Program Overview

Introduction to the Creative Writing Program

The Department of Creative Writing offers undergraduate and graduate programs that emphasize the study and practice of imaginative writing in various genres, including creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry.

Program Scope

The program combines the study of literature from a variety of departments with the experiential needs of the writing student. Students learn by vigorous practice, focused studies of craft, and extensive reading, analysis, and discussion of their work, as well as that of published authors.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate major in Creative Writing is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the craft of writing. The program requires students to take a range of courses, including:

• Introduction to Creative Writing
• Fundamentals of Creative Writing
• Fundamentals of Creative Reading
• Special Topics in Writing
• Work in Progress (a capstone course for seniors)

Graduate Programs

The Department of Creative Writing offers two graduate programs: the Master of Arts in Creative Writing and the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

• The Master of Arts in Creative Writing serves a double purpose: to provide students with the help of a faculty of professional writers and critics in developing their potential as a professional writer and as a teacher of creative writing/composition.
• The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is regarded as the terminal degree in the field and offers extended experience in small seminars and individual instruction with faculty.

Course Offerings

The Department of Creative Writing offers a wide range of courses, including:

• C W 101: Introduction to Creative Writing
• C W 300: Welcome to Creative Writing
• C W 301: Fundamentals of Creative Writing
• C W 302: Fundamentals of Creative Reading
• C W 467: On the Cultural Frontlines: Contemporary Trends in Israeli Art
• C W 497: Modern Greek Literature
• C W 501: Graphic Memoir and Biography
• C W 506: The Business of Creative Writing
• C W 507: Writing on the Body
• C W 510: The Creative Process
• C W 511GW: Craft of Poetry - GWAR
• C W 512GW: Craft of Fiction - GWAR
• C W 513GW: Craft of Playwriting - GWAR
• C W 514: Contemporary World Poetry
• C W 520: Writers on Writing
• C W 550: Poetry Center Workshop
• C W 600: Special Topics in Writing
• C W 601: Work in Progress
• C W 602: Playwriting
• C W 603: Short Story Writing
• C W 604: Poetry Writing
• C W 605: Writing and Performing Monologues
• C W 606: Art of Revision: from Draft to Manuscript
• C W 609: Directed Writing for B.A. Students
• C W 640: Transfer Literary Magazine
• C W 659: Practicum in Teaching
• C W 675: Community Projects in Literature
• C W 685: Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing
• C W 699: Independent Study
• C W 785: Graduate Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing
• C W 803: Advanced Short Story Writing
• C W 804: Advanced Poetry Writing
• C W 806: The Business of Creative Writing
• C W 807: Developing the Novel
• C W 808: Novel Writing
• C W 809: Directed Writing for Graduate Students
• C W 810: Seminar in the Creative Process
• C W 814: Contemporary World Poetry
• C W 820: Writers on Writing
• C W 825: Playwright's Theatre Workshop
• C W 840: Fourteen Hills Literary Magazine
• C W 850: Poetry Center Workshop
• C W 852: Workshop in Creative Nonfiction
• C W 853: M.F.A. Workshop in Fiction
• C W 854: Workshop in Poetry
• C W 855: Workshop in Playwriting
• C W 859: Practicum in Teaching
• C W 860: Teaching Creative Writing
• C W 866: Craft of Translation
• C W 867: Theory of Translation
• C W 875: Community Projects in Literature
• C W 880: M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Fiction
• C W 881: M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Poetry
• C W 882: M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Playwriting
• C W 893MA: Written M.A. Creative Project
• C W 893MFA: Written M.F.A. Creative Work
• C W 899: Independent Study

Career Outlook

The career goal of the Creative Writing program is to inspire, train, and encourage writers of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, plays, and poetry. Many celebrated and distinguished writers are graduates of the department. The skills developed in creative writing translate well into non-profit/corporate writing and editing, publishing, teaching, and working for arts organizations.