Benefits

• Increase your marketability in the workplace
• Update your knowledge of grammar and punctuation pitfalls
• Learn more about the professional editing industry

• Complete three courses (50 Hours):

• Editing for Beginners OR Editing Fundamentals 
• Grammar and Punctuation Essentials
  
• Effective Business Writing

• Courses can be completed in any order. This program can be completed within one semester or within two years.

Tentative course schedule	Fall  (Sept. - Dec.)	Winter (Jan. - April)	Spring/Summer (May - Aug.)
Editing for Beginners	•	•
Editing Fundamentals	•	•	•
Grammar & Punctuation Essentials	•	•	•
Effective Business Writing	•	•	•
Each course may be offered in a variety of formats. Check the “Courses and fees” tab for more information. The schedule above is subject to change. Courses start on various dates within each semester. Fall schedule and registration available in June. Winter schedule and registration available in November. Spring/Summer schedule and registration available in March.

Required Courses

Editing for Beginners (NEW)

This course will introduce the fundamentals of editing, including why editing matters and how editing skills can be developed and refined. You will be introduced to the different kinds of editing (proofreading, copy editing, style editing and structural editing) and the skills and standards common to all editors. Through presentations, readings, assignment and practice, participants will gain an appreciation for what it takes to succeed as an editor.  Note: if you have previously completed Editing Fundamentals (XCOM 20002) you do not need to take this course. 

No textbook required.

Subject (for registration): Communications

Subject code: XCOM 20013	15 Hours Fee: $429
CRN 90593	Online	Sept. 20 - Oct. 25

 

-- OR -- 

Editing Fundamentals
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 (copy editing, style editing and structural editing).

No textbook required.

Subject (for registration): Communications

Subject code: XCOM 20002

15 Hours Fee: $429

Choose 1 CRN below

CRN 70120	Online	July 5 - Aug. 9
CRN 90468	Online	Oct. 25 - Nov. 29

 
** Please note: You only need to take either Editing for Beginners or Editing Fundamentals as ONE of the three courses in order to complete this certificate. You do not have to take both courses. 

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Grammar and Punctuation Essentials

Brush up on basic writing skills. Review parts of speech, grammar and common grammatical mistakes. Explore sentence parts including words, phrases and clauses. Understand punctuation and common punctuation mistakes such as capitalization, abbreviations and numbers. Discuss commonly misused and misspelled words.

Recommended: Complete this course and Effective Business Writing before beginning Editing Fundamentals.

Required textbook: Ruvinsky, M. (2014). Practical Grammar: A Canadian Writer's Resource (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press Canada. Available as e-book or rental option from VitalSource.

Subject (for registration): Communications

Subject code: XCOM 20008

20 Hours Fee: $359

CRN 90207

Online

Sept. 13 - Oct. 25

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Effective Business Writing

Develop and refine your writing skills to meet the challenges of a professional workplace environment. Learn how to write clear, concise and dynamic emails, letters and reports with competence and ease. Review common grammatical mistakes, style principles, document design, and editing basics.

Required textbook: Chandler, M. (2017). Good Writing is Good Business . Green Fuse Inc. Available at amazon.ca 

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing 

Subject code: XTBW 10013

15 Hours Fee: $429

Choose 1 CRN below

CRN 70122	Online	July 12 - Aug. 16
CRN 90090	Online	Oct. 18 - Nov. 22

 

Textbooks may be purchased independently or at the Cougars Campus Store. Search by Term and Department (XTBW).

Michelle Lomberg

Michelle is a freelance editor and writer with over 25 years' experience. Her portfolio includes substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading of K-12 and higher-education resources, trade books and marketing materials, and she is the author of 19 educational books for young readers. She has worked for clients across Canada.

Michelle holds a bachelor's degree with first-class honours in English and a master's degree in environmental design. In addition, she is certified by the Editors' Association of Canada in structural and stylistic editing. She has been teaching in the Professional Editing Certificate program since 2015.

 

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Richard Erlendson   

Dr. Richard Erlendson has the distinction of serving as a long-time professor in both the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies and the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension at MRU. In both faculties, he has taught professional writing, editing, reporting, design, publishing and visual communication. He is a career journalist and photojournalist, and has received the Canadian Word Award for magazine writing. Richard is also a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award at MRU. He holds both a masters and doctorate from the University of Alberta with undergrad degrees in journalism and education.

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