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Graduate Certificate Programs

The English Department currently offers non-degree certificates in two areas, Professional Writing and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Our certificate programs prepare individuals for challenges they will face in a specific professional field by providing both background knowledge and hands-on training. Individuals develop knowledge and skills applicable to their chosen field while enhancing their credentials for employment.

Professional Writing

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing provides students with the knowledge and skills to face the challenges of effectively communicating in workplaces that are increasingly global, digital, and virtual. This 12-hour graduate certificate program introduces students to the processes and products of professional, workplace, and technical writing. The program is designed to be an additional credential or enhancement, not a substitute for a graduate degree. Students completing the four-course program will earn a graduate certificate that will appear on their permanent transcripts.

Professional Writing courses will be offered through a number of delivery methods, including in-person, online, and hybrid. All courses required for the certificate may not be offered as online or hybrid courses.

For more information, contact Randy Gonzales.

Course Requirements

Course requirements are available in the University Catalog entry for the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing.

Career Opportunities

Professional writing skills are relevant across industries. The average professional spends 10 to 40% of their work time writing and collaborating with others to plan and write documents. Working professionals can use the certificate to help them develop the communication skills that can stimulate their careers.

Recent graduates can use the graduate certificate to prepare them to enter the workforce as skilled communicators and writers and to qualify for jobs as writers, editors, and content designers in a number of industries. The program appeals to graduates with degrees in STEM fields who can use the graduate certificate as a qualification for careers as technical writers, and to graduates with strong writing skills who can use the graduate certificate as a gateway to careers in professional writing.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook estimates that the average growth rate for the technical writing profession is faster than average at 15 percent over 10 years with a 2012 median pay of $65,500 per year.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Technical Writers

TESOL

The TESOL certificate program allows you to develop a strong knowledge base by completing the core requirements of the TESOL degree program. This is especially appropriate if you are a student in English who wishes to add to your range of subjects, a teacher in English or in another area who wishes to develop an appropriate credential for teaching overseas, or an experienced teacher who wishes to improve your craft.

Information about the application process or course requirements can be found in these pages or at the Graduate School site. 

For more information, contact Mark Honegger.

Course Requirements

Course requirements are available in the University Catalog entry for the Graduate Certificate in TESOL.

Admissions

An applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university prior to acceptance into the Graduate Certificate Programs.

Students who have completed a Bachelor's degree in any subject at any accredited English-speaking institution may apply for admission to the certificate program. Students from non-English-speaking institutions who have a Bachelor's degree in English may also apply. Contact the Graduate School for more information about applying for the certificate program.

An applicant should submit the following items for admission:

  • Graduate School’s Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • Official Transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university
  • Statement of Purpose (optional, but recommended)
  • Non-native speakers must also submit current, official TOEFL or IELTS scores. TOEFL scores below 550 on the written examination or below 81 on the Internet-based exam are not considered satisfactory. IELTS scores below 6.5 are not considered satisfactory.

Students can be admitted to the program for Fall, Spring or Summer enrollment.