Creative Writing, B.A.

The B.A. in Creative Writing can be completed either in-person or online. This program offers a comprehensive learning experience for aspiring writers. Creative Writing majors develop their skills in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction; they have opportunities to study with talented writers on Marshall's faculty; and they have the chance to share their own writing in workshops with other writers. Beyond the program's core genres, students can also pursue electives in screenwriting and a variety of types of literature. This degree helps strengthen skills in communication, analysis, and critical thinking. These are skills that are valuable for a career in writing—and important to professional work across a wide range of fields.

Course Requirements

• Core Curriculum:
  • Core 1: Critical Thinking
    • FYS 100: First Yr Sem Critical Thinking (3 credits)
    • MTH 121: Concepts and Applications (CT) (3 credits)
    • Critical Thinking Course (3 credits)
  • Core 2:
    • ENG 101: Beginning Composition (3 credits)
    • ENG 201: Advanced Composition (3 credits)
    • CMM 103: Fund Speech-Communication (3 credits)
    • MTH 121: Concepts and Applications (CT) (3 credits)
    • Core II Physical/Natural Science (4 credits)
    • Core II Humanities (3 credits)
    • ENG 200: Texting the World(CT) (recommended)
    • Core II Social Science (Milestone course) (3 credits)
    • Core II Fine Arts (3 credits)
• Additional University Requirements:
  • ENG Writing Intensive
  • ENG Writing Intensive
  • Multicultural or International
  • ENG 499: Senior Capstone (not offered in summer) (3 credits)
• College-Specific:
  • Foreign Language 101 (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 102 (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 203 or MC, I, or GLC Course (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 204 or MC, I, or GLC Course (3 credits)
  • COLA Humanities (3 credits)
  • COLA Humanities (3 credits)
  • COLA Humanities (3 credits)
  • COLA Social Science (3 credits)
  • COLA Social Science (3 credits)
  • COLA Social Science (3 credits)
  • COLA Physical/Natural Science (4 credits)
• Major-Specific:
  • ENG 350: Intro to Textual Analysis (must be taken within the first 9 hours of coursework within the major) (3 credits)
  • ENG 355: Intro to Critical Theory (not offered in summer) (3 credits)
  • ENG 360: Intro Creative Writing (3 credits)
  • ENG 499: Senior Capstone (not offered in summer) (3 credits)
  • Contemporary Literature (3 credits)
  • Choose one of the following:
    • ENG 424: American Literature after 1914
    • ENG 432: Contemporary Literature
    • ENG 433: 20th C Brit & Irish Poetry
    • ENG 434: 20th C American Poetry
    • ENG 480: Special Topics
    • ENG 481: Special Topics
    • ENG 482: Special Topics
    • ENG 483: Special Topics
    • ENG 485: Independent Study
    • ENG 486: Independent Study
    • ENG 487: Independent Study
    • ENG 488: Independent Study
  • ENG Level 400 Literature Elective (3 credits)
  • Select one of the following:
    • ENG 409: Milton
    • ENG 410: Shaks Com, Tragi & Rom
    • ENG 411: Chaucer
    • ENG 412: Shaks Hist & Tragedies
    • ENG 414: 19th C British Novel
    • ENG 415: Victorian Poetry
    • ENG 416: Victorian Nonfiction
    • ENG 418: Addiction Literature
    • ENG 421: American Lit to 1830
    • ENG 422: American Lit
    • ENG 423: American Lit
    • ENG 424: American Literature after 1914
    • ENG 427: Studies in Authors or Genre
    • ENG 428: International Literature
    • ENG 430: Young Adult Literature
    • ENG 432: Contemporary Literature
    • ENG 433: 20th C Brit & Irish Poetry
    • ENG 434: 20th C American Poetry
    • ENG 435: Modernism
    • ENG 436: Medieval British Lit
    • ENG 440: Selected Topics in Film
    • ENG 442: Gender and Sexuality in Film
    • ENG 447: British Romantic Poets
    • ENG 450: World Lit to Renaissance
    • ENG 451: World Lit Since Renaissance
    • ENG 455: Advanced Critical Theory
    • ENG 469: Teaching Creative Writing
    • ENG 470: Form/Theory: Creative Writing
    • ENG 480: Special Topics
    • ENG 481: Special Topics
    • ENG 482: Special Topics
    • ENG 483: Special Topics
    • ENG 485: Independent Study (when so designated by Chair)
    • ENG 486: Independent Study (when so designated by Chair)
    • ENG 487: Independent Study (when so designated by Chair)
    • ENG 488: Independent Study (when so designated by Chair)
• Creative Writing Sequence:
  • Choose 6 hours from the following, and then 3 hours in an additional genre:
    • Poetry:
      • ENG 377: Creative Writing Poetry
      • ENG 491: Poetry Workshop
    • Fiction:
      • ENG 378: Creative Writing Fiction
      • ENG 492: Fiction Workshop
    • Creative Nonfiction:
      • ENG 379: Creative Writing: Nonfiction
      • ENG 493: Creative Nonfiction
    • ENG 469: Teaching Creative Writing (3 credits)
    • or ENG 470: Form/Theory: Creative Writing
• English Electives (choose from any 200-, 300-, or 400-level ENG class) (6 credits)
• Free Elective (3 credits)
• Free Elective (3 credits)
• Free Elective (3 credits)
• Free Elective (3 credits)
• Free Elective (3 credits)
• Free Elective (1 credit)

Major Information

• The total number of free electives will depend on the amount of double and triple counting of requirements. Core II and COLA requirements may not be double counted.
• See course attributes each semester for courses that meet multiple requirements.
• Questions about requirements should be directed to your English Department advisor.
• Students must earn a C or better in ENG 201 Advanced Composition, all ENG courses for the major, and the first three foreign language courses. Students must earn a D or better in the fourth foreign language course.
• Forty-two credit hours (fourteen 3-hour courses) must be at the 300/400 level.
• Minimum of 120 hours to graduate.
• No more than six hours of ENG courses at the 200-level may count toward the BA degree in English. No credit hours in ENG with a grade lower than C may count toward the BA degree in ENG.
• Creative Writing majors who carefully select courses can earn a double major in Literary Studies by taking only 5 additional Literary Studies classes, many of which also meet upper division COLA requirements. Meet with your advisor to plan your choices.

Semester Plan

A Creative Writing degree can give you the critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills you'll need for success in this quick and quickly-changing world. Our program is flexible, so you can pursue a wide range of interests. Our courses give you the ability to think differently, to expand on and augment the ideas and work made in all fields, not just literature. Where you go from here is up to you. But our courses are designed to hone not just your writing, but your thinking skills, too. Our faculty and staff are dedicated. All this to say, really, we plan on preparing you for a successful professional life as well as an invaluable way of thinking, about everything.

Plan of Study Grid First Year

• First Semester:
  • CMM 103: Fund Speech-Communication (3 credits)
  • ENG 101: Beginning Composition (3 credits)
  • FYS 100: First Yr Sem Critical Thinking (3 credits)
  • Core II Social Science (3 credits)
  • COLA Social Science (3 credits)
  • UNI 100: Freshman First Class (1 credit)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Second Semester:
  • Core II Humanities (3 credits)
  • ENG 200: Texting the World(CT) (recommended)
  • ENG 201: Advanced Composition (3 credits)
  • Core I Critical Thinking (3 credits)
  • MTH 121: Concepts and Applications (CT) (3 credits)
  • Core II Fine Arts (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • ENG 350: Intro to Textual Analysis (3 credits)
  • ENG 360: Intro Creative Writing (3 credits)
  • Core II Physical/Natural Science (4 credits)
  • Foreign Language 101 (3 credits)
  • COLA Humanities (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Second Semester:
  • ENG 355: Intro to Critical Theory (3 credits)
  • ENG Creative Writing Sequence (3 credits)
  • COLA Social Science (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 102 (3 credits)
  • COLA Humanities (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • ENG Level 400 Literature (3 credits)
  • Select one of the following: (3 credits)
  • ENG 469: Teaching Creative Writing
  • Free Elective
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • ENG Creative Writing Sequence (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 203 or MC, I, or GLC Course (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Second Semester:
  • ENG Creative Writing Sequence (3 credits)
  • COLA Physical/Natural Science (4 credits)
  • COLA Social Science (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 204 or MC, I, or GLC Course (3 credits)
  • Select one of the following: (3 credits)
  • Free Elective
  • ENG 470: Form/Theory: Creative Writing
  • Total Credit Hours: 16

Fourth Year

• First Semester:
  • ENG English Elective (3 credits)
  • ENG Contemporary Literature (3 credits)
  • COLA Humanities (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Second Semester:
  • ENG 499: Senior Capstone (3 credits)
  • ENG English Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Total Credit Hours: 12
• Total Credit Hours: 120

Marshall University

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Overview:

Marshall University is a public research university located in Huntington, West Virginia. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as online and professional degrees. The university is known for its strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to community outreach.

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Services Offered:

Admissions:

The university offers admissions services for first-year freshmen, transfer students, international undergraduate students, graduate students, international graduate students, and online students.

Financial Aid:

Marshall University provides financial aid options including tuition assistance, scholarships, and grants.

Student Resources:

Students have access to various resources such as residence halls, student affairs, student health services, and student policies.

Campus Resources:

The university offers libraries, online research tools, internship and career development services, and a campus bookstore.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Student Organizations:

Students can participate in various clubs, organizations, student government, Greek life, and athletics.

Student Activities:

The university offers opportunities for community service, leadership development, and campus recreation.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Programs:

Marshall University boasts a variety of academic programs across various disciplines.

Vibrant Campus Life:

The university provides a lively campus environment with numerous student organizations, activities, and events.

Community Engagement:

Marshall University is deeply involved in the local community through outreach programs and initiatives.

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Academic Programs:

Undergraduate:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across various colleges and schools.

Graduate:

Marshall University provides graduate programs in various fields, including medicine and pharmacy.

Online:

The university offers online degree programs for students seeking flexible learning options.

Professional:

Marshall University offers professional programs designed to enhance career skills and knowledge.