Writing in the Disciplines
These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across
These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to produce and refine various forms of writing for different audiences in different disciplines. In spring and summer 2022, we invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 15 institutions with stellar examples of writing in the disciplines. Colleges and universities that received 10 or more nominations are ranked here. Read the methodology »
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Brown University
Providence, RI
- #1 in Writing in the Disciplines
- #13 in National Universities (tie)
At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 80 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.
(fall 2021)
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
- #2 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #83 in National Universities (tie)
The University of Iowa offers top-notch academic programming in more than 100 areas. Students looking to hone their leadership skills have many options, too: They can enroll in the LeaderShape Institute, a six-day getaway workshop; or participate in one of the many programs offered through the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership, including arts and entertainment, and multicultural programs. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but about 95 percent choose to do so. Campus life may pose a challenge to tobacco users, as Iowa is a smoke-free campus. Students have more than 500 clubs and organizations from which to choose, and close to 10 percent of students go Greek as members of the school's more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Sports are another big focus of campus life; even in the competitive NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, the Iowa Hawkeyes are notorious players. Four blocks from campus is Iowa City, a Midwestern metropolis that has been recognized among the nation’s best for its scenery, greenery and sustainable energy efforts.
(out-of-state)
Yale University
New Haven, CT
- #3 in National Universities (tie)
Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.
Cornell University
- #4 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #17 in National Universities
Cornell University, a private school in Ithaca, New York, has 14 colleges and schools. Each admits its own students, though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. The university has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
- #6 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #6 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Carleton College is a private school in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carls, as its students are known, have about 35 majors to choose from and more than 170 organizations to check out.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
- #4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
About 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
- #8 in Writing in the Disciplines
- #2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Amherst College, a private school in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Because Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, students can also take courses at Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts—Amherst.
Duke University
- #9 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #10 in National Universities (tie)
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
- #1 in National Universities
The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.
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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.
College Info
Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .
The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria
You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.
To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)
In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:
- #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
- #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
- #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
- #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
- #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.
The Best Creative Writing Schools
Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.
#1: Northwestern University
Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).
Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.
#2: Columbia University
Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.
#3: University of Iowa
The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.
As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .
#4: Emory University
Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.
#5: Oberlin College
A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.
#6: Hamilton College
Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.
#7: Brown University
Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.
#8: Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.
#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.
Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.
#10: University of Michigan
University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school’s undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.
#11: Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.
#12: Colorado College
Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.
Bonus School: New York University
I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.
How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You
Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?
Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:
Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?
Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.
Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.
What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?
I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.
Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.
Who Will Be Teaching You?
Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).
If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.
What Are the Alumni Doing Now?
If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.
What About the Rest of the School?
Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.
Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.
What's Next?
Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.
For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .
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Creative Writing
Develop creative writing skills in multiple genres of interest including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more. This customizable program culminates in a capstone project in which students make significant progress on a polished collection of work. This certificate can be completed online or in the classroom.
This program is perfect for...
- Those new to writing who want to explore various genres while cultivating their skills
- Writers looking to hone their craft and develop a solid portfolio of work in a particular genre
- Writers considering graduate-level writing study, including those who wish to polish pieces for submission to MFA programs
- Individuals who want to become part of a vibrant and supportive community of artists who share their passion
What you can learn.
- Identify your creative writing goals and develop a plan to achieve them
- Deepen your practice within a chosen genre, or explore various forms of creative writing
- Discover techniques of powerful storytelling, craft compelling characters, and write memorable scenes and stories
- Receive guidance from successful writers and workshop in a group of supportive peers
Achieve results and reach your writing goals.
Whether you are new to writing, have a specific project you'd like to get off the ground, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Certificate in Creative Writing is an immersive program for developing professional writing skills.
Our fully customizable certificate honors each individual student’s journey, allowing you to pursue the coursework that is most meaningful to your specific writing goals and level of expertise.
The program offers the opportunity to specialize in genres like poetry, short stories, novel writing, essay writing, memoir writing, or to explore writing across genres, hybrid genres, and new forms without the limitation of a prescribed curriculum.
The only required course, the Creative Writing Certificate Capstone , allows you to compile and further refine your writing from prior coursework into a final portfolio representing the finest examples of your craft.
Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses in this certificate program can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both.
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MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction.
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The Certificate in Creative Writing is fully customizable. You may follow a Writers’ Program sample curriculum plan based on specific writing goals, or design your own program of study.
Students must complete 21 total units comprised of the 3-unit Creative Writing Certificate Capstone course and 18 units of 400-level Creative Writing coursework.
Sample Program Tracks:
Novel I WRITING X 411.1
Novel II WRITING X 411.2
Novel III WRITING X 411.3
Novel IV WRITING X 411.4
Novel V WRITING X 411.5
Dialogue and Point of View WRITING X 462.1
Creative Writing Certificate Capstone WRITING X 460
Personal Essay I WRITING X 422.1
Personal Essay II WRITING X 422.2
Personal Essay III WRITING X 422.3
Storytelling for Social Justice WRITING X 424.21E
Writing the Thinkpiece WRITING X 424.15E
The Art of Creative Research WRITING X 461.23
Poetry I WRITING X 431.1
Poetry II WRITING X 431.2
Poetry Toolbox WRITING X 432.10E
Prose Poetry WRITING X 432.11E
Reframing the Form WRITING X 432.7E
The "F" Word: Innovative Poetic Forms WRITING X 432.8E
Cuento Poems WRITING X 432.32E
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
Students must complete 18 units of elective coursework. Select from courses numbered WRITING X 400-499 in the following areas:
Students may select courses in the following area with advisor approval:
Editing and Publishing
How to Get Started
Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each course is paid for individually. You may take creative writing courses without committing to the program. However, establishing candidacy in the program allows you to receive a customized curriculum suited to your writing goals along with many benefits exclusive to our certificate students.
Exclusive benefits for Writers' Program certificate students:
- Receive a 30 minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor, who charts out certificate program curriculum based on your level of experience, interests, and writing goals.
- Receive advance notice of upcoming Writers’ Program courses and enroll before the general public each quarter.
- Receive preferential placement on wait lists.
- Within six months of the completion of certificate program coursework, receive 50% off a one-on-one manuscript consultation .
- Interact, network, and share writing tips with fellow certificate program students through the Writers’ Program Certificate Students private Facebook group.
Advanced standing at Antioch University*
Students who complete the Certificate in Creative Writing can receive Advanced Standing in Antioch University Los Angeles’s MFA in Creative Writing .
Advanced Standing allows a student to enter the MFA program with the equivalent of one semester completed. In addition, you may be eligible for Antioch’s fellowships and scholarships.
Additional benefits exclusive to UCLA Extension certificate students:
- Access to Handshake , UCLA Career Center’s online job board, with access to thousands of job and internship postings.
- Become a member of the UCLA Alumni Association (upon completing your certificate) and a nationwide network of Bruin family.
- Join us for the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate all your hard work.
- Get access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate.**
- Open an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card ** for a number of student-related benefits.
- Access to UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops and networking events.
How to Apply: New Students
- Click the Apply Now button below
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- Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
- On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application.
- Proceed to checkout and pay the nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application.
How to Apply: Fiction or Creative Nonfiction Certificate students enrolled prior to June 1, 2020
To start, please review the FAQ’s for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction certificate students .
- To transfer to the new Certificate in Creative Writing, please complete this form .
- To finish your original Fiction or Creative Nonfiction program, no action is necessary.
- Unsure which program better suits your writing goals? Our Student Affairs Officer, Carrie Truong can be reached at [email protected] .
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All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.
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*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.
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2023 Best Colleges for Creative Writing Undergrad Degrees
Creative Writing is a field where writers explore their imagination and express ideas through words. Creative Writing is an excellent degree for anyone interested in writing, regardless of whether your passion lies in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, or nonfiction. This flexibility is one reason why creative writing degrees have become very popular over the years.
If you're here, you're probably wondering what college you should attend for writing. We've compiled an excellent lineup below highlighting colleges that offer an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing, colleges that offer English majors with an Emphasis in Creative Writing, as well as minors, certificates, and a smattering of MFA program shoutouts.
About the Best Creative Writing Degree Programs
The best creative writing programs are those that have been around for a while and have established themselves as leaders in the field. They also tend to be highly selective, which means they only accept students who are genuinely passionate about writing.
These programs are usually led and taught by distinguished professionals like award-winning novelists, short story writers, journalists, and poets. And they typically have thriving writing centers and options for students to enter writing competitions and grow alongside one another within their community.
But there's also a degree of subjectivity to any "best" list. So we recommend reading through the schools and programs below and asking yourself some essential questions as you narrow your list.
Self-evaluate undergraduate writing programs:
- Does the Program Have the Courses You Want?
- What Will You Learn? Will that help you build a career?
- Who Will Be Teaching Those Classes?
- Would you Feel at Home on the College Campus?
Common Questions About Creative Writing Programs
Before we jump into our extensive list- we can't help it. We love writing, and there are a lot of great schools and programs out there- we want to answer a few common questions we hear.
Is Creative Writing a BA, BFA, or BS Degree?
Generally, a creative writing degree is a BA degree. But occasionally, we've seen a few BFAs. In addition, technical writing programs sometimes offer BS degrees.
What is the Best Creative Writing Degree?
The answer to this question is it depends. It depends on what you want to do with your skills and experiences when you graduate. As you read through our list, you'll see that some degrees and programs tailored toward poetry or prose, while others would set you up nicely for a career in nonfiction writing.
We recommend evaluating any program and college, as mentioned above, to make your decision on the best degree.
How Much Does a Creative Writing Degree Cost?
Like any other degree program, the cost of tuition will vary wildly depending on the institution, location, and how much financial aid you're eligible for.
Tuition and cost information is readily available across the internet, but what a student's family actually pays is based on a variety of factors. Cappex offers personalized tuition and cost estimations based on information like expected family contribution, location, and GPA. Click here to create a free Cappex account and learn how much you'd pay for a creative writing degree at these schools.
Best Colleges for a Creative Writing Undergraduate Degree
Now for our list of best undergraduate programs for creative writing.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Creative Writing and a Literary Publishing Track. You'll also be earning your degree in writing in a UNESCO City of Literature which hosts an annual Book Fest, as well as numerous other opportunities to get involved with the flourishing literary community in Iowa City.
Most widely known for the famous Iowa Writers' Workshop, it's less known that you don't have to be a graduate student to take advantage of the boatloads of experience in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Better yet, this is one of the few public universities on the list.
Northwestern University
Nestled within the English Department at Northwestern University , the Creative Writing Major is considered a concentration, but admission is very competitive. Students can study it as a major, minor, or sequence-only student. Benefits of majoring include one-on-ones with visiting writers, senior honors, and participation in the winter senior readings series.
Students can apply for admission no earlier than the spring semester of their sophomore year and must complete specific prerequisites to be considered. Accepted students will study with accomplished professors, and visiting writers from the Annual Writers' Festival held during the Evanston Literary Festival.
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York offers an undergraduate Creative Writing program that combines intensive workshops with seminars to produce works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction students can opt to major in a Single or Cross-Genre course of study. Students can also take workshops in dramatic writing and screenwriting.
The program is modeled after the graduate Writing Division of The School of the Arts, which offers a high-ranking MFA program. Any student may apply to join the program regardless of their major upon entering Columbia. Located in New York City, students also have the advantage of being close to the major publishing houses in the industry.
Emory University
Celebrating its 29th birthday this year, the Emory University undergraduate Creative Writing Program encourages students to approach the study of literature creatively, including through their own personal interests in specific genres such as poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting.
Every year, the Creative Writing Program sponsors the Creative Writing Reading Series, bringing four to six internationally renowned and prize-winning authors to Atlanta, GA, to discuss writing with Emory students.
Oberlin College
Oberlin College's department of Creative Writing offers the program as both a major and a minor. With 57 courses and nine associated faculty, students can fully explore fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. One of the standouts in this program versus others is the 5 Study Away program is the department collaborates with many Creative Writing programs that discourage students from heading abroad.
The program can be competitive, even once you've been accepted. Students must submit an application for all upper-level workshops with 12 pages of their best work. The students with the best applications will be rewarded with a seat in a classroom at the picturesque Peters Hall at this Ohio institution.
Hamilton College
Named for the now-famous-thanks-to-Lin-Manuel-Miranda Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton College's Literature and Creative Writing Department offers a creative writing curriculum that emphasizes small classes to go along with the development of superior reading and writing skills.
Students can take advantage of research opportunities in writing, as well, and apply for the college's Emerson Grants program. Located in Clinton, NY, Hamilton, students are just over four hours away from the publishing industry.
Stanford University
The Creative Writing Program at Stanford University was founded by Wallace Stegner, a noted writer, and environmentalist, in 1946. For students earning an undergraduate degree, Stanford offers a major in English with an Emphasis on Creative Writing. A minor in Creative Writing is also offered for students taking majors outside of English, featuring tracks in prose and poetry.
The Stegner Fellowship is a major offered by the Creative Writing Program, accepting five fiction and five poetry fellows per year. While there's no degree attached to this, it functions as a writer-in-residence opportunity and receives the guidance of Stanford faculty.
Brown University
The Literary Arts program at Brown University offers a concentration in Literary Arts within their English Department, but the primary focus is on MFA students. To complete the undergrad concentration, students need to take a mix of reading intensive and writing workshop classes. But as you'd expect from a liberal arts college with such a stellar reputation, an undergrad concentration in creative writing from Brown would be a worthwhile endeavor.
The University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh Writing Program is one of the oldest in the nation and offers three tracks for students to pursue: fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Each track has three levels of classes and is topped off with a senior seminar capstone experience.
Undergraduate students are eligible for four writing awards at the University of Pittsburgh and can also participate in events such as the Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series. The institution also features an MFA program.
The University of Miami
The University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences features a Bachelor's in English with a Creative Writing Concentration. In addition, students can opt for a Thesis or non-thesis track. Still, both routes feature courses with a multilingual aspect, whether it's an entirely different language or an English vernacular from other communities. UM's MFA program is the only nationwide program with a broad, multilingual focus.
Mangrove, a national undergraduate literary magazine, allows students to get hands-on learning, and they can also utilize USpeak, UM's open mic night, to read original work aloud.
Kenyon College
Located in Gabier, OH, and home to the Kenyon Review, Kenyon College features an English major with an Emphasis on Creative WritinIn addition, tenTen faculty members teach workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
While at Kenyon College, students can apply for internships with the Kenyon Review Student Associates Program, apply for the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop, submit to The Kenyon Collegian, and more. Students can also take advantage of the Kenyon-Exeter program to study abroad.
Brandeis University
Brandeis University also offers the whole enchilada: a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. It's been taught at Brandeis since 1951 and became its own major in 2003, with classes offered entirely by established writers.
Workshops have a maximum of 14 students, and the program is very active, with sponsored reading series', student awards, panel discussions, publishing workshops, and journal and performance opportunities.
Bucknell University
Home to the Stadler Center for Poetry and Literary Arts, Bucknell University 's Creative Writing major, housed in the English department, gets support both on and off campus. Students can take workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, participate in a lively reading series, internship opportunities, and garner knowledge from writers-in-residence.
Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, students study contemporary texts just three hours from the publishing capital, NYC.
Washington University in St. Louis
Students at Washington University in St. Louis can earn a Certificate in Creative Writing comprised of 16 units. Acceptance to the MFA program is highly competitive but comes with several perks.
UT-Austin offers a Certificate in Creative Writing and an Honors option addition, the The New Writers Project is a 3-year MFA program that offers concentrations in poetry and fiction.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins has a writing program that allows you to explore many different writing styles, including poetry, literature, and prose. But the program also weaves in philosophy, history, and music courses, including amusing-sounding classes like "Reintroduction to Writing: On Bullshit," and "Reintroduction to Writing: The Cost of Free Speech."
University of Michigan
When you join the creative writing program at the University of Michigan , you're walking in the same footsteps as well-known American writers such as Theodore Roethke, Arthur Miller, Marge Piercy, and Jane Kenyon.
According to their website, courses are designed to expose students to essential works from the past and innovative new works. In addition, the University of Michigan English Department is home to the Avery Hopwood Awards , one of the country's most famous student writing prizes. All students enrolled in writing courses are eligible to enter the contests.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia offers a fully-funded 2-year MFA program that is highly competitive — it only admits five poets and five fiction writers per year. However, through the English program, undergraduates can major in English and choose a concentration in poetry or literary prose. Going in the poetry direction allows writers to pursue serious study of the craft of poetry writing and poetics. In contrast, literary prose writing or literary prose allows English majors to specialize in the art of narrative writing.
Honorable Creative Writing Program Mentions:
University of Rochester: The Department of English offers a track in Creative Writing. Students must apply to a specific Creative Writing advisor and receive written approval to pursue the concentration.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: In the Comparative Media Studies department, students can major in Writing. MIT offers several different writing genres but has several unique classes in science writing in particular.
Colorado College: A track within the English major, students at Colorado College can complete 15 courses to get awarded the distinction of Creative Writing at graduation.
Colby College: The Creative Writing concentration at Colby College is provided for English majors. Students can earn an Honors designation, as well.
University of Texas-Austin: UT-Austin offers a Certificate in Creative Writing, as well as an Honors option. The New Writers Project is a 3-year MFA program that offers concentrations in poetry and fiction.
Paying for Your Creative Writing Degree
Now that you have a good idea of what's out there in terms of degree options, you'll want to be sure to connect with scholarship money and accurate degree program cost details. That's where Cappex comes in. Create a free Cappex account to compare costs and access scholarships and our $1,000 easy-apply scholarship we offer every month. There’s no essay or GPA required to apply. Click the button below to get started. Here’s to the easiest $1000 you'll earn for college!
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List of All U.S. Colleges with a Creative Writing Major
Writing has been my passion practically since I learned to read in kindergarten. I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars.
Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for success in numerous fields, whether you want to be an editor or a lawyer.
Interested in majoring in creative writing? Learn which schools offer the major and what to look for in a program.
Overview of the Creative Writing Major
Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you’ll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.
Most creative writing majors must participate in workshops, in which students present their work and listen to peer critiques, usually with a certain number of advanced courses in the mix. In some cases, colleges will ask you to specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting.
To succeed in creative writing, you’ll need to have a tough spine, in order to open yourself up to feedback from your classmates and instructors. You may need to give readings in public — if not as an undergraduate, certainly during your career. Of course, a passion for creating is essential, too, as is a willingness to revise your work and learn from the greats and your peers.
A creative writing major opens up doors to many careers, including journalism, content marketing, copywriting, teaching, and others. Even careers that don’t center around writing often have a strong writing component: you’ll need to write reports, deliver presentations, and so on.
Some writers go on to earn an MFA, which will help you hone your craft. It’s also often a prerequisite for teaching creative writing at the college level.
What to Look for in a College as a Creative Writing Major
Published authors on faculty.
Many world-renowned authors have another claim to fame: professorships. Writers who have taught their craft include (among many others):
- Maya Angelou (Wake Forest University)
- Colson Whitehead (many colleges, including Vassar College and Columbia University)
- Stephen Dixon (Johns Hopkins University)
- Viet Thanh Nguyen (University of Southern California)
- Eula Biss (Northwestern University)
- Toni Morrison (Princeton University)
Be aware that as an undergraduate, you may not be able to learn from the greats. That’s why it’s important to look into which courses these faculty teach before you have dreams of being mentored by Salman Rushdie — who is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at NYU.
Genres Offered
While many schools that have creative writing majors offer fiction and poetry courses and tracks, there are some niche genres that could be more difficult to find. If you’re interested in playwriting, for example, you won’t find that at every school. Before you decide on a program, be sure it includes the genres you’d like to explore further, whether that’s flash fiction, creative nonfiction, or something else.
Workshopping Opportunities
The core of most quality creative writing curriculum is workshopping. This means sharing your work in your classes and listening to your peers discuss and critique it. While this may sound intimidating, it can do a lot to help you hone your work and become a better writer. Look for colleges that make this the bedrock of their curriculum.
Showcasing Opportunities
Are there opportunities to present your work, such as college-sponsored readings where undergraduates can participate? Or, perhaps the school has a great literary journal. At my school, students could submit their plays and have them performed by fellow students.
Discover your chances at hundreds of schools
Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.
List of All U.S. Colleges With a Creative Writing Major
Notice a school that’s missing? Email us and let us know!
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
No matter what major you’re considering, the first step is ensuring you’re academically comparable to students who were previously accepted to the college or university. Most selective schools use the Academic Index to filter out applicants who aren’t up to their standards.
You’ll also want to demonstrate your fit with the school and specific major with the qualitative components of your application, like your extracurriculars and essays. For a prospective creative writing major, the essay is particularly important because this is a way to demonstrate your writing prowess. Activities might include editing your school’s newspaper or literary journal, publishing your work, and participating in pre-college writing workshops.
Want to know your chances of being accepted to top creative writing schools? Try our Chancing Engine (it’s free). Unlike other calculators, it takes your individual profile into account, including academic stats and qualitative components like your activities. Give it a try and get a jumpstart on your journey as a creative writing major!
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2023 Best Creative Writing Schools
College Factual reviewed 214 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of creative writing. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 6,817 degrees in creative writing during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
- Best Overall Creative Writing Schools List
Choosing a Great Creative Writing School
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Creative Writing Rankings by Degree Level
The creative writing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings , including this list of the Best Creative Writing Schools. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state .
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology .
Featured Creative Writing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Creative Writing & English
Develop your creativity and gain practical skills with a creative writing degree program –featuring 100% online classes – through a bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
MFA in Creative Writing - Online
Embrace your passion for storytelling and learn the professional writing skills you'll need to succeed with our online MFA in Creative Writing. Write your novel or short story collection while earning a certificate in the Online Teaching of Writing or Professional Writing, with no residency requirement.
MA in English & Creative Writing
Refine your writing skills and take a step toward furthering your career with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Best Schools for Creative Writing in the United States
The schools below may not offer all types of creative writing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools in Creative Writing
Every student who is interested in creative writing needs to check out Johns Hopkins University. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.
There were approximately 84 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.
Any student who is interested in creative writing has to look into Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Pittsburgh. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.
There were approximately 18 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.
Every student who is interested in creative writing needs to check out University of Chicago. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were roughly 36 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.
Every student pursuing a degree in creative writing has to take a look at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. Pitt is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 9th out of 117 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.
There were roughly 125 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent data year.
Brown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Providence. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.
There were roughly 35 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year.
Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were about 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.
Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.
There were approximately 134 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.
Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.
There were approximately 7 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year.
Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
There were about 45 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.
UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.
There were roughly 58 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.
Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were approximately 55 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.
Wellesley is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Wellesley. This college ranks 9th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were roughly 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley in the most recent data year.
Iowa State is a very large public university located in the city of Ames. This university ranks 1st out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were about 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.
Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were roughly 54 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.
Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.
There were roughly 43 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year.
Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were about 18 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available.
Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were roughly 19 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available.
WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #24 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.
There were about 30 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available.
UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 1st out of 55 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were about 9 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.
Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 143 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent data year.
Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were about 46 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.
Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 65 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were approximately 45 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.
UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Austin. This university ranks 2nd out of 116 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were roughly 86 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.
Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.
There were about 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year.
Oberlin is a small private not-for-profit college located in the fringe town of Oberlin. This college ranks 4th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were roughly 24 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin in the most recent year we have data available.
Rest of the Top Best Creative Writing Schools
Related Programs
Learn about other programs related to Creative Writing that might interest you.
Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction
Harness your passion for storytelling with SNHU's Mountainview Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction. In this small, two-year creative writing program, students work one-on-one with our distinguished faculty remotely for most of the semester but convene for weeklong intensive residencies in June and January. At residencies, students critique each other's work face-to-face, meet with major authors, agents and editors and learn how to teach at the college level.
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Creative Writing Schools award.
Creative Writing by Region
View the Best Creative Writing Schools for a specific region near you.
Other Rankings
Associate degrees in creative writing, master's degrees in creative writing, bachelor's degrees in creative writing, doctor's degrees in creative writing.
View All Rankings >
Rankings in Majors Related to Creative Writing
One of 4 majors within the Writing Studies area of study, Creative Writing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Creative Writing
View All Creative Writing Related Majors >
Notes and References
- The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO .
More about our data sources and methodologies .
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Best 20 Creative Writing Programs in 2023
February 28, 2023 | bestvalue
Creative writing programs are not just for those who have a dream of writing a bestseller book in the future. This specialized degree can help marketing executives write more compelling content, budding entrepreneurs learn the art of writing business plans and proposals, and journalists become more intriguing storytellers. Whatever your writing dream is, this may be the perfect degree to help you reach your career goals.
Below is a list of the top 20 schools that offer Creative Writing degrees.
The university of wisconsin.
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Graduation Rate: 85%
The University of Wisconsin is a land-grant that was formed in 1848. Since this institution first opened its doors there have been 41 Pulitzer Prize winners to earn their degrees from UW-Madison, $1.2 billion in annual research expenditures, and has been the birthplace of a wide range of ideas and concepts that have changed the world. Creative writing degrees are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level, while also providing creative writing-related events to help students strengthen their writing skills.
Stony Brook University
- Stony Brook, New York
- Graduation Rate: 72%
Stony Brook University has received high ratings for being in the top 1% of universities in the world, one of the top 15 best value colleges in America, and one of the top 40 public universities. This large college is located in Brookhaven, New York, and offers an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing as well as an MFA at its Southampton campus. Ten writing workshops, two literature courses, four “Capstone Cluster” courses, and a full year of individual thesis advising are included in the curriculum for this specialized degree.
University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Graduation Rate: 78%
With over 50,000 students, 485,000 living alumni, and 20,000 faculty and staff, The University of Minnesota is a large university that has plenty of connections and networking opportunities. It was first founded in 1851 and has been the college of choice for former U.S. vice presidents, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, inventors, journalists, and several other alumni who went on to make a difference in the world.
They offer a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing that provides advanced graduate-level coursework in writing, language, literature, as well as studies in a related field. During their third year, students focus on the final development of a book-length manuscript suitable for publication, as well as the MFA essay and the MFA thesis defense.
Boise State University
- Boise, Idaho
Boise State University is a large public college that has more than 200-degree programs to choose from, including one in creative writing. The program can be taken at an undergraduate or graduate level and is taught by award-winning faculty who have written best-selling novels, as well as receiving awards and grants, including the O. Henry Award.
University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Graduation Rate: 44%
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredited institution that has been ranked as #167 of 1,605 Best Colleges in America, #168 of 676 Top Public Universities in America, and #528 of 1,572 Best Value Colleges in America. The Creative Writing program at this college is an undergraduate degree that focuses on creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry, and screenwriting.
Rowan University
- Glassboro, New Jersey
- Graduation Rate: 70%
Located in Glassboro, New Jersey, Rowan University is a large institution with more than 14,000 undergraduate students enrolled. To obtain a creative writing degree, it can be taken as a minor or as a graduate certificate. It is perfect for those students majoring in Writing Arts and would like to get a more well-rounded education by including a Creative Writing minor. Students are expected to complete 18 hours of coursework.
George Mason University
- Fairfax, Virginia
- Graduation Rate: 69%
George Mason University is a large university with over 35,000 students enrolled. This Virginia-based school prides itself on being an innovative, comprehensive, research university that has given students the freedom to learn at their own pace. The Creative Writing program is available to both undergraduates and graduates, as well as having several areas of concentration, including fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
Georgia State University
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Graduation Rate: 52%
With 6 campuses, 11 colleges and schools, more than 54,000 students from over 167 countries, and 84 research centers, Georgia State University is a large college with many educational opportunities. The university has also been recognized nationally and internationally, being ranked as the third most innovative university in America, the 8th most ethnically diverse universe in the U.S., and the 9th in the nation for advancing social mobility.
Bemidji State University
- Bemidji, Minnesota
- Graduation Rate: 45%
Bemidji State University is a small college, with only 3,289 undergraduate students enrolled. It is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and first became recognized as Bemidji State University in 1975. A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative and Professional Writing is offered, making it one of only 15 BFAs in writing in the United States.
Rockhurst University
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Graduation Rate: 71%
Rockhurst University is a private, Catholic university that can be found in Kansas City, Missouri. This college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a member of the North Central Association, and has been recognized as the fourth among Missouri colleges and universities for return on investment. The Writing Track offers a few different writing specialties, including creative writing.
University of Chicago
- Chicago, Illinois
- Graduation Rate: 94%
The University of Chicago is a private university that was founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1890. The campus is located on 217 acres along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Many scholars have come out of this institution and have gone on to do wonderful things for the community and world, including 92 Nobel laureates. Students who have decided to major in Creative Writing are expected to complete 13 credits and theses to graduate, while also providing students with an in-depth understanding of literature and writing through workshops, courses, and seminars.
Oakland University
- Rochester, Michigan
- Graduation Rate: 46%
Located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Oakland University is a large institution with more than 12,000 students. It has been ranked #228 out of 1,408 for Best College Campuses in America and #171 out of 549 for Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America. The Creative Writing program is divided into three areas of focus: community engagement and professionalism, mentorship, and teaching. Internships are also available with this program.
Loyola University Maryland
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Graduation Rate: 83%
Beginning in the year 1852, Loyola University Maryland was founded by the Society of Jesus in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, this private, Catholic university describes itself as rigorous, values-oriented, communal, and spiritually uplifting. Loyola University Maryland has been ranked #18 of 164 schools for Best Catholic Colleges in America and #71 of 1,674 colleges for Most Conservative Colleges in America.
University of Tulsa
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
Founded in 1894, the University of Tulsa is a private, Christian college that sits on 200 acres, has 348 faculty members, and 4,412 students. A Creative Writing Program is available at the Kendall College of Arts and Sciences, where students are required to complete 33 credits that will help budding writers become poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, or performance-based writers.
Youngstown State University
- Youngstown, Ohio
- Graduation Rate: 29%
Youngstown State University is a mid-sized, public university that can be found in Youngstown, Ohio. Although there are almost 13,000 students enrolled in this institution, class sizes remain small with an average of 21 students per class. A Master’s Degree in Creative Writing is available and requires 48 credit hours to graduate. Workshops and seminars, diverse faculty, internships, assistantships, and conferences are all to be expected while enrolled in this program.
Black Hills State University
- Spearfish, South Dakota
- Graduation Rate: 38%
The liberal arts college known as Black Hills State University brings a love of the outdoors to many of the courses, as well as having the space to offer students educational opportunities that wouldn’t have been available at other schools. It has been ranked as #396 of 1,336 for being one of the Safest College Campuses in America and #354 of 1,674 for being the Most Conservative College in America.
University of Alaska Anchorage
- Anchorage, Alaska
The University of Alaska Anchorage is the state’s largest university because its campus is combined with Kenai Peninsula College, Matanuska-Susitna College, Kodiak College, and Prince William Sound College. There is a lot of activity on this campus for students, including over 100 clubs they can be a part of. The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing requires 45 credits and is expected to take three years to complete. A summer residency program is also available that will allow students to gain a deeper knowledge of writing techniques in several genres.
Hamline University
- Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Graduation Rate: 59%
Hamline University is a private, Christian university that was founded in 1854 and was located in Red Wing, making it the first university in Minnesota. By 1880, the institution was moved to St. Paul and continues to grow with over 50 areas of study for students to choose from. Three fine arts programs in creative writing are available, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Queens University of Charlotte
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Graduation Rate: 53%
With only 770 graduate students, Queens University of Charlotte is a small, private university that has 10 graduate programs to choose from. The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing will allow students to hone in on their creative and storytelling skills. The program begins with one of two residency options: a seven-day on-campus residency or an international residency. Once that is completed, a semester will be spent learning from home through online courses.
Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, Kentucky
- Graduation Rate: 37%
Northern Kentucky University is a mid-size public university that can be found in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Creative writing is a disciplinary track in the English degree program as well as a minor, requiring at least 21 credits. The minor is an excellent option for those students who want to improve their writing skills while focusing on a separate major. Graduates have gone on to prestigious MFA programs and have found publication in all genres: poetry, fiction/novels, and creative nonfiction. They also offer study abroad programs such as Harry Potter in England and Creative Writing in Ireland. Students can go on to do graduate-level creative writing coursework to earn a Master of Arts in English or a certificate.
How the Schools are Ranked
All of the schools are ranked using a point system. Once we have done our research to find the best colleges that offer writing programs, the institutions are entered into a spreadsheet. The next pieces of data we compile are the annual tuition costs and graduation rates. The tuition costs are awarded between 1 and 20 points, 20 being given to the school with the lowest cost. We follow this same formula with the graduation rate, awarding the most points to the highest graduation rate. With this information, we then take the average of the points for the tuition costs and graduation rates for each university.
For more programs check out our Master’s in creative writing page.
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25 Best Colleges for Writing 2020
These are the best 25 colleges that offer a Bachelor's Degree in Writing, based on median salary one year after graduation. The school with the highest median salary for this degree is Carnegie Mellon University, at $44,000. Utah State University offers the lowest median debt on the list, at $11,000. Median salaries for the top 25 schools range from $29,900-$44,000.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools .
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2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Bachelor's in Writing degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
Carnegie Mellon University
With over 100 years of history, Carnegie Mellon University's English department is inspired by tradition and innovation and offers bachelor's degree programs in Creative Writing, Professional Writing, and Technical Writing & Communication.
The Bachelor's in Creative Writing program will help develop students' skills in writing fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction. In addition, students can expect to sharpen their critical and verbal skills by reading a wide range of genres. The program offers courses in writing and reading fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting, as well as creative writing workshops. A variety of writing internships and extracurricular writing activities will help students prepare for professional careers in teaching, publishing, public relations, advertising, TV and film, freelance writing, and editing.
By blending a rigorous study in rhetoric, argument, genre studies, and plain-language skills, the Bachelor's in Professional Writing program will put the audience and purpose at the center of communication strategies. Courses include a survey of forms such as fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting, as well as courses in professional and technical writing, argument, and various rhetoric and language options. Professional Writing Program students can expect personal advising support through internships and research experiences. Positions in writing, communications, and information design are just a few of the career paths that students in the program go on to pursue.
There are two distinct tracks for the Bachelor's in Technical Writing & Communication - one in Technical Communication and one in Scientific and Medical Communication. Both concentrations have a shared set of prerequisites in math, statistics, and computer programming, and both have foundational courses in print and online communications. In either track, students will learn the technical and communication skills needed to analyze and solve complex communication problems, as well as the fundamentals of visual, verbal, and on-line communication.
Carnegie Mellon's English Department offers 14 academic programs, from Freshman Writing to Doctoral Research. Courses are defined by an intimate student to teacher ratio of 12:1, opportunities for writing, editing, and publishing outside of the classroom, and personalized advising and faculty mentorship.
Visit Carnegie Mellon University's website .
Arizona State University
At Arizona State University's English program in Tempe, AZ, students are able to choose between two undergraduate writing programs - Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing) and Bachelor of Arts in English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies).
Students in the Bachelor's of English (Creative Writing) program study and practice the art of writing poetry and fiction and gain practical experience through research and internships. The undergraduate program offers fundamental courses such as English composition, creative writing workshops, critical reading and writing, and Humanities, in order to prepare students for a variety of careers and to continue their studies in graduate and professional programs. Employers are always looking for individuals with strong skills in writing, communication, and the ability to think critically. English majors commonly go on to work in professional fields like business, editing, journalism, professional writing, publishing, and web content development.
The Bachelor's of English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies) program emphasizes rhetoric and literacy and teaches students strategies for inquiry. The main core classes of this concentration are in English composition, critical reading and writing, rhetoric and literacy, rhetorical theory, and the humanities. Studying the constructs of communication as well as how it is circulated, reacted to, and repurposed through time and place, provides a fundamental core for careers in business, private companies, government, nonprofit organizations, and anywhere where critical inquiry, innovative thinking, and decision-making is valued. The program prepares students for a future in teaching, law, and other fields.
Students can pursue BA writing degrees in English, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Science, which has the largest collection of academic majors for undergraduate studies at Arizona State University.
Visit Arizona State University's website .
Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers two bachelor's degrees in writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Professional & Public Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing, which enable students to become innovative, strategic, and expressive writers who are able to work in a variety of digital environments and workplaces.
The Bachelor’s in Professional & Public Writing degree prepares students to work in a variety of career tracks by providing fundamental courses such as digital and technical writing, editing and publishing, managing communication, and writing for community and nonprofit organizations. Graduates pursue careers as copyeditors, web developers, communications managers, public affairs officers, and many more.
Michigan State University’s creative writing concentration lets students explore creative writing in multiple genres as well as providing a literary studies foundation. While students will graduate with a Bachelor’s in English, their creative writing commitment will be noted on their diplomas. The creative writing concentration allows students to choose a genre for their senior thesis based on what they have created in the last year – the study of poems, stories, a novel or screenplay in addition to internships in writing and editing.
Michigan State University offers small classes, individualized attention, and personalized programs of study.
Visit Michigan State University's website .
George Mason University
George Mason University is home to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which is one of only 30 BFAs in creating writing available nationwide. The university also has a Bachelor of Arts in English degree, which includes seven concentrations and is designed to meet student’s individualized interests and career goals.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree offers three concentrations – fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Students will learn to write and think creatively as well as develop vocational writing skills. On-site workplace internships in writing-intensive environments are highly encouraged, and students will submit a portfolio of their work as part of their final semester project.
Students pursuing a Bachelor’s in English will learn to read critically and write purposefully. In addition to reading traditional text, students use technologies such as blogs, multimedia production, etc. English majors use their skills in written communication, research, critical thinking, and creativity to be well prepared for careers in teaching, journalism, creative writing, and more.
George Mason University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences hosts both the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Bachelor of Arts in English. The college has more than 400 distinguished faculty members, including recipients of the Pulitzer Prize and Guggenheim Fellowship.
Visit George Mason University's website .
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
For over 150 years, the College of Liberal Arts has supported the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities’ three-fold mission: intellectual freedom, the pursuit of new knowledge, and a belief that liberal arts are the foundation of academic learning. With this foundation, the university offers a Bachelor of Arts in English degree with a concentration in creative writing and a Bachelor of Science in Technical Writing & Communication.
Students in the English program will study courses such as literature and other forms of verbal expression, critical theory, creative writing, poetry, and fiction. Those who select English as their major will write extensively and learn effective oral and written communication. In addition, students will be engaged in a civic-oriented curriculum that teaches critical skills in reading and writing in the context of community involvement.
Communicating complex information to specific audiences with clarity and accuracy is the focus of technical writing and communication. Students pursuing a Bachelor’s in Technical Writing & Communication will learn skills in writing, organizing, and editing that are used in careers in business, health, technology, science, and more. Because technical communication is a broad field, students are able to choose sub-plans in the degree including Information Technology and Design, Biological and Health Services, Legal Discourse and Public Policy, and Environmental Science.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities College of Liberal Arts’ vision for students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and friends is "Readiness, Research, Diversity, and Engagement."
Visit University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' website
Best Creative Writing Programs
Updated August 12, 2022
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Best creative writing programs in the world.
A creative writing program gives students expert guidance in sharpening their artistic talents. Bachelor's programs teach the basics, while master of fine arts (MFA) and master of arts (MA) in creative writing programs train students advanced skills in story structure, research, and literary devices. This knowledge helps learners excel in writing-related positions.
Writers can work in any industry that relies on written communication. Graduates with creative writing degrees may work in roles like grant writer, author, journalist, scriptwriter, and public relations specialist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 61% of writers and authors are self-employed.
This guide ranks the best MFA in creative writing programs in the country. This page also covers important information for prospective students, such as common courses and potential careers and salaries for graduates.
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The best creative writing programs.
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Gainesville, FL
One of the nation's oldest creative writing programs, UF's master of fine arts in creative writing teaches students about literature and the writing craft. The full-time, international faculty includes novelists, poets, and translators.
The 54-credit, three-year program's requirements include four workshops, three seminars, and a thesis study. Courses focus on topics such as Analyzing Propaganda, Expository and Argumentative Writing, and Writing in the Health Professions.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit official undergraduate/graduate transcripts, references, and a writing sample.
Orlando, FL
UCF's bachelor of arts in creative writing trains students to become expert communicators, instilling a deep appreciation of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction works. Program graduates qualify for careers in teaching, writing, publishing, or journalism.
Offered both on-campus and online, the program includes general education, cultural foundations, literature courses, and writing classes. Electives include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writing workshops.
First-time high school graduates must submit official transcripts with a minimum 3.0 GPA and SAT and/or ACT scores. Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts with a 2.0 minimum GPA.
Tallahassee, FL
FSU's creative writing program trains students for academia and publishing careers. Award-winning faculty teach the program as part of FSU's bachelor of arts in English degree.
Studies include an advanced writing workshop (which provides training in article, fiction, poetry, and essay writing), pre-1900 British Literature, and literature electives. Students must also demonstrate foreign language proficiency and complete a minor or secondary major in another department.
High school graduates/first-year students may apply by submitting official transcripts and ACT/SAT scores. Essays and are highly recommended but not required. Transfer students must submit transcripts with a minimum 2.0 calculated GPA.
UT's master of fine arts in writing accepts only 12 students and offers full funding to every writer. Taught through the university's Michener Center for Writers, the three-year fellowship program includes workshops and courses, flexible electives, and a thesis in the student's primary field of concentration. Michener students focus on workshops in their primary writing fields, along with secondary studies and electives.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit transcripts, three recommendation letters, a purpose statement, and writing samples. Michener does not require GRE scores.
BYU's master of fine arts in creative writing prepares graduates for teaching and training. Taught by award-winning faculty, the two-year program includes a two-day writing retreat and travel funding to writers' conferences. Graduates qualify for publishing and presentation careers. The 32-credit degree requirements include writing workshops, literature seminars, an optional internship, and a thesis.
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in English (or equivalent), have studied an upper-level literary criticism course, and submit academic and creative writing samples, a statement of intent, and recommendation letters.
Seattle, WA
UW's master of fine arts in creative writing offers emphases in poetry or prose. The program admits 10 to 12 students each year, allowing close associations to develop between peers and faculty. Funding includes a tuition waiver, health insurance, and monthly stipend.
In addition to workshops and critical theory courses, the 55-credit two-year program requires a creative manuscript and critical essay thesis and an oral presentation.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Submission requirements include college/university transcripts, a statement of purpose, critical and creative writing samples, and three recommendation letters.
ASU's master of fine arts in creative writing emphasizes community outreach and one-on-one mentoring, allowing poets and fiction writers to collaborate with award-winning faculty. The school also offers access to professional and developmental opportunities in the publishing field.
The 48-credit program requirements include classes divided between writing and literature courses, a written exam, an applied project.
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably with a concentration in English or creative writing (sometimes waived for writing excellence). Submission requirements include official transcripts (minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA), a purpose statement, resume, recommendation letters, and a creative manuscript.
USF's master of fine arts in creative writing offers small classes, dedicated faculty, and a supportive atmosphere. The program, one of only a few to offer creative writing pedagogy training, accepts approximately nine students annually. Students receive tuition waivers, teaching assistantships, and health insurance.
The 45-credit program consists of writing workshops, craft seminars, pedagogy classes, and literature courses, with a thesis requirement.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in English or a related field with a 3.2 minimum GPA. Submission requirements include recommendation letters (former English instructors preferred), a writing sample, and a personal statement.
Champaign, IL
U of I's bachelor of arts in English with a creative writing major offers a flexible program that develops students' analytical, editorial, and creative skills. One of the oldest programs of its kind in the country, the degree prepares participants for various careers or graduate study paths.
The curriculum combines small writing workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, with literature courses. Students also publish an annual journal of work alongside studies such as history and culture and Shakespeare.
First-year applicants must hold a high school diploma and submit transcripts and an essay. Transfer applicants must submit transcripts from previously attended colleges or universities (minimum 2.7 GPA ). SAT and ACT scores are considered if submitted.
Taught through FIU's College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, the master of fine arts in creative writing provides the practicing writer with skills to meet professional standards and expectations. The program offers small seminars, in-depth mentoring and an award-winning, dedicated faculty.
Courses include workshops, and poetry, writing, and literature classes. Requirements include completion of a publishable, book-length creative thesis.
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution (3.0 minimum GPA), with nine semester hours of creative writing. Submission requirements include a transcript, letter of intent, writing sample, and recommendation letters.
Charlottesville, VA
UVA's master of fine arts in creative writing provides students with a diverse and creative writing faculty. The two-year graduate program accepts 10 funded students a year. Many graduates land book contracts, while others qualify for literary jobs.
The 48-credit degree requirements includes a fine arts workshop, literature, and form and theory courses. Students must also complete and defend a thesis and take a one-hour oral exam.
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Submission requirements consist of recommendation letters, writing samples, and a statement of purpose.
Kirksville, MO
Truman's bachelor of fine arts with a creative writing major prepares students through a rigorous program, training them to become skilled speakers, writers, and communicators.
The 120-credit undergraduate program divides curriculum between major requirements (including a capstone), writing workshops, literature and theory classes, and literary genre courses. The application requirement can consist of a career seminar, research project, or internship.
First-time students must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores with preference given to those with 16 units in Truman-recommended subjects. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from previous colleges attended, and an admission essay.
Madison, WI
UW's master of fine arts in creative writing program emphasizes fiction and poetry. The six students admitted each year receive funding, and the opportunity to study various writing genres. MFAs also interact with a vibrant writing community, including the school's Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellows.
The 42-credit program consists of writing workshops and pedagogy, elective courses, and a thesis requirement.
Fiction writers and poets are admitted in alternating years. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and submit a transcript, three references, a resume, writing sample, and statement of intent.
Iowa State's three-year master of fine arts in creative writing and environment encourages writers to hone their writing skills through creative writing workshops, literature coursework, and one-on-one work with a mentor.
The 54-credit program also includes interdisciplinary courses and field experience outside of the English department, allowing students to pursue fields relevant to writing projects. Students also complete a thesis.
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (3.0 minimum GPA). Submission requirements consist of recommendation letters, a CV or resume, statement of purpose and writing samples.
Ann Arbor, MI
Students involved with U-M's bachelor of arts in English with a creative writing sub-concentration program learn from a faculty comprising award-winning novelists, short-story writers, and poets.
English majors must apply to the creative writing sub-concentration and fulfill Creative Writing and Introduction to Literary Studies prerequisites. Studies focus on American literature, poetry, and fiction, and a required senior creative writing tutorial.
High-school graduates and first-year students must submit school records, a teacher evaluation, and SAT or ACT scores. Transfer applicants must submit high school records, and official transcripts from post-secondary institutions; SAT or ACT scores may be required.
Raleigh, NC
NC State's master of fine arts in creative writing allows students to work with award-winning poets and writers to help hone their craft. The two-year, fully funded program offers participants the opportunity to apprentice under master writers, leading them to become master writers themselves.
The 36-credit program features workshops, and interdisciplinary coursework in literature and advisor-approved free electives, with a final thesis required.
Applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions, recommendation letters, personal statements, three references, and creative and critical writing samples.
Fayetteville, AR
Established in 1966, U of A's master of fine arts in creative writing degree offers a preeminent training ground for writers, with degree tracks in poetry, fiction, and literary translation. The school admits up to five students in each genre.
The 60-credit curriculum combines workshops and coursework in craft and literary studies, allowing students to develop their own voices while understanding great writers and their works.
Applicants must submit a genre-specific creative writing sample, a critical writing sample, statement of purpose, college transcripts, recommendation letters, GRE scores, and a teaching statement.
Milledgeville, GA
The master of fine arts in creative writing at Georgia College provides a fully funded, three-year educational opportunity that focuses on thesis work in the final two years. The award-winning faculty works closely with students, both as teachers and professional mentors.
The 42-credit program offers fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry workshops, requiring students to take cross-genre workshops. Offering an annual Visiting Writers series, the degree also requires journal design and editing courses and a thesis.
Applicants must submit transcripts from previous institutions attended, three recommendation letters, genre writing samples, a statement of purpose, and a resume.
Notre Dame, IN
The ND master of fine arts in creative writing program combines a work focus with engaged pedagogy. The two-year degree emphasizes learning through community, craft, reflection, and teaching.
Requirements for the 36-credit degree consist of workshops, literature studies, a thesis (full-length manuscript), and at least one outside elective. Practicum classes include literary publishing and teaching creative writing.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Submission requirements consist of GRE test scores, a writing sample, statement of intent, recommendation letters, and transcripts.
College Park, MD
The fully funded, UMD master of fine arts in creative writing combines creative and scholarly work with undergraduate teaching and professional opportunities. The program develops and mentors the next generation of poets and fiction writers.
The core curriculum focuses on teaching writing and thesis completion, combined with literary, linguistic, and culture courses, one-on-one mentoring, and personal attention from an award-winning faculty.
Submission requirements consist of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, recommendation letters, a statement of goals, and a creative writing sample.
Online Creative Writing Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Degree?
The best MFA in creative writing programs often include specializations, such as nonfiction, television, or poetry, which allow students to tailor the degree to their interests and career goals. Nonfiction students, for instance, explore memoir and biography writing, while poetry degree-seekers learn about diction and meter.
Creative writing degrees often require students to complete writing projects and receive feedback from professors and peers. These critiques help candidates develop and improve their writing styles.
Choosing a Program
Prospective students should consider factors like cost, transfer policies, and on-campus requirements when researching the best MFA in creative writing programs. Below, we explore these considerations for prospective students.
- Program Cost: Students should make sure school costs, like tuition and fees, fit into their budgets. Choosing a program that's within your budget can lead to fewer student loans and a more comfortable learning experience. Typically, in-state students at public schools pay the lowest tuition rates, though some schools offer in-state tuition for all online students regardless of residency.
- Transfer Policies: Degree-seekers with related experience should consider MFA programs that accept transfer credits. Schools may offer transfer credits for prior coursework or professional experience, which can reduce the length and cost of a degree.
- School Size and Type: A school's size and type affects the learning experience. For instance, small schools typically offer more personalized attention from faculty but fewer program options than larger schools.
- Program Length: The length of a program varies with credit requirements, enrollment status, and learning format. Students should choose a program with a timeline that's aligned with their needs and goals.
- On-Campus Requirements: Some online programs have on-campus requirements, like orientations or seminars, or even whole classes. Students should ensure they can meet all on-campus requirements before committing to a program.
- Thesis, Fellowship, and Work Requirements: MFA in creative writing programs often have thesis, work, or capstone requirements that need significant time investments. Prospective learners should choose a program with requirements that align with their goals and interests.
What Else Can I Expect From a Creative Writing Program?
Creative writing curricula vary by program and often include specializations. Required classes can also vary by degree type, with MFA in creative writing programs focusing heavily on practical writing courses and MA programs focusing more on literature reviews and critiques. These degrees also lead to different careers; for example, an MA prepares students for teaching careers, while an MFA prepares students to work as authors.
The following sections outline common courses found in these programs and factors that can affect the length of a creative writing degree.
Online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Curriculum
In this course, learners study poetic elements and tools, like rhyme, rhythm, and metaphor. Students learn how to analyze poems for meaning and complete original works that help them develop their writing styles. Students may also learn about the characteristics of different poetry types, such as sonnets and haikus.
Book Publishing
his course covers various aspects of the publishing industry, including traditional publishing and self-publishing. Students explore legal, technical, and economic publishing factors and learn to build marketing plans and edit book drafts. Students may also learn how to write query letters and book proposals for publishers.
Contemporary World Literature
Students in this class learn about literary movements in modern history, such as postmodernism and magic realism. They also analyze pieces for meaning while considering how factors like gender can impact interpretation. This course may also address how writing genres have developed over time.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Creative Writing Program?
Full-time students often complete MFA programs within two years, but many factors can alter the length of a degree. For example, some schools may offer courses in eight- or 10-week terms rather than traditional 16-week terms. This format often allows students to expedite graduation.
Additionally, creative writing degrees with more credit requirements typically take longer to complete. However, some programs permit students to take course loads that exceed full-time, which can expedite graduation times.
Fully online programs may use synchronous or asynchronous formats for coursework. Synchronous courses require students to log on at set meeting times, while asynchronous courses let students complete coursework at their convenience within set deadlines. Often, the flexibility of asynchronous programs allows students to graduate faster than they would in synchronous programs.
Creative Writing Careers
MFA programs prepare students to write and edit for various industries and media. For instance, graduates may report news as newspaper journalists or create stories as science fiction authors. They may also write press releases, speeches, or how-to manuals for careers in public relations, politics, or computer science . Any organization that uses written communication can benefit from hiring employees with creative writing degrees.
Professional options for graduates also go beyond writing careers. For instance, master's program graduates may work as higher education teachers. However, many schools require professors to hold a doctoral degree. MFA programs provide a solid foundation for doctoral programs.
Writers may write nonfiction or fiction pieces for different purposes and industries. For instance, they may write advertisements for companies, publish recipes on a blog, or write fictional stories for books and movies. Writers often need to conduct research for topic accuracy and must be able to shape written pieces to fit client needs. Professional writers may work for one company or they may freelance for several organizations. Ideal traits for writers include creativity and flexibility. Writers should also be detail-oriented and excel at time management.
Median Annual Salary
Projected Growth Rate
College Professors
College professors teach classes for postsecondary students. Their responsibilities include building syllabi, delivering lectures, and administering and grading coursework. Professors may also suggest textbooks or curriculum changes in their departments to increase program quality. Other responsibilities may include conducting and publishing research, helping students choose courses, and attending field conferences. They must excel in written and oral communication and be comfortable working with technology.
Editors review documents to ensure factual accuracy, grammar, clarity, and structure. Editors may also make publication and layout choices for companies or offer authors brainstorming guidance. They may work full time in magazine, newspaper, book, or blog publishing or they may freelance with several companies. Typically, organizations require editors to hold a related degree for full-time employment. Editors need strong written communication, organizational, and time management skills.
Journalists
Journalists write news pieces for newspapers, blogs, and television reports. They often conduct their own research, interview witnesses or experts, brainstorm story ideas, and pitch stories to their managers for approval. Journalists often follow stories for weeks or months to provide updates, and they must ensure pieces adhere to their publisher's standards. They typically need a related degree, like creative writing or journalism, and strong research, writing, and editing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with a master's in creative writing.
Graduates with a creative writing degree can pursue nonfiction and fiction writing careers in various industries. They can also teach writing concepts to higher education students or pursue careers in journalism or business.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's Degree in Creative Writing?
Program duration varies based on transfer policies, course structure, and credit requirements. In general, though, candidates can earn an MFA in creative writing with about two years of full-time study.
Is a Master's Degree in Creative Writing Worth It?
Many writing and editing careers only call for a bachelor's. However, a master's verifies advanced knowledge and skills and provides opportunities for networking, which can increase career opportunities. Additionally, college writing professors need at least a master's degree .
What's the Difference Between a Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts?
An MFA focuses more on practical applications than an MA. Specifically, creative writing MFA programs include more writing-intensive courses, while MA programs focus more on literature reviews and assessments of other writers' work.
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Best Creative Writing colleges in Florida 2023
Best creative writing colleges in florida for 2023.
University of Miami offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 18 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 13 Bachelor's degrees, and 5 Master's degrees.
Florida State University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 4 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 4 Master's degrees.
University of Florida offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 9 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 9 Master's degrees.
University of South Florida offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 8 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 8 Master's degrees.
University of Central Florida offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 14 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 14 Master's degrees.
Florida Atlantic University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 8 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 8 Master's degrees.
Florida International University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 5 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 5 Master's degrees.
The University of Tampa offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 17 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 17 Master's degrees.
Stetson University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 10 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 10 Master's degrees.
Eckerd College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 9 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 9 Bachelor's degrees.
List of all Creative Writing colleges in Florida
Writing & Literature
The Writing & Literature students have a genuine passion for reading and writing. Students complete rigorous coursework in Creative Writing, Literary Study, and Writing Studies, with considerable freedom to design their own course of study. Students work closely under the guidance of a faculty mentor to create a publishable body of creative and scholarly work for their senior portfolio.
By integrating these three areas of exploration, students will receive a well-rounded education in writing. Work in Creative Writing will help students develop their voice and gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s publishing environment. The close reading and criticism performed through Literary Study will help students better understand and analyze literature. Experience in Writing Studies invites students to consider the composition, circulation, and purpose of writing in professional, academic, civic, and digital contexts. This interdisciplinary approach to writing will prepare students for a fulfilling writing life as well as a variety of careers, including professional writing, publishing, marketing, or graduate-level study.
Some students receive funding from CCS to support their research or creative activities through the Traveling Undergraduate Research Fund.
The purpose of the Writing & Writing and Literature curriculum is to provide students with the grounding and guidance that will allow them to successfully pursue their independent scholarly and creative endeavors.
Freshman and Sophomore colloquia in the three areas of study provide exposure to the forms of inquiry within these related fields and to the cutting edge research of UCSB faculty in these disciplines. Most upper division courses are taken in various College of Letters and Science Departments, such as Comparative Literature, English, Writing, the languages, and ethnic studies.
The latter half of a student’s undergraduate career focuses on pursuing an independent project in research and/or creative writing, which culminates in the Senior Portfolio.
For a full list of requirements, please download the major sheet on the right of the page.
17 Best Creative Writing Schools in the World
To gain a professional advantage, aspiring writers look for universities that provide the best programs for Creative Writing. In the article below, we talk about some of the best creative writing schools in the world.
Top Creative Writing Schools in the World
1. university of cambridge.
- Creative Writing Program Link
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
The University of Cambridge is a culturally diverse institution with almost 40 colleges and schools that host over 20,000 students from more than 150 countries. It is over eight centuries old and has built a solid reputation above numerous universities worldwide.
Recognized as one of the best creative writing schools in the world, the University of Cambridge’s Masters in Creative Writing program lasts two years. It is specially designed to be accessible to working professionals and international students. The degree granted by the university can become a ticket for graduates to pursue a Ph.D. in the same field at other universities in the UK or abroad.
Through the program, students can develop skills in fiction or nonfiction writing. The first year provides them with a background in writing in various genres, while the second year allows them to explore their own writing style with the help of a supervisor.
2. Columbia University
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The School of the Arts at Columbia University offers an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. The program lasts five semesters, and students have to complete five workshops, four seminars, and three elective courses within such period. Students of this prestigious institution for creative writing may select between the Single-Genre Major and the Cross-Genre Major. The latter one allows them to combine two genres.
Graduates may pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in the same field. Columbia University’s MFA degree is a top-ranking program that requires students to earn 60 points to graduate.
3. Princeton University
Princeton University is another one of the world’s best creative writing schools and was founded in the mid-18 th century, making it one of the oldest universities in the US. It also ranks among the top academic institutions in the country, attracting some of the most outstanding individuals who comprise its over 8,000 student population. Among its notable alumni are 18 Nobel Prize awardees, two US presidents, and three US Supreme Court Justices.
4. Johns Hopkins University
The university offers an undergraduate program major in Writing Seminars where students can take poetry & fiction writing courses and literature courses and participate in seminars on the history and technique of prose and poetry.
The Master of Fine Arts program at Johns Hopkins University is highly selective and grants qualified students full tuition, health insurance, and teaching fellowship worth a rough $30,000. It lasts two years and requires students to take residency in Baltimore.
5. University of Chicago
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s
The University of Chicago is a research university that opened in the late 19 th century. Over the years, it has been affiliated with over 90 Nobel laureates and has become one of the top ten universities in the US. It is currently home to over 17,000 students across 12 schools and divisions.
6. New York University
New York University (NYU) was founded in 1831 and has always been an innovative academic institution from the get-go. New York is home to many multi-awarded novelists, poets, and creative nonfiction writers, making NYU one of the top creative writing schools across the globe.
NYU offers undergraduate and Master of Fine Arts programs in Creative Writing administered by award-winning writers and outstanding faculty members. Undergraduate students may participate in intensive summer writing programs in Florence , New York , or Paris . They may also join writing competitions in the department and take advantage of internship opportunities.
Meanwhile, the MFA program provides a vibrant environment for students to learn from a gifted group of instructors and participate in exciting and interactive outreach programs, reading series, seminars, and more.
7. University of Pennsylvania
- Degrees Offered: Certificate, Bachelor’s
The University of Pennsylvania is yet another excellent creative writing school that thrives on cutting-edge education techniques and technology. It opened in 1740, and its long history has significantly helped improve and expand the university’s culture of innovation.
The university’s School of Arts and Sciences offers a Certificate in Creative Writing, requiring students to take four out of eight courses: Poetry Workshop, Fiction Workshop, Screenwriting, Advanced Nonfiction, Journalism, Craft of Creative Writing, Writing about Place, and Modern & Contemporary US Poetry.
8. Oxford University
Oxford University is a world-famous institution renowned for having the highest admission standards in the world. Oxford University is very selective, with an estimated acceptance rate of 17.5%. Due to this strict policy, It is home to the brightest minds in the United Kingdom and the world. This university was at the center of the COVID-19 crisis; it managed to produce a vaccine that has saved millions of lives.
Oxford University offers a Master of Study (MSt) degree to students who wish to pursue a degree in Creative Writing. It’s one of the top-performing creative writing schools in the world. This university offers a two-year program that initially places equal emphasis on prose, poetry, and drama and offers the possibility for specialization in one particular area in the second year. An experienced supervisor will be allocated to each student to provide guidance and advice throughout their second year.
9. Ohio State University
The department of English at OSU grants a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing as part of its graduate program. The course allows students to discover and showcase their talents, realize their potential, and be in touch with their creative side. The department has spared no expense in providing the best education for its graduates, as all of them are fully funded for the three years they spend at OSU.
10. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university and one of the largest centers for teaching in Canada and the world. Established in 1908, UBC has climbed the ranks and is now consistently placing among the top 20 universities worldwide. This university strives to provide academic freedom to its students and scholars; it aspires to abolish censorship and allow academics to voice their thoughts and seek open discussions to arrive at solutions to real-world problems.
The Faculty of Arts at UBC offers a unique Creative Writing Program. It is a magnet to students from all over the globe; it offers the possibility for students to specialize in creative writing without being constrained by the study of literature. The faculty aspires to produce writers who are able to influence, inform, inspire, and entertain.
11. University of Michigan
- Creative Writing Program Link (Bachelor)
- Creative Writing Program Link (Master)
The University of Michigan (U-M) is the second best public institution of higher education in the United States and a consistent 5% ranker worldwide. U-M aims to serve the state and the people of Michigan and contribute to making the world a better place. It also aspires to impart and preserve knowledge and use it to produce leaders who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
The English Department at U-M offers an exceptional Creative Writing Degree. This department was home to the biggest writers in The United States, the likes of Arthur Miller, Theodore Roethke, and the poetess Jane Kenyon. The department offers advanced workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.
12. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester offers a one-year program in Creative Writing. The students who enroll in this program will receive their learning from world-famous writers and novelists. The course was designed around a simple but important belief: “Good writing and good reading go together.” Therefore, the graduates will learn more about writing by reading, discussing, and critiquing the work of contemporary writers.
13. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education. Since its inception in 1850, this university has believed in progressing thinking as a way to challenge the status quo and break up the stagnation in thinking the modern world is inevitably heading toward. This institution has created an environment where different opinions are valued and unique perspectives are appreciated, which allows its students to realize their full potential.
14. University of Melbourne
- Creative Writing Program Link (Bachelor’s)
- Creative Writing Program Link (Master’s)
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master’s
The University of Melbourne grants avid readers the opportunity to explore their thoughts in written form. As one of the best creative writing schools in the world, the course is designed to impart core skills in writing to thousands of students each year. The learners are encouraged to think critically about contemporary thought schools in all forms of writing.
15. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a research-intensive institution and one of the United Kingdom’s oldest universities. Since its establishment in 1583, it has sworn allegiance to safeguard the interests of the city where it is based. Today, it is one of Scotland’s most accessible and diverse institutions, attracting the world’s best minds. Newcomers will be met with a welcoming atmosphere and tight community where they can improve and thrive as individuals.
The University of Edinburgh offers a one-year full-time master’s degree in Creative Writing. Every part of the course was curated to help students hone their creative skills and integrate them into their literary works. The practical nature of the program allows the students to experiment with different genres and focus on specific areas for improvement. The graduates of the University of Edinburgh are team-taught and benefit from the input of many tutors, making this university an ideal destination for students who want to see and experience literature and writing from fresh and new perspectives.
16. Arizona State University
The Department of English at ASU offers a challenging and extremely rewarding Creative Writing program. The students will develop their writing skills through workshops and internship opportunities. Furthermore, The department offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree ranked within the top 20 in the country. Students can specialize in either fiction or poetry, but the program encourages cross-genre study allowing students to make good use of the three years they spend at ASU.
17. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the United Kingdom’s largest universities and a member of the Russell Group. Established in 1904, this university is world-famous for its education, teaching, and research quality. This institution operates with the mission of transforming lives and shaping a better future for communities within their region, the UK, and the world.
The Program of Creative Writing at the University of Leeds is designed to help students sharpen their critical abilities in order to produce literary works across all genres. Expert professors and academic researchers curated the course to help students learn how to shape language to convey their thoughts. By the end of their training, students will have built an impressive portfolio under the supervision of experienced writers.
Creative Writing
Creative writing (poetry), professor/instructor.
Practice in the original composition of poetry supplemented by the reading and analysis of standard works. Each student is expected to prepare a manuscript each week. There will be a weekly workshop meeting and occasional individual conferences. Prerequisite: by application.
Creative Writing (Fiction)
Practice in the original composition of fiction supplemented by the reading and analysis of standard works. Each student is expected to prepare a manuscript at least every other week. There will be a weekly workshop meeting and occasional individual conferences. Prerequisite: by application.
Creative Writing (Literary Translation)
Practice in the translation of literary works from another language into English supplemented by the reading and analysis of standard works. Each student is expected to prepare a manuscript each week. There will be a weekly workshop meeting and occasional individual conferences. Prerequisite: fluency in a language other than English and by application.
Advanced Creative Writing (Poetry)
Advanced practice in the original composition of poetry for discussion in regularly scheduled workshop meetings. Prerequisites: 201 or 202 and by application.
Advanced Creative Writing (Fiction)
Advanced practice in the original composition of fiction for discussion in regularly scheduled workshop meetings. Prerequisites: 203 or 204 and by application.
Advanced Creative Writing (Literary Translation)
Advanced practice in the translation of literary works from another language into English supplemented by the reading and analysis of standard works. Prerequisites: 205 or 206 and by application.
Playwriting II: Intermediate Playwriting
A continuation of work begun in Introductory Playwriting, focusing on the writing of a major play. Prerequisite: 205.
Special Topics in Creative Writing
Students gain special access to the critical understanding of literature through their involvement in the creative process. Topics include autobiography, prosody, non-fiction, revision and point of view. Students are expected to prepare a manuscript at least every other week. Specific topics and prerequisites will vary. By application.
Advanced Creative Writing Tutorial
Tutorials in the original composition of fiction, poetry, or translations, open to those who have demonstrated unusual commitment and talent through four terms of creative writing or who provide equivalent evidence of their capacity for advanced work. Open also to qualified graduate students. Individual conferences to be arranged.
Special Topics in Screenwriting
This class will familiarize students with the complex use of metaphorical, emotional, and visual threads in long form screenplay writing. Analyzing examples of international, independent, and classical structures, students will be exposed to the rhythms and demands of the process of conceiving and writing a long form narrative film. Prerequisite: Introduction to Screenwriting and by application.
Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities
This team-taught seminar examines texts, objects, periods and themes from an interdisciplinary perspective. Although designed to be the capstone course for students pursuing a certificate in Humanistic Studies, it is open to other students if space is available. The specific topic varies each year depending on the focus of the faculty team.
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Creative Writing Graduate Programs in California
1-21 of 21 results
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Los Angeles, CA •
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UC Irvine School of Humanities
Irvine, CA •
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University of California - Irvine ,
IRVINE, CA ,
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Orange, CA •
Chapman University •
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College of Engineering - Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA •
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California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) - San Luis Obispo ,
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University of San Francisco College of Arts and Sciences
San Francisco, CA •
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA ,
College of Liberal Arts - California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA •
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LONG BEACH, CA ,
College of Arts and Letters - San Diego State University
San Diego, CA •
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- • Rating 5 out of 5 2 reviews
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2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
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College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Riverside, CA •
University of California - Riverside •
- • Rating 4.25 out of 5 4 reviews
Alum: I really enjoy attending UCR, and as a first generation student graduate I was super excited when I got accepted to that school. Now after almost 2 years I have noticed that my department (Sociology) lacks communication, preparedness, and diversity. When attending it felt like I always needed to talk to multiple people to get assistance with my issues or just simply get denied without a reason. It made me regard my choice to major in Sociology instead of Psychology. ... Read 4 reviews
University of California - Riverside ,
RIVERSIDE, CA ,
4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says I really enjoy attending UCR, and as a first generation student graduate I was super excited when I got accepted to that school. Now after almost 2 years I have noticed that my department... .
Read 4 reviews.
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA •
- • Rating 4.45 out of 5 20 reviews
Master's Student: The Masters in Leadership program was life-changing for me. The campus is beautiful, especially the sacred spaces to reflect. The professors are passionate about the material and helping the learners on their journey. This program was a hybrid program and I would highly recommend it! ... Read 20 reviews
MORAGA, CA ,
20 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.
Featured Review: Master's Student says The Masters in Leadership program was life-changing for me. The campus is beautiful, especially the sacred spaces to reflect. The professors are passionate about the material and helping the learners... .
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Mills College Graduate Programs
Oakland, CA •
Mills College •
Alum: I did a Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Medicine and the instructors and advisors were top-notch. I learned a lot and did very well. Highly recommend although they have been taken over by another school Northwestern they are still a great school and campus! ... Read 2 reviews
Mills College ,
OAKLAND, CA ,
Featured Review: Alum says I did a Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Medicine and the instructors and advisors were top-notch. I learned a lot and did very well. Highly recommend although they have been taken over by another school... .
School of Critical Studies - California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA •
California Institute of the Arts •
California Institute of the Arts ,
VALENCIA, CA ,
Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles
- • Rating 4.63 out of 5 35 reviews
Graduate Student: I am currently in Graduate school at Mount Saint Mary’s University. I am completing an MFA in Creative Writing and from the start, I have had nothing but good experiences. The faculty are all very knowledgeable and accessible. When I have questions, I know I can reach out and ask for help. The Doheny campus is small and really beautiful, with the old houses and Doheny Mansion that house the different classrooms and departments. This past fall, they had a creative writing conference on campus and it was great! We got to go as a class and hear speakers on the craft of writing. The creative writing faculty are all working writers and so they really know what it is to work at the craft and try to make a living. ... Read 35 reviews
35 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.
Featured Review: Graduate Student says I am currently in Graduate school at Mount Saint Mary’s University. I am completing an MFA in Creative Writing and from the start, I have had nothing but good experiences. The faculty are all very... .
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College of Letters and Sciences - National University
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College of Arts and Humanities - California State University - Fresno
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College of Humanities and the Arts - San Jose State University
San Jose, CA •
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College of Liberal and Creative Arts - San Francisco State University
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California State University - San Bernardino College of Arts and Letters
San Bernardino, CA •
California State University - San Bernardino •
Master's Student: This tight knit community is surrounded by students, faculty, and staff who encourage and uplift each other in order to reach personal and acadmic goals. It is just as connected inside the classroom as it is outside. There is not trouble reaching out to other for questions and concerns as it is always an open door. ... Read 2 reviews
California State University - San Bernardino ,
SAN BERNARDINO, CA ,
Featured Review: Master's Student says This tight knit community is surrounded by students, faculty, and staff who encourage and uplift each other in order to reach personal and acadmic goals. It is just as connected inside the classroom... .
School of Arts and Sciences - Holy Names University
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Otis College of Art and Design
- • Rating 4 out of 5 2 reviews
Alum: Otis College of Art and Design is a very good school for those who want to have an art career path. They are very passionate also for those with a career in designing. Their focuses are on art in the entertainment industry, fashion, commercial, landscape, 3D, toys...it was a amazing place for those with a focus on creativity. Being at this school, I have come to love my creativity but to hone my skills to evolve and use it to enter for future careers that would ensure my skills to continue to grow. ... Read 2 reviews
2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says Otis College of Art and Design is a very good school for those who want to have an art career path. They are very passionate also for those with a career in designing. Their focuses are on art in the... .
California College of the Arts
- • Rating 4.33 out of 5 3 reviews
Graduate Student: CCA has been great- I highly recommend the MFA in Comics program! It's a low residency program where students are on campus in San Francisco for the month of July and can complete their other coursework online throughout the year. We are working on storytelling, drawing and inking skills, digital coloring, and comics history. Additionally, every student has a faculty mentor who works with them on their thesis assignments. ... Read 3 reviews
3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Graduate Student says CCA has been great- I highly recommend the MFA in Comics program! It's a low residency program where students are on campus in San Francisco for the month of July and can complete their other... .
Read 3 reviews.
Antioch University Los Angeles
Culver City, CA •
- • Rating 5 out of 5 9 reviews
Master's Student: Absolutely great! I enjoy being here, I love the area, the atmosphere, the way the courses are taught and especially the teachers! ... Read 9 reviews
CULVER CITY, CA ,
9 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.
Featured Review: Master's Student says Absolutely great! I enjoy being here, I love the area, the atmosphere, the way the courses are taught and especially the teachers! .
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Antioch University Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA •
- • Rating 3.87 out of 5 15 reviews
Master's Student: While my father never drank while I was alive, he was born an alcoholic, as was his father. As would I become soon enough. I use my experiences as the most powerful tool I have to help others recover from their disease as well. You may e thinking I haven't written much of diversity in faculty and staff, except that I have. When we humanize we allow love. With love, there is no exclusion. All that remains is inclusion. Celebrate our differences. Celebrate new experiences and celebrate learning for it's own sake. Open hearts create open minds. And vice versa. Diversity is fascinating and not something to be wasted. ... Read 15 reviews
SANTA BARBARA, CA ,
15 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.
Featured Review: Master's Student says While my father never drank while I was alive, he was born an alcoholic, as was his father. As would I become soon enough. I use my experiences as the most powerful tool I have to help others recover... You may e thinking I haven't written much of diversity in faculty and staff, except that I have. When we humanize we allow love. With love, there is no exclusion. All that remains is inclusion.... .
Read 15 reviews.
Southern California Institute of Architecture
- • Rating 4.63 out of 5 8 reviews
Master's Student: The atmosphere at SCI-Arc is a very friendly one. Everyone wants to see each other grow and people are always willing to help you when you need it. The school is nestled in a very lively part of town which is great for grabbing a bit with classmates during breaks and after class. ... Read 8 reviews
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8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.
Featured Review: Master's Student says The atmosphere at SCI-Arc is a very friendly one. Everyone wants to see each other grow and people are always willing to help you when you need it. The school is nestled in a very lively part of town... .
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University of La Verne
La Verne, CA •
- • Rating 4.48 out of 5 48 reviews
Niche User: As a full time student, attending University of La Verne has been quite the experience. The campus is beautiful and the food is somewhat decent. They have many helpful and accurate resources for students to utilize throughout the school year. However, La Verne isn't perfect (just like any school isn't) and it has its down sides, such as costly on- campus living, costly tuition, and a few more. Overall, La Verne is a great school IF you have a full ride and/or huge scholarship to attend the school. ... Read 48 reviews
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LA VERNE, CA ,
48 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.
Featured Review: Niche User says As a full time student, attending University of La Verne has been quite the experience. The campus is beautiful and the food is somewhat decent. They have many helpful and accurate resources for... Overall, La Verne is a great school IF you have a full ride and/or huge scholarship to attend the school. .
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Have you dreamed of starting a writing career since you were a kid? If your answer is yes, then listen up!
You need more than just a natural talent for the written word to break into this industry. Choosing a robust writing or English program could be the best thing you do to kickstart your career. But with thousands of schools across the country, how do you know which one is the right pick?
Don’t stress, we’ve done the research so you can focus on writing the next Great American Novel. 😉
Here are 25 of the best US colleges for aspiring writers!
1. Emory University
There’s a good reason why Emory seems to be part of every list of writing colleges — it has both a holistic and unique approach to developing great writers. The college’s program allows you to develop your technique through intimate reading sessions with notable authors and writing contests that could seriously beef up your portfolio.
The university also has a beautiful, lush campus that’s perfect for anyone looking to meditate their way out of writer’s block. Have we mentioned that the state of Georgia is as vibrant and spirited as it gets? Whether it’s food, sports, or interesting traditions — your environment is bound to inspire you!
2. Columbia University
You wouldn’t expect anything less than a top-tier creative writing program from an Ivy League school like Columbia — so it’s a good thing the New York-based college lives up to the expectation!
Since this university has been home to big names like J.D. Salinger, Langston Hughes, Eudora Welty, Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg, be prepared for a rigorous curriculum . Columbia has intensive writing workshops, fellowships, and teaching opportunities to bring out the best in you.
On top of that, the city is filled with publishing houses and has a buzzing community of talented authors, something that you can take advantage of when you graduate!
3. Northwestern University
A faculty roster filled with acclaimed authors has solidified Northwestern’s claim as one of the finest writing college programs in the US. When you have published writers such as Sheila Donohue, Rachel Jamison Webster, and Chris Abani dissecting different literary genres and helping you perfect your craft, it’s easy (and downright exciting) to show up to early morning classes.
Getting into this undergraduate program will rely on the quality of your submitted manuscript. But once you’re in, there’s so much to look forward to, like the school’s Annual Writers’ Festival . This campus event allows students to interact with three guest writers and attend public readings, conferences, and writing classes.
4. Oberlin College
Collaboration and creativity are fostered at this small liberal arts college, where creative writing has become an independent academic discipline .
Oberlin features dozens of courses designed to help new writers flourish, no matter their backgrounds or competencies, such as race and poetic innovation , digital storytelling , and false documents . Whether you’ve loved writing all your life or found a passion for it more recently, no one will be left behind in this program.
Another upside of choosing this writing college is its RISE opportunities , which offer students access to exciting research openings, internships, and part-time jobs around the world.
5. Hamilton College
Who says small colleges won’t get you anywhere? Hamilton prides itself on being home to literary great Ezra Pound alone. But it’s the school’s emphasis on small-sized classes, where the exchange and development of ideas are heightened, that produces proficient writing majors.
The arts are truly celebrated at this writing college, with comprehensive courses tackling social and institutional hierarchies, history, and intermedia. Visit the school’s performing arts series to witness your fellow artists do their thing, whether that’s dance, music, or theater.
6. Stanford University
When you think of Stanford, a degree in research or engineering is usually what comes to mind. But surprise! The college also has an incredible creative writing program, thanks to the efforts of 1972 Pulitzer Prize winner Wallace Stegner.
Stanford’s Stegner Fellowship is a unique writing program offering 10 two-year fellowships (split between fiction and poetry) to fellows as they undergo intensive workshops to master their craft. While you won’t get a degree out of it, you will receive a stipend, and tuition is shouldered by the university.
This college’s undergraduate writing program also features three minor tracks in prose, poetry, and fiction into film, with courses like graphic novel writing, fiction into film, and young adult fiction offered each year.
7. University of Iowa
If there’s one thing that will make the University of Iowa your top choice for writing colleges, it’ll be the Iowa Writers Workshop .
This program was the first creative writing program on offer here in the US, with notable alumni like poets Dylan Thomas ( Do not go gentle into that good night ) and Robert Frost ( The Road Not Taken ). If you aren’t convinced yet, The Atlantic has called this two-year graduate degree “the best-known, most-established writing program in the country.”
This university is also filled with impressive campus opportunities that can bring color to your academic journey, such as the Summer Writing Festival and the Patient Voice Project .
8. Dartmouth College
What do Shonda Rhimes ( Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal ) and Mindy Kaling ( The Mindy Project, The Office ) have in common? Great writing careers — and the fact that they both studied at Dartmouth College.
The New Hampshire-based school created its comprehensive English and creative writing program with only one thing in mind: to help students become capable writers and build their confidence step by step.
Dartmouth has a nice selection of writing courses that differ each semester and creative writing awards , including the Sidney Cox Memorial Prize and the Academy of American Poets Prize, that undergraduates can compete for.
9. Brown University
If you want to learn screenwriting, digital and cross-disciplinary writing, and much more, Brown is the way to go! But apart from having a stellar graduate and undergraduate curriculum , Brown also boasts a vibrant literary community that provides students with a continuous stream of readings, festivals, and performances.
Its strong liberal foundation exposes emerging writers to relevant voices and perspectives in the current literary landscape. On top of that, Brown also has courses tackling new media such as political drama, electronic writing, and innovative narrative.
10. Washington University in St. Louis
Another excellent option for aspiring writers is to earn a Certificate in Creative Writing or join the MFA program at Washington University. Why? Because you could be taught by National Book Award finalists, Guggenheim Fellows, and National Book Critics Circle Award winners!
Admissions to this college writing program can be pretty competitive since they only accept five students per track (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry). But once you’re in, you’ll become part of a close-knit community that can still be felt even after you graduate.
The campus also has plenty to offer, including a well-known student newspaper and a prime location connecting you to Forest Park and local museums, perfect for when you need a little break from your studies.
11. Johns Hopkins University
The writing program at Johns Hopkins is a hidden gem. Sure, the Maryland-based university is known for its STEM-related disciplines, but it also has a great and flexible curriculum for students looking to master storytelling through the written word.
While challenging, courses at Johns Hopkins are designed to squeeze the best out of you. This has been proven by the sea of prolific poets, novelists, and screenwriters produced by the school, namely A Nightmare on Elm Street ’s Wes Craven, Growing Up ’s Russell Baker, and Love Medicine ’s Louise Erdrich.
12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Are you surprised that MIT has a solid writing program on top of its reputation for excellence in engineering and physical sciences? The top-tier school can also offer you the best of both worlds with its graduate program in science writing .
The curriculum introduces students to fundamental research and reporting skills as they learn how to make science accessible to the masses. This highly-selective program gives you a chance to publish science-related works, including documentaries, data visualization projects, radio shows, and long-form content.
What’s even better is that the lively Cambridge campus is a great place to arouse your creativity and quite simply write better. Plus, the 22 institutional libraries found in the city offer a good respite for literature lovers or hard-working science researchers.
13. Colorado College
Get ready for an intensive, multi-level approach to writing with Colorado College. Thanks to its innovative block plan structure , where students only face one class for three-and-a-half weeks, you will quickly master each discipline that interests you.
Feeling low on creativity? Take a walk at one of the seven national parks nearby, where you can find secluded spaces perfect for reflection and discussion (even if you’re by yourself).
14. Brandeis University
If you want to get a handle on creative writing, your work must go through the wringer so it can improve. At Brandeis, you’ll be exposed to a rigorous curriculum and a renowned writing center to help you get started.
As soon as you get into the college’s creative writing program , take advantage of one-on-one sessions with supportive graduate-student consultants. With this peer-to-peer appointment, you can get your work dissected and sort out any writing issues with your structure, style, punctuation, or syntax.
15. University of Virginia
For writers hoping to concentrate their studies on poetry or prose, the University of Virginia is a great pick. Whether you’re a full-fledged English major or a Science freshman interested in poetry, its undergraduate program can certainly accommodate you.
The college also has a stellar MFA program that accepts five students for poetry and five for prose. Apart from this school having terrific professors, graduate students receive $20,000 in fellowships or income each academic year.
Students also learn from visiting lecturers who take residence in the school for one week and offer craft talks and one-on-one manuscript consultations (where an MFA student’s work is given to visiting writers one week ahead).
16. Colby College
At Colby, students are introduced to a strong culture of writing, teaching them to be skillful and effective in multiple genres. The college’s writing program provides students with expository writing workshops, writing labs , and word references forums to build their ability to communicate thoughtfully and skillfully.
Among the impressive resources available at Colby is Farnham’s Writing Center , where great writing is fostered through peer and faculty support. Working with peer writing tutors from the brainstorming phase to the final version is bound to make you a better writer!
17. Kenyon College
Kenyon’s mission is to nurture future poets and fiction writers, and it’s certainly achieved this with notable alumni like The Fault in Our Stars ’ John Green and Seabiscuit ’s Laura Hillenbrand.
This program’s main draw is the Kenyon Review , the college’s world-renowned literary magazine that offers highly coveted workshops and internships for student writers. Each year, a select number of faculty from Kenyon also teach workshops on poetry and prose for students in the English program .
18. Beloit College
No matter how much you love writing, mastering this craft can be challenging. That’s why Beloit’s writing program is designed to support students of all kinds in their writing journey.
At the college’s writing center , tutors approach their students’ learning with the understanding and consideration that everyone has different strengths and capabilities. With this hands-on mentorship comes a range of other great learning resources, like literary journals and student publications, that give you the chance to gain practical experience outside the classroom.
19. University of Texas-Austin
This university’s three-year MFA program steals the show when it comes to creative writing. Known as the New Writers Project, this graduate-level degree only accepts a dozen students (with full funding) and hosts symposiums to connect them with editors and agents.
The New Writers Project also invites guest writers like Bluets’ Maggie Nelson, Voyager’s Srikanth Reddy, and Notes from No Man’s Land’s Eula Biss to interact with graduate students.
But if you want to spend less time concentrating on fiction, poetry, and short stories? The University of Texas-Austin’s Certificate in Creative Writing or its Honors option is for you!
20. Goddard College
Goddard College takes the gold when it comes to having a varied creative writing offering! This unconventional college writing program welcomes writers interested in screenplay writing, graphic novels, dramatic writing, libretto, speculative fiction, memoirs, and other hybrid genres.
Trusting its students’ capabilities, Goddard was the first college to offer low-residency BFA and MFA creative writing degrees. This means that students are only required to complete an eight-day residency, where they can attend one-on-one sessions with advisors or participate in literary events on campus, before being able to complete the rest of their education at home.
21. Bucknell University
Although this college also boasts courses on comedy and satire, the human impact on the environment, and prose, Bucknell is renowned for its poetry offering. The Stadler Center for Poetry hosts the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which awards deserving students full-tuition scholarships.
It also has the Philip Roth Residence Program named after Bucknell’s famous alumnus himself. Authors writing their first (or second) book are allowed to lodge in the Poets’ Cottage with a hefty $5,000 stipend as they work, but the program only lasts for four months.
22. New York University
The star-studded core faculty at NYU’s creative writing program should be enough to get you on board with this college! Imagine learning the fundamentals of writing from award-winning poets, novelists, short story writers, and memoirists such as Joyce Carol Oates, Zadie Smith, Darin Strauss, Edward Hirsch, and Katie Kitamura.
Plus, with this program, you also get a shot at Writers in New York, a prized summer program that takes place at a townhouse in Greenwich Village where the likes of E.E. Cummings, James Baldwin, Willa Cather, and Mark Twain lived and worked.
23. University of Michigan
Tagged as the best public university in the US, Michigan’s fantastic Helen Zell MFA Program exposes graduate students to several top-notch writers through a series taught by critically-acclaimed authors (who wouldn’t want to hear from Kazuo Ishiguro, Alice McDermott, Angela Flournoy, and Edward Hirsch?).
Undergraduates can also apply for admission to a creative writing sub-concentration or a minor and partake in the prestigious Avery Hopwood Awards , one of the country’s most famous student writing prizes.
24. University of Miami
For aspiring writers interested in expressing themselves in a language other than English, the creative writing program at the University of Miami’s curriculum is uniquely inspired by nearby multilingual communities. Polyglot writers are encouraged to explore literature in their own languages.
This university also welcomes double majors so that students can pursue their love for the craft on top of their other interests. Miami’s also great because this campus is jam-packed with extracurriculars that students can jump on to hone their skills. Mangrove , the school’s literary magazine, allows students an opportunity to perform their original work through hosting contests and mic nights.
25. Hamline University
Minnesota residents with a passion for writing consider this small university in Saint Paul a haven for creatives. Why? Because this college is home to the only bachelor’s degree in this field in the entire Twin Cities region (and the only one in the state offered by a private institution).
Hamline has three fine arts degrees for aspiring authors: a BFA and MFA in Creative Writing, plus a low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. These courses cover a range of literary genres that enable students to gain a diverse knowledge of the practice.
Writing requires dedication, passion, and a conducive environment where your talents can flourish. All the schools on this list have built outstanding creative writing programs but choosing what suits you best is important.
Make sure the school you pick can help you reach your full potential. Good luck!
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DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
- Undergraduate
- Creative Writing
The Creative Writing Major
The Creative Writing Major is an undergraduate concentration within the English Department at Northwestern University and one of the first and finest undergraduate Creative Writing programs in the country. Its reputation is based on the accomplishments of its graduates, the generosity of its accomplished professors, and a pedagogy that creates a fruitful symbiosis between close reading and inventive writing. Award-winning authors teach poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as courses that cross genres, guiding students to examine literary works as writers and encouraging them to study the best literary models. Professors and students work in a close-knit community as they write their own stories, novellas, poems and essays within the living tradition of literature.
Most Creative Writing Majors begin taking creative writing courses in their sophomore year and complete the yearlong “sequence” of study during their junior year, and some have the opportunity to complete an additional honors project before graduation (see Recommended Schedule for Prospective Writing Majors below). Students also learn from prominent visiting writers at our annual Festival of Writing in the Spring. Recent graduates of the program include MacArthur “Genius” Award Winner Karen Russell; Veronica Roth, whose bestselling novel “Divergent” was first drafted while she was a student; poet Peter Kline; and award-winning essayist Angela Mears.
Current Creative Writing faculty include Chris Abani , Brian Bouldrey , John Bresland , Averill Curdy , Sheila Donohue , Reginald Gibbons , Juan Martinez , Shauna Seliy , Charif Shanahan , Natasha Trethewey , Daisy Hernández , and Rachel Jamison Webster .
The Creative Writing program also offers two minors; the Sequence-based Minor and, for those not pursuing one of the year-long sequences, the non-application based Cross-genre Minor in Creative Writing .
See past and upcoming Creative Writing events.
Undergraduate publication opportunities
Recommended Schedule for Prospective Writing Majors
Courses for prospective creative writing majors, in a recommended order..
*Denotes courses that are REQUIRED for the Creative Writing Major
ENG 202-Introduction to Creative Writing
(can be taken in Fall quarter of Freshman year. This provides an introduction to all three genres and prepares you for our other CW courses.)
ENG 210-1,2 - English Literary Traditions or ENG 270-1,2 - American Literary Traditions
(While not required for creative writing, these are excellent background courses for writing students, and also serve as prerequisites for the English literature major.)
* ENG 206 - Reading and Writing Poetry
* ENG 207 - Reading and Writing Fiction
* ENG 208 - Reading & Writing Creative Nonfiction
(You are now able to take 206, 207, or 208 in any order. Majors will take all three of these intro-courses.)
Students may apply to the Creative Writing Program in the Spring of your Sophomore Year or in the Spring of your Junior Year.
Some students fulfill their requirements--of 206, 207 and 208--well before the time of application to the program. If that happens, we recommend that you stay in writing practice and continue building your portfolio by taking one of our 300-level writing courses, English 306, 307, 308, or 309. Please see Juan Martinez , Director of Creative Writing, for further suggestions and help with course planning.
Initial Required Courses
All students interested in the Creative Writing Major must take two introductory writing courses, one in poetry (ENG 206) and one in either fiction (207) or creative nonfiction (208), before applying to the program. Students may not apply to the creative writing program in their first year. On the 200-level, no prior knowledge of the genre is required.
- No English Department creative writing course may be audited or taken pass/fail.
- The School of Professional Studies also offers courses under the titles ENG 206, 207 and 208. These do not count toward any course of study within the Creative Writing program.
- Seniors may not register for English 206 until add/drop week.
Admission to the Program
Admission to the next stage of the Creative Writing Major or the Sequence-based Minor in Creative Writing, the year-long 300-level advanced course sequences, is competitive. Admission to the program is granted primarily on the basis of manuscript quality and the student’s promise. An applicant may be admitted to study as a major, a minor, or a sequence-only student.
No preference in admission is currently given to those who apply to the sequences, though there are later opportunities open only to Creative Writing Majors, including participation in senior honors, one-on-one conferences with visiting writers-in-residence, and the winter senior readings series. Students may apply for admission to the sequence courses no earlier than the spring of their sophomore year. Applications are available online at the beginning of spring quarter.
The Sequences
Theory and Practice of Poetry (ENG 393), Fiction (394), and Creative Nonfiction (395):
These year-long sequences of courses ask students to pursue a rigorous program that includes close reading of literary texts, explication and critical writing, imitation and modeling, and original creative work. The sequences are arranged in three consecutive quarters.
They begin in the fall with specialized courses in the fundamental technical and rhetorical bases of each genre. Poetry students study the uses of metaphor and mode, and the theory of prosody (including both the major form of poetry in English-accentual-syllabic verse-and the minor forms, accentual, syllabic, and free verse). Fiction students consider the tenets of realism and its alternatives, and practice different approaches to style, characterization, structure, and point of view. Creative nonfiction students focus on essay forms, logical method, authorial tone, and techniques of discourse and description. In all genres, imitations and models of great writers are assigned.
The second half of the sequence in each genre is devoted to intensive writing of a longer original work-a poem of at least 120 lines or an essay or novella of 25 to 35 pages.
Note that in the event further work in fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry is desired outside the year-long sequence, ENG 206, 207, and 208 may be repeated up to two times for WCAS credit. Advanced one-quarter courses in creative writing (ENG 306, 307, 308, 309) are also offered for non-majors.
The application will be available here at the beginning of spring quarter. We accept applications to all three sequences to late April.
Other Required Courses for MAJOR Students
In addition to the sequences, creative writing majors must take:
ENG 392 - The Situation of Writing
“The Situation of Writing,” which is typically offered in the winter quarter, investigates the writer’s relation to the culture, both currently and historically. The course addresses such questions as the relation of criticism to imaginative literature, the rise and fall of specific literary genres, the effect of the university on the production and consumption of literary works, the state of the publishing industry, and international literary contexts. Third-Genre Intro Course (either ENG 207 or ENG 208, whichever has not been completed)
The “Third-Genre Intro” Course
English 207 or 208, whichever introductory course was not completed before application to the sequences. This requirement ensures that writing majors will have had experience reading and writing in all three major non-dramatic modes of imaginative writing.
Six 300-level literature classes
These courses must be “pure literature”; that is, courses in which the bulk of the reading is literature and not criticism or theory. They must be selected from English Department offerings ONLY:
- Two on material written prior to 1830
- Two on material written after 1830
- Two from either period
Two non-literature courses related to one another, taught in other department(s).
These courses, in areas such as history, art, classics, and gender studies, broaden the student’s background for the study of literature. These must be approved by a creative writing advisor.
Other Required Courses for Sequence-Based MINOR students
In addition to the sequences, creative writing sequence-based minors must take:
Two 300-level literature classes
- One on material written prior to 1830
- One on material written after 1830
The Cross-genre Minor in Creative Writing
Other program features.
The Annual Writers' Festival gives students the chance to learn from and interact with guest Writers-in-Residence for a three-day celebration of master classes, public readings, and a panel discussion on craft. The festival is situated within the larger Evanston Literary Festival, which hosts a number of literary events throughout the city.
Writing by students at Northwestern is recognized by the award-winning student literary magazine, Helicon, and by the Department of English Annual Writing Competition , held in the spring.
Creative Writing Alumni Testimonials
-- Veronica Roth, author of the bestselling Divergent series
“I still believe our program at Northwestern is as good as any graduate program in the country. It was nice to have the opportunity when I was 19 to spend so much time reading and writing with these other writers. There was such a serious sense of purpose. That’s a testament to Brian and Sheila and the rest of the faculty. They really could create a community.” --Karen Russell, author of Swamplandia!, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and winner of a MacArthur Genius Award.
“As a Creative Nonfiction student in the Creative Writing program, I was pushed hard -- by my professors and fellow writers -- to find my voice. Not just my voice as a writer, but as a person and advocate of my life and experiences. More than anything else, I learned that I am still learning. I am still finding that voice, and always will be. I learned that this fact is okay, it is right, it is what makes me write.” --Danielle Littman, 2013 graduate.
"We're not just educating people for professional tracks; we're educating them for their lives." --Professor Mary Kinzie, Founder of the Creative Writing Program and award-winning poet.
- Events & Exhibitions
- Campus Expansion
BA Writing & Literature
Cultivate your creative writing potential and literary analysis skills in an inspiring, intensive studio environment.
The living art of writing and literature
Our program emphasizes the historical knowledge of literature, interdisciplinary exploration, and critical inquiry to help you create original work. Situated in one of the best art and design schools in the country, creativity and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. Students learn to develop their individual voices through workshops in prose, poetry, drama, screenwriting, graphic novels, improvisation, and more. They incorporate visual art into their own writing as they work on a thesis manuscript.
Immersed in the Bay Area’s rich literary history
The Bay Area has long been home to exciting literary communities, from the San Francisco Renaissance and Beat poetry movement to New Narrative and Slam/Spoken Word. During any given week, there are dozens of reading series students can attend. It’s this vibrant literary scene, combined with our art and design backdrop, that makes our Writing and Literature program so unique.
Student work
Spirit Parts (1 of 2)
Carina Espudo
Writing & Literature
Class of 2021
Spirit Parts (2 of 2)
MADLIKE! (1 of 3)
Jevohn Newsome
Class of 2019
MADLIKE! (2 of 3)
MADLIKE! (3 of 3)
Realm of the Hidden Doors (1 of 4)
Zoe Thompson-Brooks
Realm of the Hidden Doors (2 of 4)
Realm of the Hidden Doors (3 of 4)
Realm of the Hidden Doors (4 of 4)
In Search of Wunjo (1 of 4)
Joy Melançon
In Search of Wunjo (2 of 4)
In Search of Wunjo (3 of 4)
In Search of Wunjo (4 of 4)
Writing students having fun in a comics workshop
Spring 2018 Humble Pie staff
Zoey Gassner reading her work at Humble Pie
Chess McWilliams at HearSay reading series (9 Oct. 2018)
Chess McWilliams
MFA Writing student reading her work
Writing Room entrance at the 2019 Commencement Exhibition
Ceramics paired w with writing (cylinders)
Fish ceramics paired with writing
Senior reading in A2 Cafe, Oakland
Rebecca Henry
Class of 2018
Fall 2017 Humble Pie staff in the classroom
Poet Joseph Lease reading from "The Body Ghost" during the Fall 2018 HearSay reading series (9 Oct. 2018)
Student reading
Studios & Shops
Work within many modes and genres.
A creative writing degree is an investment in your development as a writer and reader. You’ll have the opportunity to practice image-making, meter, and other poetic gestures; character development and fiction forms; lyric essays, literary journalism, travel writing, hybrid narratives, and more.
Your workshop submissions in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction will be informed by close readings and analyses of writing that spans movements. We read the Romantics, Gothic literature, non-Western traditions, graphic novels—we read everything. Courses focused on literary writing by a single author, such as Walt Whitman or Octavia Butler, allow us to dive deeper into diverse perspectives and critical theory.
Our curriculum also includes four open electives, giving you the freedom to explore different disciplines such as community arts, printmaking, painting and drawing, and illustration.
Take a tour of our Writing & Literature Classrooms
Connect with published writers and literary organizations
Our students learn what it’s like to live and work as a writer through internships with Bay Area literary organizations. Within our classrooms and workshops, guest lecturers and faculty—all widely published—guide students through the fundamental steps for publication.
Your writing life at CCA
- Organize and host our HearSay Reading Series
- Create, edit, and design our Humble Pie undergraduate journal
- Perform during public open mic nights
- Collaborate with animators and illustrators
- Intern with Bay Area literary organizations
- Write a full-length collection for your senior thesis
Spaces to inspire your creative writing
Experiment with charcoal, ink, and paint in the Painting & Drawing Studios
The Book Arts workspace at the San Francisco Center for the Book features lithography presses, bookbinding tools, and more
Check out DSLR cameras, lighting kits, tablets, and other photo equipment from the Media Center
Work with small presses and arts education institutions
Our faculty are accomplished scholars, prose writers, poets, nonfiction writers, and playwrights. They publish New York Times best-sellers, mount exhibitions, and even write libretti for operas. Students benefit from their diverse practices during small workshops and one-on-one sessions.
Chair Anne Shea is a researcher and widely published writer. Her teaching and research expertise include twentieth century and twenty-first century North American literature, as well as English composition. Shea’s essays have been published by scholarly and peer-reviewed journals, such as MELUS , Contemporary Literature , and Women’s Studies . Her writing on contemporary art has appeared in X-TRA Contemporary Art Quarterly and n.paradox: international feminist art journal . Currently, Shea’s working on a book about documentary poetry and neoliberal violence.
Eric Olson, Associate Chair of Writing and Literature
Associate Chair Eric Olson is a fiction writer who teaches courses in literature, creative writing, academic writing, and literary theory. He is the author of The Procession of Mollusks , a novel published in 2009 by Astrophil Press. Olson is the former associate editor for Conjunctions , an online literary journal that champions experimental writing.
Faculty work
The Bohemians
Jasmin Darznik
Writing, Writing & Literature
La Puerta del Circulo Polar Artico
Juvenal Acosta
A World of Calm (1 of 2)
Faith Adiele
A World of Calm (2 of 2)
How Proust Ruined My Life
Gloria Frym
Old Snow, White Sun
Caroline Goodwin
Faculty stories
We think with our hands
Develop your writing into works of art.
Writing and Literature at CCA is a combination of forms workshops, open electives, and topical courses on theory, visual arts, and historical and modern authors and techniques. The program is designed to help you develop your writing into publishable works of art through individualized attention and access to one of the country’s most dynamic literary communities. View sample courses .
Investigate ideas through every dimension
Before diving into their chosen major, every undergraduate participates in the First Year Experience. Students explore a wide range of materials and tools over the course of two semesters. Faculty from different disciplines guide studio projects, group critiques, and theoretical discussions, setting students up for success throughout their major coursework.
Core Studio
Writing & literature major requirements, additional studio requirements, humanities & sciences requirements.
Total 120.0 units
Your future as a writer and artist
Our students emerge from the Writing and Literature program with highly transferable skills in critical thinking and oral and written communication. Alumni secure positions at newspapers, literary nonprofits, small-press publishers, and advertising agencies. Many have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in creative writing, education, law, and library science.
Potential career paths
- Freelance writer
- Content strategist
- Arts administrator
- Social activist
- Entrepreneur
- Technical writer
- Publication and production assistant
- Art therapist
- Small-press publisher
- Travel writer
Learn about career development
News & Events
What’s happening in the writing community.
Meet the biggest names in literature
How to Apply
Learn the craft of writing in a supportive community.
Our students are excited to study various styles and formal techniques with acclaimed writers. They want to stretch their creative writing skills in intimate workshops and establish industry connections at prominent presses and journals. Inspired by CCA’s resources for fine arts and design, students are comfortable going beyond the written page to make compelling work. As thoughtful readers, collaborators, and community members, they’re prepared to flourish in many professional spheres that require critical thinking and literary inventiveness.
Learn about undergraduate admissions
Find your creative community at CCA
Related programs
Santa Clara University
The jesuit university in silicon valley, department of english.
The SCU English Department is ranked #4 in the nation by the "25 Best Colleges for English Majors 2020" list compiled by gradreports.com .
The Department of English is the home for reading and writing at Santa Clara University. You'll take classes from best selling authors, ground-breaking scholars, and award winning teachers . You'll go beyond the page–learning from experience through community-based coursework , internships , and independent research – all while being immersed in the innovation, energy, and opportunity of Silicon Valley. You’ll engage critically in this cutting-edge environment through lenses of race, gender, spirituality, sexuality, language, and more. We offer an English Major and Minor , a Creative Writing Minor, and a Professional Writing Minor .
About Our Program
The Department of English affords students a rich undergraduate education in the liberal arts centered on literature, cultural studies, and writing. Critical, professional, or creative writing projects are integral to every course in the English major. Students and faculty in the English Department discuss and write about British, American, and global literatures, rhetoric, technical and professional communication, new media, and film. A range of theoretical approaches are used, sometimes with a focus on visual rhetoric and cultural studies. The department also offers the Creative Writing Program , which provides students with a coherent course of study in the writing of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction and the Professional Writing Program , which focuses on the theories, ethics, and practice of writing in industry and public contexts. The English major prepares students to read and write critically, to bring intellectual flexibility to academic and professional problems, and to enter the workforce as individuals with trained skills in analysis and self-expression.
Student Spotlights
Shenir Dennis '22 conducted research with two faculty mentors.
Mariel So '22 and team excel at convention.
What Careers Can You Pursue as a Humanities Major?
Faculty & Staff
408-554-4142 | St. Joseph's Hall 209 email
Faculty Spotlights
Kai Harris's (Assistant Professor, Creative Writing) new novel What the Fireflies Knew was listed in Washington Post's 10 noteworthy books for February. There was also media coverage in Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, Literary Hub, Associated Press, and The New York Times.
Amy Lueck (Associate Professor, Writing Studies) works with students in her English 168PW Women Writers and Literature course to dig through digitized historical documents with the goal of publishing their own digital anthology.
Beyond the Classroom
Graduate Advising
Internships
Canterbury Program
Sigma Tau Delta
Student Work
HUB Writing Center
UX Research & Writing Lab
News & Events
Statement from the English Department
Coming Events
Get connected.
View this profile on Instagram SCU English Department (@ scuenglish ) • Instagram photos and videos
Best Online Writing Programs
Share this Article
Expert communicators know how to use language, literature, and writing effectively to convey messages, deploy rhetoric, and construct persuasive arguments. Individuals who possess these skills can apply them in a variety of traditional and nontraditional positions.
This guide outlines how to choose a bachelor's in writing program. The information provided includes admission requirements , common courses, and job prospects for graduates of writing programs.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Employers in all sectors value new hires who can effectively communicate and demonstrate mastery of the written word. While traditional writing fields such as journalism still offer a natural fit for writing majors, the field continues to evolve and offers fewer prospects than it once did.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor's in Writing Programs? Here Are Our Top 5:
Related programs that might interest you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits , availability of financial aid , and more by contacting the universities below.
Is your school on this list? Get the BestColleges ranking seal.
Alternatively, technical writers often begin their careers as writing majors and enjoy positive job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that from 2020-2030 the number of technical writers will increase by 12% ; these professionals made a median salary of $74,650 in 2020.
A writing major also gains the foundational training needed to enter other fields, including law, teaching, advertising and public relations, and an array of new media positions (e.g., content strategists and digital producers ).
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How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you will make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering school rankings that are transparent, inclusive, and relevant for online students. Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our Ranking Methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in Writing Programs
Best online bachelor's in writing programs.
FIU, located in Miami, offers an online bachelor of arts in English with a writing and rhetoric track. The program prepares students for a wide variety of career fields, from traditional publishing to digital content to education administration. All students take core courses designed to provide a solid foundation in English grammar and literature. Participants then choose electives such as scientific writing or advanced business writing to fine-tune their progression.
Note that students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite and lower-level English courses to proceed to upper-division writing courses. FIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Program Snapshot
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English: Writing and Rhetoric Track
- School Status: Public
- Tuition: $229 per credit (in-state); $346 per credit (out-of-state)
- Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Degree Completion Program: No
- Program Length : 4 years
- Format: 100% online
Admission Requirements
- GPA: No minimum required
- Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT
Contact the School
Request more information about this program.
Orlando, FL
Located in Orlando, UCF offers a fully online bachelor of arts in English with a creative writing focus. In addition to a complete slate of general liberal arts courses, students take foundational courses in English composition, creative writing, and literature. Learners then move on to upper-level classes, choosing from courses like fiction writing, poetry writing, and scriptwriting.
Many graduates of this program go on to careers in journalism, playwriting, copywriting, or education. Those interested in technical writing careers may prefer UCF's technical communication program.
UCF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Program Name: BA in English - Creative Writing
- Tuition: $179 per credit (in-state); $716 per credit (out-of-state)
- GPA: 3.0 minimum preferred
- Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT for students with a 2.5-2.99 GPA
Richmond, IN
IU East, located in the city of Richmond, offers an entirely online bachelor of arts in English with a technical and professional writing focus. Designed specifically for students preparing for careers such as technical writer, engineering writer, or documentation specialist, the program provides a strong foundation in digital writing, as well as technical writing and editing.
Students choose from a long list of electives, such as classes in Native American literature or the history of the English language, to round out their knowledge and customize their program according to interests.
IU East is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English, Technical and Professional Writing
- Tuition: $236 per credit (in-state); $341 per credit (out-of-state)
- GPA : No minimum required
- Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT optional
Honolulu, HI
A private university in Hawaii, Chaminade offers a fully online bachelor of arts in English with a writing concentration. Designed for those interested in creative writing careers, the program provides a strong grounding in both American and British literature. Students learn to analyze and interpret texts within their historical and cultural contexts and effectively communicate ideas through the written word in various applications.
All students must complete a final capstone course. This senior seminar encapsulates everything learned throughout the program. The English program also offers teaching and literature and criticism concentrations.
Chaminade is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English
- School Status: Private
- Tuition: $565 per credit
- Standardized Tests: Not required
Manchester, NH
Located in Manchester, SNHU offers an online bachelor of arts in creative writing and English . Students can select the general track for maximum flexibility, or choose one of four concentrations: fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, or poetry. Regardless of their track, students take core writing courses like literary theory and the English language. They also take three courses in their concentration and 36 credits of free electives.
All students participate in four separate writing workshops. The final workshop is a capstone experience in which students complete a polished project in their genre choice.
SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English
- Tuition: $320 per credit
Thibodaux, LA
Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Nicholls offers an online bachelor of arts in English with five concentration options, including creative writing and writing and rhetoric. In addition to a broad foundation in general liberal arts, the program provides a strong grounding in English literature, grammar, and composition.
In general, students interested in writing fiction, poetry, or scripts should select the creative writing concentration. The writing and rhetoric concentration focuses on how writing shapes our worldview and how it can help create change. As a result, students interested in copywriting, grant writing, or business communications often concentrate in writing and rhetoric.
Nicholls is a public university that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- Tuition: $302 per credit (for 1-12 credits/semester); $275 per credit for each additional credit thereafter
A public research university, CU Denver offers an online bachelor of arts in English writing, rhetoric, and technology . The program teaches students about writing research and theory, as well as a broad introduction to topics like linguistics, digital publication, and magazine writing.
Many students go on to careers in content writing, technical writing, or web content management. A wide variety of electives allows students to focus on their primary areas of interest, such as scientific writing or grant writing.
CU Denver is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology
- Tuition: $330 per credit (in-state); $444 per credit (out-of-state)
- Standardized Tests: ACT or SAT
Superior, WI
A public liberal arts university, UW-Superior offers a hybrid or online bachelor's in writing . This program covers creative writing and professional writing, preparing students for positions like magazine columnist, book reviewer, or social media specialist.
All students take two introductory core writing courses, two genre-specific courses (e.g., nonfiction or poetry), and two rhetoric courses (e.g., English grammar or technical writing). Students further customize their path by picking electives like gender and sexuality in writing, psycholinguistics, and news writing and reporting. The program ends with a capstone project, in which students put together an online writing portfolio.
UW-Superior is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Writing
- Tuition: $305 per credit
- Format: 100% online or hybrid
Virginia Beach, VA
A Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Regent oversees an online bachelor of arts in English - writing program. Designed for Christian writers who want to ground their work with a biblical worldview, the program requires all students to take Christianity courses alongside their other general education requirements.
The program covers a wide variety of literature, from the Middle Ages through the modern day. Students choose writing electives such as narrative concept and development, writing for animation, and business and professional writing.
Regent is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing
- Tuition: $395 per credit for full-time students (12+ credits per semester); $450 per credit for part-time students (6-11 credits per semester)
Ellensburg, WA
A public university in Ellensburg, CWU offers a fully online bachelor of arts in professional and creative writing . Students who meet the university's general education requirements can graduate from this degree completion program in just two years.
All students take six foundational courses, which cover topics like rhetoric, grammar, poetry, and writing for publication. Students then chart their path with 27 quarter credits of electives drawn from a mix of creative writing topics, professional writing topics, and online practicum placements. All students also select five courses in literature, language, and film. Students end the program with a capstone colloquium.
CWU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Creative Writing
- Tuition: $230 per quarter credit
- Credit Requirements: 74 quarter credits
- Degree Completion Program: Yes
- Program Length : 2 years
- GPA: 3.0 suggested (students with a 2.0-2.99 GPA may be admitted pending comprehensive review)
- Standardized Tests: ACT or SAT recommended for students with a GPA below 3.0
What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Writing Program?
Faculty at each school design the curricula for writing programs; therefore, the required coursework varies at each institution. However, the overall objective remains the same — to cultivate a cadre of writers with strong communication skills.
Some degree programs, such as a bachelor's in creative writing, may focus solely on writing. Alternatively, other degree tracks may provide a blended curriculum that melds a classical education in English and literature with in-demand skills — such as technical writing — needed in today's job market.
Some students earn a bachelor's in writing to prepare for graduate school . At the graduate level, they can build on their degree by pursuing another major in the arts and humanities. Alternatively, some students may build on their writing degree by pursuing hands-on experience straight out of college, finding careers in journalism or digital media. Degree-seekers should establish clear career objectives as they examine the college options available to them.
Common Bachelor's in Writing Degree Courses
Composition.
Coursework explores expository writing, or how to convey factual information. Students use selected readings and their own experiences to write papers that hone their skills in composition.
Fiction Writing
Students begin to cultivate their writing skills by exploring contemporary fiction and fiction theories. They engage in fiction writing by developing their own short stories. Faculty and peers participate in analysis and criticism of this work to help writers hone their skills.
Reading, Writing, and Inquiry
Students build writing and critical thinking skills as they analyze and synthesize cultural texts focused on world issues and events. Faculty may require that students write about these topics for a variety of audiences as they develop their skills as participants in broader conversations.
Argumentative Writing
Mastering the art of persuasion by pen lies at the heart of writing argumentative essays focused on complicated issues. Students learn how to identify issues, take a position, find evidence to support their claims, and write papers that clearly outline convincing arguments in favor of their positions.
Editing and Publishing
Coursework explores conventions of editing and publishing in literary writing. Learners are introduced to various kinds of publishing environments, such as those related to journals, newspapers, magazines, and digital publishing. They may also focus on certain genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and technical writing.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor's in Writing Program?
High school diploma or ged certificate.
Applicants must demonstrate they graduated from high school or earned a GED certificate in order to gain entry into most colleges. Learners will need to provide official school or GED transcripts.
These exams are sometimes used to demonstrate an applicant's readiness for entry into college-level studies. The SAT covers reading, writing/language, and math, while the ACT covers English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Both tests have optional essay sections that students can use to bolster their scores.
The College Board developed the ACCUPLACER exam as an assessment tool for junior colleges. Like the SAT and ACT, this standardized test covers reading, writing, and math. Students can also opt to complete the WritePlacer essay to demonstrate their level of writing proficiency.
Minimum GPA
High school students often need to demonstrate their readiness for college by holding a minimum GPA . Admissions departments generally require that graduates have at least a 2.0-2.5 high school GPA , though some schools may have a higher threshold.
Transfer Credits
While many programs do not require transfer credits, some do. Some schools offer degree completion options that require a significant number of credits or an associate degree. Schools typically want a minimum 2.0-2.5 GPA in transferable credits. Even if schools do not offer a degree completion track leading to a bachelor's in writing, students can apply credits from junior or other colleges to accelerate degree completion.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor's in Writing?
Once students complete a bachelor's in writing, they may qualify for entry-level positions at publications, media organizations, and public relations organizations. They can also pursue a graduate-level education.
However, a writing degree alone may not suffice in a competitive job market. Degree-seekers should always consider ways to begin building and expanding their resume. Paid or unpaid internships at relevant organizations provide hands-on expertise that employers value. Learners may seek opportunities such as summer internships that do not interfere with their schooling.
Students can also accrue experience by serving on a college newspaper or similar publications. While these positions generally do not pay a salary, they give learners experience and clips for a portfolio.
Graduates with a bachelor's in writing may want to acquire specialized training through certificate programs in areas such as technical writing. They may alternately desire to advance their education and training by pursuing a writing or non-writing major in graduate school.
Related Careers
Frequently asked questions about online bachelor's in writing programs, is there a degree for creative writing.
A bachelor's in creative writing may be the best option for learners interested in acquiring a deep appreciation of fiction and nonfiction prose. Students can diversify their skills by finding a writing program that offers a minor in an area such as journalism, technical writing, or digital marketing.
What can I do with a bachelor's degree in writing?
A bachelor's degree in writing provides learners with essential training in the effective use of narrative, rhetoric, and communication skills. Learners may apply these skills in fields such as journalism, technical writing, and content strategy. With further education, they may pursue careers in law, English, and education.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's in writing?
New college students who opt to pursue a bachelor's degree in creative can expect to graduate in four years. Those who transfer credits from a two- or four-year college can accelerate degree completion significantly.
How much does a bachelor's degree in writing cost?
Tuition varies from school to school, although public colleges generally cost less than private institutions -- especially for in-state learners. However, the tuition rates at some online programs are the same for residents and nonresidents.
What does someone with a bachelor's in writing get in a degree?
A bachelor's in writing gives learners a strong liberal arts education. Students also study canonical writers as they hone their own craft. This process cultivates writers who are knowledgeable about literature, effective in the use of language, and comfortable with rhetoric and argumentation.
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2023 Best Online Creative Writing Degrees
ON THIS PAGE
An online creative writing degree can help you gain the skills and resources you need to become a professional writer — from publishing works of fiction to applying your talents in the business world. If you go on to earn your master's degree in creative writing or English , you may bring home even more.
To find a program that fits your needs, explore our list of the best online bachelor’s in creative writing. Our comprehensive list is based on online enrollment, and it also includes the annual tuition for each creative writing graduate degree. View our methodology for more details about our list, or learn more about OnlineU .
OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad." Learn more about how we make money. ">ADVERTISEMENT
Online Creative Writing Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In
Southern New Hampshire University Online
- Annual Tuition: $9,600
5 Programs ( view all)
- BA Creative Writing & English - Fiction Writing
- BA Creative Writing & English - Poetry
Grand Canyon University
Annual Tuition: $17,800
2 Programs ( view all)
- BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
- BA in Professional Writing - New Media
Liberty University
- Annual Tuition: $11,700
1 Programs ( view all)
- BS: English and Writing: Creative Writing
List Of Accredited Online Creative Writing Schools
Southern new hampshire university online onlineu has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, payscale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. learn more about how we make money. ' >.
- Locations: Manchester (NH)
New England Commission of Higher Education is a regional accreditation agency. Credits will transfer more reliably from regionally accredited schools than any others.
Accreditation agencies as reported by the Department of Education .
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a large, private institution that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing & English . This BA program has four concentration options: (1) Fiction, (2) Nonfiction, (3) Poetry, and (4) Screenwriting. Each concentration requires 120 credits and can be completed in four years with a full-time schedule. This program focuses on teaching students about adaptability, creativity, persuasion, and social perceptiveness, encouraging graduates to pursue any writing career they desire. Some core courses in this program include Context of Writing: Writers/Publishing, The English Language, and Shakespeare. Graduates may go on to work as authors, editors, copywriters, and journalists.
At SNHU Online, students use Brightspace to access their online coursework, which is fully online and synchronous.
Liberty University OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ' >
- Locations: Lynchburg (VA)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges is a regional accreditation agency. Credits will transfer more reliably from regionally accredited schools than any others.
Liberty University (LU) is a private, Christian university with a Bachelor of Science in English and Writing - Creative Writing . This online degree requires 120 credit hours, which full-time students complete in three-and-a-half years on average. Overall, LU accepts 50% of its applicants, while 34% of students at LU graduate.
Canvas is the school's learning management system, which students use to complete their online coursework 100% online and on a schedule that meets their needs. This program explores the history of literature, including historical authors, as well as advanced grammar, technical writing, and critical thinking. The majority of credits go toward the core curriculum — including classes such as American Realism and Naturalism, Modern Grammar, and Composition and Literature — with each course being taught from a Christian perspective. Additional credits are required for the senior capstone project. Jobs for graduates may include a variety of roles, such as professional bloggers, writers, or editors.
Full Sail University OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ' >
- Annual Tuition: $24,513
- Locations: Winter Park (FL)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is a national accreditation agency. National accreditation is primarily awarded to specialized, vocational, or trade schools.
Full Sail University (FS) is a large, private university that offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing requiring 120 credit hours. The program takes 29 months to complete with a full-time schedule. The curriculum focuses on exploring genres, researching publication methods, and honing the craft through portfolio courses and workshops. Some core classes in this major include Storytelling in the Entertainment & Media Industries, Literary Techniques and Story Development, and Developing New Worlds: Environment and Historical Research.
At FS, students receive a Launchbox, which includes a computer, Full Sail’s custom learning system, and professional software to finish their coursework, which is a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning styles.
University of Central Florida
- Annual Tuition: $22,467
- Locations: Orlando (FL) (and 7 others)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public university that hosts an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Creative Writing . In order to graduate, students must complete 120 credit hours, which is typically done within four years. UCF's acceptance rate is 45%, with 72% of students graduating.
Online students at UCF use Canvas to complete their coursework, which is delivered online and in an asynchronous format. The curriculum guides students through aspects of writing, such as rhetoric, communication, and literary structure. While attending classes remotely, students examine works of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to assist students in composing their own pieces. There are a number of required courses, such as Creative Writing for English Majors, Theories and Techniques of Literature Study, and Theory and Practice of Creative Writing. Graduates may find employment as copywriters, journalists, and technical writers.
Regent University Online
- Annual Tuition: $18,620
- Locations: Virginia Beach (VA)
Regent University Online (RU) is a private, Christian institution that features an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing requiring a minimum of 120 credit hours. Typically, the completion time for this degree is around four years for full-time students. Of all the students that apply to RU, exactly half of the applicants are accepted into a program. Then, they have a 30% graduation rate.
At RU, students use Canvas as their learning platform, where courses are delivered fully online and asynchronously. The core curriculum for this program teaches students the most relevant forms of modern writing, such as media, web, fiction, and business — alongside a historical view of literature throughout Britain and the United States. Here are three examples of required courses: The Art of the Essay, Shakespeare, and Literature of the United States: Beginnings to the Civil War. Students must also complete an Advanced Independent Study. Graduates may find work in marketing, public relations, and commercial fiction, to name a few possibilities.
Central Washington University
- Annual Tuition: $23,954
- Locations: Ellensburg (WA)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is a regional accreditation agency. Credits will transfer more reliably from regionally accredited schools than any others.
Central Washington University (CWU) is a medium-sized, public institution. CWU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Professional and Creative Writing requiring 180 credits. Students can finish this program in about four years with a full-time schedule, which includes a practicum course. Options for the practicum course are working for the student newspaper or magazine, completing an internship, or editing the student literary journal. Courses include Rhetoric for Professional Writers, Multi-Genre Writing Workshop, and Research Methods for Workplace Writers. CWU graduates go on to work for businesses, agencies, publications, government offices, and nonprofit organizations.
At CWU, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is all online.
Texas Tech University
- Annual Tuition: $19,260
- Locations: Lubbock (TX)
Texas Tech University (TTU) is a large, public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Creative Writing requiring 120 credit hours. Students can graduate in four years with a full-time schedule and work in various fields — such as education, government, and business — or they can continue their studies with a graduate degree. This program prepares students with classes such as Heroes and Anti-Heroes, Studies in Literary Topics, and Language & Community. Additionally, this program has a Communication Literacy Requirement, which can be completed with three courses.
At TTU, students use Blackboard to access their coursework. Students can take classes completely online, and they are taught synchronously.
Which Degree Is Best for Writers?
Students interested in writing careers may pursue a creative writing bachelor's degree online to hone their craft through virtual lectures, readings, and collaborative writing workshops. While an English degree may require more intensive literature study, a creative writing major online or in person aims to equip graduates with the critical skills to analyze, interpret, and create content in a multimedia culture.
A creative writing online degree involves taking general education classes and a university’s core requirements. Professional writers of various genres often lead workshops where students review each other's work and provide feedback. To diversify students’ writing, a program’s curriculum may be somewhat broad — including classes in scriptwriting, editing, journalism, screenwriting, and poetry. While working toward this degree, students may build a robust portfolio of their creative work by practically applying their skills.
Standard admission requirements for a creative writing degree online include the following:
- A minimum 2.5 GPA (alternatively, an additional review process may be required)
- High school transcripts
- Entrance exam scores
- A personal essay or statement of intent
- Many schools charge a nonrefundable application fee of approximately $50
How Long Is a Creative Writing Degree?
Online degrees in writing are treated the same as any other bachelor's level program: Students study for approximately four years in order to finish 120 credit hours. Keep in mind, this is while maintaining a full-time study schedule. Some programs may offer accelerated tracks, which include summer courses, to shorten the overall time it takes to earn the degree.
Is Creative Writing a BA or BS?
Online colleges for creative writing often offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA). These focus more on fields in the arts and humanities and involve core courses in critical thinking and communication. They include subjects like philosophy, language, and education.
Some online schools for creative writing may consider their degree a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), which encourages students to study the practice of creative writing as an art form and to discover their own unique artistic voice.
Conversely to BAs and BFAs, a Bachelor of Science (BS) involves more quantitative teaching using science and mathematics.
Are Online Degrees Respected?
Online degrees are respected for many reasons. However, one of the most important reasons is accreditation. The best online creative writing bachelor's degree programs will be accredited by national or institutional authorities — such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation . They evaluate whether a school meets the federal standard of a quality education in a process.
EXPERT TIP
Use the U.S. Department of Education’s search tool to verify that an online school for writing has accreditation status before enrolling.
This quality assurance process proves that a school has an adequate amount of faculty, resources, and other facilities to conduct academic programs. Furthermore, in-person and online students must attend accredited schools to qualify for federal financial aid , such as student loans and scholarships . This stamp of approval also makes transferring credits between schools possible, especially if students hope to pursue online MFAs or other master's writing degree programs.
Common Online Courses for Creative Writing Students
A creative writing degree covers many specialties under the umbrella of liberal arts , so a variety of courses are often offered.
The coursework helps students develop soft skills, which include critical thinking, situation analysis, and the ability to communicate across various media interfaces.
The best online colleges for creative writing prepare students for careers producing fiction, nonfiction, and creative nonfiction. Programs may also offer internships that allow students to earn additional credits and gain practical experience.
Below is a diverse sampling of classes offered across the programs in our rankings list above:
Advanced Poetry Writing
This online course delves into poetic form and technique, such as voice development and what makes a poem engaging. The faculty guides students to explore their emotional truth, which is at the heart of writing poetry.
Fiction Workshop
Students share their work with peers and receive feedback through collaborative workshop sessions. The coursework allows students to explore the complexities of fiction writing, from developing characters and plots to maintaining concise prose throughout.
Forms and Techniques of Fiction
In this class, students learn how to analyze and imitate principal works of fiction in order to gain a historical understanding of the creative process.
Playwriting
Students study the process and elements of playwriting, including character, plot, and conflict development. Students should become familiar with thinking and writing engaging dialogue, film scriptwriting, character building, three-act structures, plot points, and formatting techniques.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing
Prospective fiction writers discover the rules and tools associated with writing sci-fi and fantasy. Based on prompts provided by the faculty, students develop their poetic language by writing short stories that evoke a sense of horror and convey alternate realities.
Storytelling in Film and Literature
Overall, this course encourages students to explore narrative techniques and how they transpose to film. Students also investigate political, social, and aesthetic issues in narratives.
Careers with a Creative Writing Degree
An online degree in creative writing can prepare students for a breadth of professional writing opportunities, from scientific to speech writing. Areas of focus can vary significantly within creative writing careers, depending on an individual’s career goals and experience. For example, an online bachelor’s degree in creative writing can prepare students for career paths in new media editing and copywriting, advertising, public relations, and publishing.
Some writers want more flexibility and may choose to be self-employed. Freelance writers sell their stories to media outlets or contract with organizations in order to write through various mediums, such as web content. Freelancers usually charge by the word but may also charge hourly or by the piece.
Below are some other popular career paths for those with an online creative writing bachelor's degree:
Editors review content for grammatical and spelling errors, rewrite text to improve comprehension, evaluate writer submissions, and work closely with writers to develop their content.
Journalists
Journalists research stories and ideas, conduct interviews, and write articles for publication in a variety of media outlets. They analyze and convey information in a way that’s easy for a general audience to understand.
Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists write press releases and speeches to help business leaders communicate effectively. In general, they help build and maintain an organization's public image.
Technical Writers
Technical writers , such as medical and scientific writers, develop user-friendly product descriptions, instructions, and other forms of content across various media platforms. While certification is often not mandatory, it can be attractive to potential employers.
Is Writing a Stable Career?
The stability of a career in writing ultimately depends on the direction the writer chooses to go. For example, content writing for websites can be a very lucrative and stable career path because it offers nearly unlimited job opportunities on the internet. Screenwriting, on the other hand, may be considered less stable because your opportunities are limited to the amount of scripts that production companies can accept.
Furthermore, this particular career path is incredibly competitive with only 6,100 writers in film and TV reporting earnings, as per the 2021 Writers Guild of America West's Annual Financial Report . Writers overall, however, can expect a 4% job growth into 2030 — which is the average job growth for all U.S. occupations.
Associations for Creative Writing Students
Several well-known writers' associations provide professional development and networking opportunities. These associations support writers by providing communities for them to connect, share best practices, develop skills, and search for employment. A wide range of associations exist for various genres of literature, such as the Academy of American Poets , Mystery Writers of America , and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators .
Below are several prominent writing associations in the U.S.:
Authors' Guild (AG)
One of the country's oldest writers' associations, the AG, supports working writers of all genres by providing a community for them that promotes networking. The AG not only provides a sense of belonging for writers but also advocates for their rights by ensuring that they are paid, treated well, and protected — especially their freedom of speech.
Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)
The AWP provides support, advocacy, and resources for a community of nearly 50,000 writers. According to its mission, AWP “amplifies the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing.” Importantly, the AWP is also the governing body that evaluates MFA programs to ensure that they consistently provide high quality education.
National Association of Independent Writers & Editors (NAIWE)
The NAIWE supports freelance writers of all kinds — including novelists, business writers, editors, and academic writers — by providing best practice guidance, networking opportunities, and writers' resources. NAIWE's primary mission is to help writers develop multiple income streams by connecting them with freelance opportunities.
Is It Worth Getting a Degree in Creative Writing?
An online bachelor's degree in creative writing can be helpful for developing a student’s voice and providing a way for prospective writers to acquire the tools and techniques of the trade. The ability to write thoughtfully and clearly is valued across all fields and industries, making this degree path worthwhile for many. However, if a student's primary desire is to become a published author, that cannot be guaranteed with a degree. Being a published author not only takes skill but also talent, experience, and a bit of luck.
Ultimately, to determine the value of a Bachelor of Creative Writing online, students should consider their personal, financial, and professional goals. The following presents several pros and cons involved with earning an online bachelor's degree in creative writing:
Potential Benefits
Writing skills are transferable to a wide range of careers. Creative thinking and written communication skills are two of the top ten skills employers desire , regardless of the position. Organizations need employees who are articulate in both speech and writing. They are looking for people who can develop a strong argument and think outside the box. For example, if a job requires updating social media or corresponding through email, a creative writing degree could prove an asset.
A degree program provides opportunities for networking. Students can connect with peers and mentors in the field — including authors, editors, and even publishers — throughout their program. Networking can help students navigate the publishing world, share advice and knowledge, and learn from the experience of others.
Students can build a substantial writing portfolio. Through coursework and projects, students develop a diverse body of work, which they can later present to prospective employers.
Potential Drawbacks
Completing course assignments may feel particularly restrictive to creative writers. Since the coursework in a creative writing program is intended to meet programmatic outcomes and objectives, it’s often highly specific. This focus removes some of the enjoyment, freedom, and inspiration from the writing process. Also, students may be required to write about topics that hold no interest for them.
Writer's burnout is a common phenomenon. Due to the imaginative nature of writing, a kind of creative burnout can arise that other professionals don't necessarily have to grapple with. This type of stress often involves decreased motivation and a harmful internal dialogue that prohibits productivity. To avoid writer’s burnout, writers need self-discipline and organizational skills to effectively manage their time.
Some writing careers may not be financially sustainable. Writers who specialize in specific areas, such as technical writing or public relations, have above-average salary prospects and earn median annual salaries of $78,060 and $62,800, respectively. On the other hand, poets, freelancers, and fiction writers may not be able to rely on creative writing as their primary source of income.
Studying and writing from home may offer more flexibility and comfort than being on a busy campus and adhering to a rigid schedule. Since writing is often a reflective, solitary activity requiring uninterrupted attention, online coursework may make it easier for writers to focus.
Bottom Line
The best online creative writing degree helps prepare students by encouraging them to develop the necessary skills to gain professional employment in direct writing roles as well as other professions — such as public relations specialist or publisher — which don't exclusively involve writing. While career stability declines when it comes to more creative writing, such as screenwriting or poetry, an online bachelor's degree in English creative writing will still teach valuable communication strategies, along with creative and critical thinking skills.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing may decide to continue their education by pursuing a graduate degree, such as an online master's in creative writing . Advanced education prepares students to teach at the collegiate level or gain highly sophisticated writing skills, which can be essential when trying to get published.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts, Creative Writing - 4-Year Degree Plan
Program Description
The BFA in Creative Writing equips students with the practical and technical skills that form a foundation for creative and professional writing. It prepares students for careers in writing, while inspiring the creativity that is a necessary ingredient to success. Graduates of the BFA program will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the writing process that can be adapted and applied in any career field. They will master the tools of the craft, as well as develop strategies for entering the workplace, publishing their creative work, and continuing to develop the art of Creative Writing.
Program Objectives
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of thematic development, description, and employment of literary devices suitable to the genre.
Analyze selected texts to consider how they are structured, and read individual stories, books, or poems, analyzing them from a writer’s point of view, considering tools of the craft.
Analyze the literary market and develop strategies for publication.
Apply revision and self-editing techniques to clarify and strengthen original writing.
Demonstrate a mastery of the reading or recitation of literary texts in public space.
Articulate how their faith influences and is reflected in their writing.
Total Program Hours- 120 Credit Hours
2023-24 foundational core - 34 credit hours, seu foundations - 3 credit hours.
- CORE 1111 - COMMUNITY AND COLLEGE SUCCESS Credits: 1
- CORE 1112 - DIVINE DESIGN AND MISSIONAL VOCATION Credits: 2
Worldview Formation - 9 Credit Hours
- BIBL 1113 - THE STORY OF SCRIPTURE Credits: 3
- THEO 1213 - LIVED THEOLOGY Credits: 3
- CORE 3113 - WORLDVIEW AND COMPLEX PROBLEMS SEMINAR Credits: 3
Habits of Inquiry - 22 Credit Hours
Discursive inquiry - 6 credit hours.
- ENGL 1113 - COLLEGE COMPOSITION Credits: 3
- ENGL 2113 - PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION Credits: 3
Natural-Scientific Inquiry - Select One of the Following with Lab (4 Credit Hours):
- BIOL 1333 - ESSENTIALS OF HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSI Credits: 3
- BIOL 133L - ESSENT OF ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LAB Credits: 1
- NSCI 1023 - INTRO TO SCIENCE AND TECH Credits: 3
- NSCI 102L - INTRO TO SCIENCE AND TECH LAB Credits: 1
- NSCI 1043 - NUTRITION SCIENCE Credits: 3
- NSCI 104L - NUTRITION SCIENCE LABORATORY Credits: 1
Quantitative Inquiry - 3 Credit Hours
- MATH 1313 - TOPICS IN MATHEMATICS Credits: 3
- MATH 1213 - COLLEGE ALGEBRA Credits: 3
- MATH 2023 - INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS Credits: 3
Socio-Historical Inquiry- Select Two (2) of the Following (6 Credit Hours):
- HIST 2123 - CRITICAL ISSUES IN AMERICAN HISTORY Credits: 3
- HIST 2133 - CRITICAL ISSUES IN WORLD HISTORY Credits: 3
- PSYC 1133 - INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Credits: 3
- SSCI 2133 - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY Credits: 3
Creative-Aesthetic Inquiry - Select One (1) of the Following (3 Credit Hours):
- MUSC 1003 - MUSIC APPRECIATION Credits: 3
- COMM 2433 - FILM APPRECIATION Credits: 3
- HUMS 2233 - INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES Credits: 3
- ARTV 2023 - PHOTOGRAPHY Credits: 3
- ENGL 2133 - INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE Credits: 3
Major Core- 44 Credit Hours
Writing- 3 credit hours.
- ENGL 3013 - CREATIVE WRITING Credits: 3
Writing- Advanced Genre Writing (12 Credit Hours)
(Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction) up to four times (3 credit hours X 4 semesters)
- ENGL 4143 - ADVANCED POETRY WRITING Credits: 3
- ENGL 4153 - ADVANCED FICTION WRITING Credits: 3
- ENGL 4163 - ADVANCED CREATIVE NONFICTION Credits: 3
Language Requirement- 8 Credit Hours
Beginning Level (Both must be the same language - part 1 & part 2)
- LANG 1144 - ELEMENTARY SPANISH (A) Credits: 4
- LANG 1244 - ELEMENTARY SPANISH (B) Credits: 4
Literature- 9 Credit Hours
Any ENGL course above the 3000 level - Select Three
- ENGL 3213 - MAJOR AUTHOR STUDY Credits: 3
- ENGL 3633 - AMERICAN LITERATURE Credits: 3
- ENGL 3833 - YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE Credits: 3
- ENGL 3843 - LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE Credits: 3
- ENGL 3933 - AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE Credits: 3
- ENGL 4133 - INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE Credits: 3
- ENGL 4323 - HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Credits: 3
- ENGL 4333 - WORLD LITERATURE Credits: 3
- ENGL 4343 - NATIVE AMERICAN LIT & CULTURE Credits: 3
- ENGL 4533 - CONTEMPORARY LIT Credits: 3
- ENGL 4633 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANGUAGE & LIT Credits: 3
Major Core Elective- 12 Credit Hours
- COMM 2153 - WRITING FOR THE MASS MEDIA Credits: 3
- COMM 2323 - INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS Credits: 3
- COMM 2533 - NARRATIVE STRUCTURE IN FILM Credits: 3
- COMM 3323 - SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY AND CONTENT Credits: 3
- COMM 3353 - NARRATIVE JOURNALISM Credits: 3
- COMM 3363 - WRITING FOR PUBL RELATIONS & ADVERT Credits: 3
- COMM 3613 - NEWS WRITING AND EDITING Credits: 3
- COMM 3723 - SCREENWRITING I Credits: 3
- COMM 4183 - INTERNATIONAL VISUAL STORYTELLING Credits: 3
- COMM 4453 - ADVANCED DIGITAL REPORTING Credits: 3
- COMM 4743 - SCREENWRITING II Credits: 3
- ENGL 3333 - ADVANCED GRAMMAR Credits: 3
- ENGL 3433 - ADVANCED EXPOSITORY WRITING Credits: 3
- ENGL 4433 - ORAL INTERPRETATION Credits: 3
Divine Design (Major Specific Experiential Learning)- 3 Credit Hours
- ENGL 2553 - JOURNAL EDITING Credits: 1-3 Variable Credit
- ENGL 3203 - ENGLISH PRACTICUM Credits: 1-3 Variable Credit
Divine Design- 39 Credit Hours
To meet the Divine Design requirement, students may earn credit hours in general elective courses, declared minors/certificates, or enjoy other experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad, internships, or practicums. Other practicum options include PRAC 1001 (1 credit hour), PRAC 1002 (2 credit hours), PRAC 1003 (3 credit hours), PRAC 1004 (4 credit hours), up to 24 credit hours. General Electives are any college-level course that does not satisfy the above program requirements. Students must complete the above program requirements with the remaining credit hours earned in the Divine Design to meet the total program hours.
Reading with Michael Collier, the Mohr Visiting Poet
This event is open to Stanford affiliates and the general public. Register here
The Creative Writing Program is pleased to announce a reading with Michael Collier !
Michael Collier is the author of eight collections of poetry, including The Ledge , which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His most recent book, The Missing Mountain: New and Selected Poems , appeared in 2021. He has published a collection of essays, Make Us Wave Back: Essays on Poetry and Influence ; a translation of Euripides’ Medea ; has edited three poetry anthologies and co-edited with Charles Baxter and Edward Hirsch, A William Maxwell Portrait . His honors include an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters as well as fellowships from the Guggenheim and Rockefeller foundations and the National Endowment for the Arts. He has been a visiting lecturer at Johns Hopkins and Yale universities and the Zell Distinguished Visiting Professor at University of Michigan. From 1994-2017, he directed the Middlebury College Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences and taught for many years at the University of Maryland, College Park, before retiring in 2021.
Collier is this year's Mohr Visiting Poet. Each year, the Creative Writing Program welcomes a distinguished poet to teach a Stanford writing seminar to undergraduates. Collier's seminar will be The Occasions of Poetry. These seminars are made possible with the generous support of Lawrence and Nancy Mohr.
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Creative Writing Program 450 Jane Stanford Way, Bldg. 460 Stanford, CA 94305-2087
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Colleges and universities that received 10 or more nominations are ranked here. Read the methodology » To unlock full rankings, SAT/ACT scores and more, sign up for the U.S. News College...
Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country. #7: Brown University Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major.
The Certificate in Creative Writing is fully customizable. You may follow a Writers' Program sample curriculum plan based on specific writing goals, or design your own program of study. Students must complete 21 total units comprised of the 3-unit Creative Writing Certificate Capstone course and 18 units of 400-level Creative Writing coursework.
The Creative Writing Program at Stanford University was founded by Wallace Stegner, a noted writer, and environmentalist, in 1946. For students earning an undergraduate degree, Stanford offers a major in English with an Emphasis on Creative Writing.
List of All U.S. Colleges with a Creative Writing Major | CollegeVine Blog Your chancing factors Unweighted GPA: 720 math 800 verbal Low accuracy Laura Berlinsky-Schine November 15, 2020 6 Academic Tips and Info, College Lists List of All U.S. Colleges with a Creative Writing Major
2023 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in America Best colleges College Quiz Best value Best student life View on map College type 4-year Private Public 2-year Community Trade/career Other General area of study Any Majors Clear filter Online Campus See all majors Online friendliness Fully online Large online program Some online degrees
25 Top Schools in Creative Writing 1 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Master's Degree Highest Degree Type 1st Most Popular In MD 84 Creative Writing Degrees Awarded Every student who is interested in creative writing needs to check out Johns Hopkins University.
Boise State University is a large public college that has more than 200-degree programs to choose from, including one in creative writing. The program can be taken at an undergraduate or graduate level and is taught by award-winning faculty who have written best-selling novels, as well as receiving awards and grants, including the O. Henry Award.
Michigan State University's creative writing concentration lets students explore creative writing in multiple genres as well as providing a literary studies foundation. While students will graduate with a Bachelor's in English, their creative writing commitment will be noted on their diplomas.
Creative writing degrees represent one of the fastest growing university programs in the U.S. According to the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) 2015 report, 30% of MFA full-residency programs enjoyed an enrollment increase.
The Best Creative Writing Programs Collapse All University of Florida Location Gainesville, FL Tuition $11313 Graduation Rate 88% View School Profile One of the nation's oldest creative writing programs, UF's master of fine arts in creative writing teaches students about literature and the writing craft.
University of Miami offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 18 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 13 Bachelor's degrees, and 5 Master's degrees. Based on 4 Reviews Learn More Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
The Writing & Literature students have a genuine passion for reading and writing. Students complete rigorous coursework in Creative Writing, Literary Study, and Writing Studies, with considerable freedom to design their own course of study. Students work closely under the guidance of a faculty mentor to create a publishable body of creative and ...
Columbia University's MFA degree is a top-ranking program that requires students to earn 60 points to graduate. 3. Princeton University. Princeton University is another one of the world's best creative writing schools and was founded in the mid-18 th century, making it one of the oldest universities in the US.
Creative Writing | Princeton University Creative Writing CWR 201 Creative Writing (Poetry) Professor/Instructor Practice in the original composition of poetry supplemented by the reading and analysis of standard works. Each student is expected to prepare a manuscript each week.
Creative Writing Graduate Programs in California View on map Program Clear filter Online Masters Doctorate See all programs College type Public Private For-profit Not-for-profit Religious affiliation Any 1-21 of 21 results Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Los Angeles, CA • University of Southern California • Graduate School
Columbia has intensive writing workshops, fellowships, and teaching opportunitiesto bring out the best in you. On top of that, the city is filled with publishing houses and has a buzzing community of talented authors, something that you can take advantage of when you graduate! 3. Northwestern University
English Course Listing. The Creative Writing Major is an undergraduate concentration within the English Department at Northwestern University and one of the first and finest undergraduate Creative Writing programs in the country. Its reputation is based on the accomplishments of its graduates, the generosity of its accomplished professors, and ...
Associate Chair Eric Olson is a fiction writer who teaches courses in literature, creative writing, academic writing, and literary theory. He is the author of The Procession of Mollusks, a novel published in 2009 by Astrophil Press. Olson is the former associate editor for Conjunctions, an online literary journal that champions experimental ...
The department also offers the Creative Writing Program, which provides students with a coherent course of study in the writing of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction and the Professional Writing Program, which focuses on the theories, ethics, and practice of writing in industry and public contexts. The English major prepares students to ...
Manchester, NH. Graduation Rate. 54%. View School Profile. Located in Manchester, SNHU offers an online bachelor of arts in creative writing and English. Students can select the general track for maximum flexibility, or choose one of four concentrations: fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, or poetry.
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public university that hosts an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Creative Writing. In order to graduate, students must complete 120 credit hours, which is typically done within four years. UCF's acceptance rate is 45%, with 72% of students graduating.
The Creative Writing Program offers a concentration for English majors and a minor for students with other majors. Some courses incorporate civic engagement, such as producing public service announcements for area nonprofits. Students can also participate in co-curricular opportunities, including evening readings and receptions with visiting ...
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Creative Writing - 4-Year Degree Plan Program Description. The BFA in Creative Writing equips students with the practical and technical skills that form a foundation for creative and professional writing. It prepares students for careers in writing, while inspiring the creativity that is a necessary ingredient to success.
The Creative Writing Program is pleased to announce a reading with Michael Collier!. Michael Collier is the author of eight collections of poetry, including The Ledge, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His most recent book, The Missing Mountain: New and Selected Poems, appeared in 2021.He has published a collection of essays,