Professional Writing Certificate

Register for Summer and Fall 2026 classes
Get registration details and learn how to apply.
- Summer classes start Monday, June 8. View Summer term classes
- Fall classes start Monday, Aug. 17. View Fall semester classes
Get registration help before summer classes begin. CLC is open Saturday, June 6. View details
Campus buildings are closed Fridays and weekends June 8 to July 31, 2026. View summer hours

Build professional writing skills in two semesters

Develop in-demand writing and digital media skills in one year with the Professional Writing Certificate at College of Lake County.

Learn how to create clear, engaging content for various audiences and platforms. Through hands-on, project-based courses, you'll get skills to write and design:

blogs
websites
newsletters
social media content
multimedia stories
professional communication materials

Collaborate with classmates and community partners on real-world projects to build a portfolio showcasing your writing, storytelling and digital communication skills to potential employers.

Launch or level up your writing and digital communication career

Chart a new career path in writing and media. Or advance your career by strengthening your digital communication skills. The Professional Writing Certificate prepares you for the next step.

Work in fields such as:

marketing and communications
media and digital publishing
business
nonprofit organizations
healthcare and related fields

Prepare for careers such as:

content writer
social media coordinator
communications assistant
copywriter
digital content creator
website writer

Get publishing experience

Build real-world writing, publishing and multimedia experience inside and outside the classroom. Craft a professional portfolio by submitting writing and creative work to:

The Chronicle — CLC's award-winning student newspaper
Prairie Voices and Willow Review — CLC’s award-winning literary magazines

Highlights

Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

Explore ways to pay for college (based on need/achievement).
Career Certificate

Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning a certificate in 1 year or less.
Program Length: 1 Year

Finish in 1 year as a full-time student.

*Estimated cost is based on the minimum number of credit hours to complete the program. This estimate includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees for the 2026-2027 academic year, before financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about the Cost of Attendance.

Career Outlook

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $47,080
  
  Median
  
  $117,013
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $287,942
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $22.63
  
  Median
  
  $56.25
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $138.43
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  15.98%
  
  Some college
  
  7.67%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  8.04%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  62.44%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  5.87%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $31,277
  
  Median
  
  $60,010
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $207,507
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $15.03
  
  Median
  
  $28.84
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $99.76
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  39.31%
  
  Some college
  
  2.56%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  41.33%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  16.8%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30,686
  
  Median
  
  $46,901
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $99,824
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $14.75
  
  Median
  
  $22.55
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $47.99
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  26.83%
  
  Some college
  
  30.3%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  2.5%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  35.18%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  5.19%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $43,860
  
  Median
  
  $75,818
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $151,076
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.08
  
  Median
  
  $36.44
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $72.63
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Master's Degree
  
  71.82%
  
  Doctorate
  
  28.17%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $40,000
  
  Median
  
  $73,491
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $134,790
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $19.22
  
  Median
  
  $35.33
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $64.80
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  81.7%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  18.3%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $73,794
  
  Median
  
  $114,230
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $195,487
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $35.47
  
  Median
  
  $54.91
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $93.98
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  19.65%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  3.93%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  65.49%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  10.93%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $45,317
  
  Median
  
  $78,626
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $147,893
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.78
  
  Median
  
  $37.80
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $71.10
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  60.87%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  39.13%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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complete the admission process
choose an academic program
enroll in first-semester classes
get access to helpful resources

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more comprehensive list of course options and degree requirements, see the CLC college catalog.

View program in catalog

Meet your instructors

More than 1,000 full-time and part-time faculty teach at CLC. Nearly all of them have a master's degree or more.

CLC faculty teach the same materials you’d learn at a big school. They bring real-world experience into the classroom so you can gain job-ready skills and help you become the very best version of yourself.

Meet our Technical Communication experts

Learn more about faculty at CLC

Apply now: It's easy and free

Complete the application form to begin your program.

After you apply, a Career and College Navigator (CCN) will reach out to answer your questions, guide your next steps and help you get enrolled. Explore steps to apply at CLC.

Apply to CLC

Frequently asked questions

In this program, you will learn by actively engaging in “real world” projects used in the workplace today, so when you graduate, you can hit the ground running.
Develop strategic writing and communication skills to produce:
- blogs
- website content
- newsletters
- social media content
- multimedia stories
- professional communication materials
Gain skills to be successful in nearly every industry, from developing materials to launch a new business, creating clear documentation for a complex process, or designing audience-centered materials for the web.
These skills are in demand. According to U.S. News & World Report, professional writers enjoy a strong job market and high pay.
No. You’ll learn everything you need to know in a supportive environment. Develop your writing, communication and design skills through guided practice, class discussions and use of digital platforms. Each course builds on the last, helping you steadily grow your skills and confidence.
You'll learn what to expect in your creative career by working on real-world projects. These projects build your portfolio of writing, storytelling and digital communication skills. So does contributing to College of Lake County's award-winning literary magazines and student newspaper.
At CLC, class sizes are small. That means you get personal attention and support from instructors who know you by name as you develop your skills.
The certificate in Professional Writing is 20 credit hours and takes an average of 2 semesters of part-time study to complete. Part-time students typically can complete the certificate in one year or less.
You can choose to complete the Professional Writing Certificate entirely online or attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real-time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
Develop essential skills to succeed as a professional writer. Find this work in:
- communication
- content creation
- marketing
- social media
- digital publishing
- business
- media
- nonprofit organizations
- healthcare and related fields
Prepare for careers such as:
- content writer
- social media coordinator
- communications assistant
- copywriter
- digital content creator
- website writer
You can also continue your education at the College of Lake County to earn your A.A.S. in Technical Communication.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees. It does not factor in the cost of books and materials. It does not account for financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
View current tuition and fees
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial aid. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
At the College of Lake County, you benefit from:
- Personal interaction with classmates and instructors
- Small class sizes
- Instructors with decades of industry experience
- Low-cost tuition
- Access to more than 30,000 businesses in Lake County, including 12 Fortune 500 companies, for internship and job opportunities

What students say about CLC

Kenneth Dantes
Transfer student
"It felt like a community because there were actually those teachers that have time for you."
Kenneth studied literature at CLC, then transferred to Elmhurst University. While at CLC, he worked on film projects in Chicago to gain experience and to network. He now works in Los Angeles as a production assistant for streaming shows.
Read Kenneth's story
Thais O'Malley
Graduate
“The quality of the program helped prepare me for the real world. I got my job right after graduation. I thanked my teachers because they prepared me so well.”
Thais studied Digital Media and Design at CLC. She now works as a graphic designer and social media specialist for the City of Lake Forest.
Read Thais' story
Za’Tozia Duffie
Transfer student
“I don't think I would have been able to grow academically, or even personally, if it wasn't for CLC.”
Za’Tozia studied communication at CLC. She transferred to Lake Forest College for her bachelor's degree and then to Syracuse University for graduate school.
Read Za’Tozia's story

Related programs

This certificate is just one possible way to study Technical Communication. Keep exploring your options—degrees, credentials and more.

Career Degree
Technical Communication A.A.S.
Associate in Applied Science

Cost

$10,850* (estimated)
View Details Technical Communication A.A.S.
Career Certificate
Technical Communication Certificate

Cost

$5,600* (estimated)
View Details Technical Communication Certificate

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Start today!

Register for Summer and Fall 2026 classes

Build professional writing skills in two semesters

Launch or level up your writing and digital communication career

Get publishing experience

Highlights

Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Editors

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Fundraising Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help getting started?

Recommended Pathway

Meet your instructors

Apply now: It's easy and free

Frequently asked questions

What skills will I learn?

Do I need previous writing experience?

How long is the program?

Can I take classes online?

What jobs can I get with this certificate?

How much does this program cost?

Why should I choose to attend CLC?

What students say about CLC

Kenneth Dantes

Thais O'Malley

Za’Tozia Duffie

Related programs

Technical Communication A.A.S.

Technical Communication Certificate

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

Request info

Visit us

Get started