Pictured | Alexis Martin | Secondary Education, Social Studies / Minor in Psychology / Professional Writing Certificate | New Carlisle, Indiana (hometown)
Honors Program Leadership Council
Volunteer Activity | Cultivate Food Rescue

Certificate in Professional Writing

Erinn Kelley, M.A. | Coordinator | (574) 520-5502 | kelleye@iusb.edu 

About the Certificate Program

The Certificate in Professional Writing offers students from any major the chance to improve their competitive edge and increase their prospects for success in the increasingly complex 21st century world of work. The program provides students with the opportunity to advance beyond mere writing competence and to enhance writing skills in both independent and team settings.

Enrollment Eligibility

For Undergraduate Students | Candidates for the certificate should meet with an adviser to add the certificate to their academic plan. 

For Returning IU South Bend Graduates | Any returning IU South Bend graduate may count up to 6 credit hours of prior eligible coursework at IU South Bend that was completed within the past two calendar years. Candidates must meet with a professional writing adviser to develop a plan for certificate studies before enrolling. Further credit hours may be granted through written appeal.

For Other Graduate Students | Students who have at least a bachelor's degree from another accredited university may enroll in the certificate program. Candidates must meet with a professional writing adviser to develop a plan for certificate studies before enrolling.

Requirements (12 cr.)

Completion of the certificate program requires 12 credit hours of coursework with a GPA of 2.0 or above. Students must earn a grade of C- or above for courses to count towards the certificate. Students must select one core course and three electives from the lists below.

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Core Course (3 cr.)

Select one from the following:

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills
• ENG-W 232 Introduction to Business Writing

Electives (9 cr.)

The Professional Writing Committee reviews requests for course substitutions.

Select three from the following:

• ENG-W 250 Writing in Context (variable topics)
• ENG-W 260 Film Criticism
• ENG-W 270 Argumentative Writing
• ENG-W 315 Writing for the Web
• ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing
• ENG-W 367 Writing for Multiple Media
• JOUR-J 341 Newspaper Reporting
• JOUR-J 390 Public Relations Writing
• JOUR-J 413 Magazine Article Writing

Practicum/Internship Option

Students may, with permission of the chair of the Department of English, enroll in one supervised writing internship (ENG-W 398 Internship in Writing) or practicum after they have completed nine of their 12 hours of course work in the program. Approval of an internship or practicum is based on the strength of the proposal and the value of the proposed work experience.