PROS201: Copyediting Standards
Wondering whether you’re working to professional copyediting standards?
Identify your strengths and gaps, learn to work to industry standards, and gain advanced knowledge and practice in copyediting with the support of an expert copyeditor.
As part of our Professional Editing Standards Certificate, PROS 201: Copyediting Standards explores advanced topics in copyediting, including correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage; understanding and using conscious language; checking facts; applying editorial style; integrating visuals and non-English content; and checking for consistency and completeness.
The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) recognises Queen's University Canada's courses as quality training that will count towards CIEP membership upgrade.
Who Should Take This Course?
The course is ideal for
- editors interested in earning a Professional Editing Standards Certificate
- intermediate and advanced editors with more than 5 years’ experience
- copyeditors or writers who want to identify their strengths and areas for improvement
Delivery Method
This course is delivered asynchronously online allowing participants to engage with flexibility at their own convenience. This method provides a balance between self-paced learning and structured coursework while promoting a supportive community where participants can share experiences and ideas.
Professional Development
This course will count towards completion of the Professional Editing Standards Certificate.
Course Fees
Course fees include
- full access to comprehensive course content
- timely feedback from a subject matter expert on assignments
- shareable Badge of Completion (Queen's University)
- credit toward the Professional Editing Standards Certificate
Policies and more information
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the extent and limitations of copyediting services
- Assess your ability to work to professional copyediting standards
- Write a plan to improve your knowledge and skills in copyediting
- Access recommended resources, explore topics with colleagues, and practise on your own
- Annotate resource materials that will help in your practice and when challenging the certification exam
- Create personal tools for copyediting
- Establish an ongoing personal learning network with your colleagues in the course
Course Outline
| Modules |
| Module 1: The Professional Copyeditor |
| Module 2: Correctness |
| Module 3: Consistency Part 1 |
| Module 4: Consistency Part 2 |
| Module 5: Accuracy |
| Module 6: Completeness |
| Module 7: Course Culminating Task - Baseline Review and Learning Plan |
| Total hours: 40 |
Course Schedule
| Session | Course Dates | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Sep 29, 2025 – Dec 05, 2025 | Sep 19, 2025 at 4pm ET | Sep 25, 2025 at 4pm ET |
| Fall/Winter 2025 | Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 06, 2026 | Oct 31, 2025 at 4pm ET | Nov 06, 2025 at 4pm ET |
| Winter 2026 | Jan 26, 2026 – Apr 03, 2026 | Jan 16, 2026 at 4pm ET | Jan 22, 2026 at 4pm ET |
| Late Winter 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026 | Feb 06, 2026 at 4pm ET | Feb 12, 2026 at 4pm ET |
Fall 2025
- Dates: Sep 29, 2025 – Dec 05, 2025
- Deadline: Sep 19, 2025 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Sep 25, 2025 at 4pm ET
Fall/Winter 2025
- Dates: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 06, 2026
- Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Nov 06, 2025 at 4pm ET
Winter 2026
- Dates: Jan 26, 2026 – Apr 03, 2026
- Deadline: Jan 16, 2026 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Jan 22, 2026 at 4pm ET
Late Winter 2026
- Dates: Feb 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026
- Deadline: Feb 06, 2026 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Feb 12, 2026 at 4pm ET
Application Requirements
This course is designed for intermediate and advanced English text editors (those with five or more years’ experience) from all geographical locations.
If you are new to the field of editing and are looking for an introductory course, we recommend PROS205: How to Copyedit. If you have some experience as an editor (less than five years’), you may enroll in this course and assess whether the course material matches your current skills. You have the option to withdraw from the course and receive a full refund if you do this before the course’s midpoint. View our refund policy here.
Course Materials
Required Technology
A computer with audio, microphone, and high-speed internet access. Students are required to work in Microsoft Word, which is available through Queen’s Information Technology Services.
Course Materials
Two course texts are required for purchase:
- The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction, by Amy J. Schneider. Available as an EPUB (US$17.99) directly from the University of Chicago Press (UCP) website. Note: UCP offers students a 30% discount on the digital book when purchased directly from the UCP site. To access the discount, use the code CDDC30 at checkout. This book is also available at major retailers in digital and print formats.
- Editing Canadian English, 3rd ed., by Editors Canada. Purchase of the ebook is strongly recommended, because it includes the companion volume Editorial Niches. It is available from major ebook retailers for about CAN$10.
Links to additional digital resources are provided in the coursework.
Accommodations
Applicants who require special accommodations are asked to:
- Contact us at least 1 week prior to the start of the course to allow enough time for appropriate accommodations to be made.
- Provide necessary documentation upon request.