Undergraduate Certificate in Professional and Public Writing
Website: https://twu.edu/english-rhetoric-spanish/undergraduate-program/
Now, more than ever, employers are seeking students with strong communication and critical thinking skills (see, e.g., AAC&U 2018 and 2021 surveys). Unfortunately, far too many students leave their degree programs with the specialized skills they require but not the so-called “soft” skills that stand to set them apart from their competitors on the job market. This Public & Professional Writing Certificate will meet a growing need in the Texas job market for professional writers, technical writers, and editing professionals. This certificate, which is complementary to any degree a student can earn at TWU, will equip students with the skills employers seek and help students translate knowledge from their degrees to a wide range of audiences.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
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Communicate effectively to diverse audiences using a range of media and technology.
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Organize, synthesize, and evaluate the credibility of information, such as, but not limited to, a range of academic and non-academic sources, and use this knowledge to make ethical decisions.
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Apply effective research strategies to inform argument-driven projects.
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Compose technical and professional writing to meet industry standards.
Admissions
All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.
To apply for a certificate program, students must complete an Undergraduate Certification Declaration form with their advisor and submit it to the Registrar's Office.
Certificate Requirements
Each student will complete a capstone project as part of the program. The capstone project will be an independent research-based experiential learning project developed in cooperation with an advising faculty and will be completed via an independent study course. Capstone projects will also include a significant reflective component.
Students will also put together a professional portfolio under the oversight of the advising faculty member.
Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in courses to earn credit toward the certificate.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 3433 | Professional Writing | 3 |
| or ENG 3253 | Technical Writing | |
| ENG 4363 | Digital Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENG 4913 | Independent Study (Capstone - final course) | 3 |
| Select three of the following for your chosen concentration | 9 | |
| Creative Writing | ||
| Advanced Expository Writing | ||
| Professional Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Topics in Writing and Rhetoric (if writing focused) | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total SCHs | 18 | |
