creative writing degree community college

Creative Writing

• AA - Transfer Program
• Department of English/Philosophy

Write your way to a great career

If writing is your passion, MCC's Creative Writing A.A. degree program offers an exciting opportunity to make writing part of your life. You might also be surprised at the variety of professional fields that involve creative writing, including:  

• Advertising
• Web Content Writer
• Grant Writing

At MCC you'll learn from professors who are published writers themselves. You'll meet other aspiring student writers and share your work in a mutually supportive environment. Your MCC studies will culminate with learning about submitting your own work and publishing opportunities in Rochester and throughout the country.

Complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in English or Creative Writing

Through classroom experiences, you'll sharpen your writing skills while exploring a variety of writing disciplines and career pathways. You'll also take foundation courses that lead to successful transfer to a bachelor's degree in English, Creative Writing, and more—at outstanding four-year colleges like these:

• Goddard College
• St. John Fisher College
• Nazareth College
• University of Rochester

Get in touch with Monroe Community College's admissions office to learn more about the opportunities you can create with an associate degree in creative writing. Contact us at (585) 292-2200 or [email protected] .

For information about the Creative Writing degree program itself, please contact Maria Brandt at [email protected] .

Program Details

CREATIVE WRITING

A.A. Degree - Transfer Program

Department: English/Philosophy

School(s): Arts & Humanities

Description This program of study is designed for students who are interested in cultivating the strong writing skills that writing careers will require. The program includes courses conducive to transferring into a baccalaureate degree in English and/or Creative Writing, while keeping pathways open for baccalaureate degrees that emphasize more professional writing as well. Accordingly, the program is structured so students can (1) deepen their skills through scaffolded coursework and (2) broaden their experience with multiple genres and career pathways. The program culminates in a capstone course that familiarizes students with submission processes, transfer opportunities, and publishing/reading venues both in Rochester and around the country, preparing them for the next stage of their personal/professional lives as writers.

Program Learning Outcomes 1. Analyze and evaluate written creative texts across multiple genres; 2. Revise and edit their own original, written, creative texts across multiple genres; 3. Produce their own professional-quality original written creative work; 4. Submit their own original written creative work to professional venues. 5. Draft, revise, and edit their own original written texts across multiple, non-creative academic and professional genres.

Employment Potential For related jobs: Career Coach Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance Placement into ENG 101 or ENG 200 or completion of TRS 200 with a C or better; or completion of ESL 201 with a C or higher,

School of Arts & Humanities The School of Arts & Humanities is a collection of disciplines, from languages and communication to visual and performing arts, that prepare you for creative and expressive professions.

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Creative Writing

Earn an associate degree in creative writing and explore writing and story skills by studying Creative Writing at Austin Community College. You’ll learn about plot structure, effective literary devices, and helpful editing practices. Whether you’re a screenwriter, children’s author, or a genre-bender, ACC has you covered.

Career & Salary Information

While the publishing industry is highly competitive, writing skills can be a great advantage in almost any career. Wordsmiths often create content for advertising campaigns, books, magazines, movies, television, social media, and more.

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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 .

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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Are you a storyteller? A poet? A wordsmith? Do you have a screenplay idea you want to bring to life? A unique perspective for a creative nonfiction essay? 

AACC’s Creative Writing degree is the program for you!

In the Creative Writing program you’ll study with our experienced faculty of professional poets and prose writers and explore your boundless imagination while sharpening your critical and verbal skills. In addition to expanding your talents in writing fiction, poetry, movie scripts, plays and creative nonfiction, you’ll develop a professional attitude about your writing. In the program's capstone course, you’ll work with one of our professors to build a portfolio of creative work ready to submit to literary journals or to advanced academic writing programs. Those who complete this degree are well prepared for advanced undergraduate study in creative writing, English and related fields. 

We invite you to join our literary community !

Transfer Degrees

The English department is proud to offer the Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Creative Writing. As an additional transfer option, AACC has the unique Transfer Studies degree. Both degrees will prepare you to transfer to a four-year institution. Whichever path you choose, we strongly encourage you to meet with an advisor to structure your AACC studies to meet your specific transfer goals.

Creative Writing, Arts and Science Transfer, A.A.

This two-year program allows you to develop as a reader and a writer and to hone your talent in writing fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting and nonfiction. As a creative writing major, you’ll study with faculty who are practicing poets and prose writers, explore the resources of your imagination, sharpen your critical and verbal skills, and develop a professional attitude about your writing. Start by taking our Introduction to Creative Writing (ENG-200) course, which also fulfills AACC’s arts and humanities' general education requirement. Your creative writing degree will culminate in a portfolio of polished work that you can use to apply to advanced programs in creative writing or submit to publishers as you begin your career.

Transfer Studies, A.A.

The Transfer Studies, A.A. allows you to explore different subjects or concentrate on a specific course plan that will best meet your in-state (and even some out-of-state) transfer goals. This option is particularly good if you are undecided in your ultimate career direction, not sure where you'd like to eventually transfer or just looking to complete general education requirements while "testing the waters" of a particular major. No matter what brings you to Transfer Studies, the result is a well-rounded associate degree preparing you for further studies and successful career. 

Loading...  in the AACC College Catalog.

Join a Vibrant Literary Community

Amaranth, the student literary journal.

Amaranth is AACC’s student-run journal for the creative arts. Published every April, Amaranth showcases student writing and visual art from the college community and its alumni. Taking on the role of editor-in-chief, managing editor, publicity manger or staff member gives students the opportunity to develop job-related skills in a creative field. Students run staff meetings and advertise the journal while soliciting submissions, working within a budget  and coordinating with a print shop to produce a volume worthy of the creative work contained within its pages. Staff members can also earn college credit while working on the journal. Amaranth has been recognized with numerous awards, including the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Award, the Community College Humanities Association’s Literary Magazine Contest and the prestigious Pacemaker Award from the Associated Collegiate Press.

Learn more about Amaranth or submit work.

Coffeehouse

Coffeehouse is a monthly open mic event hosted by the staff of Amaranth where participants are invited to read their poems and stories, present and discuss visual art or short films, or perform music, monologues, comedy sketches or dance.    Coffeehouse is a great opportunity for students to get to know each other and share their creative talents, for prospective students to get a glimpse of AACC's creative community and for alumni to see old friends and catch up.    Every April, the final Coffeehouse of the year is a release party for the latest edition of Amaranth. Magazine contributors read and discuss their pieces, awards are presented, and family, friends and faculty are invited to support and celebrate the amazing creative work produced by our students. 

Due to current concerns with COVID-19, Coffeehouse events are virtual until further notice.

When's the next Coffeehouse?

Writers Reading Series

Writers Reading at AACC hosts an array of writers including poets, fiction writers, essayists, songwriters, memoirists, playwrights, journalists and screenplay writers. Guest writers read from their work and engage in discussion with the audience about things such as their creative process, the arc of their careers and advice for beginning writers.     Writers Reading events are sponsored by the School of Liberal Arts and are free to students, faculty, staff and members of the community. 

When's the next Writers Reading?

AACC Writing Awards and the League for Innovation

The Creative Writing program actively promotes the writing of its students. All enrolled students are eligible to submit their writing to college awards for potential cash prizes and inclusion in Amaranth. Our program is also affiliated with the League for Innovation, which hosts a Student Literary Competition. Students who win our local League for Innovation competition at AACC are sent forward to compete at the league level for cash prizes and international recognition in the League for Innovation journal. 

Learn how to submit to writing awards at AACC.

Learn about AACC's Young Writers Award . 

What can you do with a degree in Creative Writing?

You’ll develop a portfolio of original work ready to use as a writing sample for applying to advanced Creative Writing programs or to submit to reputable journals. Our comprehensive core of general education classes and specialized coursework in Creative Writing provides a solid foundation to transfer to colleges and universities in Creative Writing or related disciplines. For outlook information about specific careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook .

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Related Studies

If Creative Writing sounds appealing, but you’d like to compare it to other offerings, see if one of these is a better fit.

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Meet Professor Garrett Brown

Garrett Brown helps students at AACC develop their artistic voice by teaching courses in creative writing, composition, poetry and writing for the stage and screen. “To me, the arts teach us how to hone our experience of life and appreciate the world around us,” he said.

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Creative Writing Academic Certificate

Grow as a Writer and a Reader

• calendar Program Duration: Short-Term
• Graduation cap Degree Type: Academic Certificate
• clock Total Credit Hours: 33

About This Certificate

You will take literature and creative writing courses; have opportunities to interact with visiting writers; and attend readings, workshops, festivals, and other special events. Throughout this program, you will learn techniques necessary for the mastery of the craft of creative writing, improve your creative writing skills through feedback and continued revision, and gain insight into local and national resources for writers and the publication process. Our program culminates in a capstone course, Portfolio Development, which is designed to help you prepare to apply to four-year writing programs and develop manuscripts for publication.

Quick Information

• Online Learning 70% or Greater
• General Contact Call (215) 751-8010

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Course Sequence

The certificate program in Creative Writing is a 33-credit program designed to help students grow as writers and readers. Guided by our accomplished faculty, students will take a sequence of literature and creative writing courses, have opportunities to interact with visiting writers, and attend readings, workshops, festivals and other special events. The program culminates in a capstone course, Portfolio Development, designed to help students prepare to apply to four-year writing programs and develop manuscripts for publication. Students earning the certificate in Creative Writing may elect to continue their education at the College by earning the A.A. degree in Liberal Arts by completing 28 additional credits.

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• Examine literature as a model for their original work.
• Understand and use techniques necessary for the mastery of the craft of creative writing.
• Improve their creative writing skills through feedback and continued revision.
• Gain insight into local and national resources for writers and the publication process.
• Complete a portfolio of original work for publication or submission to other creative writing programs.

Career Outlook

Median Salary of a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Number of Jobs in the Region

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Starting Pay: $46,727

Typical Tasks

• Prepare, rewrite, and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
• Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
• Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
• Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
• Review and approve proofs submitted by the composing room prior to publication production.

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Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

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Writing opportunities

Want to see what PCC students are writing? Check out PCC’s student literary magazines .

Why choose Writing at PCC?

Portland Community College prepares you to write clearly and effectively. Competency in writing is essential to college success as you author class reports and term papers.

Degrees and certificates

PCC offers many options to meet your goals: short-term certificates, two-year degrees, and university transfer options.

What will you learn?

Class information.

• Current class schedule
• Class descriptions (catalog)

Portland Community College offers you three areas of writing study: Creative Writing, English Composition, and Technical Writing.

Creative Writing

Are you looking to stimulate and improve your imaginative writing? The PCC creative writing program offers you the opportunity to study with instructors who provide unique approaches to creative writing. Expect to write a great deal, learn critical terminology, and spend class time discussing your own and others’ writing.

PCC offers one of the largest selections of creative writing courses in the state. There are no prerequisites for most of the introductory courses, although you should be able to write at the WR 121 level. All the courses are good for three units of transferable credit.

English Composition

The goal of the Composition Program is to provide students with the opportunity to practice those writing skills which will enable them to write successfully in all their college courses. By the end of the program, students should be skillful at reading analytically and critically; their writing should demonstrate an understanding of organization, audience, voice, and the conventions of college-level written English.

In any of the courses in the Composition Program, students will be expected to write several papers; they may be asked to keep a reading journal and practice peer editing in small groups or engage in some form of collaborative learning in which essays will be read by other students in the class. Some in-class writing is required in all writing courses.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is common in the contemporary workplace. Students from disciplines as diverse as business, engineering, information technology, law, and science benefit from taking technical writing courses.  You will learn how to analyze and communicate special information and to adapt your visuals, formats, and writing styles to the specific audiences and needs of the fields. These courses emphasize the precise use of language and graphics to communicate complex technical and procedural information safely, legally, and ethically.  We also focus on career-specific writing such as proposals, letters, memoranda, lab reports, and/or work reports. (See the Writing catalog and class schedule for technical writing classes.)

Want to deepen your knowledge? Consider the Creative Writing focus award .

Resources for writing students

Writing tutoring is available at all campus tutoring centers and provides valuable resources to help you write papers. They’re open 5 days a week, and staffed by instructors in the Writing program and by peer tutors (students who have completed WR 121, 122, 123, and are enrolled in a tutor-training class.) Writing centers can provide help from the very beginning (brainstorming ideas) to the very end (editing).

Other useful resources are computer labs , libraries , and student printing so you can print documents on campus.

What will you do?

You will find that strong writing skills will aid your professional career as you author well-worded emails and reports that your supervisors and colleagues will welcome reading.

Not quite ready for credit courses in writing?

Developmental Education Writing can help you prepare for PCC’s college credit programs. Many students already enrolled in credit courses take developmental classes as needed to meet the requirements of their degree program.

Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Apply now

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Related programs

PCC offers more than 90 programs .

About Creative Writing

Passionate about creative writing? This certificate offers an interdisciplinary approach to creative expression and provides excellent preparation for a job in the publishing industry or a degree in creative writing.

Many courses are UC/CSU transferable, and some fulfill general education requirements for CSU. The Creative Writing program offers many benefits, such as discovering your voice through artistic expression, participating in a writers’ community, and gaining experience designing, editing, and publishing our student-run literary and visual arts magazine, Forum , that serves the City College of San Francisco community, greater Bay Area, and beyond. We also host public events including our Visiting Writers Series and our community-based reading series and open mic, LitNight .

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Creative Writing can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have:

• Social Media Manager
• Grant Writer or Technical Writer

Program Options 

Click on the certificate to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Total Units: 9 

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring English programs at the following institutions: 

• San Francisco State University
• UC Berkeley
• UC Santa Cruz
• Mills College
• California College of the Arts

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center  for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives. 

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Creative & Professional Writing

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ENGL 2410 - Creative Writing

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing The Write Stuff for Writers

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Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Grow Your Writing Passion into a Career with Liberty’s Online MFA in Creative Writing

Many people write creatively, but few hone their skills to develop their writing craft to its highest form. Even fewer learn the other skills it takes to become a successful writer, such as the steps needed to get a book published and into the hands of readers. Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing can help you develop your writing passion into a career so you can set your works free to impact culture and the world.

Employers in every industry need professionals who have strong writing skills, so you can be confident that your ability to write effectively can also help set you apart in your current career. With in-demand writing expertise and the ability to customize your degree with electives in literature or writing practice, Liberty’s online MFA in Creative Writing can help you achieve your professional writing goals.

Our online MFA in Creative Writing is designed to help you build on your writing skills with specific workshops dedicated to the craft of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or screenwriting. With a work-in-progress approach to writing practice and mentorship from our faculty of experienced writers and scholars, you can learn the specific skills you need to make your writing stand out.

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• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s MFA in Creative Writing?

Our online MFA in Creative Writing is mainly offered in an 8-week course format, and our tuition rate for graduate programs hasn’t increased in 9 years. Through our program, you can study the writing process and develop your creative skills through workshops with experienced writing professionals. With our flexible format, you can grow in your creative writing while continuing to do what is important to you.

As a terminal degree, the online MFA in Creative Writing can also help you pursue opportunities to teach writing at the K-12 or college level. You will gain comprehensive and in-depth exposure to writing, literature, publishing, and many other professional writing skills that you can pass on to students. Partner with the Liberty family and learn under faculty who have spent years in the field you love. Your career in professional writing starts here.

What Will You Study in Our MFA in Creative Writing?

The MFA in Creative Writing program is designed to help you become an excellent creative writer across the genres of creative fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and poetry. You can learn how to produce aesthetically and culturally engaged creative works while gaining professional knowledge and practice. You will also study foundational contemporary literature so that you have a background in studying important works to draw on for your writing.

To help you in your professional writing, you will also study many essential skills in editing, layout, and the business of publishing so that you can best position yourself for success in the market. Through your creative writing courses and workshops, you can develop your craft so that you will be ready for your thesis project.

Here are a few examples of the skills Liberty’s MFA in Creative Writing can help you master:

• Marketing your projects and pursuing new writing opportunities
• Organizing writing and adapting it to different types of writing
• Tailoring writing to specific audiences and markets
• Understanding what makes art effective, compelling, and impactful
• Writing compelling stories that engage readers

Potential Career Opportunities

• Book and magazine writer
• Business communications specialist
• Creative writing instructor
• Publications editor
• Screenwriter
• Website copy editor and writer
• Writing manager

Featured Courses

• ENGL 600 – Editing, Layout, and Publishing
• ENGL 601 – Writing as Cultural Engagement
• ENGL 603 – Literary Theory and Practice
• WRIT 610 – Writing Fiction

Degree Information

• This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences .
• View the Graduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
• Download and review the Graduate Manual for MFA .

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form .
• Creative Writing Sample – A creative writing sample of one creative writing work of at least 2,500 words or a culmination of creative writing samples totaling 2,500 words.*
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

*A sample of one or more poems totaling a minimum of 750 words may also be submitted. Song lyrics are not accepted at this time as writing samples.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
• If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application .
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Dual Enrollment

Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.

Transcript Policies

Unofficial college transcript policy.

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

• Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
• Cumulative GPA
• A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
• Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

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Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
• Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course) *
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an mfa in creative writing.

A Master of Fine Arts degree, or MFA, is a terminal degree in an artistic craft that demonstrates that you have achieved the highest level of training and skill in your discipline. Like a doctorate, an MFA often allows you to teach courses at the graduate level while also providing many opportunities for scholarship and leadership in education. If you want to grow your creative writing skills to become the best writer you can be, then the Master of Fine Arts can help you get there.

How will students work towards developing their writing skills?

With creative writing workshops and a thesis project, you will receive support and guidance to help you become the best writer you can be.

How long will it take to complete the MFA in Creative Writing?

You can complete the MFA in Creative Writing in just 48 credit hours!

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development 

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting  students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

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Spotlight on Alum Sarah Van Clef

Sarah Van Clef’s journey began in Brookdale Community College’s classrooms, where passionate professors nurtured and encouraged her love for writing. As an English major, she immersed herself in the vibrant community of the Creative Writing Club, led by inspiring mentors who ignited her confidence as a writer, student, and leader.

During her time at Brookdale, Sarah took on various leadership roles within the Creative Writing Club, from treasurer to president, and even contributed as a poetry editor for the publication Collage. These experiences sharpened her writing skills and instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of community and mentorship.

Upon transferring to Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Sarah realized the importance of fostering a supportive writing community. She took it upon herself to establish a Creative Writing Club at FDU, driven by her belief in the transformative impact of such groups on aspiring writers.

However, life took unexpected turns, and Sarah took a hiatus from academia to navigate family grief. Despite the challenges and tribulations, her passion for writing remained unwavering. Determined to further her education and pursue her dreams, Sarah returned to school to earn dual master’s degrees in English and Creative Writing from Monmouth University.

“I remained connected to all the professors who guided me from the outset—Jim Cody, Suzanne Parker, Michael Broek, and Laura McCullough. They were instrumental pillars in my development as a writer and a student. Upon informing them of my master’s degree achievement, their response was unequivocal: ‘Please, please, please apply here.’ Their encouragement stemmed from witnessing the significant growth and journey I undertook, not just as a writer and student, but also as an advocate.”

With her newfound expertise and fueled by the unwavering support of her mentors from Brookdale, Sarah embarked on her journey as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College. Her commitment to empowering students and fostering a sense of community echoes her experiences as a student, where mentorship and encouragement played pivotal roles in her personal and academic growth. Moreover, Van Clef is the founder of The Social Writerly, an online creative social platform that offers various services for writers and artists seeking a creative community! By providing an inclusive space for creatives to share their work with others, The Social Writerly is a home base for artists to explore, learn, grow, and experiment with writing.

“Van Clef expressed, ‘Being able to help support future leaders is something that I am striving to do.'”

Outside of academia, Van Clef also lends her expertise to her family’s trucking and towing business, Julian’s Garage, where she works alongside her aunt in a woman-led enterprise that has been serving the city of the South Amboy community for over 75 years.

In her role as educator and mentor, Sarah continues to inspire and support aspiring writers, guiding them on their journeys of self-discovery and creative expression. With each class she teaches, and each student she mentors, Sarah carries forward the legacy of her own transformative journey, rooted in the belief that writing has the power to shape lives and communities. For more information about The Social Writerly, visit the website: https://www.thesocialwriterly.com/

Diversity Statement: Brookdale Community College fosters an environment of inclusion and belonging. We promote a safe and open culture, encourage dialogue respecting diverse perspectives informed by credible sources, and uphold the virtues of civil discourse. We celebrate all identities with the understanding that ultimately, diversity, equity, and inclusion cultivate belonging and make us a stronger Brookdale community.

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Creative Writing Workshops

Creative writing workshops offer students the chance to explore their creativity and experience the writing process among fellow writers. Students have the choice to focus on different genres: poetry, fiction or literary nonfiction.

These courses are offered through the English Department in the College of Arts and Sciences in the fall and spring semesters.  

The courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters.

Academic Credit

Each course is worth 3 credits.

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Search form, resources for, chet arcaba earns 2024 yb award for extraordinary service.

May 6, 2024

Communications Staff

Chet Arcaba , Oberlin’s director of facilities stewardship, is the recipient of the 2024 YB Staff Award for extraordinary service, presented annually to an Oberlin staff member.

A 45-year employee at Oberlin, Arcaba was honored by President Carmen Twillie Ambar at a spring social for faculty and staff held May 6 at the Heisman Field House.

Arcaba has served in numerous roles on campus since his hire in 1979, among them lead data control clerk, equipment technician, network technician, and telephone manager. He has been director of facilities stewardship since 2016.

For years, he has been on call around the clock, responding to weather-related emergencies, infrastructure breakdowns, and much more.

Chief Facilities Officer Kevin Brown marvels at his colleague’s excellence.

“I came to Oberlin with 35 years of experience in facilities, and Chet demonstrated to me a new level of customer service I had never seen,” says Brown. “In most organizations, that level of expertise will never exist. It’s untrainable. It’s a result of Chet’s years of customer service: the trust he has built within the Oberlin community, his work ethic, and his keen intellect. Folks just know that Chet will take care of them.”

Praise for Arcaba is as voluminous as it is effusive. Following are reflections from colleagues who endorsed him for the YB Award:

• “Chet has been a pillar of support for our community.”
• “Chet’s contributions to Oberlin College not only honor YB’s memory, but also exemplify the kind of leadership and service that can inspire others to strive for excellence in their roles.”
• “His approach aligns closely with Oberlin’s historic milestones, as he recognizes that progress is the product of dedicated effort and collaboration within and beyond our community.”
• “Chet’s impact on our campus is a testament to his exceptional dedication and serves as a model for how institutional employees can play a pivotal role in advancing the strategic goals of the college.”
• “His dedication to Oberlin College is unparalleled. He has made himself available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for his entire tenure.”
• “Chet is a champion for the staff and students. He always puts everyone before himself.”
• “His daily commitment to Oberlin’s well-being is a part of his rare altruistic character. I feel lucky and honored to know him.”
• “I trust Chet’s guidance and knowledge implicitly. He maintains a level demeanor no matter what is going on, and he treats everyone fairly, with dignity, and respect. His leadership embodies the true spirit of what Oberlin stands for.”

The YB Staff Award was established to honor the extraordinary service of the late Yeworkwha Belachew—“YB,” as she was affectionately known—who served Oberlin in numerous roles for more than 35 years, most notably as ombudsperson and founder of the Oberlin College Dialogue Center. The center was renamed the Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue upon her retirement in 2016.

First presented in 2016—to Belachew—the YB Award was established to recognize a non-faculty employee of the college or conservatory who demonstrates daily commitment and performance in advancing Oberlin’s strategic goals through exemplary service.

For more information about the YB Award and a complete list of past honorees, please visit the Department of Human Resources’ Awards and Recognition page.

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creative writing

With an associate degree in creative writing from Normandale, you’ll be ready to make your way into the writing world, and you’ll be prepared to pursue a BA or BFA in creative writing at a four-year college or university.    

In each creative writing class assignment, you’ll gain excellent writing skills and develop a thorough understanding of what it takes to make a reader turn the page. You’ll dive deep into story structure and study a variety of writing genres including poetry, fiction, screenwriting, memoir and nonfiction.    

Plus, through our creative writing program, you’ll learn how to be an effective communicator — not only as a writer — but as a speaker, too.   

Perhaps a creative writing certificate is more your speed? We have one of those, too.    

Degree students will finish their time at Normandale by writing a capstone project.  

Normandale Student Literary Journal

Find the latest edition here!

Where Will a Creative Writing Degree Take You?

Good writing is good thinking. As a writer, you will develop critical thinking skills as a foundation for your writing. In a typical creative writing class, you’ll research, gather information and incorporate all your background data to craft relevant and page-turning prose and narratives.   

Creative writers are in high demand. Many find jobs as content creators in various industries. Public relations firms, marketing companies, advertising agencies, and publishing houses all need excellent writers and editors.   

(Or perhaps you’ll write the next Great American Novel, or screenplay, or both!)

What Makes our Creative Writing Program Unique?

Did you know Normandale’s AFA in Creative Writing was the first in Minnesota? Our program is highly regarded nationally, and most of our graduates with an associate degree in creative writing take their skills to the next level: a four-year college or university.    

You can take a wide variety of courses and discover what kind of writing fits your interests and goals — everything from fiction to memoir, from poetry to screenwriting, and more.    

Plus, our capstone writing project prepares you for large, complex writing opportunities ahead.

“Normandale not only set me up for my career as a writer but continues to support me. Faculty genuinely care about their students’ success. I got all the fundamentals I needed here, and I always felt like I was ready for the next step after each class.”

Creative Writing Program Basics

Creative Writing (AFA)

Creative Writing Certificate

• ENGW 1111 Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENGW 2112 Poetry Writing
• ENGW 2113 Fiction Writing
• ENGW 2114 Play and Screen Writing
• ENGW 2115 Memoir Non-Fiction Writing
• ENGW 2800 AFA Capstone

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What can you do with an English degree? Earn an Associate Degree in English from Normandale and pursue careers in public relations, marketing, advertising, and education.

The world languages and cultures department at normandale community college is proud to be the largest language department within the minnesota state system..

80-year-old grandmother of 15 earns master’s degree, plans to finish memoirs

(Gray News) – A woman from Utah is proving that age doesn’t matter when it comes to learning.

At 80 years old, Beth Dayley was the eldest Spring 2024 graduate of Southern New Hampshire University.

She’s a mother of five, grandmother of 15, and great-grandmother of six.

Dayley traveled with one of her daughters to New Hampshire last weekend to cross the stage and receive her diploma after earning a master’s degree in creative writing.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “This is one of the things on my bucket list.”

As a military wife and lifelong learner, Dayley earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in her 40s while her family was stationed in Italy.

She passed her love of learning on to her family and often took her grandchildren on special trips to celebrate their academic achievements.

When her grandchildren were old enough to go to college, Dayley sent them each $100 a month and told them to use it to do something fun.

“Because it is a journey going to college and often it’s financially difficult,” Dayley said. “But I’m hoping they can enjoy it and have a little fun while they’re learning.”

Dayley said her grandchildren and children were very supportive of her going back to school and thought it was exciting she was earning her master’s degree.

“School is very important to me. I think it’s important that I keep learning and keep my mind fresh,” she said.

Now, she hopes her master’s degree will keep her mind sharp as she finishes her memoirs.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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