CREATIVE WRITING MAJOR 

The 60-credit creative writing BFA is highly selective, supportive, and committed to helping undergraduate writers cultivate a skill set that translates to multiple career fields. Graduating class sizes never exceed 25 students and creative writing workshops are capped at 16. In addition to workshops, majors are also  expected to take literature courses that encourage them to "read like a writer" and think critically about their place in the literary landscape. In their third year of study, majors declare their specialization in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or playwriting. Additionally, majors have opportunities to minor in television writing or screenwriting, enroll in a publishing practicum, engage in our national undergraduate publication Sandpiper Review, and take part in community readings and events. 

Requirements for the Major in Creative Writing 

A. Introductory courses required of all majors (9 credits) 

• CWL 190 Introduction to Contemporary Literature (HUM)
• CWL 202 Introduction to Creative Writing: Writing Everything (ARTS)
• CWL 250 Join the Conversation

B. Ten writing workshops (30 credits) 

Students may repeat courses for credit as topic changes. Majors must take at least 3 workshops outside their declared genre.

• CWL 300 Forms of Creative Non-Fiction  (HFA+, WRTD)
• CWL 305 Forms of Fiction  (HFA+, WRTD)
• CWL 310 Forms of Poetry  (HFA+, WRTD)
• CWL 315 Forms of Scriptwriting  (HFA+, WRTD)
• CWL 320 Forms of Interdisciplinary Arts  (HFA+, WRTD)
• CWL 325 Forms of Science Writing  (HFA+, WRTD)

C. Two literature courses for writers (6 credits) 

Students may repeat these courses for credit as the topics change. 

• CWL 330 Topics in European Literature for Writers (GLO)
• CWL 335 Topics in American Literature for Writers (USA)
• CWL 340 Topics in World Literature for Writers (GLO)

D. Four "Capstone Cluster" courses (15 credits) 

These courses should be taken during the fall of Year 4.

• CWL 390 The Ethics of the Creative Imagination (CER,SPK)
• CWL 450 Senior Project (EXP+)
• CWL 487 Mind the Gap: Independent Reading (ESI)
• CWL 499 Thesis