If you’re looking to advance your career as an editor or bulk up your resume with more valuable skills, you might consider taking a course in copyediting.

Copyediting is the process of revising written material to improve readability and quality. And while printed publications may be going out of style, copy editors are as essential as ever in the age of digital writing.

The question is: do you need to get certified to work as a copy editor? The short answer is no, but we’ll explore the pros and cons of earning a copyediting certificate in this post, and offer recommended copyediting courses with and without certificates.

University Copyediting Courses (for Certificate)

The following are online university programs that offer certificates in copyediting. While university courses offer a very comprehensive look at the subject, they also tend to have more rigid schedules and deadlines, which is important to consider when choosing a program.

1. UC San Diego

This12-month online programprovides students with a thorough understanding of the skills needed for a successful copyediting a career. It’s ideal for those interested in an editing career and anyone who produces content.

UC San Diego notes that the average student spends three hours online and six hours offline per course each week.

Here’s a bit of what you’ll cover:

• fact-checking
• editing for logic, sexism, and plagiarism
• digital skills for editors
• editorial processes, using style sheets, and editing with Microsoft Word
• legal considerations
• best practices for a productive author-editor relationship
• career-related information

Price: $2,566

2. University of Chicago

TheUniversity of Chicagoinvented theChicago Manual of Style, so it’s no surprise that they offer one of the best editing programs.

Whether you’re looking to enter the publishing industry or brush up on your existing skills, this program can help you as you progress through four core courses and an elective.

Here’s some of what you’ll cover:

• manuscript editing
• grammar essentials for professionals
• editing electronically
• strategies for approaching an editing project
• how to manage and navigate the publishing process

Price: $6,500

3. Emerson College

Emerson College提供一份editing program that covers copyediting fundamentals and industry-related topics, including how to edit for grammar, style, accuracy, and precision.

With Emerson’s remote copyediting courses, you’ll learn how to:

• review grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and readability
• fact check
• identify typographical errors
• express ideas clearly and logically
• set style and editing standards for company documents

价格:varies,individual coursesrange from $125–$375; 45.5 hours required

Professional Associations (for Certificate)

As an alternative to university courses, some professional associations also offer copyediting courses with certificates. Many allow students to take single courses, which is ideal for students looking for just one or two specific topics.

4.编辑自由职业者协会

The Editorial Freelancers Association is a professional organization that offers a variety of courses for editors and writers alike.

Examples include:

• Advanced Line Editing for Fiction & Creative Nonfiction
• Proofreading and Copyediting with The Chicago Manual of Style
• Book Mapping for Developmental Editors

价格:$80–$300/course

5. Writer’s Digest Copyediting Certification Course

The Writer’s Digest copyediting courseis a 10-week program that covers the fundamentals of grammar, form, composition, and advanced copyediting skills. Students participate in critiqued writing assignments and take quizzes along the way to help them prepare for the comprehensive test at the end of the course.

Key topics include:

• fundamentals of punctuation and grammar
• guidelines for form and composition
• how to follow style guides
• how to apply grammar rules for powerful writing

价格:$799

6. ACES: The Society for Editing

ACES: The Society for Editing has teamed up with The Poynter Institute’s News University to provide online training seminars with certificates.

One of these is thePoynter ACES Certificate in Editing, which covers essential skills and best practices of professional editing.

Topics include:

• the science of editing
• how to make writing clean and concise
• accuracy and verification in the digital age
• 语法、标点和词的使用

价格:$75 for members, $150 for non-members.

Online Copyediting Courses (No Certificate)

If you’re not looking for a certificate but want to hone your skills, these affordable online copyediting courses may be right for you.

7. How to Become a Freelance Editor: Make Money Copy Editing

Experienced freelancer and former teacher Laura Pennington teachesthis course on copy editing, which, in addition to teaching the technical skills, also shows students the ins and outs of starting a successful freelance editing business.

You’ll learn how to:

• start your own freelance editing business
• evaluate someone’s work and generate a quote
• market your editing business
• find editing jobs
• deliver great results that will keep your clients coming back

价格:$79.99

8. Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Thiscopyediting courseteaches students how to master word choice, improve structure and organization, and revise their work with the confidence to cut what’s unnecessary.

You’ll learn how to:

• use syntax creeatively
• add nuance to your sentences and slogans
• develop the habits you need to complete short- and long-term projects
• make writing more persuasive and creative writing

Price: Free

9. Editing Mastery: How To Edit Writing To Perfection

FormerWall Street Journaleditor Shani Raja shares the secrets of the pros in this编辑Mastery course. You’ll learn the technique of “deep editing,” which will help you transform any nonfiction work into writing that’s bursting with energy.

You’ll learn how to:

• consider every aspect of a text to ensure the best quality possible
• professionally edit virtually any type of nonfiction writing
• improve your own writing and the writing of others
• evaluate and improve content, structure, style, and presentation

价格:$124.99

10. Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order

Thiswriting and editing coursefocuses on the power of words and how you can use and arrange them to make your writing more persuasive. It also highlights how words can change the decisions people make.

You’ll learn how to:

• be strategic with your syntax
• showcase your originality and write with a style no one else can reproduce
• arrange even complex points in a reader-friendly way

Price: $49.99

11. Translation Editing: A Practical Introduction

Despite huge advances in translation technology, most direct translations still need to be edited, even if they are accurate and coherent.

This course focuses on the best techniques for copyediting translations from other languages into English, but the principles and skills taught can be helpful for editors working in any language.

You’ll learn how to:

• copy edit and proofread the major aspects of language, including punctuation, grammar, idiom, and consistency
• how to communicate professionally with clients
• assess real examples of errors in translated fiction

价格:$39.99

Do You Need a Certificate To Be a Copy Editor?

Youdo not needa certificate to become a copy editor; however, a certificate from a reputable organization or association can certainly offer you a strong professional advantage, whether you’re looking to join a publishing company or attract clients to your freelance business.

It makes sense that many clients would prefer to work with someone who has an editing certificate, although this isn’t always the case. Many will make a hiring decision based on a referral, work sample, or editing test.

If you’re just looking to expand your skill set, then you might opt for a less expensive, non-certification online course that will still teach you valuable tips and information.

More Editing Tips

For more ways to brush up on your editing skills, check out ourguide to self-editingand revising your own work.

Or, if you’d prefer to leave it to the pros, review our tips forhiring an editorso you can ensure a productive working relationship.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• Developmental Editing: What to Look For and How to Find the Right Editor
• Understanding the Different Types of Editing
• How to Become a Book Editor: Everything You Need to Know
• How to Proofread: Tips for a Cleaner Draft