Certificate of Less than One Year in Professional Writing and Editing
This standalone certificate prepares students to be able to analyze, compose, edit, design, translate, and/or promote texts from diverse genres and media in diverse venues. Learning the fundamentals of the relationships between the ethical use of technology and content development, editing and effective communication, and language and comprehension will help ready students to find careers in many fields, including but not limited to:
- Writing and Content Creation
- Editing and Copyediting
- Publishing
- Technical Communication
- Marketing and Advertising
- Public Relations
- Print and Digital Design
- Professional Translation and Interpretation
- AI Consultation
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
This program can be face-to-face, hybrid, or online, depending on the student's course selections.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 12
This program may be earned entirely online, entirely face-to-face, or anything in between.
Save money.
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Certificate Required
9 credit hours: ENGL 3410 AND ENGL 4405 (6) ENGL 3400 OR ENGL 4304 (3)
This course is designed to help students become proficient in the technologies useful in classrooms and in the work world that editors and writers will encounter. As such, its content will change as new technologies develop and are adopted in these arenas. Students in the course will demonstrate familiarity with the kind of technologies useful to editors and writers in the classroom and work world; apply these technologies to common tasks, such as creating a document, editing a file, developing a slide show, building a simple website, populating a spreadsheet, developing a web page, sending an email, or flowing a manuscript into a proof; and choose the correct technology for the task assigned.
A sustained analysis of a particular linguistic theme, an approach to, or a regional expression of the English language. Regular offerings in the history of the English language and its development from Anglo-Saxon to contemporary varieties of world English and in English grammar will rotate with other topics. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
Advanced composition course focusing on syntactical and rhetorical skills necessary for effective communication in a variety of professional settings and disciplines. Students will study the principles of sentence construction and persuasion, and learn to perform structural and functional analyses of both in order to address particular audiences in specific situations. They will also explore the relationship between multimodality and accessibility in the creation and reception of meaning. Can be taken in lieu of ENGL 4300 for purposes of Publishing and Editing Certificate and English B.A., Education Track. Open to non-majors.
This course is focused on introducing students to the world of publishing and professionalizing students as editors, helping students learn or hone the skills they ll need to edit (at all levels content, sentence, punctuation) their own and others work, and assisting them to develop documents and credentials to present to a potential employer.
Certificate Selects
3 credit hours from one of the following:
This course provides art majors the opportunity to explore the historic perspectives, cultural relevance and technical aspects of graphic and design issues within the context of the contemporary profession of design. Study of historic print production processes will include printmaking and photography. Pre-requisites: ART 1006, 1007, 2201, Permission of Instructor. $75.00 lab fee request.
The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of rhetoric in the context of social influence. In addition to identifying key concepts of rhetorical analysis, the course includes evaluation of communicative strategies and tactics of social justice movements. The course also examines the ways in which technological developments the channels of communication have altered rhetorical messages, as well as their effectiveness in influencing public opinion and achieving institutional change.
Theories and inquiry into strategies for the creation of and ethical use of persuasive messages including historical and contemporary perspectives in various communication contexts. Special focus on oral presentation of persuasive content and analysis of ethical persuasive strategies.
This course will analyze the communication process in intercultural contexts, including self-awareness of our intersecting cultural identities, listening, verbal and nonverbal styles across cultures, culture shock, and communication values in intercultural dialogue.
This course will introduce students to the basic theories and principles of health messaging design and delivery with the goal of improving health outcomes by changing people's beliefs and behaviors. The course will prepare students to use health communication theories to understand affected communities, develop and deliver targeted persuasive health messages, and evaluate messaging effectiveness.
An introduction to the genre-specific workshop in either fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, or play writing. May be repeated up to 6 hours as topics vary. No more than 2 courses may be counted toward the major in English. Pre-requisites: ENGL 2060 or XIDS 2100 (The Creative Process).
Intensive practice in composing powerful audience-driven documents in a variety of real-world business, professional and technical contexts. Students will also learn how to make effective business-related presentations supported with appropriate documentary and visual aids.
This course is designed to help students become proficient in the technologies useful in classrooms and in the work world that editors and writers will encounter. As such, its content will change as new technologies develop and are adopted in these arenas. Students in the course will demonstrate familiarity with the kind of technologies useful to editors and writers in the classroom and work world; apply these technologies to common tasks, such as creating a document, editing a file, developing a slide show, building a simple website, populating a spreadsheet, developing a web page, sending an email, or flowing a manuscript into a proof; and choose the correct technology for the task assigned.
An intensive examination of the formal, social, cultural and historical contexts of a single literary genre as well as the theoretical concerns that underlie its analysis. May be repeated for credit as genre or topic varies. Students may enroll up to three semesters.
This course will emphasize the development of the British novel from the seventeenth century through the present or the American novel from the late eighteenth century through the present in relation to literary, cultural, intellectual, technological, and aesthetic changes in Britain or America.
An examination of the African-American tradition in literature.
An intensive writing experience in one of the following genres: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, or playwriting. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
An examination of a wide range of literary texts appropriate for use in grades 7-12, focused so that students will develop an understanding of the basic reading processes, including reading assessment, comprehension strategies, and techniques for corrective reading, as well as a series of effective methodologies for promoting the critical appreciation of literature. Also covered are issues relating to the rights and responsibilities of various groups (including teachers, school administrators, and parents) involved in designing and implementing a literature curriculum.
A sustained analysis of a particular linguistic theme, an approach to, or a regional expression of the English language. Regular offerings in the history of the English language and its development from Anglo-Saxon to contemporary varieties of world English and in English grammar will rotate with other topics. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
Advanced composition course focusing on syntactical and rhetorical skills necessary for effective communication in a variety of professional settings and disciplines. Students will study the principles of sentence construction and persuasion, and learn to perform structural and functional analyses of both in order to address particular audiences in specific situations. They will also explore the relationship between multimodality and accessibility in the creation and reception of meaning. Can be taken in lieu of ENGL 4300 for purposes of Publishing and Editing Certificate and English B.A., Education Track. Open to non-majors.
A supervised practicum within a career-related setting that is writing-, editing-, tutoring-, and/or teaching-intensive. Enrollment is contingent on approval of proposed internship activities by both instructor and department chair.
This course is focused on introducing students to the world of publishing and professionalizing students as editors, helping students learn or hone the skills they ll need to edit (at all levels content, sentence, punctuation) their own and others work, and assisting them to develop documents and credentials to present to a potential employer.
Explores the variety of writing contexts in the contemporary workplace, considering composition as a process that involves multiple modes of communication and delivery. Topics include writing for page, web and video and applying practices from both written and visual rhetoric.
Explores developing conversations regarding the use of AI in the workplace, with particular attention to research and writing applications. Explores ethical applications of AI for writing and editing, understanding of the ways that AI bots are trained and maintained, strategies for using AI effectively while maintaining individual voice and research integrity.
Extensive practice in written and spoken French. Includes grammar review, vocabulary expansion, and composition and conversation practice on contemporary cultural/literary topics. Can be taken three times for credit with different content.
This course allows students to apply and expand their knowledge of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking world through Business French. We will learn about and apply the language, grammar, and instruments used in the business world, and interpret its customs in a variety of cultural contexts. Students will gain hands-on experience developing tools that refine the oral, written, and intercultural communication skills that prepare them to navigate a range of professional organizations. Moreover, this course positions students to understand how business practices reflect culture and thus equips students with critical thinking, comparative frameworks, and intercultural awareness that position them to participate more responsibly and effectively in an increasingly connected and globalized world.
This course will provide students the opportunity to gain skills translating French to English as well as English to French.
Intensive study of the principles governing the structures of the French language. In this course students will refine and extend their language skills.
Acquisition of organizational and writing skills through grammar review and expansion, vocabulary enhancement, and compositions based on contemporary and cultural topics. May be taken multiple times for credit with different content and instructor permission.
A variable content course with emphasis on the vocabularies and culture of economics/business or the social sciences.
An intensive and extensive study of the principles governing the structure of the German language. In this course students will refine and extend their language skills.
An introduction to the philosophy, theory and practice of museum work and a survey of various functions of a museum, including collections, research, education and interpretation, exhibits, and administration.
The integrative role of advertising in persuasive communication in business and related fields. Includes strategies for organizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating effective media decisions in the digital age.
This course will examine the impact of social media and the internet on marketing strategy. Topics will include an exploration of social media technologies and applications such as Facebook, blogs, Twitter, wikis, YouTube, etc. Students will learn how to develop an online presence, leverage these technologies and use the power and impact of Web 2.0 in implementing successful marketing strategies.
Companies are increasingly shifting marketing efforts from traditional media to digital media such as search engine optimization, online advertising, e-mail and social media marketing. It is important for marketing managers to understand these technologies and develop strategies for their effective use. This course is designed to provide students an introduction to digital marketing strategy. Students will also have an opportunity to earn a digital marketing certificate from a professional organization.
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to Web design. Students will learn concepts related to planning and developing web sites by studying Web usability, multimedia, and Web 2.0 applications for business and education web sites. (Same as ABED 4118).
Ethical and philosophical issues that arise in the context of medicine and bioresearch. Many ethical issues arise in health care contexts, including abortion, death, euthanasia, assisted reproduction, experimentation with human and animal subjects. This course introduces students to a selection of such issues and helps them to develop and articulate their own rational, informed views about them.
This course examines ethical questions that can arise in the professions and occupations, such as: Is my privacy violated when my job requires that I be tested for drugs? What should I do if I know that my employer is making an unsafe product? Should physicians ever lie to their patients? Do corporations have any responsibilities beyond making a profit for their shareholders? The course also examines more theoretical issues concerning professionalism and the professions, such as the nature of the relationship between professionals and clients and the connection between ordinary and professional morality. Required for philosophy majors in the Law and Justice track.
This course is designed to explore the theoretical principles and practical applications of management for charities and/or nonprofit organizations. The underlying thesis of this course is that by understanding fundamental principles such as developing effective mission and objectives statements, fundraising, marketing and accounting strategies, nonprofits can become more effective and responsive to their constituency's needs. The course will include a field research component.
This course introduces students to the world of grant-writing and management, and provides an opportunity to experience writing actual grants. Students will learn the process of identifying prospective funders, developing relationships with funders, understanding the basics of writing grants, submitting proposals, working as a collaborative, and preparing for the follow up. Students will apply course learning to write and prepare actual grant proposals.
A course designed to enable students to become more competitive in their chosen career fields by developing in them an understanding of the importance of increasing global economic interdependence and the challenges of relating to people from other countries or cultures. Same as MGNT 3627.
Spanish for Professions is designed to give students a basic foundation in professional vocabulary, geographical and cultural concepts, and situational practice while reinforcing the language skills at an intermediate to advanced level. The course will increase awareness of the environments in which today s Spanish-speaking professionals engage, specifically in five distinct fields: computer sciences, business and finance, medical and health, mass communications, and the legal and judicial systems.
Grammar review, vocabulary expansion, and writing practice, based on contemporary and cultural topics.
Spanish for Business is designed to give students a basic foundation in Spanish business vocabulary, geographical and cultural concepts, and situational practice so that they can be aware of the way business is conducted in today's Spanish-speaking business environment.
A study of linguistics as applied to the Spanish language, with a concentration in phonetics, morphology, and semantics.
A comprehensive course designed to promote proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
An introduction to the basic principles of translation. Exercises will include translation from the basic level (phrases and sentences) to intermediate (paragraphs) and Advanced levels (short stories and other texts).
No faculty members listed
No Admissions Data Provided.
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate only), Financial Aid, Fee Payments, Registration, Start/End of term, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
- Develop and edit professional documents using discipline-specific technologies.
- Critically evaluate how writers and speakers inform or persuade audiences according to context.