Professional Editing Extension Certificate

E-mail: cebusiness@mtroyal.ca
Information: 403.440.8804 or toll-free 1.888.392.3655
Register: Start here
Location: Lincoln Park Campus, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW

Required Courses

Behind every great publication, website, online manual or annual report, there’s a great editor. Using a host of resources and talents, including grammar and style guides, sound judgment and passion for language excellence, editors play a vital role in producing outstanding communications.

This program is ideal for good communicators who wish to acquire an understanding of the standards, skills and tools of professional editors. Through presentations, readings, editing practice and discussion, this certificate will provide the foundation for a fascinating career in the world of editing.

Course Materials
Registered students will access course materials through a Blackboard class website. You will gain access to the Blackboard class website within 4 working days before the start date of the course. At that time, you will receive a welcome e-mail with instructions on how to log in. Please provide a current e-mail address when you register. More information.

Once you have downloaded your course materials, please bring them to class on a laptop, iPad or other tablet, or a printed paper copy

Textbooks and Required Resources:
Professional Editing students are required to sign up for an online subscription to Chicago Manual of Style. Cost $35 USD. Subscribe online.

Please review individual course material requirements below. Some textbooks are used in more than one course.

Earning Your Extension Certificate
Complete the four required courses (86 hours).

Required Courses

Editing Fundamentals: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Editing
Discover the fundamentals of professional editing and the skills and standards common to all editors. Learn why editing matters and how editing skills can be developed and refined. Be introduced to different kinds of editing (copyediting, style editing and structural editing).

Copyediting and Proofreading     
Learn copy editing to ensure that documents are accurate, clear, correct, consistent and complete. Fix usage, grammatical, punctuation and mechanical errors, and maintain a consistent editorial style. Study the proofreading process and learn how to mark copy for correction.
Note: We strongly recommend completion of Editing Fundamentals: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Editing before beginning this course.
Required Textbooks and Resources:
The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, 3rd edition, Amy Einsohn. Cost: approx. $18+GST.
Proofreading: Meeting Professional Editorial Standards, Editors’ Association of Canada. cost: approx. $40 (incl. GST). Purchase through Editors' Association of Canada .
Textbooks may be purchased independently or through the MRU BookStore.

Comprehensive Editing: Style, Structure and Design
Understand how style, organization and visual design work together. Make decisions by considering documents from the reader’s perspective. Using practical examples from print and online documents, tackle comprehensive editing challenges.
Note: We strongly recommend completion of Editing Fundamentals: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Editing before beginning this course.
Required Textbooks and Resources:
Stylistic Editing: Meeting Professional Editorial Standards, Editors’ Association of Canada. Cost: approx. $40 (incl. GST). Purchase through Editors' Association of Canada.
Structural Editing: Meeting Professional Editorial Standards, Editors’ Association of Canada. Cost: approx. $40 (incl. GST). Purchase through Editors' Association of Canada.
Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace, 10th edition, by Joseph M. Williams and Gregory G. Colomb by Pearson Education, 2010. May be purchased independently or through the MRU BookStore.

Prep for the Professional Editing Capstone Project and Editor’s Toolbox
Examine how editing strategies have evolved to meet the demands of new media. Be introduced to print and online resources to support today’s professional editor. Meet with the instructor for a three-hour prep class prior to starting your Professional Editing Capstone Project. Gain an understanding of how to integrate and apply editorial standards, principles, tools and best practices acquired in the previous courses in order to successfully complete your Professional Editing Capstone Project. Subject code: XCOM 20007.
Recommended: Previous 3 Professional Editing courses. Must be taken in conjunction with Professional Editing Capstone Project, XCOM 20005.

Professional Editing Capstone Project
This final course prepares you to work successfully as an editor. Synthesize the key principles, tools and strategies acquired in previous courses. Complete a major project that demonstrates your ability to successfully perform a copy and comprehensive (style, structure, design) edit of a document and to work cooperatively with others on the writing team. Subject code: XCOM 20005.
Recommended: All previous Professional Editing courses. Must be taken in conjunction with Prep for the Professional Editing Capstone Project and Editor’s Toolbox, XCOM 20007.

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