Poynter's News University and the American Copy Editors Society to Offer Editing Certificate

Leading media organizations partner to co-create an online training program to build proficiency in editing skills and best practices

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Poynter Institute's News University (www.newsu.org) and the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) (www.copydesk.org) announce the Poynter/ACES Certificate in Editing. The six-course online program – designed to develop and grow the skills of writers, editors, communications professionals, educators and students – is NewsU's first collaboration with a professional journalism association to standardize craft and values in a formal certificate program.

The Poynter/ACES certificate program will be taught through Webinars, self-directed classes and assessments. It will be available starting Sept. 9.

"The opportunity to establish a certificate that acknowledges editing prowess in line with the highest standards of the industry has never been more timely," said Vicki Krueger, Poynter's Director of Interactive Learning/NewsU. "As the arena of reporters, writers and publishers grows exponentially across media landscapes, the ability to ensure professional standards of excellence has never mattered more."

ACES President Teresa Schmedding underscored the significance of the certificate's ability to provide wide access to expertise and training.

"This certificate is an outstanding milestone for our young partnership with NewsU," said Schmedding. "It delivers the most cutting-edge editing practices and standards from the industry leaders in this craft. We couldn't be more proud of the work and know many people will greatly benefit from it."

Instructors of the six courses feature ACES members and executive board members, including the 2013 winner of ACES' Glamann Award, Craig Silverman. The courses that make up the certificate, which will take 10-15 hours to complete, are:

• Fundamentals of Editing - Gain a solid grounding in the process of editing and the range of skills that provide clarity and accuracy to any form of writing.
• The Art and Science of Editing - Learn to identify when you need to edit something, when you don't and how to explain your changes to others.
• Getting It Right: Accuracy and Verification in the Digital Age - Acquire the knowledge and tools to become a more accurate journalist in the digital age.
• Writing Online Headlines: SEO and Beyond - Write headlines that work everywhere online, from search results to article pages to RSS feeds to mobile apps.
• Clarity is Key: Making Writing Clean and Concise - Learn to clarify and streamline your writing by using straightforward words and stronger nouns and verbs.
• Language Primer: Basics of Grammar, Punctuation and Word Use - Practice the fundamentals of grammar and composition so you can write and edit with greater confidence.

To earn the Poynter/ACES Certificate in Editing, please visit http://www.newsu.org/courses/ACES-editing-certificate. The cost is $75 for ACES members and $150 for non-members. For information on ACES memberships visit www.copydesk.org.

The Poynter/ACES certificate joins a growing lineup of certificate programs available through Poynter's NewsU.

"Poynter's certificate programs allow anyone, anywhere to develop skills and gain credentials from our world-renowned Institute," said Poynter President Karen B. Dunlap. "I'm pleased to work with ACES in this initial professional partnership. Their organization upholds the best in journalism skills and values."

ABOUT THE POYNTER INSTITUTE

The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is an international leader in journalism education, and a strategy center that stands for uncompromising excellence in journalism, media and 21st century public discourse. Poynter faculty teach seminars and workshops at the Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., and at conferences and organizational sites around the world. Its e-learning division, News University, www.newsu.org, offers the world's largest online journalism curriculum, with more than 300 interactive courses and 250,000 students. The Institute's website, www.poynter.org, produces 24-hour coverage of news about media, ethics, technology, the business of news and the trends that currently define and redefine journalism news reporting. The world's top journalists and media innovators come to Poynter to learn and teach new generations of reporters, storytellers, media inventors, designers, visual journalists, documentarians and broadcast producers, and to build public awareness about journalism, media, the First Amendment and protected discourse that serves democracy and the public good.

ABOUT AMERICAN COPY EDITORS SOCIETY

ACES, the American Copy Editors Society, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) education and membership organization working toward the advancement of copy editors. Our aim is to provide solutions to editing problems, training and a place to discuss common issues. ACES is an international members' alliance of editors working at newspapers, magazines, online news sites, public relations and marketing agencies and corporations. ACES was started in 1997 by Pam Robinson of Long Island, N.Y., and Hank Glamann of Houston. Today, ACES has a presence throughout the U.S., as well as internationally.  For more information, visit www.copydesk.org.

CONTACT
Ann Smith
503-956-2791
[email protected]

Vicki Krueger
Director of Interactive Learning
The Poynter Institute
727-821-9494
[email protected]

Jessica Blais
Marketing Director
The Poynter Institute
727-821-9494
[email protected]

SOURCE The Poynter Institute/News University