creative writing courses in university

Creative Writing

One of the nation's most prestigious open-enrollment creative writing programs..

Whether you're looking to improve your writing for personal fulfillment, want to be published, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Writers' Program can help you achieve your goals. You will find a supportive community of instructors, academic counselors and fellow students to help you on your journey.

We offer a wide range of open-enrollment courses, all of which may be taken individually. A guide on where to get started is provided below.

We also offer a fully customizable 21-unit Certificate in Creative Writing  where you can develop professional creative writing skills in the genre of your choice.

What do you want to create?

See All Courses

Creative Writing Certificate

Develop your skills in the genre of your choice, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more.

This customizable program culminates in a capstone project where you will make significant progress on a polished collection of work.

Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both.

Annual Writers Studio

4-day in-person, intensive workshops in Creative Writing & Screenwriting.

Perfect for both aspiring and experienced writers looking for new inspiration.

This year's Writers Studio was held in August. The 2025 dates and registration will be provided once available.

Read about the 2024 Writers Studio

Writers' Program Consultations

If you have a completed draft of a manuscript and need feedback for your work, consider a one-on-one consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor.

Consultations give you a full cover-to-cover read of your work, a written evaluation, and a follow-up conversation in person, via phone, or web chat.

Get Started

Expect more from your education.

MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. 

BUILD COMMUNITY

Writers' Program Network of Writers (WP NOW)

Stay immersed in the Writers' Program community. Our optional membership program offers exclusive access to a range of discounts and benefits, including members-only networking, professional development opportunities, and course discounts. 

L earn More

My UCLA Extension coursework, teachers, and colleagues have shaped my writing life, fueled the creation of my novel, and provided continual inspiration.

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Creative writing courses

Short and part-time courses with Oxford University

Need an extra push to finish your novel, poem or play? Want to explore new genres? Whether you're a beginner wondering where to start, or an experienced writer looking to extend your craft, we have a course for you.

Short courses

• Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate study

Summer schools in Oxford

Our  short courses in creative writing  include in person and online live-time weekly classes, day and weekend schools and flexible online courses.

Courses cover all genres: fiction, poetry, memoir, creative nonfiction, drama, writing for young adults and critical reading. There are courses for beginners and options for those with experience. Class sizes are kept small to maximise interaction between you, your classmates and your tutor.

Credit earned from some of our short courses is transferable towards our  Certificate of Higher Education  – a part-time undergraduate course in which you study a main subject discipline, such as creative writing, but also undertake study in other subjects to broaden your knowledge and skills.

• View all short courses in creative writing
• Ways to study: how our short courses work

Part-time Oxford University qualifications

From undergraduate level to advanced postgraduate study.

Certificate of Higher Education in Creative Writing

The  Certificate of Higher Education  is a flexible, part-time programme which lets you study a main subject discipline (such as creative writing) while also undertaking study in other academic subjects. Ideal for lifelong learners, you can study what you want, when you want, how you want. The credits you obtain from taking short online courses, weekly classes and attendance at the Oxford University Summer School for Adults all count towards your final award.

• Certificate of Higher Education
• Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing

The  Diploma in Creative Writing  is a two-year part-time course that helps you to strengthen your ability in four major areas of literary activity — prose, poetry, drama and analytical reading — while letting you specialise in the genre of your choice. Choose from two study options: regular in-person meetings in Oxford or mostly online with a summer school in Oxford.

• MSt in Creative Writing

Delve deeper with our a two-year, part-time master's programme offering a unique combination of high contact hours, genre specialisation, and critical and creative breadth. Delivered in a clustered learning format of five residences, two guided retreats and one placement over two years.

Join us for one of our Oxford  creative writing summer courses , and spend a week or longer immersed in your craft. Accredited and non-accredited options are available and courses take place either at Rewley House or at one of the University's historic colleges.

• Creative writing summer courses

Upcoming courses

Literature and music: from romanticism to the jazz age.

• Sat 09 Nov 2024
• 9:45am – 5:00pm

Christmas Feasts in the Middle Ages

• Sat 30 Nov 2024

The Craft of Storytelling: Structure, Plot and Narrative Momentum

• Sat 30 Nov 2024 – 01 Dec 2024
• 9.45am Sat - 5.00pm Sun

Film Noir: 1940s Hollywood Cinema

• Sat 07 Dec 2024
• 10:15am – 5:30pm

Advanced Creative Writing (Online)

• Wed 08 Jan 2025 – 21 Mar 2025

Student spotlights

Discover how our students have developed their creative writing skills thanks to completing a course at the Department.

Sarah Easter Collins

Charles bush, tahmina maula, daisy johnson.

FOUNDATIONS OF

Foundations of Creative Writing

A haven for writers of all genres and ambitions

 December 3, 2024

*Flexible payment available

Enroll this week to receive a 10% tuition reduction

Imbue your writing with imagination and range.

Craft writing that is distinct and well-developed..

Stories are timeless and eternal. They are touchstones, formed by time and place, which reflect upon the human experience. Creative writing is an asset in all professional fields throughout diverse positions. The ability to craft intriguing, memorable prose remains one of the most enduring forms of human expression. Learn to conceive and develop integral elements of a story, including plotline, characters, symbolism, setting, and atmosphere.

Our Approach to Online Learning

Optimize your time with a mode of study that allows you to explore content and complete tasks at your own pace.

Interactive

Our interactive content includes videos from instructors at the University of Chicago as well as materials that enable you to learn through real-world examples.

Personalized

Throughout the program, the teaching assistant will serve as a valuable resource to clarify any questions and provide feedback on your work.

Meet Your Instructor

Sarah Terez Rosenblum, MFA

Sarah Terez Rosenblum’s work has appeared in literary magazines such as The Normal School, Prairie Schooner (shortlisted for the publication’s Summer 2020 Creative Nonfiction Prize), Diagram , Brevity, Third Coast , and Carve. In 2022, Rosenblum was shortlisted for StoryQuarterly ’s annual fiction contest. She has written for sites that include Salon, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Satirist, and Pop Matters .

Pushcart Prize-nominated, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Rosenblum is a creative coach and developmental editor. She also teaches creative writing at Story Studio, where she was voted 2022 Teacher of the Year, and at the University of Chicago Writer’s Studio. Rosenblum’s novel, Herself When She’s Missing , was called “poetic and heartrending” by Booklist . 

Unique Program Features

Live sessions and workshops.

Engage in live sessions and workshops that provide the opportunity to pose questions and exchange ideas.

Practical application

Practice specific craft points and explore the drafting process through weekly writing exercises.

Personalized guidance

Receive feedback from your instructors about the development of your writing.

Create a strategy for your organization that makes use of AI to accomplish business goals

Build a team for success in an AI world

Choose the best areas for early-stage development and understand how to scale AI solutions

Earn a certificate of completion from the University of Chicago and become part of the UChicago network

Learning Outcomes

• Reveal character through action.
• Establish setting through characters’ physicality.
• Write dynamic scenes.
• Create dialogue that reveals character and furthers plot.
• Recognize and use imagery and symbolic language.

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Course modules, introduction to writing and crafting character.

• Things to Consider Before Writing
• Introduction to Character
• Description
• Internal Response

Point of View

• Introduction to Point of View
• First Person
• Third Person
• Less Common Points of View: Second Person
• Less Common Points of View: First Person Plural
• Focalization
• Writing Practice

Setting and Mood

• Starting with Setting
• Creating Setting
• Analysis of Setting in The Road
• Introduction to Workshop
• Introduction to Plot
• Basic Plot Arcs
• Denouement and Resolution
• Conflict and Tension
• Change and Imagery
• The Hero’s Journey
• Introduction to Dialogue
• Dialogue and Action
• Creating Tension with Dialogue
• Dialogue and Subtext
• Issues in Dialogue

Voice and Tone

• Introduction to Tone and Voice
• Authorial Voice and Character Voice
• Finding Your Voice
• Strong Story Starts
• Writing Practice: Drafting

Imagery, Symbolism, and Theme

• Introduction to Imagery and Theme
• Figurative Language
• Systems of Imagery: “In the White Night”
• Building Your Own Systems of Imagery

Time Movement and Literary Magazines

• Simple Scene Movement
• Introduction to Flashbacks
• The Mechanics of Flashbacks
• Writing Practice: Submitting Your Work
• Writing Practice: Beyond this Course
• Things to Consider
• Before Writing
• Introduction to
• Writing Practicen

Participant Experiences

This course is designed for:.

Individuals with diverse aspirations, backgrounds, and skills interested in exploring writing in an easily accessible way.

Learners from all walks of life with curiosity and enthusiasm toward writing, communication, literature, and the art of crafting a story.

Experienced writers looking to hone their skills and elevate their expression.

Flexible Payment Options Available

PROGRAM FEE

Any discounts will be applied at checkout.

Pay in Full

Pay in 2 installments.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT PENN LPS ONLINE CERTIFICATES

Get details about courses, instructors, and University resources.

Sign up for more

Certificate in Creative Writing

About the Online Creative Writing Certificate

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each online course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of online courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These online creative writing courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.

Creative Writing Certificate Requirements

• The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 c.u.* credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty.
• To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. 
• Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 c.u.*) by adding two additional creative writing courses.

Flexible Course Schedule and Tuition

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered in accelerated 8-week terms and full terms. Courses in the online certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors.

You have the option to enroll in individual creative writing courses without committing to the entire online certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests. Visit the Cost of Attendance page for course tuition and fee rates.

See Course Tuition

Watch a video of a recent virtual information session to hear from the program team about the Certificate in Creative Writing.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, watch it on YouTube .

*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.

The Certificate in Creative Writing prepares you to:

• Understand how text conveys meaning across a variety of literary genres and styles
• Explore how to use innovation, flexibility, and collaboration to cultivate a creative writing practice
• Create, revise and edit your original writing in multiple literary genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting

Online Creative Writing Courses

Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.

• CRWR 1010: The Craft of Creative Writing
• CRWR 1600: Modern and Contemporary US Poetry
• CRWR 2010: Poetry Workshop
• CRWR 2400: The Art of Editing
• CRWR 2500: Writing and Meditation
• CRWR 2600: Fiction Workshop
• CRWR 2800: Narrative Collage
• CRWR 3000: Writing About Place
• CRWR 3200: Screenwriting
• CRWR 3600: Advanced Nonfiction *
• CRWR 3700: Journalism

*This course may not be offered every academic year. Check the course page or our course guide to see when upcoming terms are added.

Courses are subject to change.

Meet The Faculty

Julia Bloch

• Faculty Director, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Creative Writing
• Director, Creative Writing Program

• Director, Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing

Laynie Browne

• Poet, prose writer, teacher and editor

Scott Burkhardt

• Lecturer in cinema and media studies

Christy Davids

• Teacher, poet and assistant editor at The Conversant

Lise Funderburg

• Lecturer in creative writing

• 2017-2018 Digital Studies Fellow at Rutgers University-Camden

Dick Polman

• Povich Writer-in-Residence at the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing (CPCW)

• Writer, editor, teacher

Zachary Tyler Vickers

Careers related to creative writing.

The Certificate in Creative Writing is designed to enhance your writing and storytelling skills and provide a framework for a creative process that can be applied to a myriad of professional roles including:

• Advertising copywriter
• Fundraising/development consultant
• Author and journalist

Creative Writing Program

Linda A. Cicero | Stanford News Service

Cultivating the power of individual expression within a vibrant community of writers

Announcement from the stanford creative writing program.

Creative Writing Minor

Discover your writing prowess and push the imaginative bounds of prose, poetry, and screenwriting with our undergraduate minor.

Stegner Fellowship

An opportunity for promising writers to develop their craft in the company of peers and under the guidance of Stanford faculty.

Stanford University

Our Community

Meet the faces of Creative Writing--the faculty, lecturers, staff, and visiting writers who guide and support our students and fellows.

It’s here that I fell deeper and deeper in love with writing, and I can say without a shadow of doubt that I met mentors, peers, and friends for life. The generosity with which the Creative Writing Program has shaped me will sustain—it’s truly been life-changing.

In the Spotlight

New Book Release from Nicholas Jenkins

Nicholas Jenkins, Associate Professor of English and Co-Director of the Creative Writing Program, celebrates the release of his new book  The Island: War and Belonging in Auden's England.  A groundbreaking reassessment of W. H. Auden’s early life and poetry, shedding new light on his artistic development as well as on his shifting beliefs about political belonging in interwar England.

New Book Releases from Madeleine Cravens & Zach Williams

We would like to extend our congratulations to Madeleine Cravens, Stegner fellow, and Zach Williams, Jones Lecturer, on their first book releases. Madeleine Cravens has debuted an astonishing collection of poems while Zach Williams debuted a striking story collection.

Description dances off the page at final Stegner Fellow reading

On Wednesday night, Stegner Fellow in Fiction Nevarez Encinias delivered an evening of movement and description in literary form. A dancer by training, Encinias’s background came through in his writing through his elaborate physical descriptions and seemingly choreographed prose.

Recent News

• Announcements

Paid/work study opportunity in Creative Writing

• In the News

For writer Molly Antopol, silences create room for fiction

Spots available: English 192V A Documentary Poetics of P(l)(e)ace with L. Lamar Wilson

Upcoming events.

Reading with L. Lamar Wilson, the Mohr Visiting Poet

Co-sponsored by the Creative Writing Program and the Stanford Humanities Center, we're pleased to announce the next event with…

• Poet's House

Poet's House: Poetry for Novelists

Join Jones Lecturer Keith Ekiss at  POET'S HOUSE  this Autumn, a writing studio for all poets--beginning…

A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails: Halyna Kruk in Conversation with her Translator Yuliya Ichuk

A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails  (2023), shortlisted for 2024 Griffin Poetry Prize) emerged out of a productive collaboration…

Pleasure Principle

Beautiful Days

The Island: War and Belonging in Auden's England

Winter Stranger

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Creative Writing courses

Whether you’re looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.

Creative Writing Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Creative Writing Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Creative writing certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study creative writing with the open university.

Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules. 

The benefits of studying creative writing with us are:

• Develops your writing skills in several genres including fiction, poetry, life writing and scriptwriting.
• Introduces you to the world of publishing and the requirements of professionally presenting manuscripts.
• Online tutor-group forums enable you to be part of an interactive writing community.
• Module workbooks are widely praised and used by other universities and have attracted worldwide sales.

Careers in Creative Writing

Studying creative writing will equip you with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument as well as acquiring the skills of creative and critical thinking that are much in demand in the workplace.

Our range of courses in creative writing can help you start or progress your career in:

• Arts, creative industries, culture and heritage
• Advertising, marketing, communications and public relations
• Journalism and publishing
• Public administration, civil service and local government

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Creative Writing modules

All Creative Writing courses

Browse all the Creative Writing courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Creative Writing courses

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© . . .

Workshops are open by application to Harvard College undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and students from other institutions eligible for cross registration. Submission guidelines for workshops can be found under individual course listings; please do not query instructors.  Review all departmental rules and application instructions before applying.  

Fall 2024 Application Deadline: 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Spring 2025 Application Deadline: 11:59pm ET on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

Please visit our course listings for all the Spring 2025 workshops.

Our online submission manager (link below) will open for Spring 2025 applications on October 23, 2024.

Students who have questions about the creative writing workshop application process should contact Lauren Bimmler at [email protected] .

To apply online:

Click here to Submit

Featured faculty.

Teju Cole  is a novelist, critic, and essayist, and is the first Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice. "Among other works, the boundary-crossing author is known for his debut novel “Open City” (2011), whose early admirers included Harvard professor and New Yorker critic James Wood." 

The Autobiography of My Mother: A Novel by Jamaica Kincaid (1996)

The burning girl by claire messud (2017), the last shot: city streets, basketball dream by darcy frey (2004), once the shore by paul yoon (2009), the emperor's children by claire messud (2007), the woman upstairs by claire messud (2013), the third hotel by laura van den berg (2018), the mountain: stories by paul yoon (2017), spring 2025, english calr. advanced screenwriting: workshop.

Instructor: Musa Syeed Wednesday, 12:45-2:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students The feature-length script is an opportunity to tell a story on a larger scale, and, therefore, requires additional preparation. In this class, we will move...

English CAMR. Advanced Playwriting: Workshop

Instructor: Sam Marks Monday, 12:00-2:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students. This workshop is a continued exploration of writing for the stage, with an eye towards presentation. The semester will culminate in a staged reading of each...

English CBBR. Intermediate Poetry: Workshop

Instructor: Josh Bell Monday, 12:00-2:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students Initially, students can expect to read, discuss, and imitate the strategies of a wide range of poets writing in English; to investigate and reproduce prescribed...

English CBW. Fiction Workshop: Bending Worlds

Instructor: Laura van den Berg Monday, 12:00-2:45 pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students Julio Cortázar: “The fantastic breaks the crust of appearance … something grabs us by the shoulders to throw us outside ourselves.” This workshop will...

English CCFS. Fiction Workshop

Instructor: Teju Cole Section 1: Wednesday, 3:00-5:45pm | Location: TBD Section 2: Thursday, 3:00-5:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students This reading and writing intensive workshop for students who want to learn to write literary...

English CDB. Poetry Workshop

Instructor: Reginald Dwayne Betts Section 1 Monday, 3:00-5:45pm | Location: TBD Section 2 Monday, 6:00-8:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students This workshop will be an exploration into the ways that poets in the past have reckoned in...

English CHCR. Advanced Poetry: Workshop

Instructor: Josh Bell Tuesday, 12:00-2:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students By guided reading, classroom discussion, one on one conference, and formal and structural experimentation, members of the Advanced Poetry Workshop will look to...

English CLAR. Getting the Words Right: The Art of Revision

Instructor: Laura van den Berg Wednesday, 9:00-11:45am | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students A promising draft is of little use to us as writers if we have no idea what to do next, of how to begin again. This course aims to illuminate how...

English CLPG. Art of Sportswriting

Instructor: Louisa Thomas Monday, 9:00-11:45am | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students In newsrooms, the sports section is sometimes referred to as the “toy department” -- frivolous and unserious, unlike the stuff of politics, business, and war...

English CLR. Introduction to Screenwriting: Workshop

Instructor: Musa Syeed Tuesday, 12:45-2:45pm | Location: TBA Enrollment: Limited to 12 students The short film, with its relatively lower costs of production and expanded distribution opportunities, has become one of the most disruptive, innovative modes...

English CMCO. Creative Nonfiction Workshop: Comedy and Creative Nonfiction

Instructor: Melissa Cundieff Thursday, 12:00-2:45 pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students In this workshop-based class, students will be asked to use humor as the bedrock of their creative nonfiction writing. Humor connects us as human...

English CMFG. Past Selves and Future Ghosts

Instructor: Melissa Cundieff Thursday, 3:00-5:45 pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students As memoirist and author Melissa Febos puts it: “The narrator is never you, and the sooner we can start thinking of ourselves on the page that way, the...

English CNFJ. Narrative Journalism

Instructor: Darcy Frey Course Site Spring 2025: Thursday, 3:00-5:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students. In this hands-on writing workshop, we will study the art of narrative journalism in many different forms: Profile writing...

English CNFR. Creative Nonfiction: Workshop

Instructor: Darcy Frey Course Site Spring 2025: Wednesday, 3:00-5:45 pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students Whether it takes the form of literary journalism, essay, memoir, or environmental writing, creative nonfiction is a powerful genre...

English CPY. Fiction Writing: Workshop

Instructor: Paul Yoon Monday, 12:00-2:45 pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students. An introductory workshop where we will learn to read as writers and study all aspects of the craft of fiction writing, including such topics as character...

English CRLC. Fiction: Craft and Workshop

Instructor: Raven Leilani Section 1: Monday, 9:00-11:45am | Location: TBD Section 2: Monday, 12:00-2:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students In this creative writing workshop, we will read/annotate workshop pieces and assigned readings. We...

English CWNM. Nonfiction Writing for Magazines

Instructor: Maggie Doherty Monday, 3:00-5:45pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students This course will focus on the genres of nonfiction writing commonly published in magazines: the feature, the profile, the personal essay, and longform arts...

Spring 2024

English cacw. advanced fiction workshop.

Instructor: Paul Yoon TBD | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students Advanced fiction workshop for students who have already taken a workshop at Harvard or elsewhere. The goal of the class is to continue your journey as a writer. You will be...

Instructor: Paul Yoon Section 1: Monday, 12:00-2:45 pm | Location: TBD Section 2: Monday, 3:00-5:45 pm | Location: TBD Enrollment: Limited to 12 students. Course Site- Section 1 Course Site- Section 2 An introductory workshop where we will learn to read...

Instructor: Melissa Cundieff Wednesday, 12:00-2:45 pm | Location: Barker 316 Enrollment: Limited to 12 students Course Site As memoirist and author Melissa Febos puts it: “The narrator is never you, and the sooner we can start thinking of ourselves on the...

Write an Honors Creative Thesis

Students may apply to write a senior thesis or senior project in creative writing, although only English concentrators can be considered. Students submit applications in March of their junior year, including first-term juniors who are out of phase. The creative writing faculty considers the proposal, along with the student's overall performance in creative writing and other English courses, and notifies students about its decision in early April. Those applications are due, this coming year, on March 26, 2025 . 

Students applying for a creative writing thesis or project must have completed at least one course in creative writing at Harvard before they apply. No student is guaranteed acceptance. It is strongly suggested that students acquaint themselves with the requirements and guidelines well before the thesis application is due. The creative writing director must approve any exceptions to the requirements, which must be made in writing by Monday, February 10, 2025. Since the creative writing thesis and project are part of the English honors program, acceptance to write a creative thesis is conditional upon the student continuing to maintain a 3.40 concentration GPA. If a student’s concentration GPA drops below 3.40 after the spring of the junior year, the student may not be permitted to continue in the honors program.

Joint concentrators may apply to write creative theses, but we suggest students discuss the feasibility of the project well before applications are due. Not all departments are open to joint creative theses.

Students who have questions about the creative writing thesis should contact the program’s Director, Sam Marks .

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Annie Baker and Sam Gold

Writers in the Parlor: Laura van den Berg & Paul Yoon

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Creative Writing and Literature

Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree is designed for industry professionals with years of work experience who wish to complete their degrees part time, both on campus and online, without disruption to their employment. Our typical student is over 30, has previously completed one or two years of college, and works full time.

Students enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts program in Creative Writing & Literature will develop skills in creative writing and literary analysis through literature courses and writing workshops in fiction, screenwriting, poetry, and nonfiction. Through online group courses and one-on-one tutorials, as well as a week on campus, students hone their craft and find their voice.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

List of All U.S. Colleges with a Creative Writing Major

Writing has been my passion practically since I learned to read in kindergarten. I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars.

Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for success in numerous fields, whether you want to be an editor or a lawyer.

Interested in majoring in creative writing? Learn which schools offer the major and what to look for in a program.

Overview of the Creative Writing Major

Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you’ll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.

Most creative writing majors must participate in workshops, in which students present their work and listen to peer critiques, usually with a certain number of advanced courses in the mix. In some cases, colleges will ask you to specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting. 

To succeed in creative writing, you’ll need to have a tough spine, in order to open yourself up to feedback from your classmates and instructors. You may need to give readings in public — if not as an undergraduate, certainly during your career. Of course, a passion for creating is essential, too, as is a willingness to revise your work and learn from the greats and your peers.

A creative writing major opens up doors to many careers, including journalism, content marketing, copywriting, teaching, and others. Even careers that don’t center around writing often have a strong writing component: you’ll need to write reports, deliver presentations, and so on.

Some writers go on to earn an MFA, which will help you hone your craft. It’s also often a prerequisite for teaching creative writing at the college level.

What to Look for in a College as a Creative Writing Major

Published authors on faculty.

Many world-renowned authors have another claim to fame: professorships. Writers who have taught their craft include (among many others):

• Maya Angelou (Wake Forest University)
• Colson Whitehead (many colleges, including Vassar College and Columbia University)
• Stephen Dixon (Johns Hopkins University)
• Viet Thanh Nguyen (University of Southern California)
• Eula Biss (Northwestern University)
• Toni Morrison (Princeton University)

Be aware that as an undergraduate, you may not be able to learn from the greats. That’s why it’s important to look into which courses these faculty teach before you have dreams of being mentored by Salman Rushdie — who is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at NYU.

Genres Offered

While many schools that have creative writing majors offer fiction and poetry courses and tracks, there are some niche genres that could be more difficult to find. If you’re interested in playwriting, for example, you won’t find that at every school. Before you decide on a program, be sure it includes the genres you’d like to explore further, whether that’s flash fiction, creative nonfiction, or something else.

Workshopping Opportunities

The core of most quality creative writing curriculum is workshopping. This means sharing your work in your classes and listening to your peers discuss and critique it. While this may sound intimidating, it can do a lot to help you hone your work and become a better writer. Look for colleges that make this the bedrock of their curriculum.

Showcasing Opportunities

Are there opportunities to present your work, such as college-sponsored readings where undergraduates can participate? Or, perhaps the school has a great literary journal. At my school, students could submit their plays and have them performed by fellow students. 

List of All U.S. Colleges With a Creative Writing Major

What are your chances of acceptance.

No matter what major you’re considering, the first step is ensuring you’re academically comparable to students who were previously accepted to the college or university. Most selective schools use the Academic Index to filter out applicants who aren’t up to their standards.

You’ll also want to demonstrate your fit with the school and specific major with the qualitative components of your application, like your extracurriculars and essays. For a prospective creative writing major, the essay is particularly important because this is a way to demonstrate your writing prowess. Activities might include editing your school’s newspaper or literary journal, publishing your work, and participating in pre-college writing workshops.

Want to know your chances of being accepted to top creative writing schools? Try our Chancing Engine (it’s free). Unlike other calculators, it takes your individual profile into account, including academic stats and qualitative components like your activities. Give it a try and get a jumpstart on your journey as a creative writing major!

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2024 Best Online Creative Writing Degrees

ON THIS PAGE

Want an online degree that's:

• Highly Rated
• Military-friendly

We've got them. Let's get started.

OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad."  Learn more  about how we make money. ' > AD

An online creative writing degree at the bachelor's level offers flexibility and covers genres like fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting while teaching literary analysis and critique. Programs often include workshops, peer reviews, and mentorship, with asynchronous learning formats. Graduates are prepared for careers in writing, editing, publishing, and media.

Key Takeaways:

• Weber State stands out with the highest median earnings for graduates at $40,671.
• Southern New Hampshire University Online features an impressive online enrollment of 135,584 students, ranking it in the very top tier nationally.

Our methodology focuses on providing a list of accredited, fully online programs based on the highest online enrollment for each degree level. To ensure accuracy, we use IPEDS data and audit degrees manually. 

Want an online degree that's:

Southern New Hampshire University Online Southern New Hampshire University Online Southern New Hampshire University Online Southern New Hampshire University Online OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ">

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">135,584 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $9,600
• Location: Manchester (NH)

Online degree: Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing & English

Why we like them: Ranking 2nd for its popularity among online students, SNHU exemplifies excellence in providing accessible education to a massive audience. With 135,584 online students, SNHU stands in the top 1% of universities. This online creative writing degree provides an enriching curriculum with no required in-person commitments or specific licensure prerequisites, making it an excellent choice for those seeking flexibility. The diverse online community and specialized focus of the program offer an environment conducive to both academic and professional growth in the field of creative writing.

Key Metrics:

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. ">Acceptance Rate: 78%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 38%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 62%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View more reviews for this school at Southern New Hampshire University Online ">Recommend Rate: 61%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ">Financial Aid Recipients: 81%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $4,434
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, repayment rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional repayment rate information. ">Repayment Rate: 93%
• School Type: Nonprofit (Private)

Liberty University Liberty University Liberty University Liberty University OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ">

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">35,243 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $11,700
• Location: Lynchburg (VA)

Online degree: Bachelor of Science in English and Writing - Creative Writing

Why we like them: Ranked fourth among the top programs, Liberty stands out primarily due to its significant online enrollment. With 35,243 students engaged in online studies, Liberty is in the top 1% of institutions with the highest online populations. Liberty's creative writing master's program is comprehensive, and it covers key areas like fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, allowing you to refine your craft. This holistic approach, coupled with Liberty’s strong online presence, makes it an excellent choice for pursuing a creative writing degree.

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. ">Acceptance Rate: 30%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 62%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 79%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View more reviews for this school at Liberty University ">Recommend Rate: 57%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ">Financial Aid Recipients: 98%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $12,471
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, repayment rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional repayment rate information. ">Repayment Rate: N/A

Full Sail University Full Sail University Full Sail University Full Sail University OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ">

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">21,028 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $26,307
• Location: Winter Park (FL)

Online degree: Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Creative Writing

Why we like them: Ranked #3, Full Sail's online enrollment is a key distinguishing feature. If you were to compare Full Sail's online enrollment with that of other institutions, you'd find that this university places in the top 1% for popularity among distant learners. Full Sail's bachelor's with a Creative Writing Concentration has a notable curriculum designed to cater to creative minds and help students master storytelling across various media platforms. The program combines coursework in developmental writing, transmedia storytelling, and media entrepreneurship to prepare graduates for careers in writing and media-related fields.

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. ">Acceptance Rate: N/A
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 45%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 76%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View more reviews for this school at Full Sail University ">Recommend Rate: 50%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ">Financial Aid Recipients: 78%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $8,531
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, repayment rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional repayment rate information. ">Repayment Rate: 80%
• School Type: For Profit

Weber State University Weber State University Weber State University Weber State University

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">4,617 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $17,084
• Location: Ogden (UT)

Online degree: Bachelor of Arts in English - Creative Writing

Why we like them: Weber State merits its top ranking due to its online enrollment numbers, with 4,617 students engaged in online education. This positions WSU among the top 8% of universities for online student enrollment. We like this program's highly regarded literary focus, as evidenced by its emphasis on developing skills in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing. The curriculum includes a well-rounded blend of introductory, intermediate, and advanced workshops. It also requires a Creative Writing Portfolio, highlighting its commitment to practical, hands-on learning.

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 41%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 68%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of Weber State University . ">Recommend Rate: 87%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ">Financial Aid Recipients: 100%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $5,831
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, repayment rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional repayment rate information. ">Repayment Rate: 92%
• School Type: Nonprofit (Public)

Colorado Christian University Colorado Christian University Colorado Christian University Colorado Christian University OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ">

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">4,071 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $37,432
• Location: Lakewood (CO)

Online degree: Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

Why we like them: Ranked 5th on our list, CCU excels in online enrollment, placing it among the top 10% of institutions embracing digital education. This writing bachelor's program, directed by best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins, offers a 100% online format and requires 120 total credit hours. Courses are completed in five-week blocks, enhancing flexibility for working adults. Being accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, CCU’s program ensures adherence to the highest educational standards.

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 61%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 83%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View more reviews for this school at Colorado Christian University ">Recommend Rate: 63%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $25,200

Regent University Online Regent University Online Regent University Online Regent University Online

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">3,418 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $19,680
• Location: Virginia Beach (VA)

Online degree: Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing

Why we like them: Regent stands out in the top 13% of universities nationally for popularity among its online undergraduates. This online writing degree program offers a curriculum covering U.S., British, and world literature and includes courses on professional, technical, and creative writing. Additionally, this degree is grounded in Christian principles, providing a unique value-based education. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers, including journalism, public relations, marketing, and scriptwriting, with support from experienced faculty and access to scholarships.

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 54%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 70%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View more reviews for this school at Regent University Online ">Recommend Rate: 62%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ">Financial Aid Recipients: 94%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $11,842
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, repayment rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional repayment rate information. ">Repayment Rate: 95%

Arkansas Tech University Arkansas Tech University Arkansas Tech University Arkansas Tech University

• Online Enrollment : National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. " data-point="online enrollment">2,062 enrolled
• Annual Tuition: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, annual tuition data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional annual tuition information. "> $13,891
• Location: Russellville (AR)

Online degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Why we like them: ATU's online writing bachelor's provides students with a strong foundation in writing, editing, literary analysis, and composition across genres. This unique program allows students to gain hands-on experience in editing and publishing through involvement with Nebo , the university’s nationally distributed literary journal, while also offering specialized workshops in areas like screenwriting and historical fiction. With over 30 elective credits, students can customize their education by adding a second major or pursuing minors, preparing them for careers in writing, publishing, and education.

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional information. ">Acceptance Rate: 95%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average graduation rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average graduation rate information. ">Avg. Graduation Rate: 47%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, retention rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional retention rate information. ">Retention Rate: 63%
• Recommendation rates and review counts are based on student reviews we have collected. View reviews of Arkansas Tech University . ">Recommend Rate: 81%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, financial aid recipients data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional financial aid recipients information. This data point represents the percentage of students who receive financial aid. ">Financial Aid Recipients: 95%
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, average aid package data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional average aid package information. Average aid package is the average dollar amount of financial aid given to each student at this institution. ">Avg. Aid Package: $8,440
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and reflects the most current available data. In the absence of available NCES data, repayment rate data was provided by an official representative of the school. Contact the school directly for additional repayment rate information. ">Repayment Rate: 83%

OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad."  Learn more  about how we make money. ">ADVERTISEMENT

Online Creative Writing Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In

Southern New Hampshire University Online

Annual Tuition: $9,600

5 Programs ( view all )

• BA Creative Writing & English - Fiction Writing
• BA Creative Writing & English - Poetry

Liberty University

Annual Tuition: $11,700

• BS: English and Writing: Creative Writing

Grand Canyon University

Annual Tuition: $17,800

2 Programs ( view all )

• BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
• BA in Professional Writing - New Media

List Of Accredited Online Creative Writing Schools

Student reviews of online creative writing programs.

Ashley G.W., Graduated 2023

Attended: Southern New Hampshire University Online OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ">

I've looked at the school's website to see if they had any statements about their methods and curriculums, but I haven't seen anything. I know there are generally mixed reviews out in the public, and I can definitely understand that lots of people have had varying (and some negative) experiences with SNHU--but for me, what I'm wondering is why people aren't as excited about all the things I love about SNHU. I feel like these things are what everyone should be talking about! I transferred to SNHU ... Read More last fall after experiences with two universities and a community college in the last 3-4 years. I'm not very far into my program at SNHU yet, but I just wanted to say that there are some key things that I adore and want to praise in comparison to my previous college experiences: 1. Their innovative term system: 1 or 2 classes at a time with short, 8-week terms. I've found this simplified, decompressed method to be significantly more effective than the traditional semester system. It may seem that doing classes in half the time would double the work, but I've found all four of my classes so far to be extremely manageable, considerate, and humane. Instead of splitting yourself among 4-6 classes, barely scratching the surface of each one, you get a much more thorough learning experience being allowed to devote your time, energy, attention, and creativity into just a couple. I've asked myself daily at my past universities: how can professors at traditional universities rationally ask of their students the amount of work that they do? Between going to classes, doing daily assignments, trying to handle the financial, physical, and social pressures of life--and to top it off, the dreaded semester-long projects that loom over you for four months. In that constant state of of panic and chaos, I never found it possible to have a learning environment where I felt free to really learn instead of simply chug out requirements out of fear. I subscribe to the Montessori method, which asserts that learning happens when students pursue their natural curiosity and feel like they're exploring instead of obeying and surviving. In the traditional system, there is no time to explore, but at SNHU, you can extend your learning as far or as little as you have the time and interest to. You are free. 2. Inquiry and Project-Based Learning: To date, I've taken two completely inquiry-based (gen ed.) classes at SNHU: "Applied Social Sciences" and "Applied Natural Sciences". They are both of a Montessori education vein, in that you choose a topic in that field that you're passionate about, and then they guide you through researching that topic yourself instead of dictating info to you. Every step of the way, there are choices. Every step of the way, the courses are set up to relate every single thing to the real world, to you as an individual human being, and to your own interests and curiosities. And instead of ending with a terrifying exam full of information you'll forget the next day, they culminate in creative term projects that they've guided you through every step of the way. These extremely manageable, highly personalized term projects have been like paradise to me in comparison to the semester-long projects that have haunted me in the past. They've felt like such an authentic way to demonstrate the inquiry-based learning I've been engaged in throughout the term. And at the end, I feel like I actually accomplished something satisfying. 3. No lecture videos: In-person lectures have questionable learning value, since they rest on the assumption that the teacher has to fill the students' empty heads with information, and they take place in an environment of 30 silenced individuals with vastly different social skills, interests, and ideas--making the ideal "class discussion" where every voice can be heard and learned from nothing but a fantasy. For online classes, however, lectures take on a whole new level of ludicrous. From my own past experiences with online classes at traditional universities and mine and peers' experiences watching class recordings or live lectures over Zoom: lecture videos are actually the absolute worst. I'd rate them at about 5/100 in learning value, whether that's in STEM classes, the humanities, or otherwise. For digital natives like me, the online world is set up to give instant gratification to our brains. When we open our screens, our brains expect to be entertained, and we're so wired this way, we don't know how to live in any other. You can imagine how often we squirm during, skim through, speed up, ignore, and sometimes skip lecture videos. I've done it. I've seen it. I've heard of it everywhere. Because the fuzzy, muffled image of someone ranting about a subject we may or may not be interested in is the last thing our brains think it should pay attention to. (And heaven forbid it's a Zoom recording where the professor spends half the time begging people for input only to receive painful silence or half-baked statements from the same people in reply.) Put all that aside, my SNHU experience has not included a single lecture. It makes me want to get up and dance. It's like they actually notice us! It's like they've finally realized that lecture videos are a 100% waste of time for everyone involved. (I apologize to anyone reading this who may love lecture videos; I'm speaking in general terms.) For anyone wondering if online classes at SNHU will be excruciatingly boring because they'll have to watch lecture videos, think again. 4. Last but not least: interactive online textbooks. A notch or two below the dreaded lecture video, we have the boring textbooks. Granted, I love reading, and I often enjoy reading my textbooks. But that's not always the case. And I know a lot of other students who struggle a lot more, especially if there's not going to be an in-person discussion about it. Doing the readings for my online classes would be a much bigger struggle if they didn't have the interactive e-textbooks for a couple of the classes. Granted, I've used one print textbook so far, and an online text that wasn't interactive, but for my two more science-based classes, the interactive textbooks have been fantastic. They're so good at keeping you engaged and keeping it interesting. They vary the media with a mix of video and different kinds of texts and graphics. They have multiple choice questions that help you recall what you just read and even little games to help you organize your understanding. They're also so great at tying everything into outside, real-world sources, so that everything feels relevant and integrated to your general world view. And while you're reading the text, they're guiding you through your assignments and term project--all in one! I've been extremely engaged by the interactive online textbooks so far. So, those are top 4 for why I've been praising SNHU to all my friends and family since I started. I could also add that they've been really good at registering me for classes in advance with little to no effort on my part, and disbursing my FAFSA funds with again, little to no effort on my part. My academic advisor really cares about me personally, I feel like I can communicate with my professors whenever I need to, and they have so many extra resources--including free written feedback on papers, which I haven't used yet, but I'm planning to since I'm a Creative Writing major. Yes, I could also talk about little complaints. No organization or person is perfect, but overall, I've been bursting with my delight for this school and the newfound freedom I have since I transferred, so I had to share.

Review Date: 2/22/2022

Overall Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

LLG, Graduated 2020

I am absolutely appalled by the negative reviews on this school and frankly annoyed because they are bringing the rating down when SNHU is an absolutely amazing school. I studied at a university prior to SNHU for a different major and SNHU shows you what an actual GOOD university is. I left my old school to come here and it was the best decision I ever made academically. I was an online student while attending SNHU and even while studying online, the teachers were helpful, my academic advisor was ... Read More helpful and my career advisor is absolutely amazing as well. The course work was do-able and I got good grades every semester because I actually went for something I wanted to do and was good at. I never failed a single class while attending SNHU because the staff will help you with whatever you need and they actually want to see you succeed. They are inexpensive compared to most universities and transferred many credits over from my previous university so I didn't have to take unnecessary courses while attending SNHU. If you are looking for a college with an amazing staff that is willing to help you and that is a lot less expensive than most and will help you find a good job after graduation, I HIGHLY recommend SNHU.

Review Date: 4/9/2020

Amber S, Graduated 2019

From my initial contact with the school, everyone has been accommodating and guided me in the right direction. When enrolling I was walked through the transfer of my previous schooling and where each class would fit in. Deciding on Southern New Hampshire University because of the reviews I read about my chosen degree- Bachelors in Creative Writing and English with a concentration in Fiction Writing. Once classes started, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed that the terms were structured into eight ... Read More weeks and the information that was covered by the different professors. The classes that were offered guided me in what I would need to have if I was to be successful in the different areas that would be cover my degree. The professors did not assume that everyone would be the next great author but showed us the different aspects that this degree could be applied to- editing, marketing, teaching, etc. I have always had a difficult time with math, and they offered an alternative math class that was not all about numbers and equations. This class concentrated on math that you saw every day and how it can be applied. It took a subject that everyone was familiar with and made it approachable in a way I had never seen before. I found my whole experience with Southern New Hampshire University inspiring and ultimately decided to continue my education with them and get my MFA so I can teach future generations. Not everyone learns the same way, and it is great to see a school that considers that.

Review Date: 5/14/2019

Michelle Lopp, Graduated 2019

I really enjoy going to the Southern New Hampshire University Online. This school is the only one that I have found that has the study program that I always wanted to do since I was in middle/high school. The people that works there are very nice and they work well with you.

Review Date: 2/16/2017

Ally, Graduated 2019

I have been attending this school for a couple months and so far I enjoy the school and the online atmosphere. I'm surprised to see negative reviews on counselors. My counselor has been extremely helpful and already has my classes lined up for the remainder of my time here. I am a transfer student and I really appreciated the amount of courses they accepted. The school is extremely affordable which helps military families like me. I like the structure of the online courses. It helps for someone who ... Read More is older and deciding to finish their degree but may not have the ability to do so at a traditional on-campus school. It has helped greatly and I happy and thankful for it. The only thing I would like to mention is the courses seem too easy for me. I know I am intelligent but I look back at some of my assignments and I know I didn't put forth the amount of effort as I should have on some of them and yet I still received an A. Don't get me wrong I am happy to receive an A, however I am used to a challenge. At my precious school I almost also had some type of crtitique on even my best assignments. I am hoping it is well worth the money and time spent!

Review Date: 10/6/2018

Overall Rating: 4/5

Derek, Graduated 2019

It's hard to put into words how awesome SNHU has been. I was a poor student in High School and eventually dropped out and got my GED. That experience made it very difficult for me to ever want to go back to school. I joined the military and after serving for 8 years finally got the motivation to go back to school. From day one my academic adviser and the other employees at SNHU have made me feel that I am more than capable of getting my degree. They've motivated me and taken a very personal interest ... Read More in my accomplishments. I originally was only going to get an associates but after taking 3 courses I decided to work towards my bachelor's which I will receive next spring. Some of the complaints I've read regarding SNHU are that it is not challenging. I would say the entry level courses are not very challenging, but once you move into the upper level courses be prepared to spend some Saturday's studying. Is SNHU as prestigious as Harvard or Yale? No, but they've never claimed to be. If you're someone who has been out of academics for a long period of time I would highly recommend SNHU for whatever degree you wish to pursue. I've had a fantastic time and wouldn't have wanted to attend any other University.

Review Date: 6/6/2018

Tracer, Graduated 2018

I loved this school. I tried to obtain a degree in my local community college and the state university here and they were both overpriced and felt like I was repeating high school. Went back to school a few years later to SNHU and it was amazing. Sure, the coursework is contrived by someone other than the teachers but Im finding out this seems to be true for many schools (hey, even in non-secondary schools they have a lesson plan that they dont make!). I had two advisors in my time here and they ... Read More were blth amazing, tech support was on point. Most of my teachers were awesome. Were a few lazy and detached? Sure, but youre not always going to have professors who genuinely care, a lot are just doing it for selfish reasons or cause they cant hack it in their chosen field. Are some students lazy and lacking? Sure. But I went to an automotive school and someone couldnt read! It was a requirement yet he still got let in, and then failed when he couldnt be taught and helped. The only reason Im not getting a Masters here is because I had my first negative experience: misinformation and a failed callback on the scheduled date (still havent heard back from them!).

Review Date: 5/10/2018

Samantha, Graduated 2018

Attended: Full Sail University OnlineU has over 200 partner colleges that advertise on our site. Partner colleges are ranked based on the methodology listed on this page and data collected from the government, PayScale, the schools’ own websites, and non-profit sources. Learn more about how we make money. ">

I graduate from Full Sail this year, and I've been trying to determine if I want to continue and get my Masters through them or a more well-known school solely for the fact that half of this world only cares about where you went to school. I came across this page while trying to find what professionals think of Full Sail and I'm astonished by all of the bad reviews. I love this school. I went to a community college fresh out of high school and failed every single one of my classes for two years. ... Read More Then, I found Full Sail. I explained that I failed all my classes because I wasn't interested and my school didn't care about me, they promised me I would find a better experience at Full Sail, and they weren't lying. From the start, the staff has been very helpful and concerned with making sure my experience was great. Did they have to? No. Did my student liaison have to call me once a month to check up on how my studies were going and if I was comfortable? Did the technical support team have to be by my side 24 hours a day (yes, I'm the girl to call at midnight because Microsoft word isn't working)? Does my financial aid advisor have to go above and beyond to help me find ways to continue this amazing education when the government aid gave no s**** about me because my parents didn't file their taxes? (I'm a 22-year-old homeowner, and, according to the government, you are considered to be a dependent of your parents until you're 24, are married or have a child, but that's another topic I don't need to get into right now) If you're so concerned about money, then sure, don't go here because it is expensive. But I paid a lot less here than I would have at USF or UT or UCF or NYU. And the teachers care about me! They care about me even after I finish their classes! I'm in multiple facebook groups from my past teachers. You guys are really mad that you have to work around a teachers office hours? This isn't high school. This is college. The world doesn't revolve around you. Teachers have office hours for a reason. Chances are, if you call or email them during office hours, they will answer. As for people saying the teachers don't create their own courses and lectures. POSH. So what if they get youtube videos and outside articles to add to the required readings? Those are your EXTRA readings guys. Who do you think picks out those articles and videos? Who picks out the non-traditional text books? That are included in your tuition that you DON'T have to spend 300 on per book? I've been enrolled in this school for over a year (as an online student), and in EVERY single class, I've had a MANDATORY Go-To-Meeting lecture. Where the teacher sits for an hour and goes over that week's lecture and assignments and lets everyone who comes ask question. So did you guys not attend? Or you're just mad that isn't your typical college? Because this isn't your typical college. It's an arts college with a non-traditional program. And that's what so great about it.

Review Date: 1/17/2018

Laura, Graduated 2017

Once you get used to the online terminology and classroom structure the experience is generally positive. The material was relevant and increased in depth the further advanced. I took advantage of every learning opportunity putting in the extra time and effort to get as much out of my education dollars as possible. My instructors were accomplished in their fields, many holding advanced degrees and many years of teaching. There was only one major disappointment in the coursework, which has since been ... Read More improved. I learned so much and appreciate the opportunity to have earned my degree without travel. For me, the cost was affordable and worth every dime. Go SNHU!

Review Date: 1/31/2018

ACC, Graduated 2017

It's disheartening to read these negative reviews since my experience at this school and I know the experience of many others has been absolutely stellar. I started at SNHU in February 2016 and was able to transfer in 75 units so I had 45 to complete for my degree, which I completed in May 2017. From the outset, my advisors were available and helpful in getting me accepted, enrolled, and comfortable in my courses. I never had any issues registering for classes or receiving financial aid and was never ... Read More charged erroneous or disingenuous fees. The professors I had were largely excellent, with many of them teaching at major universities and many of them were successful, published writers. There were a couple of average instructors in the bunch but none that I would consider to be sub par. The online course as SNHU require a student to be a self-motivated self-starter who possesses a real desire to learn coupled with excellent time management skills. Grades aren't handed out; they are earned and the workload supports this. At no point did I feel overwhelmed with work but the work is no joke, either. In one of my highest-level courses I read three novels and several short stories, plus short essays, discussions, and a final paper and presentation - all in 8 weeks. A serious student should expect to work for their degree, and that's what I did. It's like many other things in life in that you will get out what you put in. I don't understand some of the comments I've read here that indicate that the degree is worthless. I have a lovely diploma from an accredited, nonprofit school and a confirmed enrollment in a graduate program at my local state university for the upcoming Spring semester to prove otherwise. The negative reviews seem like they are coming from people who aren't or weren't willing to put in the time and effort and who were hoping for a degree they could, in the end, purchase. You won't find that at SNHU. All in all, I can positively recommend this school for people who need an online program that fits into their busy work and/or family lives. SNHU truly allowed me to achieve my goals and I will always be grateful.

Review Date: 11/9/2017

Anonymous, Graduated 2015

Attended: Washington State University

The college experience for me was pretty good in terms of getting the service and help that I needed. The teachers were willing to help me everyday step of the way and I felt I learned more than I ever could with writing while taking this college.

Review Date: 7/22/2016

cwstudent2, Graduated 2021

Attended: University of Colorado Denver

My dream was to attend a private, liberal arts college in the pacific northwest. This did not work out, and I am so happy that I ended up attending CU Denver. Not only is my debt minimal thanks to financial aid and in-state tuition (along with some scholarships from CU), but I have learned so much from this school. Nearly all of my professors have been incredible, dedicated, and thoughtful. My major and minor teachers have been nothing but amazing and I sincerely enjoyed working with them. The Creative ... Read More Writing department is superb (though some literature teachers in the general English department are not as great)! I have been able to take a great mix of online and in-person classes. Maymester courses are wonderful for those looking to get quick credits (these are not easy classes, though!). Maymester is 3 credits in 3 weeks and it is recommended to only take one class during this time. There are also different-length summer classes (i.e. 5 weeks instead of 8) which are sometimes available online. The campus is easy to navigate once you get used to it, and everyone is pretty friendly and helpful. Spaces are clean and there are dedicated areas for studying and printing. You actually get printing included in your tuition, so avoid the library and use the computer labs (one is in North classroom) to save money. The Wellness Center is a great addition to campus. The group-fitness instructors are fantastic and I even did a personal training course, which was super helpful for me. A downside is parking. The cost goes up every semester, and it is always full in the garages during a typical, non-Covid semester. It's about $5.50-7 for the parking every day. The lightrail is good, but definitely gets really full after 4pm when people get off work and classes. Get the RTD pass if you can and if it's included in tuition. This is a lifesaver! I've worked on campus, been part of orgs, and volunteer, and it has been such a great experience. Though many people find public universities to not be as good as private ones, I actually think this is a great school. MSU Denver is also a good alternative and a bit cheaper (same campus) but has different degrees. CU offers more graduate degrees also. Your advisor is either hit or miss. Mine has been really good, but I've heard other people have had bad experiences. My advice: look at what courses you need yourself! Don't rely on your advisors always being right. Also, take major classes earlier than you think you need to. Core classes can be taken in the summer or online really easily, but major classes might be harder to find. Most people here I think have a good experience. It is NOT a party school. There are no sororities or fraternities on campus. A lot of students are international, older, and work full-time. This is a good place for meeting people who are focused on school and their careers rather than on partying and socializing. However, there are opportunities to attend social events and lots of organizations/clubs to join. Tivoli is a great place to find activities to do. Overall, I loved going here and will miss this campus a lot!

Review Date: 2/5/2021

Heidi Richardson, Graduated 2016

Attended: California State University - San Bernardino

Once a Coyote, always a Coyote! California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) alumni all feel the same! As alumni of the College of Arts & Letters English/Creative Writing concentration, I can attest to a positive, supportive and exciting educational experience. The Creative Writing professors are stellar: Published writers, all--an eclectic, interesting and knowledgeable group of individuals who do more than teach...they immerse themselves in the writing passion of their students. The special ... Read More topic courses (reflecting the off-the-beaten-path interests of the professor's) offered are exceptional. For example, I spent an entire quarter delving into vampires! Vampires in modern fiction....vampires in the antiquarian era. CSUSB professor's keep things very interesting with workshops, topic courses and general courses, as well. I walked into CSUSB knowing only one thing: I wanted to write the very best I was able. I left with a world greatly expanded...a Pushcart Prize nomination, publishing credits, poetry readings (which I NEVER thought I could do), a book of prose completed, readings live on radio--all due to the support and guidance of a University with thoughtful, mindful and fun teachers and fellow students. I highly recommend the CSUSB English programs. They can change a life!

Review Date: 12/29/2017

C.A., Graduated 2014

Attended: Goddard College

Goddard College is an excellent institution for those who seek a work life balance, while still pursuing an education. The low residency option allows students to continue to work, parent, and remain part of their community with the exception of two weeks a year for residencies on campus. It is safe and engaging for folks from all walks of life and I couldn't recommend it more highly.

Review Date: 9/19/2016

Del, Graduating 2025

Attended: Cornerstone University

Cornerstone used to have great professors, but recently they fired or forced all of them to leave. They don't care about the arts at all and completely deleted pretty much the entire humanities department. Their beliefs are questionable at best, they don't practice what they preach and frequently have questionable speakers at the FORCED chapels. The president is referred to as a dictator by the student body but his friends run the board so he'll be there until Cornerstone is burnt to the ground. ... Read More I miss when this university actually cared and tried, I miss my professors who were fired without notice over summer break, I miss not having to worry about every decision the school forces on the students. We used to mock Calvin but at this point its 100% better.

Review Date: 6/18/2024

Overall Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Del, Graduated 2025

Charlie Stone, Graduated 2018

Attended: Seattle University

In the English and the Women and Gender Studies departments I found my people; the poets and the Chimamanda Ngozie Aditchie fans, the nerds, and the dreamers. The more I embraced community, the less I felt like a fraud. I had no idea that I would be embraced by these communities, even sought for my participation, becoming a writer and video director in the Writing Center, a new-student mentor, student representative, an author-host for the Search for Meaning Festival for the English department, getting ... Read More to attend the iLead leadership conference and host an on-campus letter writing campaign called Pizza and Politics and finally, the highlight of my senior year was being asked to share my original researchthat I had thought was slightly insane--at the Seattle University Undergraduate Research Conference by Dr. Hillard. For those interested, it was about the deconstruction of linear time through ancestral narratives, specifically in Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon. So what is my advice to you? 1. Find your community on campus; or start your own. As soon as you get here. 2. Participate. Make the most of the short time that you will be here. 3. Dont be afraid to ask for help; your advisors, professors, the advising centers, and all of the staff on campus WANT to help you. 4. Lean into your fears and feelings of unworthiness. 5. Listen to that feeling in your gut. Not the noise around you. And finally, remember that you belong here. I belong here. My degree did not change who I am but it gave me the tools to discern who I want to be. Our identities dont impact how adequate we are or if we deserve an education, they help enrichen our communities and the spaces that we inhabit. Seattle University will be better because you are here.

Review Date: 9/28/2019

Dani, Graduated 2017

Attended: University of Missouri - Kansas City

The creative writing program at UMKC is heavily emphasized on literary works and more academic writing (i.e. short stories and poetry). I wrote commercial fiction novels. Sometimes this created tension in a class because I could only submit partial manuscripts and most critiques I received from other students came with the caveat that "since this is only part of a bigger whole, I can't speak to the whole novel." The department also frowns upon genre fiction.

Review Date: 12/10/2019

Elizabeth Flynn, Graduated 2016

Attended: Susquehanna University

Susquehanna University was the best experience of my life. It's located in Selinsgrove, PA, a very tiny and beautiful town about an hour and a half away from Harrisburg--basically directly center of Pennsylvania, which for most people might be a deal breaker, especially if you're used to city life. But there is something so mesmerizing about the Susquehanna river and the quaintness of Selinsgrove that makes you wonder how you haven't lived there your whole life. The faculty is so supportive and understanding. ... Read More Any time I felt uneasy, or unsure of myself and what I was doing, I was always able to turn to trusted faculty and sort out my issues. I truly felt that the professors I worked with wanted me to succeed both at the university and beyond. The campus itself was also really incredible. The university always strived to have the very best things on our campus at all times, like concerts, and games, different attractions on weekends, so that the campus was always jumping on the weekends, instead of students heading home for the weekend. The financial aid department was also extremely helpful. There were several points throughout my time in undergrad where I thought I wouldn't be able to afford my education, or participate in certain activities on campus because of my finances, but they always took the time to talk to me and help me figure out the best thing for me. I would highly recommend this university to anyone that likes feeling like you're a student and not just a number. This was the best experience of my life. This university introduced me to life long friends, and opened up doors I didn't know existed.

Review Date: 11/27/2018

Zo Faylor, Graduated 2016

Attended: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

I was initially dually enrolled but chose to only complete my Creative Writing degree through the Residential College. I loved the Residential College because of its small class sizes, and having the opportunity to work one-on-one with renowned writers. The University of Michigan is huge, so this is a great option for a more personable experience. The intensive language component of the RC is difficult however, so be prepared to work hard. The University as a whole has numerous resources: advising, ... Read More services for students with disabilities, opportunities for research projects and extracurriculars. Make connections while you are there, take risks and get involved. Make the most out of it! My path through undergraduate education was not linear, but I will say that my biggest take-away post-graduation is to be financially smart about your education. I loved attending the University of Michigan and I love Ann Arbor. It is especially nice and quiet in the summer if you stick around. If you are unsure about your major, a smart option is to get your prerequisites filled at a community college (just make sure they are applicable/transfer). You can even take some online courses at WCC while attending the University. I am going to be attending a graduate program at The University of Michigan this year, and wish someone would have coached eighteen year-old me on the reality of student debt. Higher education is a large investment in both time and money, so be thoughtful about your decision.

Review Date: 3/26/2019

Emma Hope, Graduated 2014

Attended: University of Redlands

Attending the University of Redlands was a wonderful choice for me. The professors were passionate, consistently available, and I was challenged and enjoyed most (if not all) of my classes. The student body was welcoming, and there were extracurricular activities directly related to the career I wanted. The chance to combine hands-on experience from student clubs and volunteer groups strengthened my degree tremendously, and I graduated with an excellent resume. I'd recommend Redlands to any student, ... Read More with the strong suggestion that they talk to academic departments and tour specific programs while visiting.

Review Date: 6/11/2017

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Online Creative Writing Degrees

Students interested in writing careers may pursue a creative writing bachelor's degree online to hone their craft through virtual lectures, readings, and collaborative writing workshops. While an English degree may require more intensive literature study, a creative writing major online or in person aims to equip graduates with the critical skills to analyze, interpret, and create content in a multimedia culture.

A creative writing online degree involves taking general education classes and a university’s core requirements. Professional writers of various genres often lead workshops where students review each other's work and provide feedback. To diversify students’ writing, a program’s curriculum may be somewhat broad — including classes in scriptwriting, editing, journalism, screenwriting, and poetry. While working toward this degree, students may build a robust portfolio of their creative work by practically applying their skills.

Standard admission requirements for a creative writing degree online include the following:

A minimum 2.5 GPA (alternatively, an additional review process may be required)

High school transcripts

Entrance exam scores

A personal essay or statement of intent

Many schools charge a nonrefundable application fee of approximately $50

How Long Is a Creative Writing Degree?

Online degrees in writing are treated the same as any other bachelor's level program: Students study for approximately four years in order to finish 120 credit hours. Keep in mind, this is while maintaining a full-time study schedule. Some programs may offer accelerated tracks, which include summer courses, to shorten the overall time it takes to earn the degree.

Is Creative Writing a BA or BS?

Online colleges for creative writing often offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA). These focus more on fields in the arts and humanities and involve core courses in critical thinking and communication. They include subjects like philosophy, language, and education.

Some online schools for creative writing may consider their degree a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), which encourages students to study the practice of creative writing as an art form and to discover their own unique artistic voice.

Conversely to BAs and BFAs, a Bachelor of Science (BS) involves more quantitative teaching using science and mathematics.

Are Online Degrees Respected?

Online degrees are respected for many reasons. However, one of the most important reasons is accreditation. The best online creative writing bachelor's degree programs will be accredited by national or institutional authorities — such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation . They evaluate whether a school meets the federal standard of quality higher education. 

Use the U.S. Department of Education’s search tool to verify that an online school for writing has accreditation status before enrolling.

This quality assurance process proves that a school has an adequate amount of faculty, resources, and other facilities to conduct academic programs. Furthermore, in-person and online students must attend accredited schools to qualify for federal financial aid , such as student loans and scholarships . This stamp of approval also makes transferring credits between schools possible, especially if students hope to pursue online MFAs or other master's writing degree programs.

Common Online Courses for Creative Writing Students

A creative writing degree covers many specialties under the umbrella of liberal arts, so a variety of courses are often offered to help students develop soft skills, which include critical thinking, situation analysis, and the ability to communicate across various media interfaces. The best online colleges for creative writing prepare students for careers producing fiction, nonfiction, and creative nonfiction. Programs may also offer internships that allow students to earn additional credits and gain practical experience.

Below is a diverse sampling of classes offered across the programs in our rankings list above:

Advanced Poetry Writing

This online course delves into poetic form and technique, such as voice development and what makes a poem engaging. The faculty guides students to explore their emotional truth, which is at the heart of writing poetry.

Fiction Workshop

Students share their work with peers and receive feedback through collaborative workshop sessions. The coursework allows students to explore the complexities of fiction writing, from developing characters and plots to maintaining concise prose throughout.

Forms and Techniques of Fiction

In this class, students learn how to analyze and imitate principal works of fiction in order to gain a historical understanding of the creative process.

Playwriting

Students study the process and elements of playwriting, including character, plot, and conflict development. Students should become familiar with thinking and writing engaging dialogue, film scriptwriting, character building, three-act structures, plot points, and formatting techniques.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing

Prospective fiction writers discover the rules and tools associated with writing sci-fi and fantasy. Based on prompts provided by the faculty, students develop their poetic language by writing short stories that evoke a sense of horror and convey alternate realities.

Storytelling in Film and Literature

Overall, this course encourages students to explore narrative techniques and how they transpose to film. Students also investigate political, social, and aesthetic issues in narratives.

Careers with a Creative Writing Degree

An online degree in creative writing can prepare students for a breadth of professional writing opportunities, from scientific to speech writing. Areas of focus can vary significantly within creative writing careers, depending on an individual’s career goals and experience. For example, an online bachelor’s degree in creative writing can prepare students for career paths in new media editing and copywriting, advertising, public relations, and publishing.

Some writers want more flexibility and may choose to be self-employed. Freelance writers sell their stories to media outlets or contract with organizations in order to write through various mediums, such as web content. Freelancers usually charge by the word but may also charge hourly or by the piece.

Below are some other popular career paths for graduates with online creative writing bachelor's degrees:

Editors review content for grammatical and spelling errors, rewrite text to improve comprehension, evaluate writer submissions, and work closely with writers to develop their content.

Journalists

Journalists research stories and ideas, conduct interviews, and write articles for publication in a variety of media outlets. They analyze and convey information in a way that’s easy for a general audience to understand.

Public Relations Specialists

Public relations specialists write press releases and speeches to help business leaders communicate effectively. In general, they help build and maintain an organization's public image.

Technical Writers

Technical writers , such as medical and scientific writers, develop user-friendly product descriptions, instructions, and other forms of content across various media platforms. While certification is often not mandatory, it can be attractive to potential employers.

Is Writing a Stable Career?

The stability of a career in writing ultimately depends on the direction the writer chooses. For example, content writing for websites can be a very lucrative and stable career path because it offers nearly unlimited job opportunities on the Internet. Screenwriting, on the other hand, may be considered less stable because your opportunities are limited to the amount of scripts that production companies can accept.

Furthermore, this particular career path is incredibly competitive, with only 6,100 writers in film and TV reporting earnings, as per the 2021 Writers Guild of America West's Annual Financial Report . Writers overall, however, can expect a 4% job growth into 2032 — which is the average job growth for all U.S. occupations.

Is It Worth Getting a Degree in Creative Writing?

An online bachelor's degree in creative writing can be helpful for developing a student’s voice and providing a way for prospective writers to acquire the tools and techniques of the trade. The ability to write thoughtfully and clearly is valued across all fields and industries, making this degree path worthwhile for many. However, if a student's primary desire is to become a published author, that cannot be guaranteed with a degree. Being a published author not only takes skill but also talent, experience, and a bit of luck.

Ultimately, to determine the value of a Bachelor of Creative Writing online, students should consider their personal, financial, and professional goals. The following presents several pros and cons involved with earning an online bachelor's degree in creative writing:

Potential Benefits

Writing skills are transferable to a wide range of careers. Creative thinking and written communication skills are two of the top ten skills employers desire , regardless of the position. Organizations need employees who are articulate in both speech and writing. They are looking for people who can develop a strong argument and think outside the box. For example, if a job requires updating social media or corresponding through email, a creative writing degree could prove an asset.

A degree program provides opportunities for networking. Students can connect with peers and mentors in the field — including authors, editors, and even publishers — throughout their program. Networking can help students navigate the publishing world, share advice and knowledge, and learn from the experience of others.

Students can build a substantial writing portfolio. Through coursework and projects, students develop a diverse body of work, which they can later present to prospective employers.

Potential Drawbacks

Completing course assignments may feel particularly restrictive to creative writers. Since the coursework in a creative writing program is intended to meet programmatic outcomes and objectives, it’s often highly specific. This focus removes some of the enjoyment, freedom, and inspiration from the writing process. Also, students may be required to write about topics that hold no interest to them.

Writer's burnout is a common phenomenon. Due to the imaginative nature of writing,  creative burnout can arise that other professionals don't necessarily have to grapple with. This type of stress often involves decreased motivation and a harmful internal dialogue that prohibits productivity. To avoid writer burnout, writers need self-discipline and organizational skills to manage their time effectively.

Some writing careers may not be financially sustainable. Writers specializing in specific areas, such as technical writing or public relations, have above-average salary prospects and earn median annual salaries of $79,960 and $67,440, respectively. On the other hand, poets, freelancers, and fiction writers may not be able to rely on creative writing as their primary source of income.

Studying and writing from home may offer more flexibility and comfort than being on a busy campus and adhering to a rigid schedule. Since writing is often a reflective, solitary activity requiring uninterrupted attention, online coursework may make it easier for writers to focus. Furthermore, distance learning may help students develop self-discipline, time management, and organizational skills, which they can carry into their professional careers. For example, a BA in creative writing online may prepare you for remote work after graduation, especially a freelancing career. As technology improves and employers better understand the benefits of remote work, more jobs are transitioning online .

Associations for Creative Writing Students

Several well-known writers' associations provide professional development and networking opportunities. These associations support writers by providing communities for them to connect, share best practices, develop skills, and search for employment. A wide range of associations exist for various genres of literature, such as the Academy of American Poets , Mystery Writers of America , and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators .

Below are several other prominent writing associations in the U.S.:

Authors' Guild (AG)

One of the country's oldest writers' associations, the AG , supports working writers of all genres by providing a community that promotes networking. The AG not only provides a sense of belonging for writers but also advocates for their rights by ensuring that they are paid, treated well, and protected — especially their freedom of speech.

Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)

The AWP provides support, advocacy, and resources for a community of nearly 50,000 writers. According to its mission, AWP “amplifies the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing.” Importantly, the AWP is also the governing body that evaluates MFA programs to ensure they consistently provide high-quality education.

National Association of Independent Writers & Editors (NAIWE)

The NAIWE supports freelance writers of all kinds — including novelists, business writers, editors, and academic writers — by providing best practice guidance, networking opportunities, and writers' resources. NAIWE's primary mission is to help writers develop multiple income streams by connecting them with freelance opportunities.

Bottom Line

The best online creative writing degree helps prepare students by encouraging them to develop the necessary skills to gain professional employment in direct writing roles as well as other professions — such as public relations specialist or publisher — which don't exclusively involve writing. While career stability declines when it comes to more creative writing, such as screenwriting or poetry, an online bachelor's degree in English creative writing will still teach valuable communication strategies, along with creative and critical thinking skills.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing may decide to continue their education by pursuing a graduate degree, such as an online master's in creative writing . Advanced education prepares students to teach at the collegiate level or gain highly sophisticated writing skills, which can be essential when trying to get published.

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English—Creative Writing Major B.A.

• Apprenticeship and internship opportunities
• Workshops with renowned authors
• Preparation for M.A. or M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing or Law School
• Preparation for careers in publishing, digital publishing, business, marketing, newspaper and magazines, government, and more
• Sphere , a literary journal run by and for undergraduates

Faculty contact: Dr. Paul Jones

Admission Information

Degree requirements.

Major code: BA5232

The Creative Writing program offers students a range of beginning, intermediate, and advanced workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Undergraduate Creative Writing majors will take three writing workshops of their choice, in addition to a Form & Theory course. Creative Writing majors, working closely with a distinguished core faculty of professional writers, can enrich their background in literature provided by the English major curriculum with a rigorous apprenticeship to their craft.

In addition, the program regularly invites writers to campus for residency, workshops, and readings. Each year, five eminent authors are invited to participate in the three-day Spring Literary Festival. These visits provide a unique complement to the student's workshop experience.

Many undergraduates publish their writing in Sphere (the undergraduate literary magazine), while others gain valuable editing experience. Undergraduate writers regularly organize formal and informal readings of their own work.

Undergraduate Creative Writing students have gone on to further study in M.F.A. and/or Ph.D. programs in Creative Writing. Many have gone on to publish their work.

Program Overview

In the English – Creative Writing major, students engage with genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from the inside out, by generating and revising their own work as well as exploring closely how published work uses the techniques of craft.

All creative writing students participate in workshops led by nationally recognized writers which focus on understanding and constructing different literary forms; to achieve these goals, workshops emphasize the study of texts by established writers as well as students’ experimentation with their own creative process. The major is also flexible enough to match your own interests and goals: students can fulfill up to 12 of the required hours in the major with courses focusing on literature, rhetoric, or literary theory, or by combining these with apprenticeship or internship experiences.

To ensure a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge that employers and graduate schools expect from any English graduate, the English – Creative Writing major includes the English Core in analysis, research, and literary history. 

Careers and Graduate School

After a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and analytical reading as well as multiple genres of writing, English – Creative Writing students enjoy the same wide variety of opportunity upon graduation that other English majors have.

Many of our graduates go on to graduate programs, not only M.A. or M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing but also programs in information science, education or law. Others work in publishing, web content development, grant-writing and community organizing, advertising, or other creative industries. Having invested in developing their own creativity as well as in the well-rounded education that this degree requires, English – Creative Writing students can face the unexpected challenges of the 21 st -century job market with confidence.

Potential employers for those who hold a degree in Creative Writing include, but are certainly not limited to, newspaper and magazine organizations, the entertainment industry, government agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private K-12 schools, publishing companies, marketing agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, etc.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO's key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Freshman/First-Year Admission: Enrollment in an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy: For students currently enrolled at Ohio University, transferring into an English major requires a 2.0 GPA. Students choosing to transfer into the English – Creative Writing major should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English department for assistance. Students who wish to add an English major in addition to another major program should seek assistance from the director of undergraduate studies; students with a second major outside the College of Arts and Sciences will be responsible for meeting the degree requirements of both the English – Creative Writing major and the College of Arts and Sciences.

External Transfer Admission: For students currently enrolled at institutions other than Ohio University, transferring into an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English Department for assistance.

• Major code BA5232

University-wide Graduation Requirements

To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement

View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.

English Hours Requirement

For a B.A. degree with a major in English - Creative Writing , a student must complete a total of 42 semester credit hours in ENG coursework.

Intercultural Foundations

Complete the following course:

• ENG 1100 - Crossing Cultures with Text Credit Hours: 3

Literary Reading

Complete one of the following courses:

• ENG 2010 - Introduction to Prose Fiction and Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2020 - Introduction to Poetry and Drama Credit Hours: 3

British or American Literature I

• ENG 2510 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2530 - American Literature I Credit Hours: 3

British or American Literature II

• ENG 2520 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2540 - American Literature II Credit Hours: 3

Intercultural Breadth

Complete one course from the following:

• ENG 3240 - Jewish American Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3250 - Women’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3260 - Queer Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3270 - Queer Rhetorics and Writing Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3370 - Black Literature to 1930 Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3380 - Ethnic American Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3390 - Black Literature from 1930 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3450 - Intercultural Adaptations Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3550 - Global Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3850 - Writing About Culture and Society Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3

Writing and Research

• ENG 3070J - Writing and Research in English Studies Credit Hours: 3

Senior Seminar

• ENG 4600 - Topics in English Studies Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4640 - British Authors Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4650 - American Authors Credit Hours: 3

Creative Writing Workshops

Complete three of the following workshops with at least one intermediate or advanced workshop:

• ENG 3610 - Creative Writing: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3620 - Creative Writing: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3630 - Creative Writing: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Intermediate:

• ENG 3950 - Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3960 - Creative Writing Workshop: Short Story Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3970 - Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4860 - Advanced Workshop in Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4870 - Advanced Workshop in Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4880 - Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Creative Writing Form and Theory

• ENG 4810 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4820 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4830 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Major Electives

Complete three additional ENG courses for at least nine hours excluding ENG 2800, ENG 3***J, ENG 4510, ENG 4520, ENG 4911, and ENG 4912. Six hours may be at the 2000-level or higher; three hours must be at the 3000-level or higher.