Department of English & World Languages

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

For students interested in Creative Writing for Teacher Licensure, click here.

The program in creative writing seeks to help students develop their creative potential, especially in writing; explore the practical aspects of publishing and getting published; learn a respect for and an understanding of language; appreciate and profit from a study of our common literary heritage; increase their awareness of and empathy for diverse peoples and cultures; discover the relevance of ideas and values found in their reading; and learn to think critically and evaluate wisely.

Creative writing majors are prepared for a variety of careers in advertising, communications, education, government, management, personnel work, public relations, and sales. A degree in creative writing also provides an excellent undergraduate preparation for the student planning to pursue graduate study of business, law, or the humanities.

The degree program in creative writing requires 45 hours in English:

• ENGL 2043 Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENGL 2063 Introduction to Literary Studies
• ENGL 3043 Literary Editing and Publishing
• ENGL 3073 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
• ENGL 3083 Fiction Workshop
• ENGL 3093 Poetry Workshop
• ENGL 3313 American Literature to 1900
• ENGL 3323 Modern American Literature
• ENGL 3413 British Literature to 1800
• ENGL 3423 British Literature since 1800
• ENGL 4093 Seminar in Creative Writing
• ENGL 4813 Senior Project in Creative Writing
• and 9 credit hours of English electives

The creative writing major must complete two semesters in one foreign language or have completed two years of language study in high school with grades of "C" or better.

Students who plan to use a creative writing degree as a preparation for law school are encouraged to complete some of the following electives in addition to their required courses:

• BLAW 2033 Legal Environment of Business
• CJ/SOC 2043 Crime and Delinquency
• CJ/POLS 3023 Judicial Process
• CJ 4023 Law and the Legal System
• CJ 4053 Criminal Law and the Constitution
• COMM 2003 Public Speaking
• COMM 2111- COMM 2121 Debate Practicum
• COMM 4153 Persuasive Theory and Audience Analysis
• JOUR 4123 Laws of Communication
• PHIL 3103 Logic
• POLS 4043 American Constitutional Law
• PSY 2003 General Psychology

Curriculum

The matrix below is a sample plan for all coursework required for this program.

•  Freshman

  Fall		Spring
  ENGL 1013 Composition I1	3	ENGL 1023 Composition II1	3
  Social Sciences1	6	Fine Arts & Humanities1	3
  Mathematics1	3	Science with Lab1	4
  Beginning Language I4	3	Beginning Language II4	3
  TECH 1001 Orientation to the University	1	Elective3	3
  Total Hours	16	Total Hours	16

•  Sophomore

  Fall		Spring
  U.S. History/Government1	3	Social Sciences/Fine Arts/Humanities/Communication1	3
  Fine Arts & Humanities1	3	ENGL 3043 Literary Editing and Publishing	3
  Science with Lab1	4	English Elective2	6
  ENGL 2043 Introduction to Creative Writing	3	Elective3	3
  ENGL 2063 Introduction to Literary Studies	3
  Total Hours	16	Total Hours	15

•  Junior

  Fall		Spring
  ENGL 3073 Creative Nonfiction Workshop	3	ENGL 3083 Fiction Workshop	3
  ENGL 3093 Poetry Workshop	3	ENGL 3323 Modern American Literature	3
  ENGL 3313 American Literature to 1900	3	ENGL 3423 British Literature since 1800	3
  ENGL 3413 British Literature to 1800	3	Elective3	6
  Elective3	3
  Total Hours	15	Total Hours	15

•  Senior

  Fall		Spring
  ENGL 4093 Seminar in Creative Writing	3	ENGL 4813 Senior Project in Creative Writing	3
  English Elective2	3	Elective3	9
  Elective3	9
  Total Hours	15	Total Hours	12

¹See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".
²Any 2-4000 level English courses excluding ENGL 2003 Introduction to World Literature, ENGL 2013 Introduction to American Literature, ENGL/JOUR 2173 Introduction to Film, ENGL 2881 Practicum-Literary Journal Publication, and ENGL 4881-4 Practicum-Editing Literary Journal.
³At least 40 of the 120 hours required for graduation must be earned in 3000-4000 level courses.
⁴All minimum college hours (at least two semesters) should be in one language. Students with previous study in a foreign language should refer to Foreign Language Advanced Placement and Credit under Credit by Examination. Students may waive three hours of language requirements for every one year of language study in high school with grades of "C" or better.