Professional Writing for International Audiences Certificate

A four-course, non-degree program, this Certificate is designed for professionals who write for, or work with, an international population.

Given the ease of global communication (especially due to the Internet), the increasing dependence on English as an international link language, the expansion of corporate interests worldwide, and the rapid growth of international residents in metro Atlanta, this Certificate fulfills a vital communicative need in a variety of professional settings. An awareness of these differences will allow business professionals to avoid communicative breakdowns due to differences in culture and English usage.

international flags on ksu campus

Similarly, educators (college, high school, corporate trainers) will benefit from this Certificate by understanding the language variety and rhetorical strategies used by writers from other countries whose use of English may differ from that of their U.S. counterparts. Educators who are aware of these differences can use this insight in classrooms, particularly in cases when international students work with American students on writing projects and other classroom activities.

This Certificate will also benefit professionals working in non-profit organizations, government employees, and others who work with or write for a large population of non-native English speakers.

As the name implies, the Certificate will be writing-based, which distinguishes it from traditional Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programs. The certificate is distinctive from TESOL programs because it does not focus on teaching English to non-native users. Rather the focus will be on how English users from different cultural and linguistic traditions can communicate more effectively in a variety of written media such as e-mail, Web pages, brochures, and formal documents. Consequently, there will also be an emphasis on the process of document creation that requires collaboration between native and non-native English speakers and the need for cultural and linguistic sensitivity to increase the effectiveness of the working relationship.

About the Certificate

    • Select two (2) of the following courses:

      • PRWR 6730: Digital Tools for Diverse Writing
      • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
      • PRWR 6860: Intercultural Communication in Context
    • Select one (1) course from one of the following interest areas:

        • PRWR 6200: Contemporary Rhetoric and its Applications
        • PRWR 6240: Technical Writing
        • PRWR 6255: Grant & Proposal Writing
        • PRWR 6260: Managing Writing in Organizations
        • PRWR 6280: Business and Technical Editing
        • PRWR 6410: Feature Writing
        • PRWR 6440: Professional and Academic Editing
        • PRWR 6550: Document Design and Desktop Publishing
        • PRWR 6570: Writing for Social Media
        • PRWR 6850: Web Content Development
        • PRWR 6860: Intercultural Communication in Context
        • PRWR 7550: Advanced Applied Writing
        • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship*
        • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*

        *Course may not apply to Applied Writing depending on the topic or internship.

        • PRWR 6150: Rhetorical Theory
        • PRWR 6200: Contemporary Rhetoric and its Applications
        • PRWR 6300: Understanding Writing as Process
        • PRWR 6500: Composition Theory and Pedagogy
        • PRWR 6650: Introduction to Literacy Studies
        • PRWR 6750: Teaching Writing to Speakers of Other Languages
        • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
        • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship*
        • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*

        *Course may not apply to Composition and Rhetoric depending on the topic or internship.

        • PRWR 6410: Feature Writing
        • PRWR 6440: Professional and Academic Editing
        • PRWR 6455: The Genres of Creative Writing
        • PRWR 6460: Fiction Writing I
        • PRWR 6470: Poetry Writing I
        • PRWR 6480: Playwriting I
        • PRWR 6520: Creative Nonfiction Writing I
        • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
        • PRWR 6800: Careers in Professional Writing
        • PRWR 7460: Fiction Writing II
        • PRWR 7470: Poetry Writing II
        • PRWR 7480: Playwriting II
        • PRWR 7520: Creative Nonfiction Writing II
        • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship*
        • PRWR 7810: Research Methods for Writers
        • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*
        • STVW 6490: Screenwriting I
        • STVW 6496: TV Writing: One-Hour
        • STVW 6495: TV Writing: Half-Hour
        • STVW 7490: Screenwriting II
        • STVW 7495: TV Writing II
        • STVW 7496: TV Writers Room

        *Course may not apply to Creative Writing depending on the topic or internship.

      Current Writing Elective Offerings
    • Select one (1) course from one of the following interest areas: 

        • PRWR 6200: Contemporary Rhetoric and its Applications
        • PRWR 6240: Technical Writing
        • PRWR 6255: Grant & Proposal Writing
        • PRWR 6260: Managing Writing in Organizations
        • PRWR 6280: Business and Technical Editing
        • PRWR 6410: Feature Writing
        • PRWR 6440: Professional and Academic Editing
        • PRWR 6550: Document Design and Desktop Publishing
        • PRWR 6570: Writing for Social Media
        • PRWR 6850: Web Content Development
        • PRWR 6860: Intercultural Communication in Context
        • PRWR 7550: Advanced Applied Writing
        • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship*
        • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*

        *Course may not apply to Applied Writing depending on the topic or internship.

        • PRWR 6150: Rhetorical Theory
        • PRWR 6200: Contemporary Rhetoric and its Applications
        • PRWR 6300: Understanding Writing as Process
        • PRWR 6500: Composition Theory and Pedagogy
        • PRWR 6650: Introduction to Literacy Studies
        • PRWR 6750: Teaching Writing to Speakers of Other Languages
        • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
        • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship*
        • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*

        *Course may not apply to Composition and Rhetoric depending on the topic or internship.

        • PRWR 6410: Feature Writing
        • PRWR 6440: Professional and Academic Editing
        • PRWR 6455: The Genres of Creative Writing
        • PRWR 6460: Fiction Writing I
        • PRWR 6470: Poetry Writing I
        • PRWR 6480: Playwriting I
        • PRWR 6520: Creative Nonfiction Writing I
        • PRWR 6760: World Englishes
        • PRWR 6800: Careers in Professional Writing
        • PRWR 7460: Fiction Writing II
        • PRWR 7470: Poetry Writing II
        • PRWR 7480: Playwriting II
        • PRWR 7520: Creative Nonfiction Writing II
        • PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship*
        • PRWR 7810: Research Methods for Writers
        • PRWR 7900: Special Topics*
        • STVW 6490: Screenwriting I
        • STVW 6495: TV Writing: Half-Hour
        • STVW 6496: TV Writing: One-Hour
        • STVW 7490: Screenwriting II
        • STVW 7495: TV Writing II
        • STVW 7496: TV Writers Room

        *Course may not apply to Creative Writing depending on the topic or internship.

        • MSCM 7100: Introduction to Conflict Management
        • MSCM 7321: Cultural Aspects of Conflict Resolution
        • MSCM 7706: Grant Writing & Program Evaluation
        • CRJU 7709: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
        • CRJU 7710: Transnational Crimes and International Security
        • CRJU 7722: International Criminal Justice Experience
        • ENGL 7701: Pedagogy for Teaching Literature
        • ENGL 7711: Multicultural Literature in English
        • ENGL 7721: Texts and Contexts in English Language Arts
        • ENGL 7731: Language Studies in English
        • ENGL 7735: Introduction to Composition Studies
        • ENGL 7741: Technology and Media in English and Language Arts
        • ENGL 7750: English Studies in the Schools
        • COM 6410: Digital Publication Design
        • COM 7100: Survey of Global Communication
        • COM 7300: International Public Relations
        • PAD 7140: International Environmental Policy
        • PAD 7150: Contemporary Public Issues
        • QA 6600: Methods of Analysis
        • QA 6640: Quality Cost and Supplier Evaluation
        • QA 6725: Quality Assessment of the Organization
        • CS 7347: Natural Language Processing
        • EDL 7101: Critical Analysis of Policy, Theory and Praxis for Educational Leaders
        • INED 7731: Assessment of English Language Learners
        • INED 7750: Language, Power, and Pedagogy
        • INED 7778: Language Development and Literacy for English Learners
        • INED 7779: Collaborative Practices with Families, Schools, and Communities
        • INED 7781: Cultural Issues for ESOL Teachers
        • INED 7782: Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers
        • INED 7787: Content Area Reading and Writing for English Learners
        • TLED 7101: Critical Analysis of Policy, Theory, & Praxis for Teacher Leaders

      Please see the current schedule of classes for non-MAPW course offerings and instructors. 

    Program Total (12 credit hours)

    Note: Courses are on rotation and not offered every semester. Please see the current schedule of classes for non-MAPW course offerings and instructors. 

    *Directed studies and capstone courses are not offered to certificate candidates.

    Current Course Offerings (PRWR and STVW Courses)
  • Certificate Only

    Apply through Graduate Admissions

    Add-On a Certificate to Degree/Certificate

    • Complete the top portion of the Request for Add-On Certificate form and email it to gradcollegeforms@kennesaw.edu, copying the Certificate Coordinators and MAPW Academic Program Support Specialist (see below).
    • All requests to add a certificate to your record must be submitted no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.
    • You may earn up to two (2) certificates at a time.
  • The final steps in wrapping up the certificate are to:

    1. Apply to graduate the semester you are completing the certificate.
    2. Respond to a brief set of exit questions.
    3. To compile a brief portfolio of work representing your writing in the certificate program. The portfolio should include examples from your coursework and a one (1) pager overview. 

    These materials must be emailed to the certificate coordinator by the last day of class of your graduating semester.

  • Dr. Christopher Palmer
    Professor of English; Co-coordinator for the Professional Writing for International Audiences Certificate
    email: cpalme20@kennesaw.edu 

    Dr. Meishan Chen
    Assistant Professor of English; Co-coordinator for the Professional Writing for International Audiences Certificate
    email: mchen18@kennesaw.edu

    Terri Dudenhoeffer
    MAPW Academic Program Support Specialist
    Email: tdudenho@kennesaw.edu 

Certificate Faculty

Faculty Profilesright arrow

Please see the current schedule of classes for non-MAPW instructors. 

  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing
    • PRWR 6570 Writing for Social Media
    • PRWR 6850 Writing for the Web
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6750 Teaching Writing to Speakers of Other Languages
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing
    • PRWR 6520 Creative Nonfiction Writing I
    • PRWR 7520 Creative Nonfiction Writing II
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6240 Technical Writing
    • PRWR 6550 Document Design and Desktop Publishing
    • PRWR 6570 Writing for Social Media
    • PRWR 6850 Writing for the Web
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 7600 MAPW Practical Internship
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6150 Rhetorical Theory
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6300 Understanding Writing as Process
    • PRWR 6500 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6150 Rhetorical Theory
    • PRWR 6300 Understanding Writing as Process
    • PRWR 6500 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
    • PRWR 6650 Introduction to Literacy Studies
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6410 Feature Writing
    • PRWR 6520 Creative Nonfiction Writing I
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6255 Grant & Proposal Writing
    • PRWR 7550 Advanced Applied Writing
    • PRWR 7810 Research Methods for Writers
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • STVW 6490 Screenwriting I
    • STVW 6495 TV Writing: Half-Hour
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing
    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 6480 Playwriting I
    • PRWR 7480 Playwriting II
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6455 The Genres of Creative Writing
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6300 Understanding Writing as Process
    • PRWR 6440 Professional and Academic Editing
    • PRWR 6500 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
    • PRWR 6570 Writing for Social Media
    • PRWR 6650 Introduction to Literacy Studies
    • PRWR 6850 Writing for the Web
    • PRWR 7810 Research Methods for Writers
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6800 Careers in Professional Writing
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6300 Understanding Writing as Process
    • PRWR 6500 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • STVW 6490 Screenwriting I
    • STVW 6495 TV Writing: Half-Hour
    • STVW 6496 TV Writing: One-Hour
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
    • STVW 7496 TV Writers Room
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6760 World Englishes
    • PRWR 6860 Intercultural Communication in Contexts
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6460 Fiction Writing I
    • PRWR 7460 Fiction Writing II
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6255 Grant and Proposal Writing
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6150 Rhetorical Theory
    • PRWR 6520 Creative Nonfiction Writing I
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6470 Poetry Writing I
    • PRWR 7470 Poetry Writing II
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6800 Careers in Professional Writing
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • STVW 6490 Screenwriting I
    • STVW 7490 Screenwriting II
    • STVW 7495 TV Writing II
  • Certificate course(s) taught:

    • PRWR 6470 Poetry Writing I
    • PRWR 6800 Careers in Professional Writing
    • PRWR 7470 Poetry Writing II