The University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) offers graduate study and a wealth of career opportunities for those with a strong interest in Spanish language and culture.
One of the best universities in the country for the Spanish Department, UC Santa Cruz also has a world-class English Department, which in addition to English courses, offers a specialization in Creative Writing, which has earned it the title of “Writing Center.”
The Center for Writers, which is part of the UC Santa Cruz English Department, offers specialized English graduate degrees and also provides a variety of services to support students as they work on their writing, including a full-time faculty member who works with individual students or in small groups, offering one-on-one assistance, drafting, and editing services.
UC Santa Cruz is the fifth-largest university in California, with over 30,000 students, and is located on the central coast, between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The university is divided into eight colleges and maintains a strong reputation for academic excellence, as well as for its highly supportive community and beautiful natural setting.
Which Degree to Pursue?
If you’re interested in applying for work at the UC Santa Cruz Writing Center, you’ll need to determine whether you’re fit for a graduate degree in English, or whether you should consider pursuing a different degree specialization. A general requirement for graduate school is a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Bachelor’s degree holders typically have a longer window of opportunity for gaining entrance to a highly selective or research university.
On the other hand, those with a less well-rounded education, as well as prospective students from lower-tier academic or community colleges, will need to do a little bit of research before they decide which graduate school to apply to.
What Will You Study?
The UC Santa Cruz English Department offers a variety of concentrations and specializations for those interested in pursuing graduate studies. You can choose to study with our esteemed faculty, pursue an emphasis in literature, or choose to focus on creative writing. Within the English Department, the Writing Center is a special program that prepares students to enter the job market as professional writers.
English Department faculty specialize in a variety of literature-related fields, including creative writing, publishing, and pedagogy. Students have the opportunity to study abroad, gaining valuable study experience that they can put to use upon graduation.
Are You Ready To Study Full-time?
The UC Santa Cruz Writing Center is committed to providing a supportive and encouraging environment, where students can flourish and develop their writing skills. As a result of this, the Center offers a variety of both full-time and part-time graduate degree programs, as well as a variety of certificate and non-degree programs, designed to help prospective students gain the skills they need to succeed as writers.
Students who complete the required minimum number of credits for their degree will be awarded a bachelor of arts in English.
How Do You Apply?
If you’re interested in applying for a job at the UC Santa Cruz Writing Center, you’ll need to complete an application, which can be found on their website at https://scwriting.org/.
The website will direct you to the UC Santa Cruz application, which you’ll need to complete, along with the rest of your application materials. In addition to a cover letter, you’ll need to submit:
- A statement of purpose, indicating your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree,
- Your academic records (up to three documents),
- Three letters of recommendation,
- A writing sample (optional),
- A short answer to the question “Tell me about yourself,”
What Will You Do Once You Gain Admission?
Once you’re admitted to a highly selective university or college, such as UC Santa Cruz, you’ll have a number of options, once you’ve graduated, to pursue your graduate studies. You might consider completing one of the following programs:
- Masters in English: To study for a PhD in English and specialize in a highly selective area such as literary criticism, narrative theory, or playwriting. One of the advantages of this program is that it allows you to pursue your studies at one of the best universities in the country, alongside some of the nation’s most accomplished professors.
- A Master of Humanities: This is an enhanced version of the bachelor’s degree in humanities, designed for students who want to continue their education by pursuing a PhD. You’ll have the opportunity to study a wide variety of topics within the field of humanities, including Literature, History, and Art. In addition, as part of the program, you’ll complete a capstone project, which is a significant portion of your thesis.
- Masters in Teaching: In the teaching professions, graduate school is often considered a pre-requisites for gaining a promotion or a new position. If you intend to pursue a career in education, this is an ideal degree to gain, as you’ll often have the opportunity to teach at a college or university level. In some cases, you might also be able to teach at a high school level, depending on your qualifications.
- Masters in Writing: If you’re interested in pursuing a career in Creative Writing, this is one of the best degrees to do so. The degree provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field. In addition, the creative writing component of the program allows you to develop your talents and gain the confidence to complete writing projects.
- Doctor of Education: If you’re interested in pursuing a career in academia, this is one of the best degrees to do so. The program provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field, while also preparing you to undertake research and to offer guidance and support to students as they develop their skills.
The University of California, Santa Cruz maintains a strong reputation for academic excellence, and has several graduate-level degrees and specializations available to interested students. If you’re looking for a supportive and creative environment in which to develop your academic skills and gain a valuable professional experience, consider applying to UC Santa Cruz.