Professional Editing Extension Certificate
Professional editing is the process of reviewing and improving written documents by making or suggesting changes to improve the clarity, precision and effectiveness of the writing.
Enhance your professional writing and editing skills with this newly revised program taught by subject matter experts working in the industry. Gain a solid foundation for a career in the world of editing. Acquire an understanding of the standards, skills and tools of professional copy editors through presentations, readings, editing practice and discussion.
Explore copyediting and proofreading, learn how to use and create house style guides and style sheets, and recognize the importance of copyright, citations and references. Brush up on basic writing skills as you review parts of speech, grammar and common grammatical mistakes.
Identify comprehensive and stylistic editing problems and find solutions. Complete the certificate by creating a portfolio of work samples that show your ability to effectively carry out copyediting, proofreading and comprehensive editing that meets industry standards.
Note: program instructors use and refer to Chicago Manual of Style in class, but discuss a variety of other styles as well.
Benefits
- Earn a recognized credential to enhance your career prospects
- Develop your personal and professional skills
- Learn from experienced industry professionals
- Demonstrate workplace competencies to potential employers
- Complete through online delivery, open to anyone, anywhere
Program format
Format: Online | Learn more
Duration: Complete the 6 required courses (100 hours) within 3 semesters up to a maximum of 3 years
The listed course hours indicate the estimated time to review the online learning units - your actual time spent completing the assignments may vary.
Required Courses
Online LearningWe offer a variety of online learning options. Visit our learning formats page for more information. |
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).
Recommended Preparation: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions
No textbook required.
Subject (for registration): Communications
| Subject code: XCOM 20002 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 |
| CRN 70088 | Online | July 4 - Aug. 8 |
Copyediting and Proofreading
In this course, you will explore copyediting and proofreading—onscreen and on paper, learn how to use and create house style guides and style sheets and recognize the importance of copyright, citations and references. Using examples from a variety of non-fiction material, you will have the opportunity to develop your copyediting and proofreading skills.
Recommended Preparation: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials and Editing Fundamentals
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions
Required Textbooks and Resources: The Copyeditors Handbook and Workbook Set, Einshohn, 2019. Purchase here. Also available at the Cougars Campus Store. Search by Term and Department (XCOM).
Subject (for registration): Communications
| Subject code: XCOM 20003 | 20 Hours Fee: $459 | |
| CRN 30456 | Online | Apr. 11 - May 24 |
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.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions
Required textbook: Practical Grammar: A Canadian Writer's Resource (3rd ed.). Ruvinsky, M. (2014). Oxford University Press Canada. Rental Option from Vital Source available to registered students. Also available at the Cougars Campus Store. Search by Term and Department (XCOM)
Subject (for registration): Communications
| Subject code: XCOM 20008 | 20 Hours Fee: $359 | |
| CRN 50141 | Online | May 30 - July 11 |
Structural Editing
In this course, you will learn how to consider an entire document from the reader’s perspective and make decisions about organization (information architecture) and visual design (visual and physical features). Using practical examples, from print and online documents, you will tackle various comprehensive editing problems and find solutions.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions
Recommended Preparation: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials and Editing Fundamentals
Required Textbook: Structural Editing: Meeting Professional Editorial Standards. Editors' Association of Canada. Register here.
Subject (for registration): Communications
| Subject code: XCOM 20011 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | |
| CRN 50388 | Online | June 13 - July 18 |
Stylistic Editing
In this course, you will learn how to consider an entire document from the reader’s perspective and make decisions about style (choices about words, their forms and their arrangement in sentences). Using practical examples, from print and online documents, you will tackle various stylistic editing problems and find solutions.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions
Recommended Preparation: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials and Editing Fundamentals
Required Textbook: Lessons in Clarity and Grace (13th edition). Williams, J. M. and Colomb, G. G. (2021) Pearson Education. Available independently or at the Cougars Campus Store and search by Term and Department (XCOM).
Subject (for registration): Communications
| Subject code: XCOM 20012 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | Offered again in fall 2022 |
Editing Portfolio
Once you have completed all the other courses in this certificate, create a portfolio of work samples that demonstrate your ability to carry out copyediting, proofreading and comprehensive editing with proficiency and ease. Bring to class a range of documents that you want to include in your portfolio.
Note: This instructor-facilitated online course begins and ends on set dates with specific deadlines for assignments. Courses may include optional live video-conferencing sessions
Recommended Preparation: All other Professional Editing courses
Required Textbook: Stylistic Editing: Meeting Professional Editorial Standards, Part 3. Editors' Association of Canada. Register here.
Subject (for registration): Communications
| Subject code: XCOM 20009 | 15 Hours Fee: $429 | |
| CRN 50143 | Online | May 9 - June 13 |
| Tentative Course Schedule | |||
| Fall (Sept. - Dec.) |
Winter (Jan. - April) |
Spring/Summer (May - Aug.) |
|
| Editing Fundamentals | • | • | • |
| Copyediting and Proofreading | • | • | |
| Grammar and Punctuation Essentials | • | • | • |
| Structural Editing | • | • | • |
| Stylistic Editing | • | • | |
| Editing Portfolio | • | • | |
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. |
Dr. Richard Erlendson
Dr. 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 he has received the Canadian Word Award for magazine writing. Richard has also twice been awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award at MRU. He holds master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Alberta with undergrad degrees in journalism and education.
Richard’s portfolio includes 11 published books, freelance editing for a variety of corporate clients and publishers, and freelance writing for a variety of magazines – including American Cowboy for which he once served as the Canadian Correspondent. Richard has been teaching in the Professional Editing and Technical Writing Certificate programs in the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension since 2013. Courses he has taught include Editing for Beginners, Editing for Technical Writers, Editing Fundamentals, Editing Portfolio, Effective Business Writing, Grammar and Punctation Essentials, Structural Editing, Stylistic Editing, and Writing and Editing for Digital Media.
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.
Heather Matsune
Bio coming soon.
Contact us
For information about this program:
cebusiness@mtroyal.ca
403.440.6861 or 1.888.392.3655
Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary AB T3E 6K6
Customize this program for your organization through our Corporate Training unit.