Creative Writing Major

Summary of Requirements

• Two Full 200-Level Creative Writing Courses
• Three Full 300-Level Creative Writing Workshop Courses
• Four Full Literary Reading and Analysis Courses
• CRWR 490 - Creative Writing Capstone Seminar  

Declaring 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 department accepts applications to the major in the middle of each semester. The application is both rigorous and holistic, assessing students’ development over three main areas: professionalism, workshop citizenship, and artistic commitment. Typically, the application requires a reflection on the student’s experiences in creative writing thus far, a proposed course of study in the major, an example of a workshop feedback letter written to a peer, and a portfolio. Applications are reviewed by the entire creative writing teaching faculty.

Students not accepted into the major may often still complete the creative writing minor.

Transfer of Credit Toward the Major

No more than two full courses of transfer credit may be applied toward the creative writing major.

Credit for creative writing courses taken elsewhere may normally be applied toward the 200-level course requirement, to the literary reading and analysis requirement, or to both; however, equivalent credit is seldom given for any of the 300-level workshops.

Upon acceptance to the college, transfer students with an interest in creative writing should contact the program chair 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.

Course of Study

Students accepted to the major undertake a series of three intensive upper-level workshops: exacting, low-enrollment courses designed to test and refine the core skills and practices of maturing writers who are committed not only to their own development but also to that of their peers and to nurturing a vibrant, open-minded community of fellow craftspeople.

Acknowledging that there is no good writing without good reading, students also consult with their advisors to select textual studies courses to cultivate the careful reading and interpretation of literature that is central to any vital studio practice.

The major culminates in a substantial, closely-mentored capstone project, undertaken in a seminar setting with other capstone students. Capstone seminars include discussions of how to bring the skills and disciplines honed in the creative writing major out into the world after college.
 

Detailed Major Requirements