Certificates and Specializations

We advise that you choose based on your interests and career goals. Some students find it beneficial to pursue two areas of specialization that they see as complementary (for example, pursuing both Creative Writing along with PWTC, or Social Justice along with Environmental Humanities).

Some amount of double dipping is often allowed, but it depends on your situation, so it's a good idea to talk with an advisor to confirm your plans. The sooner you begin thinking about specializations, the more flexibility you'll have.

Students from any major can pursue letters of specialization and certificates. The process is just the same for non-majors as it is for English majors. It's a great way to amplify your skills in writing, technology, or critical thinking.

To pursue a concentration you must be either a primary or secondary English major.

They are very similar. Both confer an official paper certificate, which is signed by the English Department Chair and the HFA Dean. Both require you to complete a set of courses that meet certain requirements. The main difference is that a certificate or concentration will show up on your transcript, whereas a letter of specialization does not.

From the university's perspective, there are also some differences in the approval process that departments must follow when proposing or making changes to a letter of specialization versus a certificate. This is why they must have different names. But this isn't really something that directly affects most students.

You should also know that most employers won't care whether you have a "letter of specialization" or a "certificate." Rather, they care that you have the skills and knowledge gained in the process of earning it.

Crucially, employers learn about your credentials from you—from your resume, conversations you have with them at career fairs, your LinkedIn profile or Handshake account. So, whether or not the credential appears on your transcript is less important than the way you present and talk about the skills and knowledge you've acquired through your coursework.

English majors, primary or secondary, seeking a credential and area of study in creative writing should declare the Concentration in Creative Writing.

Non-majors seeking a credential and area of study in creative writing should pursue the Letter of Specialization in Creative Writing.

English majors, primary or secondary, seeking a credential in writing and rhetorical studies should declare the Writing Rhetoric and Literacy Studies (WRLS) Concentration.

Non-majors seeking a credential and area of study in Writing Rhetoric and Literacy Studies (WRLS) should pursue the Letter of Specialization in WRLS (formerly SPoW).