Pursue a program of intensive study in the making of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting.
The BFA in Creative Writing requires a minimum of 75 semester hours of major coursework designated by the candidate’s area of emphasis in consultation with the student’s program advisor.
Students must successfully complete all major courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. The degree requires 120 total credit hours of coursework. Candidates for the degree must meet the requirements listed below.
Please consult the Undergraduate Catalog for the most current information.
General Education Requirements
All students enrolled in a degree program in the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media must meet the university general education requirements. Additional information on these requirements can be found on the University General Education website.
Please consult with an academic advisor for recommended choices for the major.
Writer’s Workshop Core Requirements
Foreign Language
6-10 hrs. Minimum of one academic year of the same college-level foreign language; high school equivalent of foreign language is not acceptable for this requirement.
Literature and Theory Core: 12 hrs.
- WRWS 1010 Contemporary Writers
- WRWS 4000 Form & Theory (6 hrs.) or WRWS 4000 Form & Theory (3 hrs.) and WRWS 3990 Internship (3 hrs.)
Students may enroll a third time for WRWS 4000 for literature credit. Topic must be different each time.
Lower Level Literature: 9 hrs.
- Select 3 2000-level literature courses from any language or discipline offering a course in primary sources of literature
- ENGL 2310, 2320, 2450, 2460, 2500, 2510, 2520, ENGL 2310, WRWS 2000, Literature courses in Black Studies, Women’s Studies, History, Religion, Philosophy
Upper Division Literature: 18 hrs.
- Select six 3000-4000 level literature courses
- English, foreign languages, Writer’s Workshop, or other appropriate departments (in consultation with faculty advisor).
Fiction & Poetry Track
Writing Core: 18 hrs.
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2060 Fundamentals of Poetry, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2100 Basic Fiction Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 2200 Basic Poetry Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 2300 Creative Nonfiction Studio, 4 hrs.
Concentration Area:
- Fiction Studio sequence WRWS 3100, 4100, 4110, 12 hrs. OR
- Poetry Studio sequence WRWS 3200, 4200, 4210, 12 hrs.
Creative Nonfiction Track
Writing Core: 7 hrs.
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2100 Basic Fiction Studio, 4 hrs.
OR
- WRWS 2060 Fundamentals of Poetry, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2200 Basic Poetry Studio, 4 hrs.
Concentration Area: 12 hrs.
- Creative Nonfiction sequence WRWS 3300, 4300, 4310
Choose three (9 hrs.):
- ENGL 4860, Modern Familiar Essay
- ENGL 4820 Autobiography
- JOUR 3400 Magazine Article Writing
- JOUR 3500 Pub. Design & Graphics
- JOUR 4220 Literary Journalism
- JOUR 4250 Public Relations Writing
- JOUR 3210 Critical Writing for Mass Media
Screenwriting Track
Writing Core: 11 hrs.Select one of the following course groups:
Group A:
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2100 Basic Fiction Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 2600 Basic Screenwriting and Television Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 2060 Fundamentals of Poetry Writing, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2200 Basic Poetry Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 2600 Basic Screenwriting and Television Studio, 4 hrs.
Group C:
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction, 3 hrs.
OR
- WRWS 2060 Fundamentals of Poetry, 3 hrs.
- WRWS 2300 Basic Creative Nonfiction Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 2600 Basic Screenwriting and Television Studio, 3 hrs.
Concentration Area: 12 hrs.
- WRWS 3600 Intermediate Screenwriting Studio, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 4600 Advanced Screenwriting Studio I, 4 hrs.
- WRWS 4610 Advanced Screenwriting Studio II, 4 hrs.
Chose three (9 hrs.)
- WRWS 3000 Special Topics in Writing, 3 hrs.
- THEA 4020 Advanced Projects in Theatre, 3 hrs.
- JMC 3320 Video Field and Studio Production, 3 hrs.
- JMC 4380 Film Theory & Criticism, 3 hrs.
- JMC 4810 Digital Literacies for Technical Communicators, 3 hrs.
- JMC 4820 Politics & Film, 3 hrs.
Appropriate 3000 - 4000 level courses may be selected from other departments, with approval of WRWS advisor.
Minor in Creative Writing
A minor in creative writing requires a minimum of 27 credit hours of course work to be completed under one of four different emphasis areas: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or combined genres.
Prerequisite Courses: English Composition 1150 & 1160
Fiction: 27 hrs.
- WRWS 1010 Contemporary Writers
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction
- WRWS 2060 Fundamentals of Poetry
- WRWS Studio Sequence 2100, 3100, 4100 or 4110
- Six hours of upper division (3000+) literature courses
Poetry 27 hrs.
- WRWS 1010 Contemporary Writers
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction
- WRWS 2060 Fundamentals of Poetry
- WRWS Studio Sequence, 2200, 3200, 4200
Six hours of upper division (3000+) literature courses
Creative Nonfiction: 27 hrs.
- WRWS 1010 Contemporary Writers
- WRWS 2050 Fundamentals of Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction Studio Sequence, 2300, 3300, 4300
Nine hours of upper division (3000+) courses, choose 3:
- ENGL 4860, Modern Familiar Essay
- ENGL 4820 Autobiography
- JOUR 3400 Magazine Article Writing
- JOUR 3500 Pub. Design & Graphics
- JOUR 4220 Literary Journalism
- JOUR 4250 Public Relations Writing
- JOUR 3210 Critical Writing for Mass Media