Certificate Description

The Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing (NMS) offers a 15-credit Post-Master’s Certificate in Writing Enrichment that provides in-depth study for students who already hold an MFA or an MA in an appropriate discipline and want to pursue further post-graduate study in creative writing and/or professional writing. If desired, students may mix their certificate coursework from creative and professional writing courses.

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Writing Enrichment study can be highly individualized to allow the student to enter writing practice under the guidance of NMS faculty in order to work in a new creative writing genre, or on a new creative writing project, or gain expertise and specialization in professional writing. To earn the certificate, students complete a residency course and an independent study course.

The student enrolls in the 3-credit residency course, choosing either ENG 652 Enrichment Residency which focuses on creative writing or ENG 614, ENG 624, or ENG 635 which focus on professional writing, editing, and/or publishing. After successful completion of the 3-credit residency course, students begin a 12-credit independent study course which may be ENG 653: Writing Enrichment focusing on creative writing or ENG 615 or ENG 625 which focus on professional writing, editing, and/or publishing.

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, or professional writing.

Students may enter studies with any residency (Fall, Spring, or Summer, which includes traveling abroad for the residency course) and may opt for the 6-month semester, or if entering in Spring or Summer, may opt for the 9-month semester.

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. A nine-month option, requiring only about 12 hours of work per week, begins in May (in Louisville) or July (abroad). Students produce the same amount of work on either schedule.

Certificate program applicants who are not alumni of the NMS are required to meet the same admission standards as degree-seeking students. An MFA or MA is the minimum education requirement.


Program Sheet
Master of Fine Arts in Writing
Master of Arts in Writing: Creative Writing Track
Master of Arts in Writing: Professional Writing and Editing Track
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Writing: Creative Writing Track or Professional Writing and Editing Track
Post-Master's Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing
Post-Master's Certificate in Writing Enrichment