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  • Berkeley Global

Certificate Program in Writing

Natalie Lynn Harrison
has published work in independent literary journals.

Graduate, Certificate Program in Writing
Read Natalie Lynn Harrison's story.

 

Getting Started

We recommend beginning with ENGLISH X429 The Craft of Reading, ENGLISH X421 The Craft of Writing or ENGLISH X13 Writing Skills Workshop.

 

Online Availability

Courses in this certificate are offered online and in the classroom.

 

Duration of Study

8 courses for a minimum of 16 semester units (240 hours of instruction).

 

Estimated Cost

$6,000

Calling all writers: join our community and get serious about your craft. Ready your work for publication or simply gain formal training. You'll read exemplary literary works and learn from published writers who provide structure, support and thoughtful feedback.

Directors of several San Francisco Bay Area M.F.A. programs helped develop the UC Berkeley Department of English–approved curriculum. Whether your goal is publication or landing a coveted spot in an M.F.A. writing program, this flexible program can meet your needs and schedule.

Next Steps

Get More Information

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Courses

Required Courses

Expand or collapse Required Courses
Minimum Required

3 Course(s)

Maximum Allowed

0 Course(s)

You may enroll in individual courses without registering for the certificate.

We recommend beginning the certificate with the following required courses.

  • ENGLISH X429 The Craft of Reading
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X421 The Craft of Writing
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X13 Writing Skills Workshop
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

Electives (Literature)

Expand or collapse Electives (Literature)
Minimum Required

2 Course(s)

Maximum Allowed

0 Course(s)

Tailor your education by selecting electives to meet your writing goals and interests.
  • ENGLISH X135A American Fiction
    Units / CEUs

    3

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X451.2 Contemporary Voices: Speaking From the Margins
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X473 Fact or Fiction: Reading and Writing the Personal Essay
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X467 Great Novels You Always Meant to Read
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X425 Great Writers Steal: How the Work of Other Writers Can Inform and Inspire You
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X491 The Handmaid’s Tale: Writing Dystopia, the Female Gothic and Social Commentary
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X103.9 Mystery Fiction
    Units / CEUs

    3

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X460 Re-envisioning the Past Through Historical Fiction
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH XBW17 Shakespeare
    Units / CEUs

    4

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X436 Short-Story Masterpieces
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X410.1 Meet the Writer: Guided Study and Discussion With Fiction Writers
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • JOURN X488 Ursa Minor Production Class
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

Electives (Writing Workshop)

Expand or collapse Electives (Writing Workshop)
Minimum Required

3 Course(s)

Maximum Allowed

0 Course(s)

  • ENGLISH X438 Exploring Creative Writing
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X464 Introduction to Writing Fiction
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X440 Intermediate Fiction Writing
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X410 Advanced Fiction Writing
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X437 Writing Genre Fiction: Science Fiction, Mystery, Romance and More
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X168 Mystery Writing
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X407 Developing the Novel
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X470 Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X463.9 Screenwriting Workshop
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X101.2 Writing and Appreciating Poetry
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X428 Poetry Workshop
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Classroom

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X110.2 Poets Studied and in Conversation
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X480 Writing Creative Nonfiction
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X482 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X463 Developing the Memoir
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • ENGLISH X462.9 Developing the Memoir II
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • JOURN X473 Journalism Workshop
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Delivery Options

    Online

    Status

    Available

  • ENGLISH X463.5 Science Writing
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • JOURN X419 Writing the Feature Story
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

  • JOURN X484 Writing and Editing Internship Program
    Units / CEUs

    2

    Status

    Not Available

Courses of Related Interest

Expand or collapse Courses of Related Interest
Minimum Required

0 Course(s)

Maximum Allowed

0 Course(s)

Take additional courses to broaden your knowledge and advance your career. The following course(s) are optional and do not count toward program completion.
  • UNEX 1350 Story Lab
    Units / CEUs

    0

    Status

    Not Available

Fifteen Hours and 5,900 Miles Away

Closeup photo of a diary and pencil

In March 2020, my UC Berkeley Extension class shifted suddenly from a live classroom-based course to one held via Zoom. Although I initially found the platform challenging, I soon realized that... continue reading Fifteen Hours and 5,900 Miles Away

Continue Reading this Post

Certificate and Program Policies

  • Substitutions and Waivers
  • Transfers
  • Financial Aid
  • Transcripts and Records

Contact Information

To contact the department office, email extension-letters@berkeley.edu.

 

88% of writing graduates surveyed are likely to recommend UC Berkeley Extension.

 

94% of writing graduates surveyed felt more qualified to submit their writing for publication after completing our Writing program.

 

87% of writing graduates surveyed felt more qualified to apply to an M.F.A. degree after completing our program.

 

85% of writing graduates surveyed would consider taking another course with UC Berkeley Extension.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for the Certificate Program in Writing, but a bachelor's degree is recommended.

Curriculum Requirements

The Certificate Program in Writing comprises 8 courses for a minimum of 16 semester units (240 hours of instruction), which includes 3 required courses and 5 restricted electives selected from 2 categories: literature (2 courses) and writing workshops (3 courses). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable certificate application fee.

All courses must be taken for a letter grade. To receive the certificate, you must maintain an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average, with a grade of C or better in each course. A Certificate With Distinction will be awarded to those who complete the certificate with a GPA of 3.9. All coursework must be completed within five years. The completion of two courses per year is recommended in order to maintain sufficient academic progress in the certificate.

How to Register

By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Certificate Program in Writing, complete these two steps:

  1. Submit the online registration, and complete your student account profile if you are a new student.
  2. Pay the nonrefundable registration fee through your shopping cart. Please allow 3–5 business days for the registration to appear in your student account.

Estimated Cost

Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate has an estimated total cost of approximately $6,000 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.

Certificate and Award Request

Once you have completed the certificate coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your certificate. Send an email to extension-letters@berkeley.edu or call (510) 643-1110. After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved, your certificate will be sent to you in the mail. The review of your records is usually completed within six to eight weeks after you request the certificate.

Videos

Advisory Board

To ensure that your professional certificate is of the highest quality, UC Berkeley Extension turns to experienced writers, outstanding teachers and published authors for advisers and instructors.

Stephen Albert, M.F.A., University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, also holds an M.A. from the University of Iowa School of Journalism and a teaching credential from the UC Berkeley School of Education

Lewis Buzbee is the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction. He also teaches in the M.F.A. in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco.

Thaisa Frank, award-winning author and instructor in the creative writing graduate programs at San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco, as well as at UC Berkeley Extension

Deborah Lichtman, Ph.D., author, teacher, curriculum instructor and former director of the University of San Francisco creative writing graduate program

Lynn Mundell, M.F.A., American University, creative writer, co-founder/co-editor of 100 Word Story, an editorial professional with 30 years of experience working in newspapers, the arts and corporations

Jane Anne Staw, Ph.D., author and teacher in the University of San Francisco creative writing graduate program, as well as an honored instructor at UC Berkeley Extension

Hertha Sweet Wong, Ph.D., associate professor in UC Berkeley's English Department and chair of UC Berkeley's Department of Art Practice

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Berkeley, CA 94704-7000

extension@berkeley.edu

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