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.

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:

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

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.

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

Certificate Program in Writing

Getting Started

Online Availability

Duration of Study

Estimated Cost

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Required Courses

Electives (Literature)

Electives (Writing Workshop)

Courses of Related Interest

Prerequisites

Curriculum Requirements

How to Register

Estimated Cost

Certificate and Award Request

Videos

Advisory Board