Certificate in Writing Studies
Let this certificate open doors for you.
Certificate in Creative & Professional Writing
The Certificate in Creative and Professional Writing will enhance your writing skills, introduce you to new and exciting career pathways and boost your confidence as a writer, You’ll take one course from the Writing Studies M.A. Program, followed by electives of your choosing. We offer a variety of professional courses, such as Writers at Work and Style, plus creative courses that include Screenwriting, Fiction, and Nonfiction. Focus on one area or take a mixture of both.
Our certificate is designed for anyone seeking professional development, a career in writing or communications, knowledge of publishing, or guidance in portfolio development for further graduate study. Work at your own pace by choosing one, two, or three courses per term. Our evening classes are small and designed for the working professional. We’re here to support you as a writer.
Length of program
Two semesters or up to two years.
Build toward a Master’s
Students who successfully complete the certification program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can then take five additional courses to earn a master’s degree in writing studies.
Application Requirements
- Completed online app; application found at sju.edu/gradapplty
- Personal statement
- Two letters of reference
- Writing samples
- Resume/CV
- $35 application fee (waived for Open House attendees and SJU graduates)
Course Requirements
One required course - ENG 550, The Practice of Writing
Four elective courses of level ENG 600. Such courses include but are not limited to:
- ENG 600 Poetry Today (3 credits)
- ENG 612 Biography (3 credits)
- ENG 614 The Short Story (3 credits)
- ENG 615 Road to Revolution in 1960s (3 credits)
- ENG 616 Writing & Inciting (3 credits)
- ENG 617 Writing and Other Arts (3 credits)
- ENG 619 Reading & Writing the YA Novel (3 credits)
- ENG 620 Special Topics in Lit/Culture (3 credits)
- ENG 621 Horror in Literature & Film (3 credits)
- ENG 630 Composition Theory (3 credits)
- ENG 635 The Writing Teacher Writing (3 credits)
- ENG 636 Writing & Empowerment (3 credits)
- ENG 640 Experiments in Narrative (3 credits)
- ENG 641 Rhetorical Theory: Special Topics (3 credits)
- ENG 642 Style (3 credits)
- ENG 643 Special Topics in Essay (3 credits)
- ENG 646 Multi-Media Storytelling (3 credits)
- ENG 665 Memoir (3 credits)
- ENG 668 Creative Nonfiction Workshop (3 credits)
- ENG 669 Poetry Writing Workshop (3 credits)
- ENG 670 Fiction Writing Workshop (3 credits)
- ENG 671 Fiction Writing Workshop II (3 credits)
- ENG 673 Screenwriting Workshop (3 credits)
- ENG 675 Special Topics Writing Workshop (3 credits)
- ENG 676 Writing for Publication (3 credits)
- ENG 677 Case Study: Public Relations (3 credits)
- ENG 678 Case Study: Magazine Publishing (3 credits)
- ENG 679 Special Topics in Journalism (3 credits)
- ENG 680 Writing the Grant Proposal (3 credits)
- ENG 681 Writers at Work (3 credits)
- ENG 682 New Media (3 credits)
- ENG 683 Editing Practicum (3 credits)
- ENG 684 Health Writing (3 credits)
For more information, please contact:
Cristina Hanganu-Bresch
Director of the Writing Studies Program
620-660-2644 | changanubresch@sju.edu