Application Process for the Graduate College
• Complete the online Graduate School application. Apply online [here]
• Have official copies of all of your college transcripts sent to:
The Graduate College
Room A107/Ashurst
NAU, Box 4125
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
phone: 928.523.4348
Applications are reviewed year round for program admission; however, there are application deadlines for each semester:
Fall: September 15
Spring: February 1
Summer: July 4
Application Process for the English Department
• Write a letter of application in which you explain your interest
in earning the Certificate. Address it to:
Certificate Program in Professional Writing
English Dept. / Box 6032
NAU
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
• Apply for entry into the Certificate program before you complete 9 graduate hours of course work.
• Submit your current resume to the English Department.
• Submit a writing sample of 4-6 pages to the English Department. This can be a work-related document or an academic paper.
Articulation with MA programs
• If you later decide to pursue an M.A., you must apply for admission to the M.A. program. Even though the courses you take for the certificate program will count towards an M.A. in English or the Master of Administration, the Professional Writing Certificate program is a discrete program. You must make a separate application for each degree or certificate you hope to earn.
• When the above materials are received, your file will be reviewed by the faculty. If admitted to the program, you will be notified in writing.
• You must be admitted to the certificate program before registering for the last 9 hours of the certificate.
Your advisor will review your Program of Studies with you. Any changes in your program should be approved in advance by your advisor, who must also approve any Petition for Transfer of Credit.
Admission to the Professional Writing Certificate Program
Because students come to graduate programs with different academic and professional experiences, and because graduate course work presupposes prior success with university-level course work, three different avenues for admission are considered.
• You must have an undergraduate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. If you have done graduate work, it must average 3.0 or higher. Conditional admission will be considered for applicants with GPAs of 2.5 or higher; or
• You must have an undergraduate degree with the last 60 semester hours graded 3.0 or higher. If you have done graduate work, it must average 3.0 or higher; or
• As an NAU non-degree student, you must complete 9 approved graduate hours from NAU with a 3.3 or higher grade point average. Contact the English Department when you have completed 9 hours of approved coursework. Alternatively, you may send a letter to the English Department requesting a change of status from provisional to regular status.
The admission committee will use these criteria, along with a review of your letter, resume, and writing sample to determine admission.
Certificate Policies
• You must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. No more than 3 hours of coursework with a grade of C may be used to satisfy the requirements of the Certificate program. The Graduate College will note the successful completion of the Certificate program on your transcript.
• Admission to the Certificate program does not guarantee admission to an M.A. program. If you wish to apply for admission to an M.A. program, you must make a separate application for the master’s program.
• With the consent of the program coordinator and upon admission to an M.A. program in English, you may apply the six courses (18 hours) you took to complete the Certificate to help fulfill the requirements for the M.A. in English.
• If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program of study leading to a degree and also wish to pursue a graduate Certificate, you must inform the Certificate program coordinator and the Graduate College of your intent to seek the graduate Certificate.
• No more than one 400-level course (3 credits or 4 credits) may be used to satisfy the requirements for the Certificate.
• Three hours of appropriate coursework may be transferred from another university with consent of program coordinator.
• There is no residency requirement for the Professional Writing Certificate.
For further information, contact Professor John Rothfork.