PROS204: Structural Editing Standards
This course is designed to address the wide range of tasks and competencies expected of structural editors. In this course, you’ll gain an understanding of Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards (PES) for Structural Editing (also known as developmental or substantive editing), prepare for the Editors Canada certification examination for structural editing, and practise structural editing at a professional level. The PES Standards for Structural Editing serves as a framework for this course.
You’ll demonstrate your understanding through analysis and discussions and apply new knowledge to actual texts, taking into account the intended audience, medium, market, and purpose. The discussion forums offer opportunities to be collaborative and inclusive. Meaningful responses are essential, as they guide discussions with additional information and critical-thinking questions, thereby enriching the shared learning experience. Each module will conclude with a culminating assignment task that will be submitted to your instructor for feedback.
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
- editors 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
- Evaluate and reorganize material to achieve a coherent structure and logical progression of ideas suitable for the audience, medium, and purpose
- Design and implement headings and navigation aids to enhance the clarity and organization of the material
- Select and position ancillary textual material effectively, such as sidebars, pull quotes, appendices, and notes
- Evaluate and propose revisions to meet length requirements and ensure optimal suitability for the audience, medium, and purpose
- Identify and resolve issues of accuracy, research adequacy, and content balance to maintain focus and reliability
- Select and create appropriate visual elements and determine their effective positioning and content, including captions and titles
- Identify where necessary permissions must be secured for quotations, visual elements, and audio
- Apply plain language principles to ensure content is structured logically and is easily navigable and actionable for readers
- Explain and justify editorial changes with authors, colleagues, and clients, communicating effectively and professionally
- Practise and apply Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards (PES) for The Fundamentals of Editing
Course Outline
| Modules |
Minimum hours |
|
Module 1: Welcome and Introduction |
8-10 |
|
Module 2: Assessment and Organization |
8-10 |
|
Module 3: Visual, Auxiliary, and Supplemental Materials |
8-10 |
|
Module 4: Content Editing – Fiction |
8-10 |
|
Module 5: Content Editing – Nonfiction |
8-10 |
|
Module 6: Structural Editing Wrap-Up |
8-10 |
|
Total hours |
48-60 hours |
Course Schedule
| Session | Course Dates | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026 | Jan 26, 2026 – Apr 03, 2026 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Late Winter 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026 | Feb 06, 2026 at 4pm ET | Feb 12, 2026 at 4pm ET |
| Summer 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 – Aug 07, 2026 | Jun 14, 2026 at 4pm ET | Jun 18, 2026 at 4pm ET |
Winter 2026
- Dates: Jan 26, 2026 – Apr 03, 2026
- Deadline: CLOSED
- Payment Due: CLOSED
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
Summer 2026
- Dates: Jun 22, 2026 – Aug 07, 2026
- Deadline: Jun 14, 2026 at 4pm ET
- Payment Due: Jun 18, 2026 at 4pm ET
Application Requirements
This course is applicable to intermediate and advanced editors of English (more than five years’) from all geographical locations.
If you are new to the field of editing and are looking for an introductory course, we recommend CONT205: 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
The following text is required for purchase:
- Editorial Niches: A Companion to Editing Canadian English, 3rd ed., by Editors Canada. Available in print or digital format.
Note: The digital version of Editorial Niches is included in Editing Canadian English, 3rd ed., which is available for purchase on Amazon and other platforms for about CAD$10. Purchasing the digital version is the safest way to get it in time for class.
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.