How Do I Become a Writing Instructor?

To become a writing instructor, you will typically need to have writing experience and may need to obtain an advanced degree in writing or communications as well as licensure or certification as an educator. The type of credentials needed to become a writing instructor will depend on the type of educational institution in which you work, along with laws in your jurisdiction governing the provision of educational services. In some situations, you may not need any official or educational credentials to offer instruction in writing, particularly if you work independently as a writing coach or teacher or through an adult education program.

The laws regarding working as an instructor or teacher often vary depending the type of school in which you choose to work. If you wish to teach writing in a primary or secondary school, you will in most places need to hold a teacher's license. This generally means that you will need to complete a university degree as well as a period of student teaching. An exception to this rule may be made if you work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher or offer your services as part of an after-school program.

If you want to teach at the university level, qualifying for a position is dependent on a number of factors, including your educational credentials. If you are a successful writer, you may be able to become a writing instructor on the strength of your professional experience. In most cases, you will need at least a master's degree to teach at a trade school or community college in the United States and a doctoral degree to teach at a four-year university. Academic requirements may be different for university-level teaching in other countries, so you will need to become familiar with the credentials needed to become a writing instructor in the country where you would like to work.

In cases where you might offer writing instruction independently or through a non-credit adult education program, you will likely not need any special credentials to become a writing instructor, though you are more likely to attract students if you can show that you have academic or publishing credentials. You may want to get started by offering your services on a volunteer basis to literacy groups or tutoring students. Over time, you can build the skills and experience needed to offer private writing instruction or coaching to others.