in Writing and Editing

In addition, at least one credit of internship is required. A similar or related course (e.g., graphic arts, translation, reviewing, art of the book) may substitute for one of the five required courses, upon approval of the department.