certificate in creative writing

Creative Writing Certificate Online | Northwestern SPS - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

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Program Overview

Creative Writing

Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing

The writing certificate introduces students to the small-group workshop format and features individual attention from published, award-winning faculty . Flexible scheduling – with courses offered evenings and weekends on Northwestern’s Chicago and Evanston campuses as well as online and in hybrid format – gives students the opportunity to balance their professional, personal and writing lives. While earning their certificate, students will likewise have the opportunity to connect with other writers at readings and events in an artistic community that extends beyond the University into Chicagoʼs vibrant literary scene.

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STACKABLE CERTIFICATE

Complete this four-course certificate and apply your credit to Northwestern’s MA in Writing or MFA in Prose and Poetry programs.

About the Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing

Graduate certificate in creative writing learning outcomes, creative writing curriculum, creative writing courses, creative writing admission, creative writing tuition, registration information for creative writing, creative writing faculty.

• Applying Credit to the MA in Writing or MFA in Prose and Poetry

After successful completion of the certificate, students will have the knowledge, skills, and aptitude to:

• Determine the strengths and areas for improvement in their writing, and learn how to evaluate critical feedback of their work
• Revise work, re-think it, and re-imagine it
• Experiment with different styles and forms
• Read literature as a writer and a critic

Students will also be introduced to:

• Tools for teaching creative writing, informed by current pedagogy and classroom experience
• The vibrant literary community at the university, in the city of Chicago, and environs

Students are required to complete the following four courses to earn the certificate: 

• 2 Writing Workshops in the genre in which they are accepted (list of available workshops below)
• 1 Literature Course (may be any 400-level LIT Course; some 400-level IPLS courses may apply)
• 1 Elective (may be any MCW 490 Elective Course, MCW 575 The Publishing Industry: Literary Presses and Journals, any Publishing and Professional Development Course, any additional Literature Course)

Writing Workshops

• MCW 411 - Poetry Workshop
• MCW 413 - Fiction Writing Workshop
• MCS 461 - Nonfiction Writing Workshop

Literature Courses

• LIT 405 - Topics in Literature (topics vary - see course schedule)
• LIT 410 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in Literary and Cultural Analysis
• LIT 480 - Topics in Comparative Literature (topics vary - see course schedule)
• LIT 492 - Special Topics (topics vary - see course schedule)

Review curriculum details while you consider applying to this program. Current students should refer to the curriculum requirements in place at time of entry into the program.

Explore Creative Writing Courses. You can narrow your course search by day, location or instructor.

A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the  Graduate Certificate Admission  page.

Tuition for this program at Northwestern is comparable to similar US programs. Complete details can be found on the Creative Writing Certificate Tuition page.

Already accepted into the Graduate Certificate in program name program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible.

Instructors in the Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing program at Northwestern are leading scholars and practitioners in their field. They bring real-world experiences to the classroom and engage with students on a personal level. Get to know the instructors on the Creative Writing Faculty page.

Applying Credit to the MA in Writing or MFA in Prose and Poetry Programs

Students that are interested in the option of applying their credit to the SPS MA in Writing or MFA in Prose and Poetry programs must submit an online application and submit all required application materials .

Students that elect to apply to a master's program before completing a graduate certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable master's degree, but there will be no certificate conferred.

If you are interested in exploring this option, please contact the SPS graduate advising team for information on how to pursue a master's degree at SPS.

Find out more about Northwestern's Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing

Creative Writing Certificate

A certificate program for aspiring writers

Best-selling novels, blockbuster movies and award-winning poems all start with an idea…but the crucial next step of creating words to convey and express those ideas can be daunting. Our customizable Creative Writing Certificate program provides individualized guidance from experienced instructors who have published works in multiple genres. Explore methodologies across all writing categories as you refine both your personal style and voice utilizing the most effective tools and techniques. Schedule flexibility combined with a variety of elective options allows you to tailor the curriculum based on personal interests and skill sets. Build your platform and grow your brand as you work to successfully achieve your writing goals.

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The following types of students will benefit from this program:

• Working professionals looking to bolster their writing skills
• Aspiring authors eager to become published
• Hobbyists seeking to hone their craft

Program objectives

After successfully completing this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of professional writing techniques spanning all aspects of the writing process
• Utilize the practical knowledge of how to grow their platform, evaluate the commercial potential of their work, and move toward publishing
• Create a tangible testament to their academic achievement in the field

Certificate requirements

To receive the certificate, students must:

• Complete all four (4) of the core courses
• Complete at least three (3) elective courses
• Attend at least 80% of the class sessions in each course
• Satisfy all program requirements within 18 months

All courses are also offered open enrollment, meaning anyone can register for them regardless of affiliation with Emory or desire to complete the certificate program. Students must apply for and be accepted into the Advanced Revision Workshop .

View writing submission guidelines . 

Certificate overview

Duration 12-18 months

Cost $3,045

Time commitment 84 hours

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Students should complete the four (4) required courses in the order listed below.

Students must complete three (3) of the following electives before, during, or after the required courses.

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Certificate in Creative Writing

Certificates.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each online course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

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Creative Writing, Certificate

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.

The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 course unit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 course unit) by adding two additional courses from the advanced course list.

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered on accelerated (8-week) and classic (11- or 12-week) schedules. Courses in the certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors. For more information about specific course dates, please visit the Course Schedule  page.

You have the option to enroll in individual courses without committing to the entire certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests.

For more information: https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/academics/certificates/creative-writing

The Certificate in Creative Writing prepares you to:

• Understand how text conveys meaning across a variety of literary genres and styles
• Explore how to use innovation, flexibility, and collaboration to cultivate a creative writing practice
• Create, revise and edit your original writing in multiple literary genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting

Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.

Courses are subject to change.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

The Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing is a 6-course, 6 course unit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. 

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered on accelerated (8-week) and classic (11- or 12-week) schedules. Courses in the certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors. For more information about specific course dates, please visit the  Course Schedule  page.

For more information:   https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/academics/certificates/creative-writing

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Penn's Certificate in Creative Writing

Landing page - certificate - crwr, an ivy league certificate designed to unlock your creativity.

The online Certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Pennsylvania offers an innovative and collaborative opportunity to enhance your creative expression within a liberal arts education. Both the basic and advanced certificate courses are designed as hands-on, intensive workshops exploring the subtleties and power of language.

A Penn Tradition of Excellence

A hallmark of a Penn education and valued by students and employers, the cultivation of excellent writing skills represents an opportunity for both career advancement and lifelong self-expression.

The online Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops for students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills.

Results-Focused

Courses are designed to enhance your writing and storytelling skills and provide a framework for a creative process that can be applied to a myriad of professional roles.

Both basic and advanced online courses are scheduled at times to accommodate working adults, so you can easily enhance your creativity while still pursuing your career.

University of Pennsylvania online certificates—a flexible, Ivy League educational experience with immediate career impact.

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