Certificate in Memoir and Personal Essays
Overview
This program guides students in crafting compelling personal narratives through memoirs and essays. The curriculum begins with foundational courses on narrative structure, voice development, and writing techniques specific to personal storytelling. Students explore themes such as identity, memory, and life events, learning to shape authentic and engaging stories. Practical modules cover editing, revision, and understanding the publishing landscape, along with ethical considerations when writing about personal and shared experiences. The program emphasizes workshop-style feedback to refine storytelling skills. It concludes with a capstone project where students produce a polished memoir excerpt or a series of personal essays.
Professional opportunities:
Graduates of the Certificate in Memoir and Personal Essays are equipped to explore writing careers and share their stories across various platforms. Career opportunities include:
- Memoirist: Write and publish long-form personal narratives.
- Personal Essayist: Create essays for magazines, blogs, and literary journals.
- Freelance Writer: Develop personal narratives for online or print media outlets.
- Writing Coach: Help others refine their personal storytelling and creative writing skills.
- Content Creator: Craft personal narratives for social media and digital storytelling platforms.
- Editor: Edit personal essays or memoirs for publishing houses or independent writers.
This certificate program provides the tools and inspiration for students to transform personal experiences into powerful stories, fostering both personal growth and professional opportunities.
The program curriculum consists of 8 courses (24 credits) and is designed to be completed in 1 year as a full-time student. However, the University provides students with the flexibility to progress at their own pace.
The recommended course sequence from the University
1
| Total Courses | Total Credits |
|---|---|
8 | 24 |