Tailored to meet the growing regional demand for professional writers, NOVA's Professional Writing Certificate program welcomes students from a wide range of degree programs and professional fields who wish to increase their chances for career advancement and employability. Our program prepares candidates to compose documents and manage professional communications for a variety of professions. Writers will gain expertise in composing, designing, and editing electronic texts as well as in developing a comprehensive foundation in grammar and punctuation.
To accommodate the diverse needs of modern professional writers, NOVA's versatile Professional Writing certificate offers a number of electives that can be used for program completion. Elective courses include journalism, technical report writing, graphic design, writing for publication, writing for the Web, social media, and communications. Our Certificate includes a pathway for students with work-related experience, and students can also include completed, relevant coursework from prior academic institutions. The final course in the Certificate is a capstone class, in which students prepare a "professional portfolio" of exemplary writing (and other projects) that will be useful in advancing their careers. Students also will receive guidance in finding employment opportunities and in preparing for job interviews.
Advising
The Professional Writing Certificate is available on every campus, though not every class in the certificate program is offered on every campus each semester. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Professional Writing Certificate program advisor either before enrolling in Professional Writing Certificate program classes or as soon as possible in their first semester of enrollment.
Completion Requirements
Students must complete ENG 111 (or its equivalent) in the first semester of the certificate program, a total of 18 credits of core professional writing courses, and 9 credits of elective courses. Students also must complete ENG 298 (Seminar and Project) in the final semester of the certificate program.
Credit for Prior Learning
Students in this program may be eligible to receive credit for prior learning and eligibility will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Innovative Program Design
The Professional Writing Certificate is a value-added credential that can be completed in tandem with the AA/AS, and it provides NOVA graduates with documentation for skills that are highly valued in the field. Organizations and departments interested in working with the Professional Writing Certificate program faculty to design specific sequences for the students should contact the current co-chairs of the Professional Writing Certificate program (see contact information on this page).
