Top 10 Writer Editor Certifications

Certifications are important for a writer editor in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the applicant has a certain level of knowledge and experience. Certifications can also be used as a way to differentiate between applicants when hiring. Having a certification in writing or editing shows potential employers that the candidate is knowledgeable in the field, and has taken the initiative to gain additional skills and qualifications. In addition, certifications can help open up opportunities for promotions or higher-level positions. They may also provide access to specialized resources and networking opportunities within the industry. Ultimately, certifications can be an important factor when applying for writer editor jobs, as they demonstrate commitment and expertise in the field.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Writer Editors and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Writer Editor Certifications?

Writer Editor Certification (WEC) is a certification program designed to provide professional recognition for individuals who demonstrate proficiency in writing and editing. WEC is administered by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) and is aimed at helping writers and editors build their expertise, increase their professional credibility, and enhance their earning potential. It also serves as an industry-standard benchmark of quality for employers seeking qualified professionals in the field.

The WEC program requires applicants to successfully complete a series of assessments that test their knowledge of writing and editing techniques, grammar rules, manuscript preparation guidelines, publishing industry standards, copyright law, and more. Upon successful completion of the assessment tests, applicants are issued a certificate attesting to their proficiency as a writer or editor.

Having a Writer Editor Certification can help writers and editors stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or bidding on projects. It also serves to validate their qualifications with current or potential clients. In addition, having WEC may open up opportunities with larger companies that prefer certified professionals over those without credentials. Finally, WEC can be beneficial in helping writers and editors gain access to exclusive job boards or other resources that can lead to better paying assignments or higher visibility within the industry.

Pro Tip: If you're looking to become a certified writer-editor, make sure to research the certifications available in your field. Many organizations offer specialized certifications that can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your expertise in writing and editing.

Related: What does a Writer Editor do?

Top 10 Writer Editor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Writer Editors today.

1. Copyediting Certification from the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences

The Copyediting Certification from the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS) is a voluntary certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in copyediting life science documents. The BELS certification program is designed to provide an objective measure of copyediting expertise, and it is based on a set of core competencies that are essential for effective copyediting.

The BELS Copyediting Certification Program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, formatting, and editing life science documents. It typically takes approximately 40 hours to complete the online course. Once the course is completed, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam in order to receive their certification.

In order to be eligible for the BELS Copyediting Certification Program, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in copyediting or proofreading life science documents. Additionally, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field related to life sciences or a related field.

The cost for the BELS Copyediting Certification Program is $500 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. This fee covers both the online course and the exam fee.

2. Certificate in Copyediting from the University of California, San Diego Extension

The Certificate in Copyediting from the University of California, San Diego Extension is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become professional copy editors. This certificate program consists of six courses covering topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, editing for print and digital media, and copyright law. The program takes approximately nine months to complete if taken at the recommended pace of one course per quarter.

To get the certificate, students must successfully complete all six courses within three years of starting the program. Each course is offered online or on-campus in San Diego and can be taken either part-time or full-time.

The cost of the Certificate in Copyediting varies depending on whether you take it online or on-campus. For online courses, each course costs $895 plus a $50 registration fee; for on-campus courses, each course costs $1,095 plus a $50 registration fee.

3. Professional Certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute

The Professional Certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute is a comprehensive online program designed to give editors the skills and knowledge they need to become successful professionals. It covers topics such as editing fundamentals, grammar and usage, digital publishing, writing for the web, and more. The program consists of five courses that can be completed in four months or less.

To get the Professional Certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute, you must complete all five courses and pass a final exam with a score of 75% or higher. The five courses are Writing and Editing Fundamentals, Grammar and Usage, Digital Publishing, Writing for the Web, and Advanced Editing Techniques. Each course takes approximately four weeks to complete.

The cost for the Professional Certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute is $1,495 USD. This includes access to all five courses as well as one-on-one feedback from experienced editors throughout your studies.

4. Copyediting Certificate from the American Copy Editors Society

The Copyediting Certificate from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in copyediting. The certificate is awarded by ACES upon successful completion of an online course and exam. The course covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, usage, style, editing for clarity, and more.

The certification process typically takes about two months to complete. To get started, applicants must register for the course and pay the associated fee ($395 for ACES members; $495 for non-members). Once registered, applicants will receive access to the online course materials and be able to work at their own pace. After completing the coursework and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, applicants will receive their certificate.

The cost of the Copyediting Certificate from ACES is $395 for members and $495 for non-members. This fee covers access to all course materials as well as grading of the final exam.

5. Technical Editing Certification from the Society for Technical Communication

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) offers a Technical Editing Certification program to recognize the expertise of technical editors. This certification is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge and skills in editing technical documents and publications.

The program consists of two parts: a written exam and an editing sample review. The written exam covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, usage, document structure, and editing techniques. The editing sample review requires the candidate to edit a sample document according to STC standards.

It typically takes about six months to complete the certification process. Candidates must register with STC before they can take the exams. They must also submit all required documents and payment before they can be approved for certification.

The cost of the program varies depending on whether you are an STC member or not. For non-members, it costs $350 for both exams, while members pay $250 for both exams.

6. Digital Publishing Certificate from New York University School of Professional Studies

The Digital Publishing Certificate from New York University School of Professional Studies is a professional certificate program that provides students with the knowledge and skills to become successful digital publishers. The program focuses on the technical, creative, and business aspects of digital publishing, including topics such as content creation, analytics, marketing, and distribution.

The Digital Publishing Certificate can be completed in as little as one semester or up to two years depending on the student's availability and course load. It consists of four core courses and two electives covering topics such as web design, social media marketing, analytics, copywriting, project management, and more. Students must complete all six courses to receive the certificate.

To get the Digital Publishing Certificate from NYU School of Professional Studies students must first apply for admission to the program. Once accepted into the program students can register for classes online or in person at the NYU campus.

The cost of the Digital Publishing Certificate varies depending on whether you are taking classes online or in person at NYU's campus. Online courses cost $2,400 per course while in-person courses cost $3,000 per course. In addition to tuition fees there are also additional costs such as books and materials which may vary depending on your individual course selections.

7. Professional Writing and Editing Certificate from George Mason University

The Professional Writing and Editing Certificate from George Mason University is a program designed to help students develop their writing and editing skills for professional use. This certificate is intended for those who want to pursue a career in writing, editing, or publishing. It provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate in the professional world.

It takes approximately one year to complete the Professional Writing and Editing Certificate from George Mason University. The program consists of four courses: English Composition I & II, Introduction to Professional Writing & Editing, Advanced Professional Writing & Editing, and an internship or capstone project. Students must successfully complete all four courses in order to receive the certificate.

In order to get the Professional Writing and Editing Certificate from George Mason University, students must first apply for admission into the university. Once admitted, they can then register for classes online or in person at the university’s registrar office. After completing all four courses, students will need to submit a portfolio of their work as part of their application for the certificate.

The cost of the Professional Writing and Editing Certificate from George Mason University varies depending on whether you are taking classes on campus or online. On-campus classes typically range from $1,000-$2,000 per course while online classes are usually less expensive at around $500-$700 per course. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with textbooks or other materials required for each course.

8. Creative Nonfiction Writing and Editing Certificate from Johns Hopkins University

The Creative Nonfiction Writing and Editing Certificate from Johns Hopkins University is a professional development program designed to help individuals hone their skills in the craft of creative nonfiction writing and editing. The program consists of four courses, which can be taken individually or as part of a certificate program.

The four courses are: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Writing, Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing, Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Editing, and Advanced Creative Nonfiction Editing. Each course is offered as an online course that is self-paced and can be completed in 8 weeks. The courses cover topics such as developing ideas for creative nonfiction pieces, writing techniques, grammar and punctuation rules, editing techniques, and more.

To get the certificate, students must complete all four courses with a passing grade. Upon completion of the program, students will receive an official certificate from Johns Hopkins University.

The cost for the entire certificate program is $1,500 USD.

9. Advanced Editing and Proofreading Certificate from Oxford Home Study College

The Advanced Editing and Proofreading Certificate from Oxford Home Study College is a comprehensive online course designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to become professional editors and proofreaders. The course covers a range of topics, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, editing techniques, copy-editing, proofreading strategies, and more. It also includes an introduction to the publishing industry.

The course takes approximately 150 hours of study to complete. Students can work at their own pace and there are no deadlines or exams associated with the course. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive an internationally recognized certificate from Oxford Home Study College.

To get started on the Advanced Editing and Proofreading Certificate from Oxford Home Study College, students must first register for the program by submitting an application form online. Upon acceptance into the program, students will be provided with access to all of the necessary materials required for completing the coursework.

The cost of this certificate program is £299 GBP (approximately $400 USD). This fee covers all materials, assessments and certification upon successful completion of the program.

10. Content Strategy Certification from Content Marketing Institute

Content Strategy Certification from Content Marketing Institute is a professional certification program designed to help marketers develop and expand their content strategy skills. It provides an in-depth understanding of the content strategy process, from planning and execution to measurement and optimization.

The program consists of four courses: Content Strategy Foundations, Content Marketing Planning & Execution, Content Measurement & Optimization, and Advanced Content Strategy. Each course includes online video lectures, downloadable resources, quizzes, and practice exercises. The program can be completed in as little as 8 weeks or up to 12 months depending on the individual’s availability and pace.

To get certified in content strategy, you must complete all four courses within 12 months of signing up for the program. You will also need to pass a comprehensive exam at the end of each course with a minimum score of 70%.

The cost for the certification is $1,495 USD per person or $2,995 USD for teams of three or more. This fee includes access to all four courses plus the final exam.

Do You Really Need a Writer Editor Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Writer Editor Certificate to become a successful writer editor depends on your goals and the industry you plan to work in. If you plan to work in an industry where certification is required, then a Writer Editor Certificate may be necessary. However, even if certification is not required, having one can show potential employers that you are serious about your craft and have taken the time to increase your knowledge and skills in writing and editing.

If you plan to pursue a career in writing or editing, it is worth considering pursuing a certificate program as part of your education. Professional writing and editing certificates can provide students with formal training in areas such as grammar and usage, style guides, copyediting, proofreading, publishing processes, research methods, and more. Additionally, many certificate programs provide students with opportunities for hands-on experience through internships or practicums that can help them develop their skills further. This type of experience can be invaluable when it comes time to apply for jobs or freelance opportunities.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue a Writer Editor Certificate should come down to your individual goals and career aspirations. If certification is necessary for entry into the field or if it would give you an edge over other applicants or freelancers, then pursuing this type of program could be beneficial. However, if certification is not a requirement for the type of work you want to do or if it does not fit within your budget at this time, then there are still other ways to gain the knowledge and skills needed for success as a writer editor without obtaining a formal certificate.

Related: Writer Editor Resume Examples

FAQs About Writer Editor Certifications

1. What is a writer editor certification?

Answer: A writer editor certification is a credential that recognizes an individual’s knowledge and experience in writing and editing for various mediums, such as magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, etc. It demonstrates a mastery of the English language and familiarity with industry-standard practices.

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified as a writer editor, you must complete an approved course of study or pass an examination administered by a recognized professional body or organization. This can include taking classes in grammar, style and usage; completing a portfolio review; or passing an exam that covers topics such as punctuation, spelling and sentence structure.

3. Is there any cost associated with certification?

Answer: Yes, there may be some costs involved in obtaining certification depending on the program you choose to pursue. Costs can include fees for courses or exams as well as any materials needed to complete the program (e.g., textbooks).

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified as a writer editor can open up new opportunities for employment and advancement in your career. It also provides recognition from peers and employers that you have the necessary skills to write and edit professionally. Additionally, it can help build credibility when applying for jobs or submitting work samples for consideration.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements after becoming certified?

Answer: Depending on which program you use to obtain certification, there could be ongoing education requirements after becoming certified. These could include attending seminars or workshops related to writing/editing topics; participating in professional development activities; or taking additional classes or exams to stay current with industry trends and best practices.