Certificate in Professional Writing

• 18 required credit hours

The certificate in professional writing is designed for students who want to learn about - and prepare to meet - the writing and other communication challenges found in business, nonprofit, governmental, and community settings. It is designed for students who want a highly structured program that provides the broad-based research, writing, and editing skills necessary to excel in any field or profession.

The certificate program in professional writing is open both to undergraduate students at Webster and to members of the larger community, including those who already have bachelor's degrees. To receive the certificate in professional writing, students must complete 18 credit hours as specified below with a grade of C or better in each course.

Portfolio Review for Certificate in Professional Writing

Students who begin the certificate in professional writing in the 2007-08 academic year or later must submit a portfolio in order to graduate. Students will enroll in WRIT 4600: Professional Writing Portfolio Review (0 credit hours) in their final semester of undergraduate study. Students must pass WRIT 4600: Professional Writing Portfolio Review in order to receive the certificate in professional writing.

The portfolio will be used as a means of assessing the knowledge and skills the student developed in the course of pursuing the professional writing certificate and will also help the English Department assess the quality and success of the certificate.

The portfolio will be assessed using the learning objectives for the professional writing program.

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:

• analyze the purpose, audience, and context of a specific writing task and use that analysis to complete the task effectively.
• conduct a variety of types of research, including library research, interviews, and surveys, essential to many professional writing tasks.
• understand and follow the conventions of specific types of documents produced in professional settings, including feasibility reports, grant proposals, and business plans.
• plan and write collaboratively with others.
• critique and edit their own writing rhetorical effectiveness as well as style usage.
• understand and apply the basic principles of successful web-based communication.
• employ principles of effective visual design.

WRIT 2090 Writing in the Workplace (3)

Students will improve overall communication skills while learning the basic forms and conventions of workplace writing. Assignments will include memos and letters responding to a variety of rhetorical situations (e.g., informative, persuasive, negative), job application letters and résumés, a short report, and an oral presentation. The course will emphasize the planning and drafting process and include peer response workshops.

WRIT 2400 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)

Provides an introduction to a variety of types of professional writing while also reinforcing writing and research skills necessary for professional writers. Areas covered could include creative nonfiction writing, feature writing, editing, proposal writing, writing for the Web, and technical writing. Students will practice the forms of writing as well as investigate what is necessary to pursue a career in selected areas.

WRIT 3100 Report and Proposal Writing (3)

Students will learn how to research, plan, and write reports and proposals, including grant proposals, for a range of organizations, audiences, and purposes. The course will emphasize peer response workshops and revision.

WRIT 4000 Topics in Professional Writing (3)

Covers specialized topics in professional writing such as Editing and Publishing, Writing for Nonprofit Organizations, and Writing on Nature and Environment. Prerequisite: junior standing or above or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

WRIT 4600 Professional Writing Portfolio Review (0)

A portfolio of student work in professional writing to be turned in during the final semester of study. Required of all students seeking a Certificate in Professional Writing.