The Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing
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18-Hour Online Certificate Program
The Certificate in the Teaching of Writing (CTW) is an ideal way for educators at all levels to pursue professional development. With only two required courses and a wide range of electives to choose from, CTW students can complete coursework best suited for their teaching needs.
CTW Advantages
- ELA teachers can use the CTW certificate to qualify for Dual-Credit Certification. K–12 teachers in the program will take many of their classes with graduate students preparing for careers teaching writing courses at 2- and 4-year colleges.
- High school teachers in other disciplines may use the certificate for their ELA endorsement.
- Community college instructors with Master's degrees in other disciplines can complete the 18 credits needed to teach English courses.
- In the 6-credit summer workshop that serves as the centerpiece of the program, teachers will design and begin research on projects directly impacting their classrooms, their districts, and/or their careers. Students can then carry that research forward into other courses in the program as well as to future presentations or publications.
- The program gives teachers the opportunity to connect with colleagues in the Eastern Illinois Writing Project and the National Writing Project.
- All 18 credits in the certificate can be applied to the full MA degree in English at EIU.
- The certificate can be completed entirely online and at your own pace.
CTW Coursework
Required: All students must complete the following nine credits:
- ENG 5585 - Writing Project for K-16 Teachers (6 Credits)
- ENG 5007 - Composition Theory and Pedagogy (3 Credits)
Electives: Students should choose three of the following courses:
- ENG 4760 - Special Topics in Professional Writing (3 Credits)
- ENG 4906 - Studies in the Teaching of English (3 Credits)
- ENG 5011 - Studies in Composition and Rhetoric (3 Credits)
- ENG 5020 - Graduate Workshop in Creative Writing (3 Credits)
- ENG 5021 - Evaluating Student Writing (3 Credits)
- ENG 5022 - Grammar and the Teaching of Writing (3 Credits)
- ENG 5091A - Studies in Language, Linguistics, and Literacy (3 Credits)
- ENG 5502 - Mentored Composition Teaching (3 Credits)
- ENG 5990A - Independent Study (3 Credits)
- Any one 5000+ Level Literature Course: (3 Credits)
Pre-Requisites for Admission
- Fully certified at high school, middle school, or elementary level --OR-- experienced college instructor
- Non-ELA educators may use the certificate for ELA endorsement
- Non-certified students (who have completed a BA degree) may enroll with approval of the Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Department of English
How to Apply to CTW Program
- Follow the MyEIU link to begin the university application process (includes $30 application fee).
- Under “Application Type” select Graduate Studies
- Under “Planned Course of Study” select Online Certificate in the Teaching of Writing
- Once you’re admitted, you may register immediately for graduate-level courses (English 4750 and above). Contact the English Graduate Coordinator (Dr. Marjorie Worthington, mgworthington@eiu.edu) with any questions.
How to Enroll in English 5585 (Writing Project for K-16 Teachers)
Since English 5585 is a specially designed and administered course—and offered in the summer term only—students must apply to enroll in the course, using this simple online application: Summer Writing Institute Application
The director of the Summer Writing Institute will then contact you and provide instructions on how to add the course using your EIU PAWS account.
Note: English 5585 is a very popular course and sometimes fills up by February or March for the following summer. Therefore, you should complete the application process in fall or early spring semester.
