COPYEDITING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Updated November 13, 2007
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Emerson College's Copyediting Program consists of a series of dedicated modules covering copyediting fundamentals and industry topics. Through one- and two-session modules, participants learn to:
- Review grammar, spelling, punctuation, style and readability
- Research and verify facts
- Spot typographical errors
- Express ideas clearly and logically while adhering to editorial policy
- Preserve the original writer's voice throughout the copy-revision process
- Set standards for handling text in company documents
WHO SHOULD ENROLL
The Copyediting Program is intended for professionals at all levels in such fields as publishing, journalism, marketing, management, education, and the sciences. Individuals interested in developing specific copyediting skills or updating their abilities to produce professionally written documents in any industry will benefit from the program’s detail-driven approach to copyediting.*
The Department of Professional Studies and Special Programs understands the need for academic flexibility based on different professional goals, obligations, and backgrounds. Participants may enroll in one or several single or double-session workshops to match his or her professional objectives and schedule. The certificate, however, will be awarded only to participants who successfully complete all components of the nine modules comprising the Copyediting Certificate Program.
Modules begin in the fall and spring semesters, and run weekday evenings.
*Note: Participants must hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED to enroll in courses and programs offered by the Department of Professional Studies & Special Programs.
INSTRUCTORS:
Karen English, Carol Parikh
COPYEDITING MODULES
| CE0281-9 Copyediting: Standard Procedures | |
| Two-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $170.00 |
| Gain facility with standard copyediting marks and operations. Learn copyediting methods, the basics of electronic editing and typemarking on screen and on hardcopy; discover the need for copyediting and the details of getting work and job pricing for your services. | |
| CE0284-9 Grammar and Usage | |
| Three-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $255.00 |
| Drill down to the basics of sentence structure in this review of the mechanics of language. Discover common language usage problems, sentence structure, issues of agreement, and the specific role individual words and groups of words play. | |
| CE0285-9 Style and Clarity | |
| One-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $85.00 |
| In Style and Clarity, learn to edit for tone and voice. Also, discuss writing an organizational style guide. | |
| CE0286-9 Punctuation for Professionals | |
| One-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $85.00 |
| Cover the basics and intricacies of using punctuation marks correctly, punctuation trends, and common punctuation foibles. In this module, explore the correct usage of such marks as commas dashes, parentheses, semicolons, quotations and hyphenations. | |
| CE0287-9 Fact Checking | |
| One-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $85.00 |
| Success lies in communicating accurate information, and this module will teach you to become detail oriented and carry out research to verify facts, dates, and figures. Discuss fact checkers and what copyeditors need to know about fact checking, including media and libel law, reliable sources, and setting up solid fact checking systems. Covered are stylebooks, reference works, dictionaries and thesauruses. | |
| CE0288-9 Jargon and Concision | |
| One-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $85.00 |
| Learn to recognize jargon and suggest appropriate sentence or word substitutions. Also learn to write concise sentences and paragraphs to improve clarity or accuracy. | |
| CE0289-9 Bias-free Language | |
| One-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $85.00 |
| Explore methods to avoid biased and offensive writing with gender-neutral language, knowledge of politically-correct terminology, and racially/ethnically correct nomenclature. | |
| CE0290-9 Tools of the Trade | |
| One-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $85.00 |
| This module offers an overview of specialized editing opportunities (math and technical, food, etc.) and of related accepted resources such as specialized style guides and dictionaries in addition to the Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, reference works, dictionaries and thesauruses. | |
| CE0291-9 Proofreading and Indexing | |
| Two-session module, offered fall and spring semesters | $170.00 |
| Learn the differences between copyediting and proofreading. Gain facility with standard proofreading marks and operations. This module also includes an overview of indexing procedures. | |
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Professional Studies participants may choose to work towards a Copyediting Certificate. The following guidelines apply to all non-credit, non-degree certificate individuals at Emerson College:
- Individuals must satisfy the certificate program requirements published for the term in which they register for the first course toward the certificate.
- All individuals must complete coursework for a certificate program within a period of three years from his or her initial date of registration.
- Only learning activities offered by Emerson College’s Department of Professional Studies & Special Programs may be applied to fulfill the requirements of a certificate program.
- Enrollment in non-credit, non-degree certificate programs is open to all individuals who have a high school diploma or GED. Prerequisite requirements apply in some instances. To receive a certificate, individuals must submit a “Request for Certificate” form to the Department of Professional Studies & Special Programs within one year of program completion. Request for Certificate Form (PDF)
COPYEDITING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM TUITION & PAYMENTS
Tuition is due upon registration for all Copyediting Program courses, modules and workshops offered through the Department of Professional Studies and Special Programs. Tuition is calculated per course and individuals must pay tuition in full prior to participating in the courses of their choice.
Participants may incur additional course-related expenses. Such additional expenses are separate from tuition costs and payments.
Emerson College reserves the right to change any provision of its programs and courses at any time. The College specifically reserves the right to change its tuition rates and any other financial charges. The College also reserves the right to rearrange its courses and class hours, to drop courses for which registration falls below the minimum enrollment, and to change instructor assignments.
