Professional Editing and Publishing Certificate

Through a combination of academic study and hands-on experience, this certificate will prepare you for the folllowing positions in professional editing and publishing:  

  • copyeditor  
  • technical editor 
  • developmental editor  
  • editorial assistant  
  • managing editor 
  • freelance editor 
  • related careers in marketing, sales, and design 

You’ll learn how to do thei following:

  • edit print and digital publications 
  • apply industry conventions for copyeditors 
  • edit business and technical documents 
  • organize or join effective editing workflows 
  • edit works across a range of genres, content domains, and media 
  • adjust your editorial approach for clients 
  • research and fact-check documents 

You’ll also be better prepared to navigate publishing industries as an author and edit your own writing more effectively. 

group of people in front of computer

About the Certificate

  • Required Courses (6 credit hours) 

    • PRWR 6440: Professional and Academic Editing
    • PRWR 6810: Publishing in the 21st Century

    Electives (6 credit hours) 
    Choose from two (2) of the following courses:

    • PRWR 6150: Rhetorical Theory
    • PRWR 6200: Contemporary Rhetoric and its Applications
    • PRWR 6260: Managing Writing in Organizations
    • PRWR 6280: Business and Technical Editing
    • PRWR 6455: The Genres of Creative Writing
    • PRWR 6550: Document Design and Desktop Publishing
    • PRWR 6570: Writing for Social Media
    • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
    • PRWR 6860: Intercultural Communication in Context
    • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship

    Program Total (12 credit hours)

    *Note: Courses are on rotation and not offered every semester.

    Current Course Offerings

  • Certificate Only

    Apply through Graduate Admissions

    • Application Materials
    • Graduate Admissions Application Portal
    • Deadlines to Apply:
      • Fall Semester: August 1
      • Spring Semester: November 1
      • Summer Semester: April 1

    Add-On a Certificate to Degree/Certificate

    • Complete the top portion of the Request for Add-On Certificate form and email it to gradcollegeforms@kennesaw.edu, copying the Certificate Coordinator and MAPW Academic Program Support Specialist (see below).
    • Requests received during student's final semester will not be processed.
    • Request for Add-On Certificate Deadlines:
      • Fall - July 15
      • Spring - December 1
      • Summer - April 15
    • You may earn up to two (2) certificates at a time.

  • The final steps in wrapping up the certificate are to:

    1. Apply to graduate the semester you are completing the certificate.
    2. Respond to a brief set of exit questions.
    3. To compile a brief portfolio of work representing your writing and editing development in the certificate program. 

    The portfolio should include the following elements: 

    • Title page
    • Table of contents
    • 1-page statement that reflects your professional goals related to editing and publishing following completion of the certificate
    • 10 pages of work that best demonstrates your writing and editing

    These materials must be emailed to the certificate coordinator by the last day of class of your graduating semester. 

  • Mary McMyne, MFA
    Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing; Coordinator of the Professional Editing and Publication Certificate
    Email: mmcmyne@kennesaw.edu

    Terri Dudenhoeffer
    MAPW Academic Program Support Specialist
    Email: tdudenho@kennesaw.edu 

Certificate Faculty

Faculty Profilesright arrow

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing
    • PRWR 6570 Writing for Social Media

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6150 Rhetorical Theory

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing
    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6810 Publishing in the 21st Century

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6570 Writing for Social Media

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6760 World Englishes
    • PRWR 6860 Intercultural Communication in Contexts

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    •  PRWR 6260 Managing Writing in Organizations

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6200 Contemporary Rhetoric and Its Applications
    • PRWR 6150 Rhetorical Theory

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 7600 Practical Internship

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6150 Rhetorical Theory