With the world of social media evolving at such a rapid pace, it’s a good idea to keep up with the changing times so you can reach your audience wherever they choose to be.
While a degree will give you the necessary skills to create fiction or non-fiction work and be recognized as a professional in your field, a masters will take your writing to the next level.
So how long does it take to complete a masters in creative writing at Central State University? We examined the curriculum to find out.
The Degree
A masters in creative writing at Central State University takes three years to complete. Students will study a variety of topics including but not limited to:
- Classic American Literature
- Modern American Literature
- Genre
- Creative Writing
- Theories of Creativity
- The Craft of the Short Story
- Theory of Fiction
- History of Literature
- Approaches to Teaching Literature
While a Bachelors in English at CSUSM takes four years to complete, the additional year makes the difference. Students will have the opportunity to focus on their special interests and gain valuable hands-on training while gaining a broad understanding of the English language.
According to Central State University, the purpose of the masters degree is “to prepare students to become independent thinkers, critical readers, and competent practitioners of creative writing.”
The English Department also states: “The English Department aims to develop critical readers, active writers, and engaged citizens who question the status quo and challenge society’s notions of what is appropriate and acceptable behaviour.”
The Masters
To become a masters in creative writing at CSUSM, you must complete a minimum of 36 credits, which include the following:
- 9 credits of English courses (three of which must be at the 300 level or above)
- 9 credits of Creative Writing courses (three of which must be at the 300 level or above)
- 9 credits of either Literature or Language courses (three of which must be at the 300 level or above)
- 3 credits of Professional Skill Areas courses (such as Business, Technology, or Gaming)
So what are the requirements for a masters in creative writing? To begin with, you will need to have a bachelors degree in English, Creative Writing, or another appropriate field. You will also need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Finally, you must have applied to graduate school before the end of your junior year of college. Once you have graduated with the masters degree, you will have the option to continue on to graduate school to earn a doctorate.
Depending on your desired specialty, you may choose to further specialize in creative writing. For example, you may decide to focus on children’s literature, horror, or science fiction, among others. If this is the case, you may want to consider taking advantage of the many courses offered through the Children’s Literature Research Centre (CNRC). This center focuses on research in children’s literature, and many of its courses are open to graduate students like you!
So now that you’re equipped with the basics of how long does a masters in creative writing take at CSUSM, you can begin to plan your academic schedule! If you’d like to read more about what teachers and students have to say about the subject, check out our brief overview of the literature review, below.