Certificate in Writing and Publishing

About the Program

The certificate in Writing and Publishing (CWP) offers currently enrolled Drexel University students the opportunity for both professional and personal development through a combination of available courses in professional writing, creative writing, and publishing. The certificate enhances employment opportunities, opening a broad range of professional choices in cooperative employment and in the post-degree job market as skills are acquired. The CWP improves on-the-job performance as the student develops writing skills and associated professional knowledge.

The program develops core competencies through the synergy of writing and publishing courses. The courses develop the student's skills in writing and publishing both through theory and practical application.

General Requirements

The certificate in Writing and Publishing allows students to achieve certification in one or more of the following tracks:

  • Professional writing and publishing (with a focus in business communication, technical communication, or journalism)
  • Creative writing and publishing
  • Entertainment writing and publishing
  • Comprehensive writing and publishing (This track is no longer accepting new students.)

Each track requires the completion of a minimum of six courses (18.0 credits). Tracks can be designed to meet the professional needs and personal interests of the individual student.

Prospective students should meet with their advisor or contact Daniel Driscoll dwd27@drexel.edu for more information.

Professional Writing and Publishing Track

18.0 quarter credits

The Professional Writing and Publishing track is useful for business majors or students in technical or science areas who want to highlight their acquisition of writing skills. For students majoring in the humanities, it provides an opportunity to develop areas of writing and publishing competencies in the professional arena.

This track offers three focus options:

  • Business Communication and Publishing: for students interested in a career in business.
  • Technical Communication and Publishing: for students interested in engineering, science, information science, and technology and careers in higher education.
  • Journalism: for students interested in global journalism, communication, and international affairs.

Program Requirements 

Business Communication and Publishing

Required Courses
COM 270 [WI] Business Communication3.0
COM 350 [WI] Document Design and Evaluation3.0
or COM 375 Grant Writing
or WRIT 312 Writing for Target Audiences
Select one of the following:3.0
Science Writing
Special Topics in Communication Theory
Select one of the following:3.0
Digital Publishing
Modern Desktop Publishing
Graphic Design Seminar: Advanced Media (Bookmaking)
Literary Editing & Publication
Writing in Cyberspace: Writing for/about the Web
Select two of the following:6.0
Introduction to Journalism
Investigative Journalism
Food Writing
Honors Colloquium *
The Peer Reader in Context
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Creative Writing
Writing Poetry
Writing Fiction
Writing Humor and Comedy
Writing About the Media
Writing for Target Audiences
Special Topics in Writing
Total Credits18.0
*

 By Director's permission only.

Technical Communication and Publishing

Required Courses
COM 310 [WI] Technical Communication3.0
COM 375 [WI] Grant Writing3.0
or WRIT 312 Writing for Target Audiences
Select one of the following:3.0
Science Writing
Document Design and Evaluation
Special Topics in Communication Theory
Select one of the following:3.0
Digital Publishing
Modern Desktop Publishing
Graphic Design Seminar: Advanced Media (Bookmaking)
Literary Editing & Publication
Writing in Cyberspace: Writing for/about the Web
Select any two additional Certificate in Writing and Publishing courses, including but not limited to the following:6.0
Introduction to Journalism
Investigative Journalism
Food Writing
Honors Colloquium *
The Peer Reader in Context
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Writing Poetry
Writing Fiction
Writing Humor and Comedy
Writing About the Media
Writing for Target Audiences
Special Topics in Writing
Total Credits18.0
*

 By Director's permission only.

Journalism

Required Courses
COM 160 [WI] Introduction to Journalism3.0
COM 261 [WI] Advanced Journalism3.0
COM 315 [WI] Investigative Journalism3.0
Select one of the following:3.0
Digital Publishing
Modern Desktop Publishing
Literary Editing & Publication
Writing in Cyberspace: Writing for/about the Web
Select any two additional Certificate in Writing and Publishing courses, including but not limited to the following:6.0
Business Communication
Technical Communication
Science Writing
Grant Writing
Food Writing
Honors Colloquium *
Graphic Design Seminar: Advanced Media (Bookmaking)
The Peer Reader in Context
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Creative Writing
Writing Poetry
Writing Fiction
Writing Humor and Comedy
Writing About the Media
Writing for Target Audiences
Special Topics in Writing
Total Credits18.0
*

 By Director's permission only.

Creative Writing and Publishing track

18.0 quarter credits

This track is designed for students who want to develop their creative writing skills either for personal development and expression, or because they recognize that creative writing develops imagination; sharpens clarity of expression; and enhances sensitivity to other people. Creative writing is a good pre-professional concentration for pre-law, pre-med, and the social sciences. The importance of creative writing has been recognized for engineering and for business.

Select three of the following (one of which must be a 200-level course):9.0
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Creative Writing
Writing Poetry
Writing Fiction
Writing Humor and Comedy
Writing About the Media
Special Topics in Writing
Select one of the following:3.0
Digital Publishing
Modern Desktop Publishing
Document Design and Evaluation
Graphic Design Seminar: Advanced Media (Bookmaking)
Literary Editing & Publication
Writing in Cyberspace: Writing for/about the Web
Internship in Publishing *
Select any two additional Certificate in Writing and Publishing courses, including but not limited to the following:6.0
Introduction to Journalism
Advanced Journalism
Business Communication
Technical Communication
Investigative Journalism
Science Writing
Document Design and Evaluation
Grant Writing
Food Writing
Honors Colloquium **
The Peer Reader in Context
Writing for Target Audiences
Total Credits18.0
*

WRIT 405 must be taken twice if no other publishing course is taken.

**

 By Director's permission only.

Entertainment Writing and Publishing Track

18.0 quarter credits

Entertainment Writing and Publishing is designed for students in any major who want to highlight their acquisition of writing skills. For students majoring in any entertainment field it provides an opportunity to develop areas of writing and publishing competencies in the professional entertainment field.

The track is designed for students who want to pursue writing either for personal development and expression as a personal or creative pursuit or profession. The Entertainment Writing and Publishing track will give students a strong multidisciplinary introduction to writing for a variety of entertainment professions including screenwriting, sports journalism, food writing, game writing, grant writing, and more. This track is designed for both students already studying any of the entertainment fields (such as Entertainment and Arts Management), as well as other students who are interested in exploring the field.

General Requirements
WRIT 306Writing About the Media3.0
or WRIT 226 Writing in Public Spaces
WRIT 312 [WI] Writing for Target Audiences3.0
or COM 375 Grant Writing
Select two of the following:6.0
Audio Journalism
Sports Journalism
Food Writing
Media Merchandising I
Literature and Other Arts
Honors Colloquium *
Writing TV Comedy
Writing TV Drama
Writing Comics
Screenwriting I
Writing the Short Film
Game: Universe & Story
Writing Humor and Comedy
Select one of the following:3.0
Digital Publishing
Modern Desktop Publishing
Graphic Design Seminar: Advanced Media ((Bookmaking))
Literary Editing & Publication
Writing in Cyberspace: Writing for/about the Web
Internship in Publishing **
Select one of the following:3.0
Introduction to Journalism
Business Communication
Science Writing
The Peer Reader in Context
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Creative Writing
Writing Poetry
Writing Fiction
Special Topics in Writing
Total Credits18.0
*

 By Director's permission only.

**

WRIT 405 must be taken twice if no other publishing course is taken.

Comprehensive Certificate track

18.0 quarter credits

The Comprehensive Track is designed for students whose majors and minors include writing courses (either as electives or required courses) and whose schedules allow for the additional credits to obtain certification.

Select two of the following:6.0
Digital Publishing
Modern Desktop Publishing
Graphic Design Seminar: Advanced Media
Literary Editing & Publication
Writing in Cyberspace: Writing for/about the Web
Internship in Publishing *
Select two of the following: **12.0
Creative Writing
Track A
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Any 300-level writing (WRIT) course
Track B
Creative Writing
Any 300-level writing (WRIT) course
Professional Writing
Track A
Technical Communication
Grant Writing
Track B
Business Communication
Grant Writing
Document Design and Evaluation
Journalism
Introduction to Journalism
Select one of the following:
Investigative Journalism
Food Writing
The Peer Reader in Context ***
Total Credits18.0
*

WRIT 405 must be taken twice.

**

Students select two of the following course sequences from at least two different categories.

***

 By Director's permission only.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.