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What’s the difference: english vs. creative writing.

In high school your favorite class was English, you loved to write, and you loved to read.  Now it’s time for college and your deciding which of our top Bachelor’s in English or Creative Writing degrees is best for you.  But the only problem is that your not quite sure exactly what the difference is between a Bachelor of Arts in English or a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing.  We decided to take the time to answer the question: What’s the different between a Bachelor’s of English and a Bachelor’s of Creative Writing.

Bachelor’s of English

As a student studying for a Bachelor of Arts in English degree, you will primarily be working with a variety of different types of literature.  English majors deal in the close reading, analysis, and interpretation of literature.  Students who are studying a Bachelor of English will more often than not be asked to critically think about and dissect works of literature.  If you were a student who enjoyed reading different types of books and stories in high school, a Bachelor’s of English will be right up your alley.  Through this type of program, students will develop soft skills including critical thinking, critical analysis, communication, and an appreciation and understanding of culture.  Typically, English majors will not be asked to create original works very often.

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Bachelor’s of creative writing.

By pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, students will be more concerned with the generation of writing.  Students will study works of literature but from the perspective of learning the craft of writing as to apply different techniques of the trade to their own writing.  Creative Writing majors will be tasked with writing a great deal of different pieces throughout their studies.  They will focus on honing their prose and their grammar.  In these programs, students will experiment with a variety of different genres and types of literature in order to get a feel for and find which is best for them.  Those in this type of degree program will find that most of their time is spent writing versus reading.  However, a large part of this program is learning to critique and review the works of your peers.

So what’s the difference?

Whether your choosing to study a Bachelor of Arts in English or a Bachelor of Arts in Creative writing, you will be following a degree program that is quite similar to one another save for a few nuances.  Those who choose to study English will be focused more on the study of existing literature.  They will learn to analyze, interpret, and understand a variety of different types of writings.  Those who choose to pursue a Creative Writing degree will be focused more on the generation of new literature.  They will still read and study existing works, but a large amount of the curriculum will focus on the development of one’s own writing ability.

Bottom line:

A Bachelor’s of English and a Bachelor’s of Creative Writing are like two different sides of the same coin. By pursuing either of these degrees, you will gain a skillset of interpreting, analyzing, and writing literature.  The main difference is whether your ambition lies in the academic pursuit of studying literature or the creative pursuit of producing literature.

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College Info

So you’re thinking about majoring in creative writing! Completing an undergraduate creative writing program can be a great way to explore your love of fiction or poetry and hone your craft.

As edifying as a creative writing major can be, it may not be what you expect.  Dedicated creative writing majors are also quite uncommon, so if you're committed to getting your degree in that subject, you'll have a narrower pool of possible colleges. This post will help you decide whether a creative writing major is right for you.

Feature Image: Nilufer Gadgieva /Flickr

Many Great Schools (with Awesome Writing Classes) Don't Have a Creative Writing Major

As I mentioned above, creative writing is a relatively rare major, so if you're solely focused on schools with a dedicated creative writing degree, you might miss out on schools that could be a great fit for you. 

Keep in mind that a lot of school that don’t offer specific majors still have great opportunities to pursue creative writing, whether by completing a minor, contributing to the campus literary journal, or simply taking classes.

Even if you know you want to study creative writing, try researching the opportunities available at different schools with an open mind . You might be surprised by what you find!

You're Going to Have to Read — A Lot

I once had a friend who loved writing ;but hated reading—especially if he had to analyze the text. If you tend to agree with him, and would rather be submerged in a vat of ants than write a paper about Virginia Woolf's use of symbolism to comment on World War I in The Waves , this course of study isn't right for you. Most creative writing majors are run by the English department, and, in fact, many are special tracks within the English major. As such, they involve a lot of reading of all kinds , including fiction, plays, poetry, and literary theory.

I was an English major in undergrad, and we were expected to read a roughly book a week in each class . Some were long (I had one professor assign the longest single volume novel in the English language ) and some were short, but it added up to a lot of books! You’ll also have to write critical essays analyzing these works of literature—if you really only want to write your own fiction or poetry, consider majoring in something else and taking creative writing classes as electives.

You Don't Need a Specific Major to Be a Writer

Writing isn't like engineering: you don't need a specific degree to pursue it professionally. The only thing that you need to do to be a writer is to write.

Most writing jobs, whether in publishing, journalism or teaching, don’t require or even expect you to have majored in creative writing. For the few positions that do require a writing degree, which are almost exclusively in academia, you'll actually need a graduate degree (generally an MFA).

Studying writing in school is a great way to motivate you to work on your writing and to get constructive feedback (more on this below), but it’s not the only way. A lot of great writers studied something totally unrelated to writing or didn’t go to college at all.

You Can Learn A Lot From Really Focusing on Writing

So far I've focused mostly on reasons you might not want or need to major in creative writing, but there's one very good reason to do so: you'll spend a lot of time writing, talking about writing, and reading your peers' writing.

One of the key features of any creative writing major is the workshop —a small class where students closely read and dissect each other’s work. Workshops can be very productive, since they offer the opportunity for lots of revision and rewriting. However, they also involve a lot of criticism and can be challenging for very sensitive people. Consider how you'll react to someone not liking your writing or suggesting ways to improve it.

Many creative writing majors also require a capstone project or creative BA thesis, which requires you to complete a substantive piece of work that's at or near publication ready. For students who are genuinely committed to publishing their writing, this project is an invaluable stepping stone.

Some Schools Have Special Opportunities for Creative Writing Majors

At schools with particularly strong writing programs, majors may have the opportunity to attend special readings or meetings with authors that aren't open to non-majors. They may also have priority for activities like working at the literary journal or university press.

These kinds of perks are completely dependent on the school, however, so make sure to research the specific programs that you're interested in.

Final Thoughts

Creative writing majors offer a unique opportunity to focus on the craft of writing, but they aren't right for everyone. If the following statements apply to you, a creative writing major could be a great fit:

• You love to read and write.
• You take criticism well and don't mind other people reading your work.
• You want to pursue writing outside of the classroom as well as in it.

More Recommended Reading

Convinced you want to be a creative writing major? Check out our list of the best undergrad writing programs .

Creative writing majors go on to a wide range of jobs. If you're exploring different career ideas , check out our guides on how to become a lawyer and how to become a teacher .

If you're looking at colleges , also check out our guide on how to pick the best school for you and our list of the best college search websites .

For those of you interested in particularly selective schools , we have a guide to getting into Ivy League schools written by a Harvard grad.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

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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What You Need to Know About Being an English Major

English majors work in fields like journalism, PR, fundraising and entertainment, and study creative writing, critical theory and literary history, among other topics.

Becoming an English Major

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In undergraduate programs across the country, English majors learn how to read and think critically while developing their skills as a writer. English majors have plenty of room to pursue further education in the field, with some obtaining doctorate degrees in English. English majors can land jobs in various industries, including publishing, advertising, editing and teaching.

What Is an English Major?

Most English degree programs emphasize comprehension and analysis of literature. Students assess classic and modern literature and delve into how the literature intersects with other disciplines, such as history. Some programs may have a focus on the English language rather than literature.

In addition to strengthening reading and comprehension skills, English degrees can dramatically improve a student’s writing abilities. Some degree programs include courses to sharpen a student’s skills as a writer, whether that be through grammar or editing.

English major vs. communication major: What’s the difference? 

Some prospective students who are interested in utilizing their writing and reading skills professionally may be drawn to both English and communication degree programs. However, these programs have differences – primarily in the mode in which stories are told.

Communication degree programs focus on how messages and news are spread through media such as news articles, social media and television programs. As a result, communication programs are typically associated with media studies degrees. Communication degrees also place a larger emphasis on how technology may play a role in storytelling or spreading messages.

English majors learn about various genres of literature, ranging from fiction to poetry to theater. An English degree may be better suited for a student interested in analyzing existing literature or producing their own body of work, while a communication degree may be a better fit for those looking to work in the media field.

Common Coursework English Majors Can Expect 

Core coursework.

Programs can vary from college to college but typically include courses that focus on both the English language and literature. Some English degree programs offer core courses that emphasize aspects of English like grammar or writing style while simultaneously including courses aimed at teaching students about English literary periods. Many programs will have core classes on professional writing, as well as courses devoted to reading different types of literature.

Examples of core courses may include:

• Linguistics.
• Film studies.
• Writing fundamentals.
• Creative writing.

Concentrations

Specializations that colleges offer to English majors may include:

• Literary and cultural studies.
• Creative writing. 
• Language and linguistics.
• Editing, writing and publishing.
• Rhetoric and writing.
• Medieval/Renaissance literature. 
• Gender and sexuality studies.
• Nonfiction writing.

Is English a Good Major For Me?

While an English major has a wide range of different career paths, a few skills, such as creativity, copyediting and critical thinking translate to success in lots of specializations. Individuals who enjoy reading books of all types might be content pursuing an English degree. These programs often appeal to those who plan to write in the future, as many offer courses in creative writing.

English can also be a great major for students looking to pair it with another field, as a lot of the skills learned in English courses can be applied to many fields.

What Can I Do With an English Major?

Some common jobs English majors pursue after graduation involve working with literature, such as working as an English high school teacher or professor, librarian or publisher. Skills developed in English degree programs, such as critical thinking, analytic skills, writing skills and editing, can also be used in jobs outside of the realm of literature.

Some English majors work in the media industry as marketing associates or public relations managers. An English degree can also be applied in law school. As a result, some English majors find themselves working as attorneys or judges. Other careers that English majors can successfully pursue include working as a translator, copywriter or editor.

Data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .

English majors can strengthen their skills in many ways outside of the classroom. Some English majors may gain a teaching certification in college to qualify them for teaching in K-12 schools. Others choose to attain a certificate to teach English as a second language (ESL). Certifications for technical writers also allow English majors to broaden their skills and prepare for the world of publishing.

What English Majors Say

“I think some people may think it’s super easy, like it’s English. While I loved my degree, I would say it was equally challenging and stimulating throughout my entire time at UF. It’s a lot of rigorous reading and a lot of critical thinking that goes into it. I wouldn’t say it’s easy by any means.“

- Malori Malone , University of Florida

“I think it’s a good fit for anyone interested in teaching, writing, law, education, etc. I would really encourage everyone in undergrad to consider an English minor or at least taking a few English courses as writing skills seem to be a bit of a lost art.”

- Ashley Lillich , University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

“My words of advice: Be persistent but be realistic. Some English-related fields, such as publishing, can be difficult to break into, but don’t let a few internship rejections kill your passion. Secondly, work on building a portfolio or resume for whatever field you want to work in. Most of my opportunities have come from networking or prior experience, not my degree subject. Finally, don’t let others dissuade you from pursuing a degree in the humanities if this is what you’re passionate about.”

- Taylor Barnhill , University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Schools Offering an English Major

Check out some schools below that offer English majors and find the full list of schools here that you can filter and sort.

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The go-to resource for all students in UBC's English department.

Should I Major in English? The Pros and the Cons

This post is for all you baby undeclared Thunderbirds and baby English majors. 2017 marks my final year at UBC and  boy, it’s been a ride. A whirlwind of cramming readings, looking up MLA formats, and hitting word counts, to be exact.

The first few English courses you’ll take in undergrad are amazing and so very different from high school, with brilliant academics as professors and a high degree of challenge. Upper-year courses are also great—you’re treated with more respect, and the wall between instructor and student crumbles away.

At the end of second year, I applied for the Creative Writing program, the English Honours program, and the English Major—Emphasis Literature program. I applied for all these programs because I assumed at least one would fall through. Miraculously (and sometimes I still think they made a mistake!), I got into both English Honours and Creative Writing. Of course, I was elated and grateful. Then, this excitement quickly turned to fear and anxiety. Being in a competitive program means studying alongside brilliant people, and I began to doubt my own, well, shininess.

I enjoy my English degree quite a bit—and I wouldn’t drop it for the world—but I did eventually switch out of Honours and into the Major program. This was not an easy decision. I switched for a variety of reasons, from not wanting to elongate my degree (Honours can take more than 4 years , and I had already extended my timeline through Go Global and Co-op) to not liking the stringent period requirements. Truth is, I have little interest in studying Shakespeare, Chaucer, and “the Greats,” and there are more required courses in these areas in the Honours program.

Like every other major specialization, English has its ups and downs. There will be aspects of it you hate, and aspects of it you absolutely love. Some English courses have changed my worldview completely, while others didn’t make a dent in my memory because I took them merely for a checkmark on my Degree Navigator.

Some things about majoring in English you may want to be aware of:

• The professor is an enormous part of the learning experience! Don’t underestimate their value. Listen to student testimonials, look at a prof’s research publications, and don’t be afraid to drop a course because you know in your gut you won’t jive with the prof.
• Check your reading list as early as possible. Make sure it’s stuff you actually want to read. You should be asking: “Can I talk about this book for two weeks straight without drooling?”
• Spend some time deciding on your final paper thesis. Make sure it’s something you want to write about, and something that is interesting and unique. You get points for originality, not by regurgitating a very obvious theme in the text that’s been talked about over and over.
• Don’t listen to all the rhetoric that English (or Arts, for that matter) is a useless degree! I worked three wonderful full-time work terms with Arts Co-op, and learned that my degree is quite applicable to many fields such as: communications, social media, marketing, publishing, and journalism, among others. If you’re more interested in the writing aspect of literature, I urge you to take up volunteer writing positions with campus publications like The Ubyssey and Discorder (they hold free and helpful workshops) , or even go off-campus to local, independent publications that are looking for student voices (just inquire). Bottom line: BAs are not meaningless.
• If you’re serious about pursuing grad school, consider Honours. It takes longer, but you’re grouped with ambitious and inspiring peers who will challenge you to become a better scholar, plus you get a taste for graduate life by writing a thesis and having a professor be your personal supervisor. Many graduate programs also prefer an Honours degree (though what “Honours” means differs by school and region; in some places it simply means a higher average and not a program of its own).
• A note about Creative Writing. Many students think Creative Writing and English are very similar; some even ask me (as a Peer Advisor) whether CRWR fulfills literature requirements (it doesn’t). I can say as someone who does both that they are very different programs—a major in Creative Writing on its own leads to a BFA, while an English major leads to a BA. Creative Writing is more focused on original student work, and most classes consist very little of lecture and more workshop and critique. English is about reading, analyzing, and writing critically, creatively, and coherently about the meaning of a text, while Creative Writing is about crafting a text that generates meaning in a creative and original way.

I do believe people underestimate an English degree. You don’t just read and write essays on books written by dead people. You think and talk about very real things happening to you and the people around you in the here and now. You ask tough questions and come up with tough answers. Your worldview expands. Plus, people who read might be better friends and lovers !

• “Pomp and Circumstance” by Dave Herholz via Flickr . License: CC BY-SA 2.0
• “Reading” by jywg via Flickr . License: CC BY-SA 2.0
• “Folio Society” by Kate Farquharson via Flickr . License: CC BY-ND 2.0
• “Modified Photo: ‘Mother and Son in book'” by Ken Wytock via Flickr . License: CC BY-NC 2.0

Li Charmaine Anne (English Literature + Creative Writing major) is a Canadian-born Chinese writer who grew up on unceded Musqueam territory. She has written for local publications such as Ricepaper, Discorder, and SAD Mag, and you can find her original work on her website Breakfast with Words . She is passionate about diversity and representation in literature, film, and television.

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Creative Writing

Stanford’s Creative Writing Program--one of the best-known in the country--cultivates the power of individual expression within a vibrant community of writers. Many of our English majors pursue a concentration in creative writing, and the minor in Creative Writing is among the most popular minors on campus. These majors and minors participate in workshop-based courses or independent tutorials with Stegner Fellows, Stanford’s distinguished writers-in-residence.

English Major with a Creative Writing Emphasis

The English major with a Creative Writing emphasis is a fourteen-course major. These fourteen courses comprise eight English courses and six Creative Writing courses.

English majors with a Creative Writing emphasis should note the following:

All courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Courses taken abroad or at other institutions may not be counted towards the workshop requirements.

Any 190 series course (190F, 190G, etc.), 191 series course (191T, etc.), or 192 series course (192V, etc.) counts toward the 190, 191, or 192 requirement.

PWR 1 is a prerequisite for all creative writing courses.

Minor in Creative Writing

The Minor in Creative Writing offers a structured environment in which students interested in writing fiction or poetry develop their skills while receiving an introduction to literary forms. Students may choose a concentration in fiction, poetry.

In order to graduate with a minor in Creative Writing, students must complete the following three courses plus three courses in either the prose or poetry tracks. Courses counted towards the requirements for the minor may not be applied to student's major requirements. 30 units are required. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Prose Track

Suggested order of requirements:

English 90. Fiction Writing or English 91. Creative Nonfiction

English 146S Secret Lives of the Short Story

One 5-unit English literature elective course

English 190. Intermediate Fiction Writing or English 191. Intermediate Creative Nonfiction Writing

English 92. Reading and Writing Poetry

Another English 190, 191, 290. Advanced Fiction, 291. Advanced Nonfiction, or 198L. Levinthal Tutorial

Poetry Track

English 92.Reading and Writing Poetry

English 160. Poetry and Poetics

English 192. Intermediate Poetry Writing

Another English 192, or 292.Advanced Poetry or 198L.Levinthal Tutorial

Creative Writing minors should note the following:

To declare a Creative Writing minor, visit the Student page in Axess. To expedite your declaration, make sure to list all 6 courses you have taken or plan to take for your minor.

Any 190 series course (190F, 190G, etc.), 191series course (191T, etc.), or 192 series course (192V, etc.) counts toward the 190, 191, or 192 requirement.

For more information, visit the Stanford Creative Writing Program.

Creative Writing Major

What is a major in creative writing.

Participate in a wide range of courses reflective of your creative interests. You'll learn about major writers, literary traditions, and contemporary innovations. Under the guidance of published writers, you'll also develop a portfolio of material showcasing your range and versatility as a creative writer.

Why Study Creative Writing at Virginia Tech?

Here, you will study with distinguished authors including Matthew Vollmer, Lucinda Roy, Jeff Mann, Evan Lavender-Smith, Sophia Terazawa, and Khadijah Queen. We also host a variety of campus readings for you to attend by renowned poets, playwrights, essayists, and fiction writers. Some of our past visiting writers have included:

• Viet Than Ngyuen
• George Saunders
• Carrie Fountain
• Douglas Kearney
• Matthew Salesses
• Jenny Boully
• Zadie Smith
• Terry Tempest Williams
• Kevin Young
• Terrance Hayes
• Cheryl Strayed
• Ocean Vuong

The major offers workshops that allow you to share your poems, stories, and essays with peer's to help you grow as a writer. With this opportunity, you can improve your writing skills while building your portfolio.

  3 Study Abroad Programs

  24 Average Class Size

  100+ English Courses Offered

Caty Gordon, '10

Caty graduated from Virginia Tech in 2010 with degrees in creative writing and professional and technical writing. After graduating from Columbia University with her M.F.A. in creative nonfiction, she moved on to serve as an editorial assistant for Simon and Schuster and Penguin Group USA, where she is presently employed.

Orlando Dos Reis, '10

Orlando graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in creative writing in 2010. Post-graduation, he moved on to Kansas State University to continue his education, earning his M.A. in English language and literature in 2013. He presently serves as an editorial assistant for Abrams in the New York City area.

Erica Corder, '16

Erica graduated from Virginia Tech in 2016 with degrees in creative writing and political science. After starting up an independent journalism publication called The Pylon, Erica accepted a job in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, where she currently works as a communications manager who tells the story of the college and its students and faculty in Blacksburg and beyond through writing, photos, and videos.

Shalini Rana, '18

Shalini graduated with double majors in creative writing and professional and technical writing. During her time at Virginia Tech, her poetry was published in undergraduate publications, Silhouette and Philologia, and received third place in the Steger Poetry Prize. Shalini works as a consultant for CollabraLink Technologies and continues writing. In the future, she plans to complete a poetry M.F.A. program.

Jessica Mardian, '20

In her creative writing courses, Jessica developed strong writing skills and found the space to express herself. She was published in the Silhouette literary magazine, was a finalist for the Steger Poetry Prize at Virginia Tech, and served as a speaker at the Creative Writing Showcase. Jessica plans to pursue a career a journalism and a MFA in Creative Writing, with a focus on poetry.

Careers and Further Study

What can you do with a major in Creative Writing?

Jobs Held by Our Graduates

• Creative manager
• Literary agent
• Grant writer
• Video game developer
• Editor and copywriter
• Web designer
• Television writer
• Journalist and reporter

Creative Writing Major at Virginia Tech

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

• INTERNSHIPS
• UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND INDEPENDENT STUDY
• STUDY ABROAD
• STRONG COMMUNITY
• WRITING WORKSHOPS

Engage in your profession by writing, researching, editing, and making connections with employers across the country. Apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to the workplace. Internships earn academic credit and provide valuable real-world experience. 

You will work with a faculty mentor to experiment with language, find inspiration, grow as an artist, and share your work with peers and mentors. Learn how to brainstorm and experiment, gain experience performing your work for audiences, learn how to critique stories, poems, and plays in a workshop setting, and submit your work to literary magazines.

We host a faculty-led trip to London, an exchange program with Loughborough University, and a Wintermester Experience that visits different locations each year .  These experiences enrich your understanding of the history and culture of the English language and its literature.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Our diverse faculty is made up of published authors and poets, accomplished playwrights and essayists, and recipients of fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. We love mentoring our students and take great pride in watching them grow as writers.

During our Creative Writing major workshops, you will have the opportunity to share your stories, poems, and essays with your classmates. You'll offer critiques, compliments, suggestions, and interpretations of your peers work; you'll receive the same in return. No two workshops will ever be the same. Our goal is to help you improve your writing skills.

What You'll Study

Bachelor of Arts in English Degree

• Including Virginia Tech's Pathways

Creative Writing Major Requirements

• Introduction to Critical Reading
• Introduction to Critical Writing
• Literary History
• Acts of Interpretation
• Writing and Digital Media
• Capstone Experience 

Minor and Elective Hours

Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.

120 hrs B.A. English

45 hrs General Education

39 hrs Major Requirements

36 hrs Elective

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Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.

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Creative writing concentration.

The Creative Writing Concentration  is an intensive track for English majors who want more sustained work in  Creative Writing . While there are many ways to pursue creative writing at Yale, and within the English Department, the Creative Writing Concentration provides a structure for creative work and a community of support that many writers find rewarding.  The Creative Writing Concentration is not a separate degree or certificate; it is a part of the English major and builds on the wealth of its literary offerings. It aims to give English majors with a demonstrated interest and achievement in writing an opportunity to plan the writing courses they take in a coordinated way and to do advanced work in tutorial. The Creative Writing Concentration accepts a limited number of serious writing students at the end of the junior year or occasionally in the fall of the senior year. Concentrators are taught by distinguished professional writers who have direct contact with students, in small classes and one-on-one conferences, helping them to discover their goals and shape their sense of themselves as writers.

Students in the Creative Writing Concentration take at least four required courses. These include intermediate and advanced workshops in writing–at least two of which focus on one genre and at least one in another–and the Senior Project, English 489. The goal is to develop strong writers’ skills in concert with fine readers’ insights, and students complete at least 11 courses in the major in addition to writing concentration courses. Students interested in the Creative Writing Concentration are encouraged to consult the DUS about the requirements of the English major. In the senior year, students complete the Creative Writing Concentration Senior Project, in which they produce a single sustained work or a portfolio of shorter works. Students share their works-in-progress with their fellow students throughout the academic year, and participation in Creative Writing Concentration meetings and events is expected. Like the senior essay, the senior project is read and commented on by a second faculty member who confers with the project’s advisor. Students present their work in an annual evening group reading called “The Concentrators’ Ball.”

Students normally apply for admission to the Creative Writing Concentration in the second term of their junior year, and in a few cases as late as the fall of the senior year. Students applying in the second term of their junior year may elect to complete the Creative Writing Concentration Senior Project in either the fall or the spring of their senior year, and will participate in Creative Writing Concentration meetings and events throughout their senior year. Students who are admitted in the fall of their senior year complete the Senior Project in the spring term.

Creative Writing Concentration Prerequisites

• Two advanced level workshops numbered ENGL 451* or higher. At least one of these courses must be in the genre in which a student plans to complete ENGL 489, The Creative Writing Concentration Senior Project.
• One creative writing workshop numbered ENGL 400 or higher in a genre different from the Concentration Project.

*only courses over 451 which require applications will be counted towards the prerequisite of two Advanced Creative Writing classes.

Proposal Requirements

• Students must obtain the strong support of an advisor. Ideally this is someone with whom the student has studied in the past in a workshop at the advanced level. It is strongly recommended that students seek out an advisor well in advance of the deadline.
• Students must submit an proposal form with a prospectus providing a detailed overview of the proposed project (500-1,100 words). The prospectus will include a schedule of meetings with the advisor as well as note any assigned readings or intermediate due dates. The advisor must review, approve, and sign the prospectus.

Students interested in becoming Creative Writing Concentrators should contact the Writing Concentration Coordinator, Cynthia Zarin, well in advance of applying.

Creative Writing Concentration Proposal Form

Senior Project Guidelines

Creative Writing Concentration senior projects should be double-spaced and printed in a standard twelve-point font. Poetry projects are expected to be between 30 and 40 pages in length. Fiction projects are expected to be between 50 and 60 pages (approximately 16,000-19,000 words) in length. Nonfiction projects are expected to be between 30 and 40 pages (approximately 10,000-12,000 words), not including ancillary material (source notes, bibliographies, acknowledgments). Students concentrating in playwriting shall write a full-length play, in standard format, as agreed on by the student and the advisor. These are general guidelines; the scope and format of senior projects are to be determined in consultation between the student and the advisor.

Check our list for the senior project due date and other  Important Dates .

Creative Writing Concentration Coordinator

Cynthia Zarin cynthia.zarin@yale.edu 203-432-0756

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Major in creative writing, course planning.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Creative Writing offers courses at all four undergraduate levels. Students can declare a Creative Writing major or minor at any time. This program has significant flexibility, particularly in the first and second year.

In order to complete a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Creative Writing, students need to complete 75 required credits, that includes BA requirements and major requirements, and 45 elective credits for a total of 120 credits.

Students take introductory course in four primary areas: poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction and drama. CRWR students also take VISA 106: Introduction to Digital Media as a foundation course for further study, plus any 3 credits from Art History, Creative and Critical Studies, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts.

Sample Year One

• CRWR 150: Introduction to Writing Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction
• VISA 106: Introduction to Digital Media
• First Year English requirement
• Language Requirement
• BA requirement OR Elective
• CRWR 160: Introduction to Writing Fiction and Drama

Students take at least one intermediate workshop in poetry or fiction, in addition to courses in English and Theory and Practice of Creative Writing to provide a broad knowledge of literary history and practice. Students can also use 3 credits from CRWR 205: Popular Fiction or  CRWR 210: Power of Story towards their degree.

Sample Year Two

• CRWR 216: Intermediate Workshop in Creative Writing: Poetry
• CRWR 260L: Theory and Practice of Creative Writing
• ENGL 220: Literature in English to the 18th Century
• CRWR 217: Intermediate Workshop in Creative Writing: Fiction
• CRWR 205: Popular Fiction

Years Three and Four

Students take a minimum of two advanced workshops in creative writing including CRWR 380: Writing of the Short Story; CRWR 381: Writing of Poetry; CRWR 382; Topics in Creative Writing, and CRWR 384: Spoken Word. Students must also complete 12 credits from the 4 th year professionalizing course which include:  CRWR 470: Portfolio (may be taken twice for a total of 6 credits); CRWR 471: Writing of the Novel (6 credit year-long course); CRWR 472: Editing and Publishing; CRWR 473 (3): Writing and Community Learning; CRWR 474 (3): Writing with Media.

Other Requirements include 3 upper-level credits of ENGL or WRLD; 3 upper-level credits of ENGL in Canadian literature. 6 upper-level credits from ARTH, CCS, CRWR, CULT, ENGL, FILM, THTR, VISA, or WRLD. With permission, students may take an upper-level FREN, GERM, JPST, or SPAN literature course for this elective.

Sample Year Three

• CRWR 380: Writing of the Short Story
• CRWR 474: Writing and Community Learning
• CRWR 381: Writing of Poetry
• CRWR 472: Editing and Publishing
• ENGL 333A: Canadian Fiction

Sample Year Four

• CRWR 471: Writing of the Novel
• CRWR 382: Topics in Creative Writing
• ENGL 395: Popular Literature: Science Fiction
• ENGL 458: Canadian Environmental Writing
• FILM 303: Narrative Film Production

Note: We recommend you meet with an advisor or program coordinator to decide which elective or BA requirement courses you take in each term as there are many choices available.

Minor in Creative Writing

To complete a Minor in Creative Writing, students must complete at least 30 credits in Creative Writing, of which 18 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students must complete ENGL 220 or ENGL 221.

Combined Major with Creative Writing

A combined major is created by satisfying the requirement for a combined major in Creative Writing and another B.A. program that offers a combined major (currently  Art History and Visual Culture ,  Cultural Studies , and  English ). A single course can only fulfill the combined major requirement for one program.

B.A. requirements , including the following:

• CRWR 150 (Introduction to Writing Fiction and Drama), CRWR 160 (Introduction to Writing Poetry and Non-Fiction);
• CRWR 260 (Theory and Practice of Creative Writing);
• 6 credits of second-year Creative Writing courses; and
• at least 70% (B-) overall average in second-year English and Creative Writing courses.
• 15 credits of 300-level and 400-level Creative Writing courses;
• 3 credits of third- or fourth-year English courses in Canadian literature; and
• 3 credits of third- or fourth-year English course in modern, contemporary literature.

Academic Advisor

In FCCS, we have a dedicated advisor for the programs and degrees that we offer.

Jessica Beck Academic Advising , UNC 207D 250.807.9214 or 1.866.596.0767 [email protected]

The Academic Advising office also has a number of knowledgeable and helpful staff to assist you with all of your questions about your degree.

Creative Writing Program Coordinator

Matt Rader Associate Professor, Creative Writing [email protected]

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The Creative Writing Major

The undergraduate Creative Writing major at the University of Illinois, formerly known as the Rhetoric major, is one of the oldest of its kind in the country. Now in its seventh decade, the major combines small workshops (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) and a variety of literature courses.

Note: We also offer a Creative Writing minor. For an overview of our minor requirements, click here .

The undergraduate Creative Writing major at the University of Illinois, formerly known as the Rhetoric major, is one of the oldest of its kind in the country. Now in its seventh decade, the major combines small workshops (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) and a variety of literature courses. The result is a strong but flexible program of study that develops students' analytical and creative skills and prepares them for work or graduate study in any number of fields.

Students in the undergraduate program edit and publish an annual journal, Montage Arts Journal , which features poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art by University of Illinois undergraduate student writers and artists. For more information about Montage , visit montagejournal.wordpress.com .

Through our program, writers shape their literary voices, develop distinctive styles, and intensify their written, critical, and editorial skills. Students write about what matters most to them and learn about contemporary literary publishing through developing their imaginative, expressive, and dynamic writing.

Creative Writing Major Requirements

Literature for creative writers (6 credit hours).

• CW 100: Introduction to Creative Writing
• CW 200: Reading for Writers

Craft (3 credit hours)

• CW 243: The Craft Essay:  Creative Reading, Reflection, and Revision  

Creative Writing Workshops (12 credit hours)

Creative Writing majors must complete at least one of the following 3-course (9-hour) sequences:

• CW 106: Poetry Workshop I
• CW 206: Poetry Workshop II
• CW 406: Poetry Workshop III
• CW 104: Fiction Workshop I
• CW 204: Fiction Workshop II
• CW 404: Fiction Workshop III

The remaining 3 hours in this category can be satisfied by a fourth CW Workshop outside of the chosen sequence.  CW 404 and CW 406 may be repeated once for credit, but may not be repeated to fulfill this requirement.

Writing and Literature (3 credit hours)

3 hours of Writing and Literature coursework, either:

• 3 hours of non-Workshop CW coursework (CW 460, or another approved non-Workshop CW course)
• 3 hours of ENGL coursework

Additional Literature Coursework (12 credit hours)

12 additional hours of approved ENGL coursework, including:

• 9 hours of approved ENGL Literature coursework
• 3 hours of an ENGL Difference & Diaspora course

For more information on the Creative Writing major and minor, please visit our listings in the Academic Catalog:

• Creative Writing Major - full, detailed requirements
• Creative Writing Minor - full , detailed requirements
• Creative Writing Courses

The faculty of the Creative Writing Program represent a diverse range of writing and teaching styles and interests and are actively working in various genres and media, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, theater, and film. Faculty members have received numerous awards and fellowships. A small selection of these includes the Yale Series of Younger Poets, the Native Writers' Circle Award of the Americas Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Fiction, the FC2 National Fiction Competition, a Whiting Award, the A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize, the Kate Tufts Discovery Prize, the William Peden Prize, the Academy of American Poets Award, the Bakeless Prize, Wallace Stegner fellowships, and fellowships from the NEA, Guggenheim Foundation, Yaddo, MacDowell, Bread Loaf, Sewanee, and many others.

Follow the links below to learn more about our undergraduate Creative Writing program's core faculty members:

Ángel García

Janice N. Harrington

Amy Hassinger

Christopher Kempf

Julie Price

John Rubins

Ted Sanders

Alex Shakar

Corey Van Landingham

David Wright

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The English Major: Creative Writing Option

Note!  The requirements below took effect in Summer 2022 .  If you declared your major before then, please see the old requirements .  If you have questions about which version of the major applies to you, please contact HAS .

The Creative Writing Concentration prepares students not only to be more effective communicators and artists, but also creative problem solvers and more nuanced critical thinkers. By situating small, student-oriented writing workshops alongside literary models, Creative Writing classes enhance the broader study of literature and critical theory, helping students gain a greater understanding of the social and cultural forces informing their work. A student completing the program is more able to situate themselves in a larger aesthetic and social context and make more meaningful, informed decisions about their own artistic practice. In addition, through the intense practice of creative writing, students are able to see the world more clearly, in a more nuanced and meaningful manner, and apply these skills to a wide variety of work and life situations.

This page describes the English Major Concentration in Creative Writing. For the major's other option, see English Language, Literature, and Culture ,.

Students enrolled in the Creative Writing Concentration will complete a major consisting of 65 ENGL credits, at least 30 of which must be completed in residence at the University of Washington. A maximum of 20 credits in 200-level courses may count toward the English major, and may be used to fulfill the distribution requirements.

Creative writing students’ coursework is distributed as follows:

• ENGL 202: Introduction to English Language and Literature
• A sequence of creative writing workshops: ENGL 283: Beginning Verse Writing, ENGL 284: Beginning Short Story Writing, ENGL 383: The Craft of Verse, and ENGL 384: The Craft of Prose
• 15 credits in Historical Depth
• 15 credits in Power and Difference
• Two 400-level Creative Writing seminars ( Please see the  400-level Creative Writing workshop registration instruction page  for instructions on registering for these courses)

Please note: Creative writing students do *not* need to complete either ENGL 302 (satisfied by 383 & 384) or the senior capstone (satisfied by two 400-level CW classes), required for the major in Language, Literature, and Culture. All creative writing courses satisfy the Genre, Method, and Language distribution area, so Creative Writing students do not need to complete this area separately.

Applying to Creative Writing:

Applicants to the Creative Writing option must have already declared, or be eligible to declare, the English: Language and Literature major .

Applications for the Creative Writing option are accepted in autumn, winter, and spring quarters only, and should be submitted through this online application form   by the third Friday of the quarter at 4:00pm . Applications to creative writing are not accepted in summer quarter.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the Creative Writing option, you must

• have already declared, or be ready to declare, the English major program ;
• have completed ENGL 202, 283 (beginning verse writing) and ENGL 284 (beginning short story writing) or transfer equivalents.

Application Procedure:

Please submit online ONE complete attachment that includes the items below, by 4:00pm on the third Friday of autumn, winter, or spring quarter (no applications accepted in summer):

1. Undergraduate Creative Writing Option Application (PDF)

RIGHT-click the above link and save it as a PDF to your computer. Fill out the form using Acrobat Reader. Save your changes. Then combine it with the following materials:

Transcripts for all college work completed, both at the UW and elsewhere (these are additional sets of transcripts, separate from the transcripts you will have supplied as part of your application for the major):

• Unofficial UW Transcript : Even if this is your first quarter after transferring to the UW, you should submit an unofficial UW transcript, available through the MyUW system ;
• Complete set of Unofficial transcripts from all schools from which you have transfer credit : We need the information contained in the complete transcript from each transfer school; the transfer summary on a UW unofficial transcript is not sufficient. Photocopies of transcripts are acceptable.

2. A Writing Sample of 3-5 poems and 5-10 pages of fiction (preferably a complete story). Fiction should be double-spaced, with 12pt font (Times New Roman) and 1" margins:

• Review writing sample guidelines and be sure to submit literary fiction and poetry
• Be sure to proofread carefully.

Admission decisions are based primarily on the potential a student exhibits in his or her writing sample - grades and GPAs are usually not at issue. Admission decisions are sent to applicants by e-mail, normally within two weeks of the application deadline.

Completion of the requirements above does not guarantee admission.

Students who are denied admission to the Creative Writing option will continue to be English majors, and may complete the requirements for the literature BA in English. They may apply for the Creative Writing option one additional time, but if they are denied admission then, they must complete the literature major or elect another major in another department.

Distribution Areas:

The majority of English courses are distributed among three overlapping areas: Historical Depth, Power & Difference, and Genre, Method, and Language. Creative Writing students are required to complete 15 credits in two of these areas, Historical Depth and Power & Difference, with the remainder of their coursework focusing on Creative Writing workshops. 

Some courses can count towards both "Historical Depth" or "Power & Difference"; however, each course can ultimately only be used to fulfill one requirement. For example, ENGL 351 is listed under both “Historical Depth” and “Power and Difference" but it will only count in one of those categories in a student's degree progress. The student may choose (and can change their mind, shuffling courses as long as they are enrolled).  Students noticing issues with how these classes are applying to the distribution areas in their degree audit can contact an advisor at   Humanities Academic Services Center  (HAS), A-2-B Padelford Hall  for support. 

Descriptions of each area, along with the courses fulfilling it, are available below. 

Historical Depth:

People have been speaking, reading, and writing in English for more than a thousand years, producing literature that is at once timeless and deeply informed by the time in which it was written. Cultural artifacts from the English-speaking world have shaped, and been shaped by, social movements and historical conditions around the globe, as has the language itself. With this in mind, English majors are required to take 15 credits focused on materials produced before 1945, with at least 5 of those credits focused on materials produced before 1700. Distributing coursework in this way helps students to understand the depth, richness, and variability of English literature, language, and culture across time, and dramatizes how the ways we organize history affect the stories we tell about it. These courses open up past worlds that are in some ways totally alien and in others very similar to our own, revealing that what seems real and true to us can radically alter over time. Entering into these past realities offers a new perspective on the present and develops our capacity to imagine alternative futures.

Historical Depth Courses:

• ENGL 210 Medieval and Early Modern Literature, 400 to 1600
• ENGL 211 Literature, 1500-1800
• ENGL 225 Shakespeare
• ENGL 310 The Bible as Literature
• ENGL 320 English Literature: The Middle Ages
• ENGL 321 Chaucer
• ENGL 322 Medieval & Early Modern Literatures of Encounter (P&D)
• ENGL 323 Shakespeare to 1603
• ENGL 324 Shakespeare after 1603
• ENGL 325 Early Modern English Literature
• ENGL 326 Milton (GML)
• ENGL 351: Writing in the Contact Zone: North America 1492 - 1800 (P&D)
• ENGL 376: Introduction to Middle English Language (HD)
• ENGL 422 Arthurian Legends (GML)
• ENGL 212 Literature, 1700-1900
• ENGL 300: Reading Major Texts (can also count as pre-1700 depending on texts)
• ENGL 303 History of Literary Criticism and Theory I (GML)
• ENGL 312 Jewish Literature: Biblical to Modern (P&D)
• ENGL 314: Transatlantic Literature and Culture (P&D)
• ENGL 315: Literary Modernism (GML)
• ENGL 327 Narratives of Bondage & Freedom (P&D)
• ENGL 328 Eighteenth Century Literature & Culture
• ENGL 329 Rise of the English Novel (GML)
• ENGL 330 English Literature: The Romantic Age
• ENGL 331 Globalization & Nationalism in the Age of Empire (P&D)
• ENGL 332 Nineteenth Century Poetry (GML)
• ENGL 333 Nineteenth Century Novel (GML)
• ENGL 335 English Literature: The Victorian Age
• ENGL 336 English Literature: Early Twentieth Century
• ENGL 337 The Modern Novel (GML)
• ENGL 338 Modern Poetry (GML)
• ENGL 352 Literatures of the United States to 1865 (P&D)
• ENGL 353 American Literature: Later Nineteenth Century
• ENGL 354 American Literature: Early Twentieth Century
• ENGL 373: History of the English Language (GML)
• ENGL 380: Special Topics in History
• ENGL 385: Global Modernism (P&D)

Power and Difference:

Literature, language, and culture have been shaped by and in turn shape systems of power. Such systems include capitalism, colonialism, imperialism, and hierarchies of race, status, caste, sex, gender, and sexuality. Over time, systems of power elevate some voices and stories and marginalize and silence others. English majors are required to take at least 15 credits focused on how systems of power operate in and through literature, language, and culture. These courses explore the evolving relationship of literature, language, and culture to structures of violence and dispossession and center critical perspectives that have been marginalized or silenced. They embrace alternative ways of learning about the past and present, and the impress of the former on the latter. They highlight the complex, sometimes contradictory ways in which literature and culture mediate systems of power. In so doing, Power and Difference courses foster our imagination of more just and equitable futures.

Power and Difference Courses:

• ENGL 207: Introduction to Cultural Studies (GML)
• ENGL 208: Data and Narrative (GML)
• ENGL 256: Introduction to Queer Cultural Studies (DIV) (GML)
• ENGL 257: Introduction to Asian American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 258: Introduction to African American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 259: Literature and Social Difference (DIV)
• ENGL 265: Introduction to Environmental Humanities (DIV, GML)
• ENGL 307: Cultural Studies
• ENGL 308: Marxism and Literary Theory
• ENGL 311: Modern Jewish Literature in Translation
• ENGL 312: Jewish Literature: Biblical to Modern (HD)
• ENGL 314: Transatlantic Literature and Culture (HD)
• ENGL 316: Postcolonial Literature and Culture (DIV)
• ENGL 317: Literature of the Americas (DIV)
• ENGL 318: Black Literary Genres (DIV, GML)
• ENGL 319: African Literatures (DIV)
• ENGL 322 Medieval & Early Modern Literatures of Encounter (HD)
• ENGL 327 Narratives of Bondage & Freedom (HD)
• ENGL 331 Globalization & Nationalism in the Age of Empire (HD)
• ENGL 339: Globalization & Contemporary World Literature (GML)
• ENGL 340: Irish Literature (P&D)
• ENGL 349: Science Fiction & Fantasy
• ENGL 351: Writing in the Contact Zone: North America 1492 - 1800 (HD)
• ENGL 352: American Literatures to 1865 (HD)
• ENGL 355: Contemporary American Literature
• ENGL 357: Jewish American Literature and Culture (DIV)
• ENGL 358: African American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 359: Contemporary American Indian Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 361: American Political Culture After 1865 (DIV)
• ENGL 362: Latino Literary Genres (DIV, GML)
• ENGL 364: Literature & Medicine
• ENGL 365: Literature & Environment (GML, DIV)
• ENGL 366: Literature & Law
• ENGL 367: Gender Studies in Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 368: Women Writers (DIV)
• ENGL 372: World Englishes (DIV) (GML)
• ENGL 379: Special Topics in Power & Difference
• ENGL 385: Global Modernism (HD)
• ENGL 386: Asian American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 466: Queer and LGBT Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 478: Language and Social Policy (DIV) (GML)
• ENGL 479: Language Variation and Language Policy in North America (DIV, GML)
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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 to the right.  

• Creative Writing

Undergraduate Letter of Specialization

About Creative Writing

UMass students who are not English majors may pursue the Letter of Specialization in Creative Writing by completing the same five-course sequence as Concentrators. (English majors, primary or secondary, seeking a credential in creative writing should declare a Concentration in Creative Writing .)   The Letter of Specialization in Creative Writing (CW) leads students through a sequence of introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses. All creative writing courses invite students to work in various forms, styles, and modes, and they provide training in the elements of prosody and the craft of storytelling. Working with the UMass English Department’s esteemed creative writing faculty, students:

• Workshop their original stories, novel chapters, poems, and essays
• Study deeply the craft of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction with a focus in one genre
• Learn to read like writers

This specialization prepares students for successful careers as writers and equips them with important skills. Across fields and professions, few qualities are as prized among employers today as creativity and a facility with expressive written communication.

Requirements (5 courses)

The Letter of Specialization in Creative Writing requires that students take the following five courses:

• ENGL 254 Introduction to Creative Writing
• One 300-level intermediate creative writing class (genre-specific 350*, 355*, 356*, or 357*)
• One 400-level advanced creative writing class (genre specific 450*, 455*, 456*, 457*, or 499C/D**)
• Creative Writing Elective #1
• Creative Writing Elective #2

Eligible Creative Writing Electives include:

• ENG 146 Living Writers
• Any 300-level creative writing class*
• Any 400-level creative writing class*
• ENGL 396 (independent study)
• ENGL 496 (independent study)
• ENGL 499C/D Honors Project (2-semester thesis projects)**

*300-level creative writing courses require English 254 as a prerequisite; 400-level creative writing courses require a 300-level creative writing course as a prerequisite. 300- and 400-level creative writing courses may be repeated once for credit with a different instructor.   **ENGL 499C/D is a two-semester course that counts for two courses toward the certificate and can replace ENGL 450, 455, 456, or 457.

***Spring 2023 and prior instances of English 391NM Narrative Medicine also count as a 300 elective in creative writing.   If approved, students may substitute appropriate courses at UMass and the four colleges (Smith, Mount Holyoke, Amherst, and Hampshire) for the courses listed above. Pre-approval must be given by the Director of Creative Writing, Professor John Hennessy. You can reach him via email at @email . Oxford Summer Program courses in creative writing may also be counted toward the concentration. Transfer students may count creative writing courses taken at other institutions toward these requirements. 

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