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Certificate

Professional Poetry Writing

Enhance your poetry writing skills as you journey toward becoming a published author of individual poems and collections of poetry. This certificate program prepares you to craft poetry that expresses your deepest insights in ways that move your audience. Refine your passion for writing poetry and ground that passion in the evolving creative tradition.

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Top-ranked, career-focused education in a flexible format.

At a Glance

Classes Begin
January 6

Term Length
10 Weeks

4 Course Certificate
Tuition

$13,344

6 Course Certificate
Tuition

$20,016

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

Connect with an Advisor

Free Application

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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 poetry
Create poetry using knowledge of poetic fundamentals
Develop a professional presence in the poetry world

Curriculum

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

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 4200 Masterworks: Poetry
PWRI 4210 Writing Poetry: Foundational Concepts, Skills, and Practice
PWRI 4220
Writing Traditional Verse and Contemporary Song Lyrics
PWRI 4230 Writing Improvisational Verse and Prose Poetry

Graduate Certificate in Professional Poetry Writing requires completion of 24 credit hours (6 courses).

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 4200 Masterworks: Poetry
PWRI 4210 Writing Poetry: Foundational Concepts, Skills, and Practice
PWRI 4220
Writing Traditional Verse and Contemporary Song Lyrics
PWRI 4230 Writing Improvisational Verse and Prose Poetry
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.

Featured Instructors

Sample Schedule

Plan your schedule to complete your graduate certificate. Finish quickly in just six months or take up to two years (four course certificate) or three years for a six-course certificate.

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 Poetry Writing.

Take a Course Before You Apply

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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 Poetry Writing

New revenue sources are on the rise for poets, as spoken word poetry and online poetry blogs continue to surge in popularity.
Writers and authors who adjust their work for online content and social media should have an advantage.

Job Titles

Poet
Writer
Editor
Song Writer
Libretto Writer
Teacher Copywriter
Teacher
Marketer

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

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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

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