M
Access personal records, make payments, and see your schedule.

Get into your courses through our learning management system.

Access your university emails.

More resources you may be looking for:

Certificate

Professional Creative

Nonfiction Writing

Progress toward mastering the fundamentals of writing narrative nonfiction. From memoir to personal essay, find your narrative voice and tell your story. In this certificate, you’ll discover how to capture the attention of your audience with nonfiction writing that sparks interest and inspires action.

We're Here To Help

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name

*Indicates a required field.

At a Glance

Classes Begin
April 1

Term Length
10 Weeks

4 Course Certificate
Tuition

$12,896

6 Course Certificate
Tuition

$19,344

Format
Asynchronous and Hybrid Online

 
Admission
No GRE or GMAT

 
Duration
As few as 6 months

 
Duration
As few as 12 months

Top-Ranked University

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Brian Cicero

Talk to an Enrollment Manager

Free Application

https://universitycollege.du.edu/wp-admin/post.php?post=238761&action=edit

University College is committed to educational access, and given the difficult circumstances currently impacting millions of people, we are waiving application fees.

Skills You’ll Learn

Identify and analyze key elements of creative nonfiction writing
Define your audiences and write in ways that move and entertain them
Critique your own writing

Curriculum

Specialized Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing requires completion of 16 credit hours (4 courses).

All students are required to complete a zero-credit
Student Success Course.
4 Concentration Courses

Concentration Courses

Focus on a specific professional area within the larger industry sector and master the skills needed to excel in that area.

PWRI 4100 Masterworks: Creative Nonfiction
PWRI 4110 Writing Creative Nonfiction: Foundational Concepts, Skills, and Practice
PWRI 4120
Writing the Personal Essay
PWRI 4130 Writing the Memoir
Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing requires completion of 24 credit hours (6 courses).
 
All students are required to complete a zero-credit
Student Success Course.

 

 

4
Concentration Courses
 
 
2
Elective Courses
 

Concentration Courses

Focus on a specific professional area within the larger industry sector and master the skills needed to excel in that area.

PWRI 4100 Masterworks: Creative Nonfiction
PWRI 4110 Writing Creative Nonfiction: Foundational Concepts, Skills, and Practice
PWRI 4120
Writing the Personal Essay
PWRI 4130 Writing the Memoir

Elective Courses

Popular electives for students in the Professional Creative Writing program include:

PWRI 4140 Natural Science and Literature
PWRI 4340 Literature to Film
PWRI 4410 Writing and Healing
PWRI 4420 Writing as Translation
PWRI 4500 The Writing Life: Concepts, Practices, and Professionalism
PWRI 4510 Literary Genres for Writers
PWRI 4520 The Writers Workshop
PWRI 4540 Children's Literature: From Picture Books to Books for Young Adults
PWRI 4560 Writing Books for Children
PWRI 4600 Breaking the Chains of Genre: An Exploration of Hybrid Literature

Electives may be chosen from among all courses in the Professional Creative Writing program. You may also select courses from other University College graduate programs with approval from the academic director.

Your academic advisor will help you select electives that align with your career and personal goals, and your advisor will obtain any necessary approvals from the academic director.

MORE ELECTIVES

Featured Instructors

Sample Schedule

Plan out your schedule and determine your preferred timeline for completing your master's degree—finish in as few as 18 months or take up to five years.

Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
4-Course Certificate Classes 2 2 0 0
6-Course Certificate Classes 3 3 0 0
Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
4-Course Certificate Classes 1 1 2 0
6-Course Certificate Classes 2 2 2 0
Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
4-Course Certificate Classes 1 1 1 1
6-Course Certificate Classes 1 2 2 1

Interested in a master’s degree?


Explore our Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing with a concentration in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing

Take a Course Before You Apply

https://universitycollege.du.edu/wp-admin/post.php?post=238837&action=edit
We know how important it is to get started when you’re ready and that’s why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.

Career Outcomes

Predicted outcomes for graduates of Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing

Nonfiction writing is on the rise and consumers are even willing to spend more on nonfiction titles, according to a Smashwords survey. According to Publishers Weekly, adult nonfiction had the largest gains in sales compared to other genres.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for writers and authors is projected to grow 9% through 2030. Writers and authors who adjust their work for online content and social media may have an advantage.

Job Titles

Writer
Editor
Critic
Literary Journalist
Historical Writer
Teacher
Blogger
Copywriter

Writer and Author Salary​: National Average

$61,820

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Get Ahead with Career Services

 

One-on-one career coaching and mock interviews

 

Job database dedicated to DU students and alumni

 

Résumé and cover letter guidance

Hear from Our Students

Theme: Job Satisfaction

Professional Creative Writing

“The writing assignments at that level really helped elevate my writing. It made me more keenly aware of the editing process as well as some more practical purposes.” —Bobby LeFebre, graduate.

Flexible Online Classes

https://universitycollege.du.edu/wp-admin/post.php?post=238516&action=edit

We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.

Online Experience5

Accreditation

 


Higher Learning Commission

University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.

Take the Next Step

https://universitycollege.du.edu/wp-admin/post.php?post=239239&action=edit