Top 10 Creative Writer Certifications

Certifications can be an important factor in a creative writer’s job market success. Certifications show employers that the writer has taken the initiative to learn about their craft and is committed to developing their writing skills. Certification courses often teach writers how to structure stories, develop characters, use language effectively, and more. These certifications demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that can be attractive to potential employers. Furthermore, certifications can provide an edge when competing for jobs against other writers who may not have these credentials. Ultimately, certifications are one way for creative writers to stand out from the competition and gain greater recognition in the job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Creative Writers and explains how they can help to boost a creative writer's career.

What are Creative Writer Certifications?

Creative writer certification is a program designed to help aspiring and experienced writers hone their craft. It typically involves taking classes to learn the basics of writing, such as grammar and punctuation, as well as developing their own unique style of writing. The classes may also cover topics such as story structure, characterization, dialogue, plot development, and more.

By completing a creative writer certification program, writers can gain a better understanding of what makes good writing and how to effectively communicate their ideas in an engaging way. It can also give them the confidence to pursue a career in writing or even to self-publish their work. Additionally, having a certificate can show potential employers that you have taken the time to hone your skills and are serious about writing.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of online resources to help you prepare for a creative writer certification. Online courses and tutorials can provide comprehensive information about writing fundamentals and the latest trends in the industry. Additionally, joining a writer’s group or taking part in a writers’ forum can give you an opportunity to connect with other writers and learn from their experiences.

Related: What does a Creative Writer do?

Top 10 Creative Writer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Creative Writers today.

1. Creative Writing Certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles

The Creative Writing Certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a program designed to help students develop their writing skills and explore the craft of writing. The certificate is open to all UCLA students and consists of eight courses in creative writing. Students can choose from a variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting.

The program takes approximately two years to complete. Students must complete four core courses and four elective courses in order to receive the certificate. Core courses include Introduction to Creative Writing, Writing Workshop: Fiction/Nonfiction/Poetry/Playwriting/Screenwriting, Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction/Nonfiction/Poetry/Playwriting/Screenwriting, and Advanced Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction/Nonfiction/Poetry/Playwriting/Screenwriting. Elective courses may include topics such as Special Topics in Creative Writing or Advanced Special Topics in Creative Writing.

To get the certificate, students must apply for admission into the program through the UCLA Extension website. After being accepted into the program, students will be required to take all eight courses within two years in order to receive the certificate.

The cost of the program varies depending on whether a student is enrolled full-time or part-time; however, it typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000 for tuition and fees for all eight courses combined.

2. Professional Creative Writing Certificate from the University of Washington

The Professional Creative Writing Certificate from the University of Washington is a program designed to help writers develop their skills in writing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The program consists of four courses that can be taken over the course of two quarters (one academic year).

The first course covers the fundamentals of creative writing, such as narrative structure, characterization, point-of-view, dialogue, and setting. Students will also learn about the basics of grammar and punctuation.

The second course focuses on developing a portfolio of original work in both fiction and nonfiction. Students will learn how to craft compelling stories and essays by exploring different genres and styles.

The third course focuses on poetry writing. Students will explore various poetic forms, techniques for crafting powerful imagery, and strategies for revising their work.

The fourth course focuses on professional development for writers. Students will learn about marketing themselves as a writer, submitting their work for publication, and building an online presence as an author.

In order to receive the certificate students must complete all four courses with a grade of C or higher in each one. It typically takes two quarters (one academic year) to complete all four courses.

The cost for the Professional Creative Writing Certificate from the University of Washington varies depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. In-state students pay $2,739 per quarter while out-of-state students pay $5,976 per quarter.

3. Advanced Creative Writing Certificate from New York University

The Advanced Creative Writing Certificate from New York University is a program designed to help students develop their creative writing skills. The program consists of five courses, which can be completed in one year or less. Students can choose to take the courses online or in person at NYU's campus in New York City.

The five courses are: Introduction to Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, Poetry Writing, Non-Fiction Writing, and Advanced Creative Writing. Each course is three credits and focuses on different aspects of creative writing such as character development, plot structure, and narrative techniques. The courses also cover topics such as literary theory and criticism.

To get the certificate, students must complete all five courses with a grade of C or better. Additionally, they must submit a portfolio of their work for evaluation by the program’s faculty. Once all requirements have been met, students will receive their Advanced Creative Writing Certificate from NYU.

The cost of the program varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in person at NYU's campus in New York City. Online courses typically cost around $1,500 per course while in-person classes cost around $2,000 per course. In addition to tuition fees there may be additional costs associated with materials and technology fees.

4. Creative Writing Certification from Harvard Extension School

The Creative Writing Certification from Harvard Extension School is a professional certificate program designed to help students develop their writing skills and become more confident in their ability to create compelling stories. The program consists of four courses that are taught online, allowing students to complete the program at their own pace.

The program takes approximately one year to complete, depending on the student's individual progress. Each course is 10 weeks long and requires 15-20 hours of work per week. The courses cover topics such as narrative structure, character development, dialogue, and revision techniques. Students will also learn how to write for different genres and media platforms.

To get the Creative Writing Certification from Harvard Extension School, students must complete all four courses with a grade of B or higher. They must also submit a portfolio of creative writing samples that demonstrate their mastery of the material covered in the courses.

The cost of the Creative Writing Certification from Harvard Extension School varies depending on whether or not you are a current Harvard student or an alumni. For current Harvard students, it costs $1,750 for all four courses; for alumni it costs $2,100 for all four courses.

5. Professional Creative Writing Certification from Stanford Online

Professional Creative Writing Certification from Stanford Online is a program designed to help aspiring writers develop their writing skills and become professional creative writers. It is an online certificate program that can be completed in as little as eight weeks, depending on the student's availability and commitment.

The program consists of four courses: Introduction to Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, Poetry Writing, and Non-Fiction Writing. Each course includes lectures, readings, and assignments that are designed to help students hone their craft and improve their writing skills. The courses also cover topics such as character development, plot structure, narrative techniques, and more.

To get the certification, students must complete all four courses with a passing grade. Students will also need to submit a portfolio of their work for evaluation by the instructors in order to receive credit for the program.

The cost of Professional Creative Writing Certification from Stanford Online is $2,500 USD per course or $10,000 USD for the entire program.

6. Creative Writing Certification Program from Oxford University

The Creative Writing Certification Program from Oxford University is a comprehensive program designed to teach aspiring writers the fundamentals of creative writing. The program is comprised of four modules, which cover topics such as narrative structure, characterization, dialogue, and editing. Each module consists of online lectures, readings, and assignments that help students develop their skills in creative writing.

The program takes approximately six months to complete. During this time, students will work through the four modules at their own pace and can access the course materials anytime they like. At the end of the program, students will have a portfolio of work that showcases their new skills in creative writing.

To get started with the Creative Writing Certification Program from Oxford University, you must first apply for admission by submitting an online application form. You will need to provide information about your educational background and any previous experience in creative writing or related fields. Once accepted into the program, you will be given access to all course materials and be able to begin working on your assignments right away.

The cost of the Creative Writing Certification Program from Oxford University is £1,000 (approximately US$1,300). This fee covers all course materials and access to online lectures and readings throughout the duration of the program.

7. Professional Creative Writing Certificate Program from Northwestern University

The Professional Creative Writing Certificate Program from Northwestern University is an online program that provides students with the opportunity to develop their writing skills and gain experience in the field of creative writing. The program consists of four courses, which can be completed in as little as six months. Each course focuses on a different aspect of creative writing, such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and scriptwriting. The program also includes workshops and seminars with faculty members who are experienced writers and editors.

To get the Professional Creative Writing Certificate Program from Northwestern University, students must first apply to the program by submitting an application form and providing transcripts or other documents demonstrating their academic background. Once accepted into the program, students will need to complete all four courses with a passing grade in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of the Professional Creative Writing Certificate Program from Northwestern University varies depending on whether or not you are an undergraduate student at Northwestern University. For undergraduate students at Northwestern University, the cost is $2,500 for all four courses; for non-Northwestern students, the cost is $3,000 for all four courses.

8. Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Certification from Columbia University

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University is a two-year program that offers students the opportunity to specialize in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful writers, as well as an understanding of the literary world and its various forms.

The MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University requires a total of 48 credits for completion. This includes 36 credits of coursework and 12 credits of thesis work. Coursework includes workshops in creative writing, literature seminars, and electives such as publishing and pedagogy. Students also have the option to take courses outside of the English department such as film studies or anthropology.

To be admitted into the MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, applicants must submit an application form along with a statement of purpose outlining their goals for pursuing the degree, transcripts from all previous college-level institutions attended, three letters of recommendation, a writing sample (10-20 pages), and GRE scores (optional).

The cost for tuition for the MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University is $2,935 per credit hour plus fees. This means that tuition for the entire two-year program would be approximately $57,000. Financial aid is available through grants and scholarships offered by Columbia University as well as external sources such as private foundations and government programs.

9. Certified Professional Writer (CPW) certification program by WritersUA

The Certified Professional Writer (CPW) certification program by WritersUA is a professional certification program designed to recognize the technical writing skills of individuals in the software industry. The CPW certification is awarded to those who demonstrate a mastery of the principles, practices, and tools of technical writing.

The CPW certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and an in-person interview. To be eligible for the CPW certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience as a technical writer or related field. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of their work that showcases their writing skills.

The online exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, document design, usability testing, information architecture, and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $300 USD.

The in-person interview is conducted by a panel of experienced WritersUA professionals and focuses on the applicant’s understanding of the principles and practices of technical writing. This interview typically takes one hour to complete and costs $200 USD.

Once both parts are successfully completed, applicants will receive their CPW certification from WritersUA. This certificate is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

10. Certified Content Marketer (CCM) certification program by the Content Marketing Institute

The Certified Content Marketer (CCM) certification program by the Content Marketing Institute is a comprehensive program designed to help content marketers become more effective and successful in their roles. The program consists of two parts: an online course and an assessment.

The online course covers topics such as content marketing strategy, content creation, content optimization, analytics, and more. It includes videos, case studies, quizzes, and other resources to help learners understand the concepts covered in the course. The course takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete.

Once you have completed the course, you can take the assessment which consists of multiple choice questions based on the material covered in the course. You must answer at least 80% of these questions correctly in order to pass and receive your CCM certification.

The cost for the CCM certification program is $595 USD. This fee covers both the online course and assessment. Once you have passed the assessment and received your CCM certification, you will receive a digital badge that can be used on social media profiles or websites to showcase your achievement.

Do You Really Need a Creative Writer Certificate?

Yes, a creative writer certificate can be beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in writing. A certificate can demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to become an effective writer. It can also show potential employers that you are committed to your craft and have taken the time to hone your skills.

A creative writing certificate program will typically include courses in composition, grammar, punctuation, and literary theory. These classes will help you develop your writing style and technique so that you can effectively convey your message or story. You'll also learn how to create compelling characters and craft stories with proper structure and pacing.

Additionally, some creative writing certificate programs may offer specialized courses in genres such as comedy, fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, horror, or children’s literature. These classes allow you to explore different types of writing and give you the opportunity to become well-rounded in your craft.

Finally, having a creative writer certificate on your resume could give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs or internships in the field of writing. It shows potential employers that you are serious about becoming a professional writer and have taken the initiative to educate yourself on the necessary skills required for success.

In conclusion, obtaining a creative writer certificate is beneficial if you want to pursue a career in writing. It demonstrates commitment to mastering one’s craft while also giving potential employers insight into one’s level of experience and knowledge of the field.

Related: Creative Writer Resume Examples

FAQs About Creative Writer Certifications

1. What is a Creative Writer Certification?

Answer: A Creative Writer Certification is an educational program that teaches the fundamentals of creative writing, such as developing characters, creating compelling plots, and crafting effective dialogue. It may also include instruction in the business of writing, including marketing and copyright laws.

2. How do I get a Creative Writer Certification?

Answer: To obtain a Creative Writer Certification, you must typically complete a course or program from an accredited institution. This can be done online or through traditional classroom instruction.

3. What are the benefits of a Creative Writer Certification?

Answer: A Creative Writer Certification can help you hone your skills as a writer, build confidence in your work, and demonstrate to potential employers or clients that you have received formal training in the craft of creative writing. It can also open up opportunities for freelance writing assignments or paid employment in fields such as publishing or advertising.

4. Is there an exam required for certification?

Answer: In most cases, yes – although it will vary depending on the institution offering the certification program. Generally speaking, exams may include multiple-choice questions about grammar and punctuation rules as well as essay questions that assess your understanding of various elements of creative writing theory and practice.

5. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

Answer: Some institutions may require applicants to have prior experience in writing or related fields before enrolling in their certification program; however, this is not universal across all programs and institutions offering certification courses in creative writing.