The creative writing program offers undergraduates the chance to major or minor in
its program. The major is a 33 hour program and the minor is a 12 hour program, with
offerings in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry and playwriting.
For either the major or the minor, students must complete:
- English 101 (3 credits)
- English 102 (3 credits)
- Earn at least a B- or above in English 285 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)
- In Intro to Creative Writing students write poetry and fiction and, depending on the instructor, may also write in other genres.
Creative Writing Major
For the creative writing major, a student must complete 33 hours including the following courses:
Basic Requirements (12 hours)
ENGL 322 Origins of Western Literature (3 credits) or ENGL 323 World Literature I
(3 credits)- ENGL 310 The Nature of Poetry (3 credits)
- ENGL 320 The Nature of Drama (3 credits) or ENGL 330 The Nature of Fiction (3 credits)
- English literature class numbered 300 or above
Major Requirements (3 hours)
- ENGL 285 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)
(This course must be completed with a grade of B- or better or receive departmental consent for further creative writing coursework.)
Skill Requirements (at least 12 hours)
- ENGL 301 Fiction Writing (3 credits)
- ENGL 303 Poetry Writing (3 credits)
- ENGL 305 Creative Nonfiction Writing (3 credits)
- ENGL 401 Fiction Workshop (3 credits)
- ENGL 403 Poetry Workshop (3 credits)
- ENGL 517 Playwriting I (3 credits)
- ENGL 518 Playwriting II (3 credits)
- ENGL 585 Writer’s tutorial: Prose Fiction (3 credits)
- ENGL 586 Writer’s Tutorial: Poetry (3 credits)
(Except for ENGL 517 and 518, all of these courses may be repeated once for credit.)
Electives (at least 6 hours)
Upper division hours from any other area of emphasis within the department.
Creative Writing Minor
For the creative writing minor, a student must complete 12 hours of creative writing coursework including:
- ENGL 285 Introduction to Creative Writing
- 3 hours of ENGL 310 The Nature of Poetry, ENGL 320 The Nature of Drama or ENGL 330 The Nature of Fiction
- 9 hours of skill courses listed below
Skill Requirements
- ENGL 301 Fiction Writing (3 credits)
- ENGL 303 Poetry Writing (3 credits)
- ENGL 305 Creative Nonfiction Writing (3 credits)
- ENGL 401 Fiction Workshop (3 credits)
- ENGL 403 Poetry Workshop (3 credits)
- ENGL 517 Playwriting I (3 credits)
- ENGL 518 Playwriting II (3 credits)
- ENGL 585 Writer’s tutorial: Prose Fiction (3 credits)
- ENGL 586 Writer’s Tutorial: Poetry (3 credits)
(Except for ENGL 517 and 518, all of these courses may be repeated once for credit.)