Copyediting

Gain a Solid Foundation in the Tools and Techniques of Copyediting

About the Copyediting Program

Overview

What You Will Learn

This Program Is Designed For

Explore Program

Copyediting, also known as copy editing—especially nonfiction editing—is one of today's most marketable skills for freelance work. In today's economy, creating a career with flexibility and mobility appeals to many people. Copy editors are the bridge between writers, publishers, and readers. They review, refine, and correct a variety of written material that appears in print or onscreen, such as marketing brochures, blogs, manuals, reports, feature articles, catalogs, and books. Copy editors who have a specialized background (such as science, technical, medical, finance and marketing) or proficiency with digital media are particularly in demand. Still, you do not need prior experience in these fields to complete this certificate successfully.

Our program provides a solid understanding of the tools and techniques of copy editing and introduces several topics required to make copyediting a career. Every lesson offers practical skills and information you can use immediately. The program can be completed online in 12 months. The courses are asynchronous but not self-paced; you will be required to keep up with weekly assignments. The average student spends three hours online and six hours offline per course each week.

Additional Information:

For detailed information, please enroll in the online on-demand Copyediting Program Information Session. Questions about our classes or certificates? Contact our department at 858-534-5760 or ahl@ucsd.edu.

For those who are considering entering the field of copyediting via UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies’s Copyediting Certificate Program, we invite you to join our LinkedIn group of current students, graduates, and writing professionals.

Grammar review and effective levels of editing to improve clarity and readability, including web copy and all elements of a manuscript.
Different types of editor roles and the various style guides used in the industry (the program uses the Chicago Manual of Style).
Review of standard copyediting symbols, spelling, grammar, and punctuation rules.
Editorial processes, using style sheets and editing with Microsoft Word.
Fact-checking, active/passive voice and editing for logic, sexism, and plagiarism.
Querying and best practices for fostering the author-editor relationship.
Style sheets, legal considerations, bias in language, and editing graphic elements.
Career-related information, such as career paths, jobs and training, and the basics of freelance editing.

Those who are interested in starting a new copyediting career.
Those working in existing copyediting or fact-checking roles who would like to advance their skills and expand their career opportunities.
Those who wish to edit technical copy or who work for book publishers and magazines.
Anyone who produces content for websites and marketing/communications departments at corporations.

Format: Online

In-class options not available.

Estimated Cost: $2,950

Cost is an estimate and includes course fees and books for the entire program.

Duration: 12 months

Varies by student and courses taken per quarter.

Contact

Department: Arts, Humanities, Languages & Digital Arts
Phone: 858-534-5760
Email: ahl@ucsd.edu

Courses

Find out more about the program in a free, online information session.

Copyediting and Technical Communication Information SessionINFO-70034

Units: 0.00

Free

Copyediting and Technical Communication Information Session (INFO-70034)Free | Online Are you interested in a new career as a copyeditor or technical communicator, but not sure where to begin? Explor...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

March 1, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

All 4 units are required to earn a Copyediting Certificate. Classes must be taken in order and can not be taken simultaneously.

Grammar LabWCWP-40234

Units: 3.00

$675

Grammar Lab (WCWP-40234)10 Weeks | OnlineThis ten-week online Grammar Lab course is skillfully designed to meet the needs of all students. It is beneficial for those with little grammar experience and...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

June 26, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Copyediting IWCWP-40236

Units: 3.00

$675

Copyediting I (WCWP-40236)10 Weeks | OnlineAs a copyeditor (or copy editor), you will be expected to proofread text for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling and check for readability, style, ...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Copyediting IIWCWP-40237

Units: 3.00

$595

Copyediting II (WCWP-40237)10 Weeks | OnlinePractice judicious and defensible editing in Copyediting II so you can master how to thrive as a copyeditor (or copy editor ) in the modern-day workplace. ...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Copyediting IIIWCWP-40238

Units: 3.00

$595

Copyediting III (WCWP-40238)10 Weeks | OnlineAre you ready for your first major editing assignments? In this course, you will work on a deadline to perform a heavy edit on all elements of a nonfiction...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

These classes do not apply to the certificate. They can be taken in any order.

Copy Editing with Associated Press StyleWCWP-40335

Units: 2.00

$450

Copy Editing with Associated Press Style (WCWP-40335)6 Weeks | Online This class takes a deep dive into the AP Stylebook. The Associated Press style guide is widely used by newspapers and magazines,...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Copyediting for FictionWCWP-40336

Units: 2.00

$450

Copyediting for Fiction (WCWP-40336)6 Weeks | Online As a fiction copyeditor, you will be expected to guide the author through a full edit of the manuscript, including working with sentence structur...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Marketing for Copyeditors: How to Get the Word OutWCWP-80031

Units: 0.00

$270

Marketing for Copyeditors (WCWP-80031)4 Weeks | Online You ve perfected your editing skills, taken out your business license, and printed business cards. The next step is building connections an...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

The Business of CopyeditingWCWP-40333

Units: 2.00

$450

The Business of Copyediting (WCWP-40333)6 Weeks | Online In the Business of Copyediting course, students will be prepared to launch their own copyediting or proofreading business or grow an existing...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Digital Landscape for EditorsWCWP-40340

Units: 3.00

$675

Digital Landscape for Editors (WCWP-40340)10 Weeks | Online Interacting in the digital space is a frequently expected skill for freelance and staff editors. In Digital Landscape for Editors, you will...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

April 3, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Download PDF

Required Tools

Internet access
Scanner access (for use in Copyediting I course)
Acrobat Reader 11.0 (or newest available)
Microsoft Word 2016 or newer

Certificate Guidelines

Grammar Lab, Copyediting I, II, and III must be taken in sequence. You must earn a Pass (C-) or better grade in each course.

Conditions for Admission

You must have native-level fluency with English and must write clear, logical, and grammatically correct sentences. You will need a computer, a high-speed internet connection, MS Word 2016 or later, and proficiency with all of the above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All

Additional questions?

For questions regarding our classes and certificates, please contact us at ahl@ucsd.edu or 858-534-5760.

Advisory Board

April 21, 2021

A Military Spouse on Starting Over: Law Enforcement to Homemaker to Copyeditor

Military families tend to move a lot, making it difficult for spouses to develop a professional career, but what if they can bring their career with them? Copy editor Sarah Lower did just that.

December 18, 2020

What’s Your Pronoun?

Respecting a person’s correct personal pronoun contributes to a more inclusive environment.

February 20, 2020

Contrary to Popular Belief, Copy Editors Do Make Mistakes

Copy editors are trained to find the mistakes we all tend to miss, but even they are subject to slip-ups now and then. Here are some of the most common errors they make.

May 08, 2017

John Adams on the Foundations of Good Writing

"To be a writer, write often and let the writing take you where it wants to go—to the darkest depths, to the shining stars." John A. Adams

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.

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Copyediting

Page Tools

About the Copyediting Program

Courses

Delivery Method

Copyediting and Technical Communication Information SessionINFO-70034

Upcoming Start Dates:

Grammar LabWCWP-40234

Upcoming Start Dates:

Copyediting IWCWP-40236

Upcoming Start Dates:

Copyediting IIWCWP-40237

Upcoming Start Dates:

Copyediting IIIWCWP-40238

Upcoming Start Dates:

Copy Editing with Associated Press StyleWCWP-40335

Upcoming Start Dates:

Copyediting for FictionWCWP-40336

Upcoming Start Dates:

Marketing for Copyeditors: How to Get the Word OutWCWP-80031

Upcoming Start Dates:

The Business of CopyeditingWCWP-40333

Upcoming Start Dates:

Digital Landscape for EditorsWCWP-40340

Upcoming Start Dates:

Required Tools

Certificate Guidelines

Conditions for Admission

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional questions?

Advisory Board

Related Articles

A Military Spouse on Starting Over: Law Enforcement to Homemaker to Copyeditor

What’s Your Pronoun?

Contrary to Popular Belief, Copy Editors Do Make Mistakes

John Adams on the Foundations of Good Writing

Stay Updated

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