Creative Writing: Nonfiction Certificate Program

Build a strong foundation in core nonfiction writing. Apply new techniques to a diverse range of nonfiction forms, including personal essays, memoirs, and hybrid works that incorporate multimedia elements—enabling you to strengthen your writing skills and craft compelling nonfiction filled with perspective.

interlochen online creative writing: nonfiction certificate program

Taught by a world-class faculty of writers and educators, the Creative Writing: Nonfiction certificate program consists of three four-week courses designed for adults and teens. The program can be completed at a pace that works for you and offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into your craft while showcasing your achievements with a credential from Interlochen—an impressive addition to your résumé, college application, or LinkedIn profile.

For students under 18, the Creative Writing: Nonfiction certificate program is also an engaging way to earn high school credit. It’s ideal for students looking to challenge themselves beyond their school curriculum or to supplement their homeschool studies.

The following three creative writing courses make up the certificate program. It is recommended to take Introduction to Creative Writing first, while the second two courses can be taken in any order:

Creative Writing Techniques: Nonfiction

✔ Build strong creative composition skills that also improve academic writing
✔ Track the evolution and function of creative nonfiction in different cultures and time periods
✔ Write effective essays by understanding their key components and what drives them
✔ Write autobiographical pieces using key aspects of memoirs, such as their connection to memory and narrative
✔ Apply innovative techniques to create hybrid works by combining poetry, photos, sounds, or other media into your creative nonfiction

Writing Your Memoir

✔ Evaluate potential starting points for your memoir and use various framing techniques to control the pacing of your story
✔ Write with sensory details to enrich your narrative with vivid descriptions
✔ Use your personal archive and conduct research to gather content and write about authentic experiences
✔ Develop a distinct narrative voice that reflects your personality and experiences
✔ Experiment with various tones, perspectives, and structures in support of developing a cohesive and engaging narrative

Learn and save: Students who enroll in the certificate program will receive a discounted rate by registering for all three online creative writing classes as a package.

learn icon Certificate programs comprise three four-week courses, providing deeper training in an artistic discipline or area of study. Students who enroll in a certificate program will receive a discounted rate by registering for all three courses as a package.

Each Interlochen Online course is designed to be inspiring and flexible with weekly learning units that combine video segments and guided instruction that you can complete on your own schedule. Combined with that learning is an optional weekly hour-long video class meeting, where you can learn from you instructor and interact with fellow students in real-time. You will also interact regularly with your instructor and peers through messaging inside the learning environment, including receiving personalized feedback on your work from your instructor.

Upon completion of the program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate. Certificates for students under 18 are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); high school-age students will also receive an official transcript to share with their current school for consideration for high school credit.