Arizona State University
Department of English
Box 870302
Tempe, AZ 85287-0302
480.965.3168
Main Office Location:
G. Homer Durham Language and Literature Building - LL 542
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ASU English Home > Writing Certificate Program > FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the Writing Certificate
What is the Writing Certificate?
The Writing Certificate is an award students receive after they have successfully completed 19 hours of advanced writing courses, including an internship and a final portfolio. Students' ASU official transcripts bear a statement that they have completed the courses and have been awarded the Certificate.
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What are the benefits of having a Writing Certificate?
A general benefit you will receive from earning a Writing Certificate is the further development of your writing skills. As you take the required and elective writing courses in our program, your knowledge about what makes effective communication and your own ability to create meaning will improve. The Writing Certificate authenticates that improvement. In addition, you will
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gain confidence as a writer and strengthen your trust in your own capacity to communicate with others.
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know that you have pursued opportunities to develop and refine the kinds of skills and achievement highly valued in school and in the world of work.
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have self-assurance and faith in yourself as a writer.
A second benefit you may receive is that your ability to write successful assignments at the university will further develop. When you learn the theories and practice the skills taught in Writing Certificate courses, your writing under a variety of conditions will improve. Most importantly, for many students, earning a Writing Certificate will prepare you for the writing demands of your chosen career. Nearly every profession requires its members to write—to communicate to colleagues, to clients, to the general public. A few statistics will make the point: 89% of managers who were surveyed reported that they write memos or reports at least twice a week, while 74% of professionals, 65% of technical workers, 56% of sales people, and 73% of clerical workers report that they write extended papers at least twice a week, as well (Mikulecky 1998).
As you take Writing Certificate courses, you may find you enjoy writing so much that you'd like to pursue a career as a professional writer. If you do, you will be among professionals who have a secure future. In fact, U.S. News and World Report (October 26, 1998) included "technical writer" in their list of 20 top jobs that will be needed into the future. When you earn a Writing Certificate, you will be able to demonstrate to employers that you believe it important to master the skills they want and need.
Who should apply for a Writing Certificate?
Any person who wishes to enhance his or her writing skills, either for personal or professional purposes, will benefit from obtaining a Writing Certificate. Students in any academic program may participate in the Writing Certificate Program. In addition, members of the community and employees in business and industry may also participate.
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What are the requirements for the Writing Certificate?
Each student must apply for admission to the program. After completing 19 hours of advanced writing coursework (see course listings), including an internship, and a portfolio pro-seminar with a gpa of at least 3.0, a student may be awarded the Certificate.
How should I begin?
You must apply for admission to the Writing Certificate Program. You must have completed the First Year Composition sequence (101/102 or 105 or 107/108 or their equivalent) with a grade of B or better. You must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. (If you are not enrolled in a degree program, this requirement may be waived.) Then submit an application packet to the Writing Certificate Director, an Undergraduate Academic Advisor, or to the English Department office.
What should be in the application packet?
Complete an "Application to the Writing Certificate Program." Submit it along with the following:
- application essay (1-2 pp., explaining how your experience and training-withinand outside the university-have prepared you for the program, indicating yourcareer goals, and explaining how these goals relate to the Writing Certificate Program)
- critical paper or research paper (5-10 pp., written for a recently completed course;or a workplace writing sample)
- letters of recommendation (from two teachers or supervisors who address youraptitude for advanced writing and potential for success in the program)
- official transcripts (from all colleges and universities you have attended) This is important because you must verify your completion of the 101/102 sequence and a 3.0 gpa.
What is the Writing Certificate Internship?
The Internship (ENG 484) places you in a work environment in which you will gain professional experience in writing. You may work with professional writers and public information experts in a corporate communications department, nonprofit organization, publishing house, public utility, health care organization, research consulting firm, or government agency. You will submit progress reports and a final report that describes and evaluates your internship experience. (To participate in the internship, you must have maintained a 3.0 GPA in the courses of your Writing Certificate Program of Study.)
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What is the Writing Certificate Portfolio?
When you have completed your course work, you will take Pro-Seminar ENG 498 and submit a portfolio of your best writing from a wide range of assignments. You will also include an essay which analyzes stylistic, substantive, and cultural components of writing in your field.
What classes will I take to earn a Writing Certificate?
To earn a Writing Certificate, you must complete 19 hours of advanced writing instruction. You will choose most of your classes from a list of courses offered by the ASU English Department. You may also choose electives from other departments such as those courses listed here. Consult with your English advisor to prepare a Program of Study which may be designed to suit individual needs. In general the Program of Study includes a 13 hour core of English writing courses and 6 additional hours chosen either from English writing courses or from courses related to writing and design from other departments on campus. For instance, each student must complete all the courses in list A and should also take 2 courses selected from lists B and C.
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May I specialize in a particular type of writing?
You may choose to emphasize general writing or you may wish to take courses which prepare you for particular workplaces. For example, you may wish to specialize in technical writing by choosing courses such as Document Production and then take Technical Editing, Writing in Cyberspace, and Technical Rhetoric as your electives. Or you may wish to specialize in creative writing by electing Professional Writing, Intermediate and Advanced Creative Writing. Alternately, you could choose to specialize in persuasive writing by taking Persuasive Writing on Public Issues and Imperatives of Proof among your courses. Other combinations are available from courses taught in Business, Art, Computer, or Design departments. Consult with the English Advisor as you plan your program of study.
Where can I get more information about the Writing
Certificate Program at Arizona State University?
Contact any of the following for more information:
Writing Certificate Program
Department of English
LL 172C
(480) 727-9130
Robert.Haynes@asu.edu
Undergraduate Advisor
Department of English
LL 549C
(480) 965-3535
Elizabeth.McNeil@asu.edu
Writing Programs Office
Department of English
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 965-3853
www.asu.edu/clas/english/writingprograms/
A Note to Employers
The faculty of the English Department of Arizona State University invite you to join with us in a partnership which can be beneficial to you and your employees as well as to us and our students. By working with us to provide internship opportunities for our students, you will be serving the future. As students work for you, they benefit from real work experience, and you get some of your important work done by eager, well-trained writers. In addition, we invite you to offer encouragement to your current employees who may benefit professionally and personally from advanced training in written communication by earning a Writing Certificate from Arizona State University. Please contact our Writing Certificate Director, Undergraduate advisor, or any one of the writing faculty members listed on this webpage for more information about how you can become involved in this valuable partnership.
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