Creative Writing, B.F.A.

The Department of Creative Writing offers a major leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the optional Certificate in Publishing, and a minor in creative writing. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program offers an intensive apprenticeship in writing, informed by the close study of literature, to serious, aspiring writers, among a community of accomplished professional writers. The BFA degree provides training in the art of writing within the context of studies in aesthetics, the literary tradition, the craft and profession of publishing, and broad liberal arts subject matter relevant to the student’s needs and goals. Students take writing workshops in all three of the department’s writing genres: fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Oral Communication Requirement

To satisfy the oral communication requirement for the B.F.A. degree in Creative Writing, students must successfully complete CRW 496 .

Applied-Learning Requirement

To satisfy the applied-learning requirement for the B.F.A. in Creative Writing, a student must successfully complete CRW 496.

Requirements for the Major in Creative Writing for the B.F.A. Degree

63 hours including 45 hours in core courses and 18 hours in related study:

Core Requirements: 45 hours

CRW 201 - Introduction to Creative Writing Credit Hours: 3
CRW 203 - The Evolution of Creative Writing: Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
CRW 207 - Fiction Writing I: Invention and Story Craft Credit Hours: 3
CRW 208 - Poetry Writing I: Image and Pattern Credit Hours: 3
CRW 209 - Creative Nonfiction I: Discovery and Story Craft Credit Hours: 3
CRW 300 - Research for Creative Writers Credit Hours: 3
One course in Reading for Craft:
CRW 302 - Creative Nonfiction: Reading for Craft Credit Hours: 3 or
CRW 303 - Poetry: Reading for Craft Credit Hours: 3 or
CRW 304 - Forms of Dramatic Writing Credit Hours: 3 or
CRW 306 - Fiction: Reading for Craft Credit Hours: 3
CRW 307 - Fiction Writing II: Voice and Vision Credit Hours: 3
CRW 308 - Poetry Writing II: Voice and Vision Credit Hours: 3
CRW 309 - Creative Nonfiction Writing II: Voice and Vision Credit Hours: 3
CRW 322 - Editing for Publication Credit Hours: 3
2 courses in:
CRW 420 - Advanced Manuscript Workshop: (Topic) Credit Hours: 3
6 hours in:
CRW 496 - Senior Seminar in Creative Writing Credit Hours: 6

Related Study: 18 hours

18 hours, selected from these courses:

CRW 210 - Writing for Digital Media Credit Hours: 3
CRW 305 - The Creative Process Credit Hours: 3
CRW 314 - Theory and Practice of Literary Translation Credit Hours: 3
CRW 315 - Special Topics in Creative Writing Credit Hours: 3
CRW 316 - Playwriting I Credit Hours: 3
CRW 318 - Screenwriting I: Introduction to Screenwriting Credit Hours: 3
CRW 320 - Special Workshop in Writing Credit Hours: 1 To 3
CRW 321 - Introduction to Book Publishing Credit Hours: 3
CRW 323 - Bookbuilding Credit Hours: 3
CRW 324 - Special Topics in Publishing Credit Hours: 3
CRW 325 - Literary Magazine Practicum Credit Hours: 3
CRW 350 - Beyond the BFA Credit Hours: 3
CRW 418 - Screenwriting II: Writing the Feature Film Credit Hours: 3
CRW 419 - Screenwriting III: Film Adaptation Credit Hours: 3
CRW 425 - Advanced Topics in Publishing Credit Hours: 3
CRW 460 - Publishing Practicum Credit Hours: 1 To 3
CRW 498 - Internship in Writing Credit Hours: 1 To 6
CRW 499 - Honors Work in Creative Writing Credit Hours: 2 To 3
FNA 102 - Explorations in the Creative Process Credit Hours: 3

Optional Non-Department Related Study, up to 6 hours

Up to 6 hours from these courses outside the Department of Creative Writing may count toward the 18 hours of Related Study: AFN 130–495; ARH 201–499, ART 101–499; CLA 209–345; ENG 190, 202–499; FST 200-499; FRH 209, 321, 322, 420, 421, 470; GER 209, 321, 331, 333; HST 101–499; LIB 101, 203; MUS 105–499; PAR 101–499; PRT 212; SPN 321, 322, 323, 421, 422; THR 110–499; WGS 210–495.

Total: 63 hours

Additional Information

Students may declare the major in Pre-Creative Writing upon completion of 24 credit hours. To gain admission to the full creative writing major and enter the BFA Program, Pre-Creative Writing majors must apply upon completion of the following courses:

CRW 201 - Introduction to Creative Writing, with a grade of “C-” or higher
CRW 203 - The Evolution of Creative Writing: Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction, with a grade of “C-” or higher
CRW 207 - Fiction Writing I: Invention and Story Craft
CRW 208 - Poetry Writing I: Image and Pattern
CRW 209 - Creative Nonfiction I: Discovery and Story Craft

A grade of B or higher is required in at least one of these: CRW 207, CRW 208, CRW 209.

Applications include an application page, plus a sample of the applicant’s writing in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The department solicits applications in in the first month of classes during each semester. Applications are not accepted during the summer.

A grade of C- or higher is required in each course counted toward the major, and a grade point average of C (2.00) or higher for all courses counted toward the major.