Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
Program Overview
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing is a 42-unit program that provides students with a comprehensive education in creative writing. The program is designed to help students develop their writing skills, explore different genres, and prepare them for a career in writing.
Program Learning Outcomes
The program has four learning outcomes:
- Creative Work: Students will produce a written creative work demonstrating growth as writers.
- Professional Preparation: Students will demonstrate skills in fields related to literature and/or creative writing, including publishing, writing, teaching, editing, book arts, and/or arts management.
- Literature: Students will read, discuss, and analyze the work of a broad range of writers from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and explain how literature in general, and their own genre in particular, relates to larger human experience.
- Craft Elements: Students will write and revise creative nonfiction, fiction, plays, and/or poetry using the elements of craft to embody their individual and universal visions as well as analyze and discuss craft elements in their peers' work.
Program Requirements
The program requires 42 units of coursework, which includes:
- Fundamentals of Creative Writing (3 units)
- Fundamentals of Creative Reading (3 units)
- Craft of Poetry, Fiction, or Playwriting (3 units)
- Creative Process/Workshop (12 units)
- Variable Topics Course (3 units)
- Revision Course (3 units)
- Capstone Course (3 units)
- Courses in Literature Areas (12 units)
Course Descriptions
The program offers a range of courses, including:
- Fundamentals of Creative Writing
- Fundamentals of Creative Reading
- Craft of Poetry
- Craft of Fiction
- Craft of Playwriting
- Creative Process/Workshop
- Variable Topics Course
- Revision Course
- Capstone Course
- Courses in Literature Areas
Complementary Studies
Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least 12 units of Complementary Studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. Creative Writing majors will satisfy this requirement from within the major by taking 12 units of literature classes required in the major.
Transfer Student Roadmap
For students with an AA-T in English, the program provides a transfer student roadmap that outlines the courses required for graduation.
General Advising Information for Transfer Students
Transfer students should complete as many lower-division requirements or electives for this major as possible before transferring to SF State. Students should also seek advising in the major department during the first semester of attendance.
Previous Bulletins
Students following earlier "Bulletin" requirements can access the appropriate year using the link provided.
- First-Time Student Roadmap (4 Year)
- The roadmaps presented are intended as suggested plans of study and do not replace meeting with an advisor.
- Transfer Student Roadmap (2 Year)
- For students with an AA-T in English.
- This degree program is an approved pathway ("similar" major) for students earning the ADT in English
- California legislation SB 1440 (2009) mandated the creation of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) to be awarded by the California Community Colleges.