Certificate Description
Those who wish to pursue quality graduate instruction in creative writing, but do not wish to complete the 35-hour Master of Arts in Writing degree or the 65-hour MFA degree, may apply to the School of Writing’s Graduate Certificate in Writing program. Certificate students earn 15 hours of academic credit while completing a semester of study, which could be used as the first semester towards the MAW or MFA. The certificate program provides in-depth study of an area of writing so students can improve, even excel, in their chosen area of interest. Certificate students join MAW and MFA students in existing courses taught by School of Writing faculty in fiction; poetry; creative nonfiction; writing for children and young adults; writing for TV, screen, or stage (screenwriting or playwriting); or professional writing.

Students may begin studies in May or November in Louisville and complete the certificate in six months, which requires about 25 hours of work per week during independent study. A nine-month option, requiring only about 12 hours of work per week during independent study, begins in May (in Louisville) or July (abroad). Students produce the same amount of work on either schedule.

Certificate admission standards are the same as for the MFA and MAW. A BA or BS is the minimum education requirement. Graduate Certificate credits may be transferred to the MAW or MFA for one semester of credit.

The Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing offers three low-residency, 15-hour, one-semester certificate programs:

• The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Writing, which offers two tracks, one in creative writing and one in professional writing and editing.
• The Post-Master’s Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing is for those who already have a master’s degree but desire more focused instruction in the teaching of creative writing.
• The Post-Master’s Certificate in Writing Enrichment is for those who already have a master’s degree but desire continued instruction in writing.