Professional Writing

WSU’s online undergraduate Professional Writing Certificate program teaches students to become effective producers and editors of written and multimodal texts—communications skills that are essential in the modern workplace. Students will learn to use rhetorical strategies to communicate with audiences for specific purposes using logical and persuasive writing as well as visuals and audio.

The five required courses cover English use, technical writing and editing, rhetoric, and an anthropological view of speech and language. Students will learn how to express themselves clearly, cogently, and with style to effectively engage with specific audiences.

The certificate is ideal for:

  • Grant writers
  • Online writers and editors
  • Business professionals
  • Administrators
  • Technical writers

Program of Study—15 semester credits

All courses are available online
The certificate requires five 3-credit courses

Required Courses

15 semester credits

All coursework must be completed with a 3.0 or higher GPA.

Students must take either ANTH 350 or ENGLISH 301 first, and ENGLISH 498 last. These courses may be taken concurrently with a maximum of one other certificate course. Students must take three credits of ENGLISH 498.

  • ANTH 350 [DIVR] – Speech, Thought, and Culture
  • ENGLISH 301 [WRTG] – Writing and Rhetorical Conventions (Prerequisite: ENGLISH 101, 105, or 298)
  • ENGLISH 402 [WRTG] [M] – Technical and Professional Writing (Prerequisite: ENGLISH 101 OR 298, 60 semester credits)
  • ENGLISH 405 – Advanced Professional Writing and Editing (Prerequisite: ENGLISH 402)
  • ENGLISH 498 – Internship (Cooperative learning experience in business, education, or industry in English-related jobs. Three credits required.)

Awarding of the Certificate

At the beginning of the student’s final semester of coursework, the student should apply for the certificate through myWSU. This will notify the Registrar’s Office to confer the certificate. Here’s how: From the myWSU Student Homepage, select Academic Advising, then Apply to Graduate. The certificate should display as an option to select to Apply for Graduation. Certificates require a separate graduation application and are mailed separately from diplomas.