Certificate Descriptions

The Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing offers three low-residency certificate in writing programs: the Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Writing, the Post-master’s Certificate in Writing Enrichment, and the Post-master’s Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing.

Those who wish to pursue quality graduate instruction in creative writing, but do not wish to pursue the 35-hour Master of Arts in Writing (MAW) degree or the 65-hour terminal MFA degree, may apply to one of these programs.

The certificate programs provide 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, and writing for TV, screen, or stage.

The low-residency program consists of an intensive residency course at the beginning of the semester, after which students and faculty return home for an independent study course. During the independent study, the student and mentor communicate about the writing deployed in a series of five packets.

Students may begin studies in May or November in Louisville and complete the certificate in five months, which requires about 25 hours of work per week during independent study. An eight-month option, requiring about 12 hours of work per week during the independent study, begins in May with an on-campus residency in Louisville) or in June with a virtual summer residency. 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 for the post-baccalaureate certificates or a master’s with a creative writing concentration for the post-master’s certificates.

The Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing offers these low-residency, 15-credit-hour certificate programs:

• The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Writing is for those who have a bachelor’s degree and desire focused instruction in creative writing but do not wish to pursue the MFA or MAW. Post-baccalaureate certificate credits may be transferred to the MAW or MFA for one semester of credit.
• The Post-Master's Certificate in Writing Enrichment and the Post-Master’s Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing are for those who already have a master’s degree in an appropriate discipline but desire continued instruction in writing or the pedagogy of creative writing.

Other Low-residency Programs in the School of Writing

The School of Writing offers three low-residency programs:

• Master of Fine Arts in Writing (MFA) — 65 hours, four semesters plus a graduation residency
• Master of Arts in Writing (MAW) — 35 hours, two semesters plus a capstone residency