Online Creative Writing Certificate Programs

November 2, 2009 7:54 AM

Can you recommend online writing certificate programs and tell me what makes your recs good? Thanks!

I am interested in pursuing a certificate in writing--either creative nonfiction or poetry (not sure which yet). My goal is to build a portfolio as well as relationships with writing professors so that when I apply for an MFA I have work to show and people in the field who can write recommendations. I already have a graduate degree (MSW) but I need to work towards building a strong application for a creative writing program.

I would like a program that can be done all online. My other main criteria is that it's a reputable program with talented, engaged instructors and fellow students.

Can you recommend specific programs? I am already taking a class with UCLA Extension Writers Program and if that seems like it fits my criteria, I will consider it, although I've been not very impressed with the level of professor involvement....

posted by Rudy Gerner to education (5 comments total)

An online program isn't going to "build relationships with professors," at least in my experience. In-person extension programs are a better bet for that.

Certificates are meaningless in this field. If what you want is to improve your skills and make connections, in-person classes and workshops are going to be the way to go.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:31 AM on November 2 [1 favorite has favorites]

I have a CRW MFA.

Honestly, I'm not sure of the value of a post-bachelor's certificate in writing for MFA applications. Generally, I'm not a fan of paid pre-MFA preparatory stuff (consulting services, portfolio editing services, and the like). And the phrase "certificate" implies some sort of professional value to the experience that really is, more-or-less, illusory--MFAs themselves generally don't do much for your career, even if you want to teach these days; a "certificate" certainly isn't going to help you in the same way that, say, a teaching certificate or professional certificate is.

What I'd recommend, instead, is to seek out either peer writing groups in your area, or free and active writing communities online. Back when I was applying, poetryslamming used to be good for this, but it's not very active at all anymore. Maybe someone else could steer you in the direction of some place that is. I'd also keep in mind that, if your goal is to develop your portfolio, you don't necessarily need any sort of collaborative writing group for that, though it might help if you know one or two other writers who you can exchange work with. The really important thing is to focus on continued writing, no matter the environment you're in.

I know this doesn't address your concerns about recommendations. Then again, only one of my graduate school recommenders was someone I knew in a creative writing capacity--the others were simply professors who could speak to my capacity for graduate-level work. If you have any close relationships with professors from your previous graduate or undergraduate experiences, they're good people to go to for recommendations, even if they're not professional poets or writers.

Feel free to MeMail me or send me an email about this stuff. I'm very active on all of those creative writing MFA blogs, and always willing to help out applicants and hopefuls.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:32 AM on November 2

Thank you so far.

Just to clarify, I understand that I should keep writing and I definitely will.

My concern is that I am enrolled currently in my first ever writing class (UCLA Extension Writers Program online). I have barely learned any craft and have no sense of how to revise my writing. In other words, in the way of portfolio material I have only very rough stuff that has come straight out of my head onto the page. My thought was that a certificate program would help me learn craft and actually how to write, how to think of things to write, help me find my way a little bit so that what I submit for portfolios, residencies, master classes and workshops would be stronger.

I don't think a certificate is a professional degree or any thing that in and of itself will make me a more appealing MFA candidate. I do think it will teach me and help me improve my skill and craft.

Thoughts?
posted by Rudy Gerner at 8:49 AM on November 2

My concern is that I am enrolled currently in my first ever writing class (UCLA Extension Writers Program online). I have barely learned any craft and have no sense of how to revise my writing.

Have you looked into classes at your local adult school or community college? Many offer single courses, some online, where you can learn the basics at a much cheaper price than you would through any sort of online certificate course. For poetry editing, though it's a bit simplistic, I'd try my hand at Ted Kooser's Poetry Home Repair Manual, which gives you a very good overview of how to approach editing your work. I've also used this textbook, Writing Poems by Michelle Boisseau in poetry courses that I've taught. It has a good section on editing.

Workshops, generally, whether they're in person or online, whether they offer certificates or not, are going to vary widely in terms of quality. I'd really recommend that you try to teach yourself the basics of revising (and, of course, continue to read in whatever genre it is that you're writing--that's probably of the ultimate importance to a young writer) before you're in a workshop setting, because it will make the workshop itself more productive, particularly if you end up with a cruddy, unengaged teacher or peers--which happens sometimes even in MFA programs, unfortunately.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:01 AM on November 2

My thought was that a certificate program would help me learn craft and actually how to write

I think you'd pay extra for the "certificate" aspect and lose the flexibility you'd get from, instead, spending the same money and time on taking an assortment of classes and workshops that really appealed to you.

And the best way to learn the writer's craft really is to read. I'd encourage you to set aside time for reading broadly and intently, thinking of that time as study time, in addition to whatever recreational reading you're currently doing.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:05 AM on November 2