Advanced Writing Certificate
Vision Statement
The graduate certificate in advanced writing is designed for students interested in becoming more expressive, powerful writers of nonfiction prose. Students interested in securing publication of their writing are mentored in the publication process by the faculty.
The advanced writing certificate is designed for the following students:
- Writers interested in developing and publishing their creative nonfiction;
- Graduate students in English and related fields;
- Educators seeking writing-specific training and credentials;
- Working professionals who either are currently employed or will be seeking employment as experts in written communication;
- Individuals who work in community service organizations;
- Individuals dedicated to cultural activities in the community.
Program Contact Information
John Price, PhD, Director
jtprice@unomaha.edu 402.554.3325
Ramon Guerra, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
unoenglishgradschool@unomaha.edu
402.554.3636
Program Website
Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Program-Specific Requirements
Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025)
Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis. All materials must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student has elected to begin coursework.
Other Requirements
- Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in English, or a related degree, with at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA
- English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 105
- If interested in a graduate assistantship minimum scores are as follows. Internet-based TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.5, PTE: 68, Duolingo: 130
- Statement of Purpose (letter of intent): The statement (of about 500-1000 words) should convey the applicant’s interest in creative nonfiction, previous study in the field of English, any relevant work or life experience, reason for pursuing a graduate certificate in Advanced Writing, and anything else that conveys the applicant’s related creative and intellectual interests.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following list: 1 | 9 | |
| WRITING FOR PUBLICATION | ||
| CREATIVE NONFICTION IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS | ||
| SEMINAR: TOPICS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 2 | ||
| AUTOBIOGRAPHY | ||
| TRAVEL WRITING | ||
| SEM: SPIRITUAL NONFICTION | ||
| THE MODERN FAMILIAR ESSAY | ||
| SEM: EXPERIMENTS IN CREATIVE NONFICTION | ||
| NARRATIVE NONFICTION | ||
| TOPICS IN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 3 | ||
| WRITING ABOUT SICKNESS AND HEALTH | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select a maximum of 6 credits from the following list: | 6 | |
| SEMINAR: TOPICS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE 4 | ||
| ECOLOGICAL WRITING AND ANALYSIS | ||
| OXBOW WRITING PROJECT | ||
| ENGLISH INTERNSHIP | ||
| DIGITAL LITERACIES FOR TECHNICAL COMMUNICATORS | ||
| TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION | ||
| INFORMATION DESIGN FOR TECHNICAL COMMUNICATORS | ||
| TECHNICAL EDITING | ||
| SEMINAR IN GRANT WRITING | ||
| IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTION: SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Students may elect to take all 15 credits from the Required Core List. Alternatively, students may elect to take up to 6 of those credits from the Electives List.
- 2
For ENGL 8800, topics must be related to advanced writing such as rhetoric and memory, nature writing, etc.
- 3
For ENGL 8966, topics must be related to advanced writing such as narrative nonfiction, graphic memoir, food writing, writing women's lives or publishing the Linden Review.
- 4
For ENGL 8100, topic must be Native American Nonfiction.
Exit Requirements:
Portfolio Requirement
Students will assemble a portfolio representing their achievement in the five courses (15 hours) applied toward the advanced writing certificate. The portfolio will contain at least one writing sample from each course and will be reviewed by the student’s advisor and one other graduate faculty member involved in offering courses approved for the advanced writing certificate. As part of the portfolio requirement, each student will make an oral presentation to the reviewing professors. During that discussion, special attention will be given to each student’s professional goals for their writing. Please see the website for the advanced writing graduate certificate for a more detailed description of the portfolio requirement and the deadlines for submission.