The English Department offers several Certificate Programs that allow students to earn a credential in a focused area of study. Certificate programs may be of interest to students already in an English program and to non-traditional students from a wide array of backgrounds and programs.

Certificate Programs require 15 hours of credit chosen from a list of courses approved for a respective certificate. In most instances, all of the credit earned for a certificate can be applied toward either the Masters of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Certificate Programs are administratively separate from other degree programs, however, and are administrated by Directors of the respective programs. In all cases, students are required to submit a separate application for admission to a Certificate Program. If the student has already been admitted to a program in English, however, neither additional transcripts nor an application fee is required.

Certificates Offered

Advanced Writing Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Writing is designed for students interested in becoming more expressive and 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 program welcomes a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds and is intended for the following students: (1) writers interested in developing and publishing their creative nonfiction; (2) graduate students in English and related fields; (3) educators seeking writing-specific training and credentials; (4) professionals who work in community service organizations; (5) working professionals employed as experts in written communication; (6) governmental employees.

If writing is or will be an important part of your life or livelihood, the Advanced Writing Certificate could be for you! Click on the above link for a more detailed description of the Program and its opportunities. Click here for a brochure that outlines the basics of the program.

Technical Communication Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication provides students with a foundational background in the theory and practice of the field of Technical Communication. This growing area of expertise not only addresses the need for professional technical communicators but also the need for communicative competence among subject matter experts who collaborate daily with technical writers.

The purpose of the certificate program is to cater to the growing demand for highly skilled, professionally competent technical communicators in education, industry, and government. This growing demand provides industry professionals with specialized training in technology, writing, editing, and information design, preparing them for the employment opportunities available in today’s highly competitive job market.

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languagues)

The TESOL certificate programs are geared toward meeting the diverse needs of students interested in diversity, language education, intercultural communication, applied linguistics, and teaching overseas. These certificates are meant for many different kinds of students: For example, many of our students are teachers who are already certified in other areas, like math, science, language arts, and foreign languages. It is important to note that acquiring a TESOL certificate does not certify a graduate to teach in the Nebraska public school system.