The CWP requires a minimum of eighteen credits. The CWP will allow students, in consultation with the Director of the Program and his/her academic advisor, to achieve certification in one or more of the tracks:
- Professional Writing and Publishing
- Creative Writing and Publishing
- Comprehensive
To receive a certificate in Professional Writing and Publishing or in Creative Writing and Publishing of the six courses, at least three must in the category for which the certificate is being issued. Included in those three courses are two required courses, comprising a sequence. In all concentrations, a minimum of one course from the category of publishing must be included.
Note: Many majors already require one or more of the CWP courses or list these courses as recommended electives.
Tracks can be designed to meet the professional needs and personal interests of the individual student. The director of the program will advise the student on selection of a track; it is likely that the student's academic major advisor may also provide insight. The director of the program (currently, professor Scott Stein) and the advisor serving a relevant track will work closely with the student to provide guidance in selecting courses.
The Professional Writing and Publishing Track offers three options: Business Communication and Publishing; Technical Communication and Publishing; and Journalism. This 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. The Creative Writing and Publishing Track, is useful to all students as it encourages personal and professional development through creative writing and a knowledge of publishing. The Comprehensive Track is for students who do not wish to specialize in either of the other two tracks.
Each track requires the completion of a minimum of six courses (eighteen credits) chosen from the courses in the CWP program. All courses are 3 credits, except WRIT 400 Writing in Cyberspace (4 credits). Course descriptions can be found below the tracks.
The Department of English and Philosophy and the Department of Culture and Communication offer the courses in these tracks.
