Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Graduate Certificate Program
Students enrolled in the interdisciplinary studies program may create their own course of study from the available part-time graduate course offerings — workshops, seminars, and electives — in consultation with their student adviser. You can explore new writing- and publishing industry-related topics, to grow as a writer and/or publishing professional within the specializations of fiction, popular fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The small-group workshops and seminars allow for individual attention from published, award-winning faculty. Flexible scheduling — with courses offered in the evenings and on weekends on Northwestern’s Chicago and Evanston campuses as well as online and in hybrid format — gives you the opportunity to balance your professional, personal, and writing lives. While earning your certificate, you'll connect with other writers at readings and other events in an artistic community that extends beyond the University into Chicagoʼs vibrant literary scene.
Curriculum
• Four Units of any Writing Courses
May include Writing Workshops, an independent study (not to exceed one), Publishing and Professional Development courses, MCW 575 The Publishing Industry: Literary Presses and Journals, MCW 579 Practicum in Teaching Creative Writing, MCW 580 Practicum in Publishing, any graduate literature course, any MCW 490 elective course, or any other related courses identified by the SPS Graduate Office.
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Learning Objectives
The Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study has been designed to ensure that certificate holders:
- Have increased their knowledge of the particular field(s)—e.g. writing, liberal studies and publishing—that is the focus of their certificate studies
- Have continued to build upon their body of work related to literary topics ranging from contemporary American literature to original fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction
- Have honed their editorial and critical reading skills
- Are equipped with the tools to create strong applications for jobs in teaching, publishing, and editing
More About the Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing program
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Course Schedule
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Faculty
- Admission to the Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing program
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Tuition
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Registration Information
- Find out more about Northwestern's Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing program
Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Course Schedule
The Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Course Schedule page provides you with detailed information on the program's offerings.
Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Faculty
You can find a full listing of our instructors in this certificate program on the Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Faculty page.
Admission to the Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing program
Applicants to this certificate program must hold a graduate degree from an accredited U.S. college, university or its foreign equivalent. A competitive graduate record that indicates strong academic ability is required. Work, internship, or research experience is highly desirable, but not a requirement.
A list of admission requirements can be found on the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Admission page.
Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Tuition
Tuition costs can vary for each of our programs. For the most up-to-date information on financial obligations, please visit our Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing page.
Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Registration Information
Our Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing Registration Information page outlines important dates and deadlines as well as the process for adding and dropping courses.