• The writing certificate is an academic credential that allows students to increase their writing skills by focusing on the written word. It requires the completion of eight courses.
• Certificate in writing awarded by the University of Iowa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

• You'll develop a range of highly prized writing skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely, correctly use mechanics and style, communicate with particular audiences for specific purposes, and overcome obstacles that occur during the writing process.
• You can tailor the certificate to your own goals and interests. Some students focus on writing for specific fields, such as business, journalism, the arts, or science; some pursue an interest in creative or technical writing; and others do a little of everything—it's up to you!
• You'll join an internationally-renowned community of writers, with instructors from Iowa's flagship writing programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—including the Writers' Workshop, Nonfiction Writing Program, and School of Journalism and Mass Communication—and participate in the dynamic literary culture of Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature.

• Designed with the intention of reaching students who are not able to attend courses on campus, the online certificate in writing allows nondegree-seeking, professional, or distance education participants the opportunity to take advantage of the University of Iowa’s impressive culture of writing from anywhere in the world.
• Online courses taught by engaging faculty, including graduates of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and the Nonfiction Writing Program.
• Accessible academic advising with available phone appointments and detailed email correspondence.
• Students taking only online courses pay standard College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in-state tuition, plus a technology fee.
• The certificate transcript will not indicate that you were in an online program. Students who graduate by taking online courses earn the same credential as those in the on-campus program.

Recent certificate in writing graduates have gone on to work in various fields that are wide-ranging in scope and background. Our graduates have found work as teachers, copywriters, editors and publishers, government administrators, free-lance journalists, magazine writers, and more. Additionally, our graduates often go on to graduate and professional programs such as MFA programs, Teach For America, and law school. Finally, many of our recent graduates have found internships during and after their time in the program with publishing companies and magazines from across the country.

If you are a full-time, degree-seeking student, you can earn the Certificate in Writing on campus or online at no additional cost—it is already included in your tuition.

If you are not pursuing a degree but want to earn the Certificate in Writing online, you’ll pay our resident tuition rate plus the technology fee. For fall 2022, a three semester-hour course would be $1,226.75 including the technology fee. Tuition and fees are the same for both resident or non-resident students.

If you are a non-degree-seeking student pursuing the Certificate in Writing on campus, fall 2022 tuition for a three semester-hour course is the same for resident or non-resident, $1,499.50.

If you are taking more than four semester-hours, your tuition will vary depending based on your designation as resident or non-resident and the number semester hours you enroll.

Find more information at the Registrar's tuition tables. In the upper right corner, select the session you are interested in and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Make sure filter is set to "Iowa City Campus."