Program Overview

English, BA: Creative Writing

The English Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing provides students with a solid grounding in literature as well as advanced study in creative writing. Penn’s premier undergraduate creative writing program includes courses in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, writing for children, journalistic writing, and review.

The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.

Course Requirements

• College General Education Requirements and Free Electives
  • Foundational Approaches + Sectors + Free Electives: 20
• Major Requirements
  • Core Requirement 1:
    • Select one course in each sector from ENGL 0010-ENGL 5999, except: 6
    • Sector 1 - Theory & Poetics (Attribute: AETP)
    • Sector 2 - Difference and Diaspora (Attribute: AEDD)
    • Sector 3 - Medieval/Renaissance (Attribute: AEMR)
    • Sector 4 - Literature of the Long 18th Century (Attribute: AE18)
    • Sector 5 - 19th Century Literature (Attribute: AE19)
    • Sector 6 - 20th-21st Century Literature (Attribute: AE20)
  • The One Series (TOS): 2
    • ENGL: 1
  • Creative Writing Seminars: 3
    • ENGL or any course with Attribute AECW: 3
    • Creative Writing Seminar 1
    • Creative Writing Seminar 2
    • Creative Writing Seminar 3
  • Early-Period Seminar: 4
    • ENGL; ; ; ; ; : 1
    • Literature Seminar 1: Literature Before 1900 (Attribute: AEB7, AEB9)
      • Attribute: AEB7
      • Attribute: AEB9
  • Literature Seminar Elective: 5
    • ENGL 0051; ; ; ; ; ; : 1
    • Literature Seminar 2: Any Literature Seminar
  • Electives: 6
    • ENGL: 1-3
• Total Course Units: 33

Notes

1. You will need to take one course to fulfill each sector of the Major Core, six in total. Two of these courses may double-count with your Literature Seminar Electives. Creative Writing Seminars cannot count in the Major Core.
2. The One Series seminar (TOS) cannot double-count in the Major Core. However, if you take a second TOS course, your additional TOS may count as a Literature Seminar or an Elective.
3. You must take at least three Creative Writing Seminars.
4. You must take one Early-Period Literature Seminar, either Literature Before 1700 (AEB7) or Literature Before 1900 (AEB9). This Seminar may be double-counted in the Major Core.
5. You must take one more Literature Seminar. This may be double-counted in the Major Core.
6. Remaining number of courses to fulfill 13 credits (1-3 c.u.).

Honors

Applicants must have a 3.6 GPA in the major. Thesis required.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.