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.

Taught by a world-class faculty of writers and educators, our Creative Writing: Nonfiction certificate program offers a unique opportunity to deepen your craft, earn a valuable credential, and receive college credit, high school credit, or both. This program is designed for both adults and teens and consists of three four-week courses that 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

Courses

Tuition

$ 1197 $999

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: Ages 18+

Receive personalized feedback
Get regular guidance from an experienced artist-instructor who can help you strengthen your skills and develop your creative voice.

Connect in a weekly live class
Join an optional one-hour live class each week to ask questions, discuss ideas, and learn alongside other students.

Learn on your schedule
Complete video lessons, guided activities, and creative projects on a flexible weekly schedule of about five hours a week per course.

Create work you can share
Complete projects that demonstrate your progress and can contribute to a portfolio, résumé, application, or professional profile.

Earn academic credit
Pursue college credit and/or high school credit that can be transferred to thousands of institutions nationwide.

For all students:

✔ A respected credential from Interlochen Online
✔ Physical and shareable digital certificate
✔ A portfolio of completed, polished projects
✔ A strengthened résumé, college application, or LinkedIn profile

For middle school and high school students:

✔ An official Interlochen transcript awarding 0.5 high school credit
✔ Accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
✔ Credit that may transfer to hundreds of high schools nationwide

For adults and high school students:

✔ An official college transcript awarding 3 college credits
✔ Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
✔ Credit that may transfer to hundreds of college and universities nationwide

Eligible high school students may earn both high school and college credit through the same certificate program.

Yes, Interlochen Online certificate programs are accredited for both high school and college credit.

High school credit is available to teens and accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

College credit is available to adults and current high school students and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Accreditation from Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) are widely recognized and accepted by thousands of institutions across the country. However, we encourage students and families to consult with their school counselor or registrar in advance to determine how the credit may be applied toward graduation requirements.

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.