Best Online Proofreading & Editing Courses

Do you want to learn how to proofread so you don’t have to hire an editor? Or do you want to start a freelance proofreading business? The first step to achieving these goals is to upskill.

Enroll in an online proofreading and editing course to learn how to make your content free from errors. An online course will also guarantee that you deliver high-quality work to your clients.

I handpicked the best proofreading courses you can try on the internet. You can even get free training and certification with some of these courses.

The Best Proofreading Courses

These proofreading courses are all touted as the best of the best in the writing community. Check them out to determine which one fits your needs.

Knowadays: Becoming a Proofreader / Proofreading Academy

Knowadays provides the best proofreading tips that will kickstart your proofreading job. Gain access to the best training in grammar and spelling errors and other basics of proofreading. You’ll also receive the best proofreading techniques from the course’s expert tutors.

Learn about professional proofreading symbols and have one-on-one support from the educators. And because this course will help you produce error-free writing, it will also improve your writing skill as a freelance writer.

Knowadays’ Becoming a Proofreader is a best-in-class course that was developed in partnership with Proofed.

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Offers one-on-one support from expert tutors.
• Built with individual learners in mind.
• Offers discount codes for the paid version. 
• Offers a bundle of proofreading and editing courses.

Price

You can try the proofreading course for free. But the paid version costs $399. 

Proofread Anywhere

If you want to be an online proofreader with a freelance business, Proofread Anywhere will help you achieve your goals. Become a skilled proofreader by learning proofreading topics like how to spot common spelling mistakes, examples of proofread works, and more.

The proofreading training also promises you’ll become quicker at performing a grammar assessment than other proofreaders. Find out the professional standard for proofreading jobs and how to market your skills to people.

Proofread Anywhere is a tested process that offers the best editing tools and editing process. The whole course consists of step-by-step instructions that build on your previous knowledge. In the end, you’ll receive a certificate of completion for finishing the course.

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Has a free and paid workshop.
• Demystifies freelance consulting setup and billing.
• Teaches you how to find potential prospects.

Price

Proofread Anywhere is available for free. There’s also a course for transcript proofreading, which you can access at zero cost. 

Udemy: Proofreading Power Basics

First on the list of the best proofreading courses is Udemy’s Proofreading Power Basics, which will teach you the fundamentals of proofreading. Every professional proofreader starts by learning basic proofreading skills.

Students will gain confidence negotiating with any writer as they save time through easy tricks. Beginners will learn how to proofread basic spelling and grammar mistakes that online grammar checkers cannot spot. There’s a lesson on proofreading strategies and marking.

Getting a certificate from Udemy comes at a minimal cost. Imagine learning about writing style, error hotspots, and capitalization from this course at a small amount. You’ll even understand how to proofread for any type of client.

This course is best for beginners. So, I wouldn’t recommend it for advanced proofreaders who want continuous professional development.

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Beginner-friendly.
• Teaches the different proofreading marks.
• Lifetime access to the course.
• High rating from users.
• Has ten downloadable resources.

Price

This course costs $79.99, but it usually goes on sale for as low as $12.99.

Skillshare: How to Be an Editor/Proofreader (For Translators)

Even the most experienced proofreaders don’t always know how to proofread translated writing. Make your proofreading journey different through this Skillshare course. Aside from essential proofreading skills, you’ll also learn about machine translation post-editing.

Avoid embarrassing errors in your own work through online proofreading tutorials and the proper use of style guides. The course is very short, comprising 15 lessons spread over 30 minutes. 

While it explicitly tackles the proofreading niche, the course is a mixture of revising, proofreading, and editing courses. It’s an excellent option for stepping up your proofreading profession. 

The hands-on class will help you monitor your progress. See how freelance proofreading shouldn’t be a complicated job through Robert G, the main instructor. He’s a Cornell University graduate who owns a translation agency. 

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Offers a 1-month free trial.
• Short but helpful course. 
• Will teach you how to revise your work.
• Teaches how proofreading is different for translated work. 
• Includes a lesson on Machine Translation Post Editing. 

Price

After the 1-month free trial, the price of Skillshare’s course is $15 per month or $99 per year. 

Udemy: Kickstart a Freelance editor & proofreading Career on Upwork

Most online proofreading classes only offer an introduction to proofreading or proofreading fundamentals. But this course will give you video lessons on the entire proofreading process, major types of editing, and some editing techniques.

Get rid of boring content, grammar errors, and improper use of quotation marks once you know the right way to proofread. It’s also a copy editing course that will show you the philosophy of editing without removing your clients’ style and main idea.

You will surely start a profitable freelance proofreading business with this course. That’s because the Udemy class teaches users how to create an effective bid proposal and cover letter and win Upwork clients. Finally, you’ll also receive a proofreading certification online.

Like other Udemy courses, this online training gives you full lifetime access on different devices. It contains one resource and a long video tutorial. 

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• High rating on Udemy.
• Teaches intermediate-level proofreading.
• Offers tutorials on how to win clients.
• Full lifetime access.
• Fantastic topics on content editing

Price

Udemy’s professional masterclass costs $24.99. 

Udemy: How to Find and Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide

Many online classes focus on different aspects of the proofreader career. But if you want to provide better proofreading services by simply building your proofreading skills, this course is for you.

This handy course is made for those who want to build content writing careers. Improve your editing abilities in English grammar through its wide range of helpful resources. It will show you the correct mindset when catching errors, along with unique techniques.

The course will give you a satisfaction guarantee through its rich topics like how to remove typos and proofreading consistency. Set up your online business as you go about your career in proofreading and writing!

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Will teach you the right “mindset” for catching errors.
• Best for content writers and editors.
• Three additional resources.
• Offers a proofreading certification online training.
• Easy to access on any device.

Price

Develop a critical skill for proofreading for only $24.99.

LinkedIn: Editing and Proofreading Made Simple

This course is an excellent investment if you’re an accomplished writer who spends tons of money on proofreaders. You can perform online editing on your own work or maybe build your own proofreading business by learning proofreading basics.

The online class is divided into three chapters that will hone your essential skills. The course breaks each topic into a step-by-step process to deconstruct your writing. For instance, you need to check your content for spelling before scanning for grammar issues.

These practical proofreading tips are taught by Erin Rickard, a famous writer, editor, and professor. Her excellent skills in teaching will help you remember and apply all information in your proofreading job.

If you have spare time, you should enroll in this course. Watch how it will help you get real money!

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Discusses tone, style, formatting, and other editing mechanisms.
• Teaches you how to boost proofreading productivity.
• Teaches the difference between editing your own writing.
• 1-month free trial.
• How to edit submitted or published work.

Price

This LinkedIn Learning course costs $29.99 per month.

Free and Budget-Friendly Online Proofreading Courses

Skillshare: Editing and Proofreading Masterclass: Dominate Writing, Punctuation, and Grammar

If you’re trying to start a proofreading business but don’t know how, Skillshare’s course will help you gain serious skills. Instructor Nitay L understands how saturated the proofreading industry is, so he promises you will stand out on the market with his 5-year experience.

In his course, you will learn about the industry and basic proofreading lessons. Discover expert proofreading symbols, computer keyboard editing shortcuts, punctuations, and quotations. 

The course will also teach advanced lessons like editing types and sentence clarification. If you don’t know how to fix repetitive phrases, Skillshare will also help you.

Lastly, the instructor will show you how to establish yourself on Upwork. Your skills won’t mean anything to potential clients if you don’t know how to market them on the internet. The instructor shows how to stand out as a freelance proofreader in these spaces.

This course is excellent for those who want to learn how to start a proofreading career and market themselves. 

Why You Should Enroll in this Course

• It gives you a glimpse of the proofreading job market.
• Teaches proofreading symbols and editing types.
• Covers how to proofread different types of writing.
• Reputable instructor.
• Available for free.

Price

Skillshare offers a free trial for one month, which is enough to try the online proofreading course. After that, you need to pay a small amount of $15 per month or $99 per year. 

Coursera: Grammar and Punctuation

This course about grammar and punctuation is instructed by Tammy Chapman and Helen Nam and offered by the University of California, Irvine. It features rich topics on proofreading online, along with proofreading tests to challenge you.

Expert proofreaders and the rest of proofreading society know that basic proofreading courses are not enough. You need online proofreading training that will show you the complexities of English, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

This course will teach you effective editing through its topics on learning grammar, types of sentences, variety, and conjunctions. You can enroll to get excellent writing skills if you’re not an editor.

This course is suitable for all types of learners. You can access lesson transcripts if you do not like watching the video. Or ask for feedback from your peers at an additional cost.

Why You Should Enroll in This Course

• Includes lessons on grammar, punctuation, and verb tenses.
• Teaches sentence variety and parallel structure.
• Free access to the entire course.
• Offered by a reputable university. 

Price

The Grammar and Punctuation course is entirely free. Just sign up. But if you want access to proofreading exercises and peer feedback, you must pay $59.

Are Proofreading Courses Worth It?

Yes, you can gain multiple skills with proofreading classes as long as you pick a suitable course. Make sure it fits your level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and needs. 

Some proofreaders need help with inconsistencies, sentence varieties, and engaging tone. Others struggle with mechanical errors like verb tenses, punctuations, and prepositions.

There are also worthwhile proofreading courses that will teach you how to get a proofreading job. You’ll be guided through setting up an Upwork account and calculating your proofreader rates. 

If you’re uncertain about paying for expensive courses, try free ones from Coursera. Udemy also offers a free trial for first-time users.

How Do You Become a Certified Proofreader?

The definition of a certified proofreader is vague because there is no official certification in the United States. Successful proofreading usually entails continuous skill development through reliable online courses and taking tests that will evaluate your expertise.

A certified proofreader then goes beyond the understanding of proofreading basics. You need to be familiar with different editorial styles like the Associated Press Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style. 

Aspiring proofreaders should also be good communicators since the writer-editor relationship is essential. Make sure you can follow deadlines and adhere to the writer’s preferences. 

If you pay close attention to detail, you have the potential to be a great proofreader.

For example, you need to go over the text once for spelling errors, then another time for grammar errors. 

Another qualification for aspiring proofreaders is a thorough knowledge of word processors. You will use applications with change-tracking, collaborative, and other editorial programs.

Canada offers professional certificates for editors. These credentials are given to those who pass required exams like certified stylistic editor, structural editor, proofreader, and more. 

What are the Educational Requirements for Proofreaders?

Many clients do not require a related bachelor’s degree for proofreaders. All they need are skills you can get from online proofreading courses. Then, the employer will ask you to take a proofreading test demonstrating your competency.

But if you work for a large firm, they will usually require a degree in journalism, English, or communication. Other proofreaders become successful through their degrees in literature and creative writing. 

Critical jobs in proofreading often require more than a Bachelor’s degree. For example, if you handle legal documents and massive business proposals, you might need a background in law or business. Medical professionals also make great proofreaders for medical textbooks.

Every proofreading job description is different. Always read the company-specific responsibilities and qualifications to know what you will be dealing with once you get hired. 

But the most basic job of every proofreader is to catch spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Other jobs, such as plot, consistency, and sentence checking, are the job of the developmental editor and copy editor.

Is Proofreading a Good Side Hustle?

Yes, online proofreading is an excellent side hustle for students, professionals, and other individuals with good English skills. This type of job offers flexibility while giving you the chance to earn a considerable amount.

Proofreading is a creative way to make money from your home’s comfort. Make sure to accept adequate assignments, so you have enough time for your other tasks and jobs. And I definitely recommend investing in some good proofreading software to make your job easier.

How Much Do Online Proofreaders Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average money that proofreaders earn from their work is $21.48 per hour. This number depends on where you work and your qualifications. 

For instance, those in the newspaper and magazine industry often earn more than freelance proofreaders. You might also expect a lower salary if you’re a beginner-level proofreader. And that explains why you need to enroll in online proofreading courses!

Get an Online Proofreading Certification Now

I hope this list of the best proofreading courses inspires you to improve your skills and start your proofreading career. Some of these training courses are free, so there’s no excuse for you!

Make sure to pick a proofreading course that fits your level, career needs, and niche. Which online course are you trying first?