Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Editing and Publishing (PEP) is offered through the Master of Arts in Professional Writing Program in the English Department, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, at Kennesaw State University. A unique four-course, non-degree program, this certificate prepares students for entry into the competitive industry of professional editing and publishing through a combination of academic study and hands-on experience. Through this certificate, students will be prepared for positions such as copy editors, developmental editors, editorial assistants, managing editors, and freelance editors, as well as related careers in marketing, sales, and design within the publication industry. Additionally, they will be prepared to organize or join effective editing workflows in multiple media production environments, including print and digital publication venues. Students will also gain an excellent grasp of industry-level linguistic craft and intellectual property standards for American English contexts, as well as an appreciation for how these standards differ in other global contexts. Upon completion of this certificate, students will be prepared to edit works across a range of genres, content domains, and media, as well as adjust their editorial approaches accordingly. The certificate will also benefit students interested in navigating publishing industries as authors and editing their own work more effectively.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Perform primary and secondary internet- based and library-based research to prepare to write texts.
2. Produce a range of documents in genres that are typical for professional writers.
3. Identify appropriate markets for publication of his/her work.
4. Edit documents across a range of genres, content domains, and media.

 This program is a part of the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific critera beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• A statement of purpose that explains: the genre of concentration; what the student wishes to achieve from the program; any experience the student already has in writing (i.e., workshops or literature classes, reading and writing habits, membership in writers’ organizations, awards, publications, and the like).
• One copy of representative sample of creative writing in the genre to be studied, not to exceed 25 double-spaced pages.
• Optional: One to three letters of reference from someone who can evaluate the student’s: creative writing skills commitment to creative writing and academic work.

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment requirements. 

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements