Professional Writing

This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

The English department offers a graduate certificate in professional writing that is open to students enrolled in graduate degree programs at North Dakota State University as well as professionals who are not currently pursuing a masters or doctorate. The certificate in professional writing offers students the opportunity to develop their written, oral, and digital communication skills in workplace, public, and/or online contexts.

The professional writing certificate promotes competencies such as written communication, visual communication, project planning, interpersonal communication, teamwork, content development and management, and reviewing and editing that can be tailored to students’ graduate programs and industry and/or academic-focused professional goals. The graduate certificate is a flexible professional credential that is suited for those interested in distinguishing themselves through developing their writing skills in their current or future industry positions as well as those interested in technical and professional communication research and pedagogy.

Curriculum

The graduate certificate in professional writing requires 8-9 credit hours. A grade of "B" or better in each course is required.

Choose at least 1 of the following options:

ENGL 649 Usability and User Experience (3 credits)

ENGL 655 International Technical Writing (3 credits)

ENGL 659 Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal (3 credits)

Choose at least 1 of the following options:

AHSS 672 Introduction to Publishing (3 credits)

COMM 735 Theories of Media, Technology, and Society (3 credits)

COMM 750 Advanced Issues in Communication (3 credits)
with certificate program director approval

EDUC 682 Classroom Practice/Methods of Teaching II (2-3 credits)

ENGL 656 Literacy, Culture and Identity (3 credits)

ENGL 754 Rhetorics of Science and Technology (3 credits)

ENGL 758 Topics in Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture (3 credits)
with certificate program director approval

ENGL 765 Upper Division Writing: Pedagogy, Practice, and Technology(3 credits)

ENGL 794 Practicum (3 credits)
with certificate program director approval

ENGL 795 Field Experience (3 credits)
with certificate program director approval

MBA 723 Digital Marketing (2 credits)

Graduate students will need to choose a second option from either list to complete the 8-9 total required credits.