There are many good reasons to become a better writer. If you want to share your views in a convincing way it is important to practice research and writing skills. If you perform work that involves considerable writing or you just want to become a well-trained writer, Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has a program designed to meet your needs.
The letter-size flyer in the Student Writing Center of the Taylorsville Redwood Campus explains it this way, “Salt Lake Community College’s Writing Certificate of Completion program is designed to give students specialized skills in written and electronic communication so they are prepared to enter or enhance professions that require extensive writing skills.”
As an Assistant Professor in the SLCC English Department, Andrea Malouf is the chairperson of the Writing Certificate of Completion Program (WCC) Committee. She is a key faculty advisor for the WCC.
“The program launched this Fall, 2010. So we have our first group of student cohorts going through. We have several getting their certificates at the end of the Spring Semester,” Malouf said.
She also explains that the program began its roots years ago in helping students develop research and communication skills, particularly for the digital age.
The program requires 33 credits and can be taken concurrently with another major. A second major can allow you to also earn an Associate Degree. The requirements include general education, core and elective classes. Most of the classes are writing intensive, which provide the student with many opportunities to practice their writing skills.
Joe McCormick is a 22 year-old English and WCC major at SLCC. He plans to graduate at the end of the Spring Semester.
“The program has given me an opportunity to make the most of my ePortfolio building experience, as well as exposing me to some interesting writing classes that aren’t required for a standard English degree,” McCormick said.
“The English Grammar (and Style) class, which Lisa Bickmore taught, sharpened my editing abilities more than I could have imagined possible and was, by far, the class that taught me the most at SLCC,” McCormick continued.
Responding to the question of what he would say to a student considering entering the program, McCormick said, “I think anyone who is considering the writing certificate should keep in mind that you are going to be exposed to many types of writing, and will be asked to write many types of writing.”
Jason McFarland is a 32-year-old majoring in general studies. His classes emphasize New Media Communication and English. He will be completing the WCC this semester and plans to also earn an Associate Degree from SLCC.
McFarland is an artist in more than one sense of the word. Not only does he write, but creates computer based painting and music.
“I was an easy recruit because I’ve always liked writing. Also, the classes that are required for the program really appealed to me, right off. I saw the list of requirements and figured they were classes I would take anyway so I may as well just get the certificate,” McFarland said, explaining why he enrolled in the program.
“The classes that the certificate requires have really helped me gain a better perspective as a writer and creative thinker,” McFarland said. “Signing up is really easy. I stopped in the enrollment office at Redwood and was out the door in less than 5 minutes. Just do it- it’s a great program.”
Malouf would like students interested in the WCC to fill out the one page student profile on the back of the program flyer and turn it into the English Department. She will advise you on your progress throughout the program. The flyer on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus is at the English Department and Student Writing Center. Find it on the second floor of the Jay L. Nelson Administration Building.
If you are in a writing intensive job, you want to be in one, or you just like to write, the Writing Certificate of Completion Program may be right up your academic alley.