Benefits

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

• Complete 3 courses offered (50 Hours)
• This program can be completed in one semester with up to a maximum of 2 years

Required Courses

Editing for Beginners (NEW, Winter 2021)

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.

No textbook required.

Subject (for registration): Communications

Subject code: XCOM 20013

15 Hours Fee: $429

CRN 30673

Online

Jan. 25 - Mar. 1

 

* Please note: this course has replaced Editing Fundamentals in this certificate starting winter 2021

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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.

Subject (for registration): Communications

Subject code: XCOM 20008

20 Hours Fee: $359

CRN 30623

Online

Mar. 1 - Apr. 12

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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. eBook available at www.goodbusinesswriter.com

Subject (for registration): Technical & Business Writing 

Subject code: XTBW 10013

15 Hours Fee: $429

CRN 30063

Online

Mar. 8 - Apr. 12

 

Refer to your Confirmation of Registration for specific course information.

 

Textbooks may be purchased independently or through the Campus Store.

Course materials will be provided to students on Blackboard, 3 days prior to class start. Students must bring a printed or digital copy of the course manual to class.

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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