Although communication in the digital age is most often focused on technology, delivery and platform, compelling and timely writing and storytelling is crucial to making the message heard. The Writing for Print and Digital Media certificate provides a solid foundation in journalistic writing, editing, and narrative technique for work in print and across digital media platforms. Students develop a robust skill set for communication in formats from blogs to brochures, websites to direct marketing. The program teaches clear, concise writing, foundations of persuasive communication, visual content production and design, and long- and short-form storytelling in multimedia formats. The core journalistic writing courses are taught by current and emeritus faculty from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism; all courses are offered evenings and weekends.
The program is ideal for online content producers and editors, designers, and professionals working in communications, social media, marketing, public relations or advertising roles.
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
Admission for Writing for Print and Digital Media
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Writing for Print and Digital Media Registration Information
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
Find out more about the Writing for Print and Digital Media Certificate
Program Courses:
Course Detail
Intro to Public Relations <> ADVT 370-CN
Public relations is a core management function for every type of
organization, whether public or private. Public relations spans a
wide range of marketing disciplines including media relations,
corporate reputation, community affairs, issues/crisis management,
investor relations, and government affairs. PR is one of the
primary tools used to reinforce a company's brand and support its
competitive position. Students learn the essential components of an
effective PR strategy; how to evaluate and manage outside PR
counsel; essentials of media relations and crisis management; and
how to draft PR messages. Students select a "beat" or coverage area
to investigate as part of the class homework projects. This course
involves heavy writing; it may not be audited.This course is
cross-listed as MKTG 390-CN.
Acts of persuasion influence us in all aspects of our lives.
This course will examine the different ways in which we utilize
persuasion in the communication we have with our families and
friends, our workplace, and the general public. How effective are
we? How are we affected? This will culminate in assessments of how
persuasion impacts us, as individuals and as a society.
The course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be
added to tuition.
People who understand communication are uniquely positioned to
solve health-related problems and their services are increasingly
in demand. As such, this course covers theory and research on
communication in health and illness contexts, focusing on how
messages from interpersonal, organizational, cultural, and media
sources affect health beliefs and behaviors. We will explore
communication in health care delivery, health care organizations,
as well as health promotion and disease prevention. Spanning
multiple levels of communication, different communicative channels,
and the use of diverse communication media and technologies, this
course will demonstrate a variety of perspectives from which
scholars examine health communication at an individual, family,
professional, and societal level.
This course focuses on fundamental journalistic writing
techniques -- skills that work well in any academic or vocational
setting and result in clear, crisp, concise writing. The format is
straightforward: lectures and exercises followed by rewrites and
editing. And then more rewriting. Through interactive instruction,
students develop capability to compose quickly and meet real-world
deadlines. Some instruction may be remote -- computer interaction
and telephone discussion with the professor. A schedule will be
provided early in the quarter.
This course helps students find their writing voice through
independent reporting, coaching and class critiques. It emphasizes
visual story telling -- i.e., photos and text together. This course
focuses on reaching a specific audience -- professional, academic,
familial. It does so by allowing the student to select an
appropriate topic for a photo essay. Students research, report and
write their stories which become the script for a final project
that resembles a slideshow. Coaching and class critiques help
students along the way. Some instruction may be remote -- computer
interaction and telephone discussion with the professor. A schedule
will be provided early in the quarter.
