Creative Writing Degrees
Discover where your talent can take you with a degree in creative writing.
A Career in Creative Writing
Everyone serious about a career in writing wants to know what it takes to be a real writer—not just another person who writes.
How Do I Become a Writer?
Everyone knows it takes talent, and the discipline to refine that talent through endless hours of practice. It takes a thick skin for critique, and the resilience to start back at zero a thousand times undaunted.
It also takes a structured approach to learning the craft.
The path to becoming a writer is simple to understand if tough to follow. We’ll guide you every step of the way.
“Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it’s the answer to everything. … It’s the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it’s a cactus.”
~ Enid Bagnold
Creative Writing Classes, Courses, Workshops, and Degree Programs Where You Live
Finding outlets for your creative expression is easy no matter where you live today. We help you plug in to the local literary scene in your area, find the writing classes and workshops that will build your confidence and resolve, and show you the undergraduate and graduate programs where you can master the art of the written word.
Creative Writing Degrees at Every Level
Every stage of your growth as a creative artist requires a different approach. For serious writing students, some of those stages are defined by creative writing degrees earned at successive levels. No matter where you are in your journey as a developing writer, there’s a certificate program, or an undergraduate or graduate degree that is the perfect fit.
Associate Degrees in Creative Writing
Two-year associate degrees in creative writing offer an introduction to both the kind of general knowledge and expertise you need to tell stories true and tall, and the core writing skills that let you put your ideas on paper.
Bachelor’s Degrees in Creative Writing – BA and BFA
A four-year course of study that leans heavily into the liberal arts is always a valuable investment for creative writers. And with electives that let you tailor your studies to fit your interests in the craft of writing, a BA or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in creative writing will put wings on your potential.
Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing – MA and MFA
With some of the latest luminaries in literature emerging from master’s degree programs, an MA or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing is where you find the sweet spot in creative writing education today.
Doctoral Degrees in Creative Writing – PhD
If teaching writing is your heart’s desire, a PhD in creative writing is your path to a professorship. With six or more years to devote to graduate studies and the labor of love that will become your dissertation, a doctorate is both an academic and a personal achievement.
Certificate Programs in Creative Writing
Writers with reservations about the time commitment and expense of earning a full degree find that certificate programs in creative writing let them focus on exactly what they want to study. Certificates are available at all points in the college journey, as introductory programs, post-bachelor’s graduate certificates, and even as post-master’s options.
What is Creative Writing?
Creative writing makes its own rules to evoke a feeling and sense of knowing in the reader. For the author, it’s an artform and a medium for creative expression. It’s also a field that drives human culture and communication.
Learn more about creative writing and why it’s important.
Where Will Your Creative Writing Career Take You?
Creative writing degrees have laid the foundations for successful careers in dozens of different fiction and non-fiction genres. To learn more about any of them, just click in the list below, or consult our creative writing genre guide to explore your favorites.
Children’s Books
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Short Story
Young Adult
Online Creative Writing Programs Make the Goal Easier to Reach
Creative writing programs are uniquely suited to remote education. With much of your time spent reading and writing, online creative writing degrees offer the time and solitude that many writers prefer. Online degrees also offer some big advantages that all students today can appreciate:
- Freedom to choose the right university for your goals, whether it’s across town or across the country
- Connectedness and comradery that comes from real time remote workshops and discussion sessions with professors and classmates
- Flexible scheduling that lets you complete your assignments on your own time, at home or on the go
- Disruption-free reading, writing, and study time that might otherwise be spent commuting to and from campus
Recent Articles
The world of creative writing changes with every new published piece. You can keep up with the latest trends right here.
Creative Writing Programs: Balancing Reading and Writing for Maximum Growth
Creative Writing as a Career Path: Workshops, Mentorships, and Networking Opportunities
The Transformative Power and Vast Horizons of a Creative Writing Degree
How to Ask for a Raise in Writing
The Power of Storytelling: How a Degree in Creative Writing Can Transform Your Career
A Portrait of the Artist Under Copyright
10 Books from Childhood Worth Revisiting in Your Writing Career
Five Gig Economy Jobs New Writers Take to Pay the Bills
Five Important Books You Thought Weren’t Cool Enough to Read
Do You Need a Creative Writing Degree to Succeed as a Writer?
by Melissa Donovan | Mar 7, 2023 | Creative Writing | 50 comments
Do you need a creative writing degree?
Young and new writers often ask whether they need a creative writing degree in order to become an author or professional writer.
I’ve seen skilled and talented writers turn down opportunities or refuse to pursue their dreams because they feel their lack of a creative writing degree means they don’t have the credibility necessary to a career in writing.
Meanwhile, plenty of writers with no education, minimal writing skills, and scant experience in reading and writing are self-publishing, freelance writing, and offering copywriting services.
It’s an oft-asked question: Do you need a creative writing degree to succeed as a writer? Is it okay to write and publish a book if you don’t have a degree or if your degree is in something other than English or the language arts?
Before I go further, I should reveal that although I did earn a degree in creative writing, I don’t think a degree is necessary. But there is a caveat to my position on this issue: While I don’t think a degree is necessary, I certainly think it’s helpful. I also think that some writers will have a hard time succeeding without structured study and formal training whereas others are self-disciplined and motivated enough to educate themselves to the extent necessary to establish a successful writing career.
Five Things I Learned in Creative Writing Class
Do you need a creative writing degree.
First of all, a degree is not necessary to success in many fields, including writing. There are plenty of examples of individuals who became wildly successful and made meaningful contributions without any college degree whatsoever: Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln, and Walt Disney, to name a few.
In the world of writing, the list of successful authors who did not obtain a degree (let alone a creative writing degree) is vast. Here is a small sampling: Louisa May Alcott, Maya Angelou, Jane Austen, William Blake, Ray Bradbury, Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, Edgar Allen Poe, Beatrix Potter, and JD Salinger.
So you obviously do not need a creative writing degree in order to succeed. After all, some of the greatest writers in history didn’t have a degree. Why should you?
A Creative Writing Degree is Not a Bad Idea
On the other hand, the degree definitely won’t hurt your chances. In fact, it will improve your chances. And if you struggle with writing or self-discipline, then the process of earning a degree will be of great benefit to you.
A college education might indeed be necessary for a particular career, such as a career in law or medicine. In fields of study where a degree is not a requirement, it often prepares you for the work ahead by teaching you specific skills and techniques and by forcing you to become knowledgeable about your field.
However, there is an even greater value in the the process of earning a degree. You become knowledgeable and educated. You learn how to learn, how to work without close supervision, and you are exposed to the wisdom of your instructors as well as the enthusiasm and support of your peers. College is a great environment for development at any age or in any field.
Earning a degree is also a testament to your drive and ability to complete a goal without any kind of immediate reward or gratification. College is not easy. It’s far easier to get a full-time job and buy lots of cool stuff. It’s more fun to spend your nights and weekends hanging out with your friends than staying in and studying. A college degree is, in many ways, a symbol representing your capacity to set out and accomplish a long-term goal.
Know Yourself
If you possess strong writing skills and are somewhat of an autodidact (a person who is self-taught), then you may not need a degree in creative writing. For some such people, a degree is completely unnecessary. On the other hand, if your writing is weak or if you need guidance and would appreciate the help of instructors and peers, maybe you do need a creative writing degree.
If you’re planning on going to college simply because you want to earn a degree and you hope to be a writer someday, you might as well get your degree in creative writing since that’s what you’re passionate about. On the other hand, if you hope to write biographies of famous actors and directors and you already write well, you might be better off studying film (and possibly minoring in creative writing).
You may be the kind of person who needs the validation of a degree. Maybe you’re an excellent writer but you’d feel better putting your work out there if you could back it up (even in your own mind) with that piece of paper that says you have some expertise in this area. Or you might be the kind of person who is confident enough to plunge into the career of a writer without any such validation.
You might find that time and money are barriers to earning a degree. If you have responsibilities that require you to work full time and if you’re raising a family, obtaining a degree might not be in the cards, either in terms of time or money. You might be better off focusing what little free time you have on reading and writing. But there are other options if you’ve got your heart set on a creative writing degree: look for accredited online colleges, find schools that offer night and weekend classes, and open yourself to the idea that you can take ten years rather than four years to complete your higher education.
Finally, some people have a desire to get a degree but they feel they’re too old. I personally think that’s a bunch of hogwash. You’re never too old to learn or obtain any kind of education. When I was just out of high school, I attended a college with many students who were middle-aged and older. I had tremendous respect for them, and they brought a lot of wisdom to our classes, which balanced out the youthful inexperience of my other, much younger classmates. I don’t care if you’re eighteen, forty-two, or seventy, if you have a hankering to do something, go do it!
Making Tough Decisions
Ultimately, the decision rests with each of us. Do you need a creative writing degree? Only you can answer that question.
If you’re still not sure, then check with a local school (a community college is a good place to start) and make an appointment with an adviser in the English Department. If you’re in high school, get in touch with your school’s career counselor. Sometimes, these professionals can help you evaluate your own needs to determine which is the best course of action for you. But in the end, make sure whatever decision you make about your education is one that you’ve carefully weighed and are comfortable with.
And whether you earn a degree in creative writing or not, keep writing!
Most Successful People Who Never Went to College Famous Autodidacts
50 Comments
I think in some cases it can hinder or stifle creativity. I am actually glad I did not go to school for writing. When I hear the words creative and degree together they don’t mesh for me. You can go to school and learn about punctuation and grammar, but creativity comes from real life and growth and learning through experience. Just my opinion – but I only learned about poetry in climbing tree.
Hi Nicole. I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, but since you didn’t go to school for writing, how can you know that creativity cannot come through academic means or through study? I strongly believe that a degree is unnecessary for success in writing, but I personally found that it sped up my development and did in fact stimulate my creativity. Specifically, I would say that being surrounded by creative people (other students, in particular) is excellent for promoting creative thinking. Also, writing is only one small piece of what a successful writer must do. In fact, I learned very little about punctuation and grammar during my time in the creative writing program and I learned a lot about my own creative process. Probably the biggest benefit for me, personally, was exposure to many wonderful authors and poets that I otherwise might not have discovered. While I don’t think college is necessary, I have to strongly disagree that it stifles creativity. But I do respect your opinion and perhaps you had some experience in school or observing other writers in which it did stifle creativity. I can only speak from my own experience, which was highly positive.
Hey all! I’m torn too: I went to art school for 4 years for a degree in painting. I learned a lot and am grateful, because art school added: ways to be cognizant of art, writing about my art and the work of others, and how to be a really great critic.
Only problem was, in a lot of ways, art school also beat down my self confidence and robbed me of some of my intrinsic motivation to make art. It became less spontaneous and more cerebral.
As of late, I’ve turned to creative writing for a creative outlet that has not been…well, I won’t say ruined, so I’ll go with, hasn’t been tampered with. And I find myself in a place where I can definitely improve (A LOT!), but I’m not sure if a formal degree will do it. I am playing with the idea of taking some informal workshops though…
Do you think school for the visual arts is at all comparable to school for creative writing? Maybe it doesn’t help that the folks in my year of art school had some pretty nasty and rude people when it came to critiques!!!
Ray, thanks for sharing your experience. I was hoping someone would offer a different perspective. I can understand how undergraduate work may seem to inhibit creativity and make the process more cerebral. This is where we get into an extremely hazy area of art and creativity. I believe that the spontaneous expressions come from our emotions and personal life experiences. They are strictly expressions. When we bring a cerebral quality to our work, we are usually looking to make a statement or observation. The former cannot be learned. It comes from the inside. The latter, however, is the result of critical thinking. I think it’s unfortunate that you did not find yourself in an educational setting that was positive and supportive. I am not sure how visual arts schools are similar or different from schools for creative writing. If you’re interested in pursuing creative writing, my suggestion would be to sign up for a class and try it out or request a meeting with someone in the creative writing department to get a sense of the program and the people in it.
One final note – it’s my personal opinion that people being rude or nasty during critiques is absolutely unacceptable. If there was an instructor present, I would say the responsibility falls to him or her. Their job is to moderate critique sessions and provide an environment conductive to positive development. I once signed up for a class, and within the first two weeks it was clear to me that the instructor did not have students’ best interests at heart. I dropped the class and the following semester, took the class with another teacher.
I can see where you’re coming from, but college is so very different from high school. The public secondary education focuses on “STEM” (science/math, basically) rather than STEAM (science/math and the arts — as in. a liberal education.) Most universities (public or private) encourage creative thought, even in degrees that are not considered ‘uselessly’ artistic by ignorant politicians. It depends on the university one attends (although I am transferring, the University of Oregon pushes for artistic and creative thought in all fields, and is not at all stifling) but, for the most part, a writing degree would not detach students from ‘real life’ experiences. Many students are living on their own and working full-time. Some are married and have a family and bills to pay, etc. Normally they would not have encouragement from highly knowledgeable faculty to pursue a craft that is not considered practical in the ‘real world.’
I agree with this. I started a masters in professional writing and took a class on nonfiction essays (creative essays) and I tell you what, I have NEVER produced so much writing, and so much good writing. In this class, we just BOUNCED off one another SO WELL. I left each class on fire with ideas and feedback. Best class I EVER took.
I have a BA in English and it’s helped me get paid to write. I freelance for companies, websites and magazines, and many of them love to see the degree. So, I stand out from the crowd a bit. It’s been helpful.
It’s amazing how being surrounded by other creative writers promotes our own creativity. I had the same experience when I was taking classes – I was constantly writing and coming up with ideas. I also feel that having a BA boosts my credibility as a self-employed writer. While I don’t think the BA is necessary, I also know some clients and employers consider it a requirement.
I have to agree with Allena. I have a BA in English and I think it really helps in the freelancing career. Many clients want to hire a professional qualified in English literature, journalism or another field related to writing.
I have pondered the idea of going back to uni and getting a degree in the Arts but I am not sure if it is entirely worth my time and money. I have, however, invested time in some short courses in writing, in order to learn about structure, pace and all those tools which you really need to understand to be able to write well.
There was also the added benefit of spending time with like-minded people who understood my passion and encouraged me to fulfill my potential. I may not have earned a piece of paper at the end of them but they were definitely worth my time.
It’s one of those decisions each person has to make for herself. I think it depends a lot on your personal goals, lifestyle, and available resources. I am a huge advocate for higher education. My general advice is always this: if you can go to school and want to, then do it. On the other hand, if you want to be a novelist and already have the skills and self-discipline, your time is probably better spent writing the novel.
I agree that a creative writing degree is not necessary but certainly very helpful. I believe getting proper education will always be good for anyone; whatever career you are in. As for me, I did not major in writing or in a course related to it because I was still undecided back then. I was passionate about writing but I just did not pursue it because I was afraid that I will not succeed as a writer.
Now, I really want to enroll myself in a writing course. While waiting for that opportunity, I try my best to self-educate through reading and learning from other writers.
I couldn’t agree more!
A great topic for discussion! I have a Creative Writing degree but augmented it with writer’s conferences and online research. So much helpful information out there these days. I posted this on the Writing Platform Facebook page. Well done.
Writing is one of those crafts for which learning never ends. Thanks for sharing this post on Facebook. I appreciate it.
Hi, Melissa! I studied psychology for 4 years in university. I had to quit, so I didn’t get the degree, but studying there gave me lots of knowledge and I also met really awesome people – students and teachers, and I made great friends. You can’t have such things if you learn only by yourself at home. Meeting other writers while getting creative writing degree is probably one of most important reasons for doing it. Unless you don’t like humans at all 😀
Yes, and I would add that for many people, simply taking a few classes can make a world of difference. For example, one could take a creative writing class at a local community college. If a writer is working on their own and struggling with grammar, a single, basic course in English or writing may be just the solution. Taking a class here and there may or may not lead to pursuing a full degree, but it will definitely impart many benefits to any writer.
Great article! Very encouraging. Most of what I’ve read online has been much the opposite.
What would you say about majoring in an education degree not specific to English, while also pursuing a master’s in creative writing?…with the intent to eventually teach writing and social studies at a college level. I know that’s incredibly specific and probably abnormal, but I honesty do not want to major in English. I love literature and all forms of composition (even the dreaded academic essay) but my true interest lies in the intricacy of the human psyche and how the past has shaped our contemporary world..
Katie, it doesn’t really matter what I think because the choice you make will shape your life, not mine. Having said that, I think you’ve got a good, solid plan. Also, I think social studies and creative writing go together quite nicely.
I am in India. I just passed 10th grade. The thing is i want to become a writer/novelist/author. 3 reasons-
1. Writing is my passion 2. I have started writing( 1st novel almost complete). 3. I love literature. I mean that’s the only thing that gets inside my brain and i always excel in English.
So my question are– 1. Do i need to take up arts/humanities? ( because i want an environment with political views and literature and wont only be writing novels and stuff, i would also like to write for magazines etc. Doing arts will help me write and improve whereas in non-med i have study science which i have started hating though its easy but because of this realization that my writings will take years to reach the people ) Is it really that important?
2. Is a college degree in creative writing required? Will it help me?
Tanvir, plenty of writers carve out a career for themselves without a college degree at all, so you can go forth and study whatever you want in school. Certainly, a degree in creative writing will do a lot to make you a better writer, but you can also accomplish that on your own through work and study. If you are absolutely positive that all you want to do is become a writer, then I say study creative writing. I earned a BA in creative writing and I wasn’t even sure that’s what I wanted to do with my life. What I learned in college has served me well. However, and I can’t emphasize this enough, it is by no means a prerequisite. Good luck to you.
Hi I am a young women who has always been told that being a writer is not a very good feild to work in because you must move to the city, it is hard to support a family on the income,and it is hard to get a book published, or maintain relationships, if you are successful. I have always wanted to be a writer and now i am considering college but the thing is that i am not sure if i should become a nurse or writer or both? or neither and just try my luck with writing with out an education in the feild since i feal as though i am good enough at creative thinking.
Why would a writer have to move to the city? Writing is one of the few jobs that you can do from just about anywhere, as long as you have a computer (journalism being the exception). I also don’t see why it would be hard to maintain relationships if you are a successful writer (at least not any more than with any other career). I’m not sure where you’re getting this advice, but I think it’s a little inaccurate. It’s true that most writers don’t make a living from their work at first, which means they need a day job. It is hard to get a book published through a traditional publishing house, but it’s also possible. Self-publishing is another option.
If you truly want to be a writer, there’s no reason you shouldn’t pursue it. Will you make it? That’s entirely up to you.
I also think studying nursing and writing sounds like a good idea. You can double major in both or you could minor in creative writing. That will give you a solid nursing career for your day job and you can write on the side.
Hey there Melissa,
I’m planning to do a course in Creative Writing, and I’ve been looking everywhere for the perfect one. Which university did you do your Masters at? Were you completely satisfied? Was it everything you were expecting? I was looking out for a one year Masters course, most are for two.
I didn’t do a Masters, I did a BA, so I’m afraid I can’t give you any advice on which ones are good.
I think if you check on Google you will find a few. Most are two years like you said but the one year programs are usually scholarships and are kinda jam-packed. check carefully and you’d find what suits you for sure.
Melissa, keep the flag flying.
Surely, it is important to define what you mean by ‘writing’. If you want to have any chance of breaking into published work, tthen I would say a writing degree is a prerequisite. If you are writing for a small group — or just for yourself — it doesn’t matter a hoot. Many of the examples you gave us aren’t really relevant as so few people in the past went to university to do anything at all.
I went to a school decided upon by a selective examination and we were told when we started that only about 2% of us should have any thoughts of going to university, and that techincal qualifivcations, such as National Certificates, were the best we could aspire to for the remaining 98%.
Essentially, the whole thing comes back to the old, and quite impossible to answer question of talent vs skill. If you have the talent, an arts degree will help; if you don’t, all you can expect to be is an amateur (and usually not very good) scribbler. The ability to write a grammatically correct sentence does not make you a story-teller — and it never will.
I have to respectfully disagree with you, opsimath. Most of the authors I know who are currently building successful careers did not go to college at all, and few of those who did attend university studied writing. You can (and many have) become expert writers and storytellers without learning how to do it in school. In fact, I would say that I learned very little about grammar and storytelling in college, and I was a creative writing major. Also, the very fact that historically, authors did not study the craft in formal settings is proof that formal study is not a necessity. History has produced hundreds of eloquent authors who managed to master the craft without formal schooling, and writing hasn’t changed so much that we’re living in times where a degree has become mandatory.
Having said that, we all have to put in the time and work in order to succeed. The point is that whatever you might learn in school, you can also learn outside of school if you know how to find the right mentors and resources. A degree gives anyone an advantage, but in the field of writing, it is not a prerequisite for success or expertise. And I say that as someone who is a firm advocate for higher education. Obviously, there are some exceptions; for example, you probably do need a journalism degree or a computer science degree if you want to be a journalist or technical writer, but for storytellers and other creative nonfiction writers, it is an option, not a requirement. There are other ways to acquire the skills and expertise you need to succeed as a storyteller.
A good idea, I think, would be to take a few courses at the local community college, or online if there isn’t a school nearby, to get an idea on how effective a class environment will be for you. I need a structured peer group to thrive at anything in life, yet my husband was miserable at a liberal arts college. I have to sign up for a class at the gym to lose weight – I can’t just get up in the morning to jog or do laps at the pool alone, even with a partner I’m not as motivated as when I’m in a group lead by an experienced mentor. The same goes for writing. I have to join writing groups to find inspiration to work on my novel, otherwise I don’t have enough self-discipline to finish it. Yeah, maybe that makes those of us like me kind of lame, but if we know how to fix it we can get motivated greatness (:
Also, look into financial aid, grants, and scholarships if it’s not something you can afford. You’d be surprised at what is available to those from all walks of life.
Excellent advice, Katie!
I graduated with a Creative Writing degree. In some ways, it’s been beneficial for the reasons you mentioned. I feel like I’ve earned the right to call myself a writer. But if you’re boy putting those skills into practice, then what was the point of slaving for four years? On the flip side, I feel like I really didn’t understand the skills and techniques of other writers. Part of it was due to a lack of reading other works. Some of it was I was busy comparing myself to others that I didn’t pay attention to nuances in their work.
Sometimes, I feel like I entered the wrong field because I haven’t done anything with my degree. I haven’t published anything, nor am I working on something grand like a novel. But then I remember why I pursued the major in the first place: I have a passion for writing. The validation is nice and I can claim the fact that I graduated from college. At the heart if it all is the passion to create stories. Recently, after some soul searching, I decided to take up the pen again. But because I’ve been out of practice for so long, I feel like I beef to go back to school and brush up on my craft. Maybe take an online course or two or get involved in a writing group.
Degree or not, I love writing, and my desire is to get better at what I love.
For me, the greatest benefit of going to college and earning a degree in creative writing was that it broadened my worldview, which has little to do with a career or even writing. I gained a better understanding of the world on various levels. Much of the knowledge I gained isn’t practical as far as making money, but I feel like it made me a better person.
I think we in the western world are programmed to think that any kind of learning must translate directly to dollars. This leads someone to ask a question like what’s the use of my degree if I’m not working in the field? . But I think it’s safe to say that most of us who attended college gained something intellectual or emotional that can’t be measured in financial earnings or career development.
It’s never too late to get back into writing! If you’re feeling called to it, I say go for it, and have fun! Good luck to you.
Really interesting to read this post as I started my degree in Creative Writing last year through the Open University. Whilst I’ve always had a writer’s soul, I’ve been away from writing for around a decade (having picked up a camera instead) and felt doing the degree would give me the jump start I needed to get back on the writing path. It’s already doing that and I’m keen to start working for myself in the next year or so, whilst also finishing off my degree.
I have had people say to me, “Why are you doing that, it’s a pointless degree!” But, when I suddenly decided late last year that I wanted to get myself a qualification so I could leave my long-term career as a Paramedic, once and for all, I knew I should only take on a subject that I had a passion for, otherwise what was the point?!
I’m looking forward to getting started with the second stage this coming October and I can’t wait to start writing for a living as well!
Over the years, I’ve heard from a lot of writers whose decision to study creative writing was challenged by the people in their lives. I think a lot people view college as nothing more than a path to some kind of guaranteed high-paying job, such as a position in business, law, the medical field, etc. A career in writing is probably more risky, but it’s just as valid as any other career. Anyway, congratulations on your return to writing. I also think it’s great that you’re a paramedic and have something to fall back on or rely on while you launch your writing career.
I graduated in BSc Nursing in India…I did it because it has good scope but failed to develop interest in the field…I always loved writing and want to pursue my career in writing…I am not sure if it requires a bachelor’s degree in arts or literature or creative writing ! Also i am thinking of moving to Canada for my postgraduation …And this is the time when i can change my field from nursing to writing and finally do what i like doing… my question is ….is it necessary to have a bachelors degree in creative writing for doing master’s in it ?
Hi Prachi. You would need to check the requirements for the Master’s program that you’re applying for.
Thank you for your perspective on the value of obtaining a degree in creative writing. I found your argument balanced and, on the whole I agree with your view, which is (as I understand it “horses for courses”, I.E. what suits one person (a creative writing degree) will not, necessarily suit another individual.
I agree with you that a degree demonstrates commitment (mine is in history and politics, plus a MA in political theory). I don’t feel the need to obtain a degree in creative writing (and I understand the concerns of those who fear that doing so may actually stifle their creativity). I do, however no of several writers (who’s work I enjoy) who do hold degrees in creative writing. However I have another friend who writes extremely well but does not hold a creative writing qualification of any description. So it is, in the final analysis “horses for courses”.
Best – Kevin
Everybody has different learning styles and curves and talents. Writing is one of those fields in which if you’re willing to put in the work, you can do fine.
This is an interesting post, Melissa. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks, Suzanne.
You’ve hit the nail on the head when you cite the people who are great in their fields without a degree to prove it. The creative writing degree probably didn’t exist when they were in education. It didn’t when I was at college. One of the important things to do at college is something you like, that you will put the necessary effort in to show that you know how to learn, how to express yourself, and how to get by in life. But if you want to write successfully now, you owe it to your readers to learn about the business, learn how to be a good writer, and a better writer, and to value the continuous process of learning. That doesn’t necessarily mean a degree. And yes, it might well stifle your creativity before you can let it free again.
That’s true. For many of them, such a degree might not have been available. At some point, I believe “English” would have the relevant degree. My degree is technically an English degree “with a concentration in creative writing.” Semantics. I agree with you 100% about putting in the work to learn the craft!
Great Article, Academic writing is so different from creative writing, and that is so different from Copywriting. I am a self-taught copywriter. Most of my learning had to do with learning how to market. My creative writing diploma was a big plus.
Yes, every form of writing is different. Some skills are necessary to all forms, however.
Thank you very much for this reading. I think it was exactly what I needed right now. 😉
You’re welcome, Dave!
Hi Melissa! My son is about to graduate high school and is not college bound, he has an extreme lack of interest in school. He is an extremely talented and creative writer and his passion is to have a career in writing. What would be your advice to a young writer, like him, who doesn’t know where to start or what his next steps should be to start working toward a career in creative writing? Have you had any experience with Masterclass courses? Any other workshops or clubs, etc that would be good for him to check out so he can meet with other like-minded individuals and network and find mentorship?
Hi Darcy! Well, the first thing I would say is that if college is an option, then studying creative writing in college is tremendously valuable. I realize your son isn’t interested in that path, but it would be my first suggestion. If a full college education is not an option (for whatever reason), then perhaps some courses in language arts, English, and creative writing. One can attend college (universities or local community colleges) and focus on certain classes rather than getting a degree, which requires a lot of general education. I don’t have experience with Masterclass yet, but I intend to take some of those courses. They look good to me.
Having said all that, there are other things that your son can do: read as much as possible, write every day, and study the craft — if not through courses then through credible books on the craft. Beyond that, each writer’s needs are very different, so I’m afraid I can’t be more specific. I wish you and your son much luck.
Hi Melissa, my name is Abi I very much enjoy writing and I graduate from high school this May. I’ve looked in to multiple possible career choices and I’ve realized that most of what I want to do is telling stories and I’ve also realized that writing is how I express myself when words fail me, I write. I’ve written some stories some are very short, and some still need finished. I’m struggling because I don’t know what I want to do in college but I know I want to go. I’m thinking about taking a gap year and figure stuff out and possibly travel a small bit and since I’ll hopefully have a decent amount of time, work on writing as well as my stories, do you have any advice for me when it comes to writing?
Hi Abi. Thanks for commenting here about your interest in writing. It’s a good sign that you’re already thinking about your future and planning at such a young age. Your path is yours alone, and nobody can make the decision about taking a gap year or choosing a major except you (although your parents might have significant say in these matters). I can tell you this: I majored in creative writing in college and I have never once regretted it. My only suggestion would be that if you take that route, include some business and marketing courses, even if it means taking an extra semester to graduate. All authors need business and marketing skills–no exceptions, and this was the one thing that was not covered when I was in school. This stuff is not fun or creative, but it’s necessary, and it will free you to do the fun stuff.
I wish you the best of luck with your future. Keep writing!
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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
What are your chances of acceptance?
Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.
Your chancing factors
Extracurriculars.
 copy.jpg "creative writer education qualification")
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
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur | Georgia |
| Ashland University | Ashland | Ohio |
| Augustana College | Rock Island | Illinois |
| Austin College | Sherman | Texas |
| Baldwin Wallace University | BW | Berea | Ohio |
| Beloit College | Beloit | Wisconsin |
| Bennington College | Bennington | Vermont |
| Berry College | Mount Berry | Georgia |
| Bowling Green State University | BGSU | Bowling Green | Ohio |
| Bradley University | Peoria | Illinois |
| Brandeis University | Waltham | Massachusetts |
| Brooklyn College | Brooklyn | New York |
| Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania |
| Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana |
| California College of the Arts | CCA | San Francisco | California |
| Capital University | Columbus | Ohio |
| Carnegie Mellon University | CMU | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
| Catawba College | Salisbury | North Carolina |
| Central Michigan University | CMU | Mount Pleasant | Michigan |
| Central Washington University | CWU | Ellensburg | Washington |
| Chapman University | Orange | California |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Iowa |
| Colby College | Waterville | Maine |
| College of the Holy Cross | Holy Cross | Worcester | Massachusetts |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs | Colorado |
| Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | Illinois |
| Columbia University | New York | New York |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire |
| Eastern Michigan University | EMU | Ypsilanti | Michigan |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg | Florida |
| Emerson College | Boston | Massachusetts |
| Emory University | Atlanta | Georgia |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg | Massachusetts |
| Franklin and Marshall College | F&M | Lancaster | Pennsylvania |
| George Mason University | Fairfax | Virginia |
| George Washington University | GW | Washington | Washington DC |
| Hamilton College | Clinton | New York |
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery | Alabama |
| Ithaca College | Ithaca | New York |
| Johns Hopkins University | JHU | Baltimore | Maryland |
| Knox College | Galesburg | Illinois |
| Laguna College of Art and Design | LCAD | Laguna Beach | California |
| Lesley University | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
| Lindenwood University | Saint Charles | Missouri |
| Linfield College | McMinnville | Oregon |
| Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore | Maryland |
| Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans | Louisiana |
| Macalester College | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MIT | Cambridge | Massachusetts |
| Mercer University | Macon | Georgia |
| Miami University | Oxford | Ohio |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Illinois |
| Millsaps College | Jackson | Mississippi |
| New School | New York | New York |
| Northwestern University | Evanston | Illinois |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills | Michigan |
| Oberlin College | Oberlin | Ohio |
| Ohio Northern University | ONU | Ada | Ohio |
| Ohio University | Athens | Ohio |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | Delaware | Ohio |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | OBU | Shawnee | Oklahoma |
| Otterbein University | Westerville | Ohio |
| Pacific University | Forest Grove | Oregon |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu | California |
| Portland State University | PSU | Portland | Oregon |
| Pratt Institute | Brooklyn | New York |
| Principia College | Elsah | Illinois |
| Providence College | Providence | Rhode Island |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette | Indiana |
| Rhode Island College | RIC | Providence | Rhode Island |
| Rocky Mountain College | RMC | Billings | Montana |
| Roger Williams University | RWU | Bristol | Rhode Island |
| Saint Mary’s College (Indiana) | Notre Dame | Indiana |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC | Chicago | Illinois |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Washington |
| Seton Hall University | South Orange | New Jersey |
| Simmons College | Boston | Massachusetts |
| Southern Methodist University | SMU | Dallas | Texas |
| Southern Oregon University | SOU | Ashland | Oregon |
| Spalding University | Louisville | Kentucky |
| State University of New York at Purchase | SUNY Purchase | Purchase | New York |
| Stephens College | Columbia | Missouri |
| Suffolk University | Boston | Massachusetts |
| Texas Christian University | TCU | Fort Worth | Texas |
| Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth | Texas |
| The State University of New York at Binghamton | SUNY Binghamton | Vestal | New York |
| The State University of New York at Buffalo | SUNY Buffalo | Buffalo | New York |
| The State University of New York at Stony Brook | SUNY Stony Brook | Stony Brook | New York |
| Truman State University | TSU | Kirksville | Missouri |
| University of Arizona | Tucson | Arizona |
| University of California, Riverside | UC Riverside | Riverside | California |
| University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Ohio |
| University of Evansville | Evansville | Indiana |
| University of Houston | Houston | Texas |
| University of Idaho | Moscow | Idaho |
| University of La Verne | La Verne | California |
| University of Maine at Farmington | UMF | Farmington | Maine |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | Michigan |
| University of Nebraska Omaha | UNO | Omaha | Nebraska |
| University of New Mexico | UNM | Albuquerque | New Mexico |
| University of North Carolina at Wilmington | UNC Wilmington | Wilmington | North Carolina |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pitt | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Washington |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | California |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | New York |
| University of Southern California | USC | Los Angeles | California |
| University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
| University of Texas at El Paso | UTEP | El Paso | Texas |
| University of the Arts | UArts | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
| University of Tulsa | Tulsa | Oklahoma |
| University of Washington | Seattle | Washington |
| Valparaiso University | Valpo | Valparaiso | Indiana |
| Washington University in St. Louis | WashU | Saint Louis | Missouri |
| Wellesley College | Wellesley | Massachusetts |
| Western Michigan University | WMU | Kalamazoo | Michigan |
| Western New England University | WNE | Springfield | Massachusetts |
| Western Washington University | WWU | Bellingham | Washington |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Massachusetts |
| Wichita State University | WSU | Wichita | Kansas |
| Widener University | Chester | Pennsylvania |
| Wofford College | Spartanburg | South Carolina |
| Yeshiva University | New York | New York |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio |
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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Online courses: creative writing.
Stanford Continuing Studies' online creative writing courses make it easy to take courses taught by instructors from Stanford’s writing community. Thanks to the flexibility of the online format, these courses can be taken anywhere, anytime—a plus for students who lead busy lives or for whom regular travel to the Stanford campus is not possible. These courses are open to all adults, and we encourage all levels of writers to enroll.
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
A creative writing degree program will make the most of your talent, showing you how to become a writer and how to connect with an audience of readers. Learn more.
Learn more about the steps to take to become a creative writer and begin your career writing compelling and captivating works for print, stage or screen.
MA in Creative Writing. Course code: F71. This qualification is an opportunity to develop your skills as a writer in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and scriptwriting for film, radio and the stage. You'll be able to write in a genre of your choice and experiment with at least one other through practical and inspiring activities.
Young and new writers often ask whether they need a creative writing degree in order to become an author or professional writer.
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. Stage 1 120 credits. Stage 2 120 credits. Stage 3 120 credits.
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 ...
Interested in creative writing? Here are some colleges to consider, plus tips on what to look for in a school as a creative writing major.
You should earn a master's in writing (MSW) or Ph.D. in a related field if you plan to become a creative writing instructor at the undergraduate or graduate level. Qualifications for a job as a creative writer include creativity, time-management, computer skills, as well as advanced abilities in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Stanford Continuing Studies' online creative writing courses make it easy to take courses taught by instructors from Stanford's writing community. Thanks to the flexibility of the online format, these courses can be taken anywhere, anytime—a plus for students who lead busy lives or for whom regular travel to the Stanford campus is not ...
Program Overview In the English - Creative Writing major, you will engage with genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from the inside out, by generating and revising your 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 ...
What level of education is required for Creative Writers? 73% of Creative Writers have a bachelor's degree, 20% major in english. Learn all about Creative Writer educational requirements, degrees, majors, certifications, online courses, and top colleges that will help you advance in a Creative Writer career.
At the British Academy of Creative Writing, we offer a range of accredited creative writing courses. Our flexible study options mean you can choose to study from home or attend class-based courses. Our experienced tutors will teach you the skills you need to achieve your goals.
Mercer University's Creative Writing program will challenge you to hone your writing, build communities, and strengthen your peer editing skills.
In addition to the general M.A. requirements, master?s students in Creative Writing take three Creative Writing workshops in their genre of specialization and one additional Creative Writing workshop outside that genre. They also take two literary history seminars and complete a creative master's thesis. Seminars are 4 credit hours.
Explore top courses and programs in Creative Writing. Enhance your skills with expert-led lessons from industry leaders. Start your learning journey today!
This Practical module helps Develop your Creative Writing in genres such as Fiction, Poetry, Biography, Autobiography or Travel Writing.
Oxford University's creative writing courses: part-time award and degree programmes, summer schools and short online courses at the Department for Continuing Education.
Here are some steps you can take to become a fiction writer: Read extensively: Reading is essential for writers because it exposes you to different styles, techniques, and voices. Reading also helps you understand the elements of storytelling and how they work together to create a great story. Make a habit of reading every day, and try to read ...
Creative writing is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can enhance your studies with a second major or choose from a range of elective units that support your career goals. You can also study this major as part of a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce double degree.
As a creative writing teacher, you guide students through their growth and development as writers of short stories, screenplays, poetry, prose and novels. As with any teaching job, your responsibilities include overseeing daily classroom activities, creating lesson plans and grading student work.
The B.A. allows you to earn a general English degree or select from four possible concentrations (18 credits of their total 45 for the major) in creative writing, linguistics, literature, or professional writing. The B.S. allows you to specialize in either Technical Writing or earn a general English degree; it is available either fully online ...
You might be able to apply directly for technical writer jobs in industries like engineering or pharmaceuticals, if you've got the relevant background and qualifications. Experience in journalism could also help you to get into travel or broadcast writing. has information, advice and workshops on writing and submitting scripts.
What is the course about? This course is suitable for students who are interested in gaining a basic knowledge of creative writing. This five-week programme is designed to give you an understanding of the techniques you will need to become a successful writer and allow you to practice the techniques with small groups of like-minded people.