Creative Writing Major

The major consists of a minimum of 10 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.

View the catalog page for the Creative Writing department.

View major application information.

Summary of Requirements

Two 200-Level Creative Writing Courses
Three 300-Level Creative Writing Workshops (one may be a crosslisted workshop)
Four Textual Studies Courses
CRWR 490 - Creative Writing Capstone Seminar

Notes:
Only one Practical Studies course (such as CRWR 450) may apply to the major.
Students must complete Creative Writing courses in at least two genres.
Students must take courses at the 200- and 300-level with at least three different instructors.

Transfer of Credit

Upon acceptance to the College, transfer students with an interest in Creative Writing should contact the director of Creative Writing to discuss approval of previous coursework. Third-year transfer students will find it almost impossible to complete the major in four semesters and might consider the minor. While credit is normally given for Creative Writing courses taken elsewhere, equivalent credit is almost never given for any of the upper-level workshops. No more than two full courses of transfer credit may be applied toward the Creative Writing Major. Transfer courses may be applied toward the textual studies requirement, the in-program course requirement, or a combination of these.

Application to the Major

Students may apply to the major in their second or third year once they have, at minimum:

satisfactorily completed two 200-level courses, preferably in different genres, or
satisfactorily completed one 100-level course and one 200-level course, and are in the process of completing a second 200-level course in good standing, or
(for transfer students only) satisfactorily completed one 200-level course and have demonstrated that they have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of another 200-level creative writing course at another institution.

The program will accept applications to the major at the end of each semester. The application will be rigorous: required elements will include a proposed course of study in the major, a close reading of a work of literature, and a portfolio. Applications will be reviewed by the Creative Writing program committee as a whole.

Students not accepted into the major may still apply to the Creative Writing minor

Creative Writing Major Course Lists

Students should consult with their advisors when selecting Textual Studies courses.

Growing as a writer depends upon growing as a reader. The Textual Studies requirement asks students to deepen their knowledge of the traditions and current practices that shape the genres in which they write. The requirement may be met by courses in literature, narrative, or poetics (generally at the 200-level and above) offered by the departments of English, Comparative Literature, Theater, Africana Studies, the language departments, and Cinema Studies. Textual Studies credit may, in some cases, be considered for courses outside of these departments but within the Arts and Humanities (ARHU) division of the college.

Students in their fourth (and sometimes their third) year may choose to substitute a Practical Studies course for one of the Textual Studies courses. Practical Studies courses may include such courses as CRWR 450: Teaching Imaginative Writing and various other practica.

Creative Writing Major

Summary of Requirements

Transfer of Credit

Application to the Major

Creative Writing Major Course Lists

200-Level Creative Writing Courses

300-Level Creative Writing Workshops

Textual Studies Requirement