POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN

WritingJoin a Thriving Community of Writers

“Taking the writing courses has changed how I see my life

and what my future is.”—Brooks Bigart

extension.berkeley.edu

It’s time to get serious about your craft. Participating in UC Berkeley Extension’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing can formalize your training, prepare you for graduate study in writing or prime your work for publication. Develop a consistent writing practice, build a polished portfolio and gain a respected credential that shows your commitment to the written form.

When you register for this certificate, you are welcomed into a community of writers who are passionate about their craft, who are dedicated to honing their skills and who offer constructive feedback in a supportive environment. You also learn from and collaborate with instructors who are published and respected authors. Be inspired while reading works in poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Sharpen your writing skills by fine-tuning and assessing your work.

The certificate was developed with input from directors of several San Francisco Bay Area Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) programs and approved by the University of California, Berkeley. Courses are offered both online and in classrooms, and you may mix-and-match formats. Evening, weekend and online course schedules give you the flexibility to continue working while taking classes.

3 Required Courses, 2 Literature Electives* 3 Writing Workshop Electives* 16 Semester Units, 240 Hours of Instruction

REQUIRED COURSES

The Craft of Reading ENGLISH X429 (2 semester units)Learn to read with the eyes of a writer so that you can develop an understanding of what makes great literature work.

The Craft of Writing ENGLISH X421 (2 semester units)Become familiar with the uses, demands and possibilities of craft in the fiction, poetry and nonfiction genres.

Writing Skills Workshop ENGLISH X13 (2 semester units)Hone your writing skills by drafting, writing and revising your own work while reviewing common grammar pitfalls.

Customize Your Certificate With ElectivesAt UC Berkeley Extension, you choose the courses that pique your interest rather than completing a prescribed curriculum. Course topics cover a range of genres and formats, including:

POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN

Writing

extension.berkeley.edu/cert/writing.html

Prerequisites for AdmissionA bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution is required to register for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing.

Completion RequirementsTo receive the certificate, you must maintain an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA), with a grade of C or better in each course. A Certificate With Distinction will be awarded to those who complete the certificate with a GPA of 3.9 or higher.

• Long-form fiction

• Short-form fiction

• Classic literature

• Contemporary literature

• Poetry

• Creative nonfiction

• Journalism

*Please visit the website for a list of all available electives.

Advisory BoardTo ensure that your professional certificate is of the highest quality, UC Berkeley Extension recruits experienced writers, outstanding teachers and published authors as advisers and instructors.

Stephen Albert, M.F.A., University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, also holds an M.A. from the University of Iowa School of Journalism and a teaching credential from the UC Berkeley School of Education

Thaisa Frank, award-winning author and instructor in the creative writing graduate programs at San Francisco State University, the University of San Francisco and at UC Berkeley Extension

Deborah Lichtman, Ph.D., author, teacher, adviser and former director of the University of San Francisco M.F.A. in Writing Program

Jane Anne Staw, Ph.D., author and former adjunct professor in the University of San Francisco creative writing graduate program, as well as a UC Berkeley Extension Honored Instructor

Allison Tomlinson, M.F.A., holds a graduate degree in creative writing from Mills College

Hertha Sweet Wong, Ph.D., associate professor in UC Berkeley’s English Department and chair of UC Berkeley’s Department of Art Practice

“ I was so nervous to even enroll in a class, because I hadn’t written in years. And in my first class, the teacher—Lindsey Crittenden—was so encouraging and amazing; she really built up my confidence in writing. In the certificate program, you become friends and share writing with people you meet in class. I didn’t expect there to be a community of people.”

—Brooks Bigart, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing graduate, is

a published author in LOUDmouth Zine.

“ The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing is great for those who take themselves seriously as writers and wish to develop a writing community, compile a portfolio and get published.”

—Hertha Sweet Wong, Advisory Board

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

“The program is more challenging than I expected, and that is a positive thing for me,” says Jena Binderup. “The certificate gives me the opportunity to explore without the pressure of being in a graduate program. If I decide to go to graduate school, it really does serve to be a bridge. My dream is to write fiction and find a way to apply that to the real world and support myself.”

Jeff Wheeler finds motivation in writing—every day. Although that sounds like a difficult task, Wheeler believes it is essential to being a successful writer. “Writing every day was the best advice I took, because that’s where I saw my writing grow,” he says. Because of this discipline, he is enjoying early success with two published pieces penned for the certificate’s courses.

“I decided I was going to take a couple formal writing courses to see if I had the enjoyment to pursue a career,” says Kristina Tate. “That’s how I found Extension. I would not have gotten into the Columbia University M.F.A. without this program. I’m very grateful this program is here, because I would have given up on writing many times along the road. I’m going to an Ivy League school!”

As part of your education, you have the opportunity to participate in student readings and share your prose with the community at large. Further strengthen your craft by seeing how others respond to your work—a highlight for any aspiring writer. Student Susan Zec (pictured at right) enjoys reading her manuscripts to a rapt audience. “UC Berkeley Extension has given me the platform to pursue my passion,” she says. “Reading my work in front of an unfamiliar audience was an absolute thrill!”

TAKE YOUR WRITING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

extension.berkeley.edu/cert/writing.html© 2014 by the Regents of the University of California HUM 314BR473 8/14

Curriculum RequirementsThe curriculum comprises 8 courses for a minimum of 16 semester units (240 hours of instruction), which includes 3 required courses and 5 restricted electives selected from 2 categories: literature (2 courses) and writing workshops (3 courses). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable certificate registration fee.

All coursework must be completed within five years of registering for the certificate. Because requirements are updated based on new developments in the field of study, we recommend completing two courses per year to progress through the curriculum in a timely fashion.

You may start the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing at any time. Enroll in courses and register at extension.berkeley.edu/cert/writing.html. You may enroll in any of our writing courses prior to committing to the certificate and apply those units toward the certificate at a later date.

How to Register for This Professional CertificateRegister for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing at extension.berkeley.edu/cert/register.html. Click on the More Information button next to the certificate title to begin the registration process. Complete your student account profile if you are a new student, and pay the nonrefundable certificate registration fee.

You may enroll in individual courses without registering for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing. You pay for individual courses as you progress through the curriculum.

Value of a UC Berkeley Extension Professional CertificateAs the continuing education arm of the University of California, Berkeley, UC Berkeley Extension is a respected provider of adult and professional education. A UC Berkeley Extension professional certificate is approved by a UC Berkeley academic advisory board and widely recognized as proof of the successful completion of a high-caliber, in-depth course of study.

Learn MoreFor additional information about the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing, visit extension.berkeley.edu/cert/writing.html, email extension-letters@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-6362.