Creative Writing Certificate

Community-based writers who wish to learn from highly qualified mentors and to workshop their manuscripts in a nurturing and instructive environment may wish to apply for the Certificate in Creative Writing Program.

The MAPW Certificate in Creative Writing Program offers qualified candidates an opportunity to study in five genres of creative writing at the graduate level without pursuing a graduate degree.  Twelve academic credits (four courses) in creative writing are required to earn the certificate.  Up to nine credits may be applied to the MAPW degree, if the student wishes to pursue the master’s degree.  A student may repeat the certificate program beyond the 12 hours for another certificate. 

creative writer at desk with book

Courses are offered in fiction writing, creative nonfiction, playwriting, screen & TV writing, and poetry writing.* Candidates may focus on one genre or study in several, or all.  Go to the Graduate Course Catalog to learn more about the program and to view course offerings.

The courses are typically face-to-face workshops, offered at 6:30 PM in the Fall and Spring semesters on the Kennesaw Campus.  Online classes are offered from time to time.

Candidates apply through the online KSU Graduate College application portal and must meet the same requirements as degree candidates. No GRE score or support area are required. 

*Directed studies, internships and capstone courses are not offered to Certificate candidates.

About the Certificate 

  • Choose from four (4) of the following courses. Students should select at least one workshop-based course.

      • PRWR 6410: Feature Writing
      • PRWR 6455: The Genres of Creative Writing
      • PRWR 6460: Fiction Writing I
      • PRWR 7460: Fiction Writing II
      • PRWR 6470: Poetry Writing I
      • PRWR 7470: Poetry Writing II
      • PRWR 6480: Playwriting I
      • PRWR 7480: Playwriting II
      • PRWR 6520: Creative Nonfiction Writing I
      • PRWR 7520: Creative Nonfiction Writing II
      • STVW 6490: Screenwriting I
      • STVW 7490: Screenwriting II
      • STVW 6495: TV Writing: Half-Hour
      • STVW 6496: TV Writing: One-Hour
      • STVW 7495: TV Writing II
      • STVW 7496: TV Writers Room
      • PRWR 6810: Publishing in the 21st Century
      • PRWR 6100: Readings for Writers
      • PRWR 6440: Professional and Academic Editing
      • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
      • PRWR 6800: Careers in Professional Writing
      • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship
      • PRWR 7810: Research Methods for Writers
      • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*

      * Course may not apply to Creative Writing depending on the topic.

    Program Total (12 Credit Hours)

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

    *Directed studies, internships and capstone courses are not offered to certificate candidates.

    Current Course Offerings

  • Certificate Only

    Apply through Graduate Admissions

    Add-On a Certificate to Degree/Certificate

    • Complete the top portion of the Request for Add-On Certificate form and email it to [email protected], 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 while in the program. The portfolio should include: a 10-page double-spaced sample which will serve as a portfolio of your best creative writing work completed while in the program.

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

  • Garrard Conley, MFA
    Associate Professor of English; Coordinator of the Creative Writing Certificate
    Email: [email protected]

    Terri Dudenhoeffer
    MAPW Academic Program Support Specialist
    Email: [email protected] 

Certificate Faculty

Faculty Profiles right arrow

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6100 Readings for Writers

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing
    • PRWR 6520 Creative Nonfiction Writing I
    • PRWR 7520 Creative Nonfiction Writing II

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 7600 MAPW Practical Internship
    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6100 Readings for Writers 

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6410 Feature Writing
    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 7810 Research Methods for Writers

  • Certificate Course(s) taught:

    • STVW 6490 Screenwriting I
    • STVW 6495 TV Writing: Half-Hour
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
    • STVW 7496 TV Writers Room

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing
    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 6480 Playwriting I
    • PRWR 7480 Playwriting II
    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing
    • PRWR 7810 Research Methods for Writers

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6800 Careers in Professional Writing
    • PRWR 6810 Publishing in the 21st Century

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics
    • STVW 6490 Screenwriting I
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
    • STVW 6495 TV Writing: Half-Hour
    • STVW 6496 TV Writing: One-Hour
    • STVW 7496 TV Writers Room

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6760 World Englishes

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 7460 Fiction Writing II

  • Certificate course(s) taught: 

    • PRWR 6520 Creative Nonfiction Writing I

  • Certificate course(s) taught: 

    • PRWR 7600 Practical Internship

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6470 Poetry Writing I
    • PRWR 7470 Poetry Writing II

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6800 Careers in Professional Writing
    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 7900 Special Topics
    • STVW 6490 Screenwriting I
    • STVW 6496 TV Writing: One-Hour
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
    • STVW 7495 TV Writing II
    • STVW 7900 Special Topics in Screen and TV Writing

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6470 Poetry Writing I
    • PRWR 6800 Careers in Professional Writing
    • PRWR 7470 Poetry Writing II