continued from
previous pageAre there internship opportunities?
Yes. Students with junior- or senior-level standing may apply for competitive internship opportunities (EngCmp 1900, one semester, three credits) if they are in good academic standing and have completed three courses (nine credits) toward the PPW Certificate. Internships will be designed to give students a productive, substantive writing experience where they will learn from and contribute to the sponsoring agency, company, or project. Please visit our internship page for more information and an application.
Are there other components of the ppw certificate?
The program holds regular meetings for students in the program and events where students can hear from expert speakers. In addition, we organize a celebratory event in which we hear from students who have held PPW internships or undertaken in-depth research projects during the past term. We also have an online discussion board for those students who have been accepted into the Certificate program. You can learn more about these aspects of the PPW program by visiting our on-line PPW community: www.pitt.edu/~ppw.
How do I apply to the ppw certificate program?
The PPW Certificate program is now accepting applications to the program. Students must be resident in the certificate program for at least one year before they graduate.
To apply, submit a one- to two-page letter of intent that explains why you want to work on this certificate, a résumé with your current contact information, and a writing sample of about 10 pages of text (you can include excerpts from several projects or one longer project, whichever you think will best demonstrate your writing). Send your application materials via campus or US mail to this address:
Public and Professional Writing Certificate
Department of English
University of Pittsburgh
526 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
If you are accepted into the program, you will be asked to submit a progress worksheet and update your records with us every term you make progress toward the certificate.
How do I have it noted on my transcript?
As you probably know, the term before you graduate, you have to apply to your school for graduation. In the same way, the term before you graduate, you have to apply to the School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) for the PPW certificate. By applying, you are asking the school to verify all your records. Go to 140 Thackeray and complete the necessary paperwork. (A&S offers the PPW Certificate, so even if you are graduating from another school, you still have to apply for the Certificate through A&S.) A&S imposes a late fee on students who apply to receive their Certificate after they have graduated.
A&S will check with the director of the PPW program to verify that you have completed all the requirements. For this reason, you must also apply to the PPW program for the Certificate the term before you graduate. You will meet with someone to update your paperwork so that we can return A&S's query in a timely way. It's fine if you are still finishing your requirements during your last term: we will flag that coursework for A&S so that they can follow up after you get your grade for that course. When everything has been completed, A&S will note your certificate on your transcript.
After you graduate, the PPW program will mail your certificate to your permanent address. Please make sure that we have the address where you want to receive the certificate. If you would prefer to pick the certificate up in person, please let us know before the end of the term you graduate.
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?
The PPW administrators are based in the Writing Center (M-2 Thaw Hall), with which we are affiliated. If you would like to find us or to pick up forms or other materials, stop by the Writing Center.
Jean Grace, Director, PPW Program 412-624-5661, jgrace@pitt.edu
Pam O'Brien, Associate Director, Internship and Outreach Coordinator
412-624-6556, redactor7@aol.com
Our general mailbox is ppw@pitt.edu.
