Creative Writing, Certificate

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.

The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 course unit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 course unit) by adding two additional courses from the advanced course list.

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered on accelerated (8-week) and classic (11- or 12-week) schedules. Courses in the certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors. For more information about specific course dates, please visit the Course Schedule page.

You have the option to enroll in individual courses without committing to the entire certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests.

 

The Certificate in Creative Writing prepares you to:

  • Understand how text conveys meaning across a variety of literary genres and styles
  • Explore how to use innovation, flexibility, and collaboration to cultivate a creative writing practice
  • Create, revise and edit your original writing in multiple literary genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting

Curriculum

Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.

Creative Writing Certificate
Select 4 CU from the following:4
The Craft of Creative Writing
Modern and Contemporary US Poetry
Poetry Workshop
The Art of Editing
Writing and Meditation
Fiction Workshop
Narrative Collage
Writing About Place
Screenwriting
Advanced Nonfiction
Journalism Workshop
Total Course Units4

Courses are subject to change.


The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.


 

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.

The Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing is a 6-course, 6 course unit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. 

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered on accelerated (8-week) and classic (11- or 12-week) schedules. Courses in the certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors. For more information about specific course dates, please visit the Course Schedule page.

You have the option to enroll in individual courses without committing to the entire certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests.

Curriculum

Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.

Creative Writing
Advanced Courses
Select two of the following not used or the Basic Certificate2
The Craft of Creative Writing
Modern and Contemporary US Poetry
Poetry Workshop
The Art of Editing
Fiction Workshop
Writing About Place
Screenwriting
Advanced Nonfiction
Journalism Workshop
Total Course Units2