Fall 2023 brings with it some changes to the curriculum for the Writing Certificate. In brief, the semester hour requirements for the Writing Certificate will drop from 22 s.h. to 19 s.h., and all students will complete the same capstone experience rather than selecting from four options.
All students who declare the Writing Certificate (online and on-campus) on or after Aug. 25, 2023, will be switched over to the new requirements below. Students who declared the Writing Certificate prior to Aug. 25, 2023, are encouraged to switch to the new requirements as well, but these students will have the choice of whether to switch to the new requirements or remain on their previous plan of study.
After reading the information below, if you wish to switch to the new requirements, please email CLAS Undergraduate Programs at clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu with your name, student ID number, and a message that you wish to switch to the new requirements for the Writing Certificate.
The changes are outlined in more detail below:
|
|
Requirements Prior to Fall 2023 |
New Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Course Requirements |
Core courses: 12 hours Focused electives: 9 hours Capstone project: 1-3 hours |
Core courses: 9 hours Focused electives: 9 hours Capstone project: 1 hour |
|
Course Plan |
View course list options here |
View course list options here |
|
Capstone Requirement |
Students choose from four options to fulfill the Writing Certificate capstone requirement: Program Option A: Guided Capstone Portfolio Program Option B: Independent Writing Project Program Option C: Writing-Related Internship Program Option D: Additional Writing Course |
All students complete the same capstone experience (WRIT:4001 Guided Capstone Portfolio). Former capstone course options remain available but will count as electives. |
|
Minimum Total Semester Hours to Earn Certificate |
22 s.h. |
19 s.h. |
How do I switch to the new requirements? If you are a student who declared the Writing Certificate prior to August 25, 2023, you will need to officially notify CLAS of your decision to change to the new requirements. Please make your decision carefully, as once you switch to the new requirements, you will not be able to switch back. To adopt the new requirements, you will need to email CLAS Undergraduate Programs at clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu with your name, student ID number, and a message that you wish to switch to the new requirements for the Writing Certificate from the Magid Center for Writing.
What if I want to keep my previous plan of study? No action is needed. You will stay on the requirements that were in place at the time you declared your Writing Certificate.
Why would I move to the new requirements/stay with the previous requirements? The new requirements allow you to complete the Writing Certificate with fewer semester hours. The former requirements may work better for you if you have already completed capstone options B, C, or D.
Why is this change occurring? As the Writing Certificate has grown in popularity, the curriculum itself has remained mostly unchanged since 2011. Over the last year, the certificate’s steering committee spent time critically analyzing everything from course offerings to how the Writing Certificate requirements compare to similar programs on and off campus. Given the findings, the steering committee determined a few curricular adjustments should be made to ensure the program is prepared for a successful future, engaging more students and helping them increase their written communication skills. We hope this change will more effectively streamline your experience in the Writing Certificate program without compromising your ability to tailor your course of study to your needs and interests.
Please reach out to us at the Magid Center (magid-writing@uiowa.edu) with any questions, or you can meet with your advisor for the Writing Certificate, Daniel Khalastchi, to discuss in more detail what this change might mean for you.