Professional Writing for International Audiences Certificate - Stand-Alone

Contact: Dr. Jim Elledge, Program Director
Office: (470) 578-2039
Fax: (470) 578-6524
Web address: www.mapw.hss.kennesaw.edu

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing for International Audiences when they have satisfied the KSU non-degree admission requirements.

1. A bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution accredited in a manner accepted by KSU
2. A completed KSU application form, indicating application to the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing for International Audiences
3. An application fee
4. Official undergraduate transcripts
5. Official graduate transcripts, if applicable
6. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a minimum graduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
7. Immunization requirement (see Graduate Admission section of catalog)
8. A statement of purpose that explains: what the student wishes to achieve from the program; any experience the student already has in writing, i.e., workshops, reading and writing habits, membership in writers’ organizations, awards, publications;
9. A writing sample, not to exceed 25 double-spaced pages.
10. Optional: One to three letters of reference from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s writing skills

Program of Study

The Certificate will be writing-based, which distinguishes it from traditional Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programs. The certificate is distinctive from TESOL programs because it does  not focus on teaching English to non-native users. Rather the focus will be on how English users from different cultural and linguistic traditions can communicate more effectively in a variety of written media such as e-mail, Web pages, brochures, and formal documents. Consequently, there will also be an emphasis on the process of document creation that requires collaboration between native and non-native English speakers and the need for cultural and linguistic sensitivity to increase the effectiveness of the working relationship. Educators who are aware of these differences can use this insight in classrooms, particularly in cases when  international students work with American students on writing projects and other classroom activities. This Certificate will also benefit professionals working in non-profit organizations, government employees, and others who work with or write for a large population of non-native English speakers.