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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Florida

The UWP is now offering a professional writing certificate

About this Program

College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Credits: 12 | Completed with minimum grades of C
Contact: Mickey S. Schafer: (352) 846-1138 / msscha@ufl.edu

Rationale

The Professional Writing Certificate provides UF students with the means to maximize outcomes from writing-intensive classes required by UF. The Prof. Writing Certificate is practical in nature – by combining thematically coherent courses in written communication across their college career, students gain a deeper understanding of how communication skills build success in professional settings.

Student Population

The Prof. Writing Certificate is open to all UF students. The Prof. Writing Certificate supports CLAS majors of all kinds for whom communication skills contribute to graduate education needs as well as add workplace value. In particular, the PWC assists the vast number of students who graduate college directly into the workplace. The Certificate encourages all students to coordinate their college communications-based experiences to increase professional & workplace communication skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

Content
  • Identify the major genres/types of writing in professional or field-specific texts
  • Explain the impact of purpose and audience on professional or field-specific texts
Critical Thinking
  • Analyze the rhetorical strategies of professional or field-specific documents
  • Evaluate the success of professional or field-specific messages for varying audiences
Communication
  • Write professional or field-specific texts for varying audiences
  • Employ effective document design and media choices for professional messages

Certificate Requirements

The certificate requires 12 credits, 6 of which must come from the UWP.

  • 6 credits from the University Writing Program 2,000 and/or 3,000 level classes.

Plus

  • 6 credits from writing intensive classes (4,000 or 6,000 words) in the student’s major or professional area of interest OR
  • 3 credits from writing intensive classes (4,000 or 6,000 words) in the student’s major or professional area of interest AND 3 credit of 3,000 or 4,000 level University Writing Program courses

Total: 12 credits

University Writing Program Courses

2000-level Classes – WR: 6,000 words + Composition

ENC 2256 – Writing across the Disciplines
  • This course requires students to work in their own major or profession, so begins the professional writing process
  • Prerequisite: ENC 1101 or ENC 1102
ENC 2305 – Analytical Writing and Thinking
  • This course has themes, exemplified in the Course Sample Selections below
  • Prerequisite: ENC 1101 or ENC 1102

3000-level Classes – WR: 6,000 words

  • ENC 3230 – Writing in Graphic Design
  • ENC 3246 – Professional Communication for Engineers
  • ENC 3252 – Writing for Strategic Communication
  • ENC 3254 – Professional and Public Writing
  • ENC 3360 – Writing in the Natural World
  • ENC 3453 – Writing in the Health Professions
  • ENC 3459 – Writing in the Medical Sciences
  • ENC 3464 – Writing in the Social Sciences
  • ENC 3465 – Writing in Law
  • ENC 3466 – Writing in the Communication Sciences
  • ENC 3483 – Writing in the Physical Sciences
  • ENC 3601 – Writing in Artificial Intelligence
Variable Topic Classes
  • ENC 3254
    • Professional and Public Writing: Environmental Science
    • Professional and Public Writing: Non-Profits
    • Professional and Public Writing: Sustainability
    • Professional and Public Writing: Travel
    • Professional and Public Writing: Humanities
    • Study Abroad in Wales: Writing for International Affairs
    • Study Abroad in the UK: Writing for Public Health (UK)

6 Credits Student Choice:

Option 1: 6 credits of 4,000 WR or 6,000 WR in student’s major or related profession

Option 2: 3 credits of 4,000 WR or 6,000 WR in their major or related field AND 3 credits of 4,000 level University Writing Program classes

  • For Option 1 and Option 2: There are currently 141 courses with 6,000 WR and 34 courses with 4,000 WR listed in Fall 2025 catalog across various majors.
  • For Option 2, students may choose another UWP class at the 3,000 level or at the 4,000 level, including:
  • ENC 4905 – Independent Study in Rhetoric and Writing (3 credits, UF standard grading scheme)
  • ENC 4930 – Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing
    • Includes UWP Study Abroad Programs
  • ENC 4940 – Internship in Rhetoric and Writing
  • Teaching Assistant in a UWP course (or other WR/C course, with approval)
  • Internship with UWP product or program: Waves (undergraduate journal), Write to the Point Podcast, Writing Studio, Writing Program Management, or Writing Program Marketing/Media