Creative Writing Degree Online

What is Creative Writing?

Students who major in Creative Writing learn how to write in a spectrum of genres, including: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and playwriting. Students also study works written by others and improve their craft by participating in writing workshops.

Is Creative Writing a Good Major / Degree for Me?

Do you love to write? Do you love to read? Do you enjoy creating stories and poems, and are you always driven to make them better? Are you fascinated by language? Are you comfortable working for long hours by yourself? If you answer yes to these questions, then a degree in Creative Writing might be for you!

High School Classes Needed for a Creative Writing Degree in College:

• 4 English Credits
• 3 Math Credits
• 3 Science Credits
• 3 Social Studies Credits
• At least 2 Foreign Language Credits
• If your high school offers the following courses, take advantage!
  • Creative Writing
  • AP English Language
  • AP English Literature

Common Creative Writing Courses in College:

• American Literature
• Creative Nonfiction Writing
• Fiction Writing
• Journalism
• Poetry Writing
• Writing for Children
• Writing for the Stage or Film
• Writing the Literary Novel
• Writing Workshop

Similar Degree Programs You Might Want to Explore:

• Advertising: the study of how to create persuasive messages
• English: the study of English language and literature
• English Education: a course of study that prepares individuals to serve as English teachers
• Journalism: a course of study that prepares students to communicate the news
• Liberal Arts & Sciences: an introductory study of literature, languages, philosophy, history, mathematics, and sciences
• Literature: the study of written works, literary movements, and the history of literature
• Peace Studies: the study of war, conflict, peace, and nonviolent conflict resolution
• Photography: the study of photographs as art, documentation, and communication
• Theater: a course of study that prepares students for professional lives in theater and related fields

Creative Writing Careers:

It can be difficult to make a living from Creative Writing alone, even if you have a degree in Creative Writing. Many graduates continue to hone their craft while working as copywriters, freelance writers, copyeditors, and editors. Some go to work in advertising. Some go on to be English teachers or ESL teachers, though certification will usually require additional college courses.

Students considering an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing should know that there are more postgraduate programs offering this major than there are undergraduate ones.