Creative writing is more than putting words on paper; it is a process of exploring new ideas and concepts through written word. Aspiring writers should look for creative writing-related courses and majors to better understand their options and to have a clearer idea of what to expect in the future.
The MFA
The master’s degree in fiction writing (MFA) is probably the most popular creative writing program. Students gain real-world writing experience by participating in workshops and classes. Some also choose to take a break from studying and intern at literary magazines or publishing houses to focus on their writing.
Writers who earn an MFA develop a range of skills that set them apart from the general population. They can write creatively, critically, and analytically. They can also edit and revise effectively. The list of publications that offer MFA degrees is impressive; some of the biggest names in publishing, including HarperCollins and Hachette, offer degree programs in fiction writing.
UCD
University College Dublin (UCD) is one of the largest universities in Ireland. Its journalism program is particularly strong, with a graduate employment rate of more than 90%. This could be attributed to the fact that the school offers a unique dual-degrees in print and digital journalism. The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism allows students to specialize in print or digital media, and the option of a minor in creative writing makes the degrees even more appealing. The program also offers a range of modules that can be transferred to any other degree, such as photography, design, or economics.
UCD’s annual Festival of Literature is an opportunity to hear some of the best new voices in literature. The festival hosts some of the biggest names in literature, including Frank O’Connor, Colm Toibin, and John Kelly. Some of the best short story collections and novels are reprinted for the academic year, making the reading list even more attractive. This year’s festival promises to be one of the best in recent memory, with a record number of submissions for the fiction section.
Iowa
The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is one of the biggest and most reputable writing programs in the country. The MFA in creative writing is also highly respected, with a large number of alumni working in the industry. Many famous writers and dramatists have completed their studies at this university, including Ernest Hemingway, William S. Burroughs, and Tennessee Williams. It is no secret that the school is pretty expensive, with tuition ranging from £44,000 to £58,000 a year, not including living expenses. However, the range of courses and the opportunity to study outside the US are two big draws for prospective students.
Duke
Duke University is another well-known American university that offers a creative writing degree. Like many other universities, the school also has a strong journalism program, with the Master of Science in Journalism focusing on multimedia and digital marketing. In addition to standard journalism modules, the program offers specialized training in narrative nonfiction, digital journalism, and marketing.
Like many other schools, Duke’s creative writing program is designed to offer practical experience to students. This is why most of the courses are in conjunction with businesses and experienced professionals in the industry. For example, the school offers a concentration in interactive media, which provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience through a range of internships and volunteer positions. These are often tied to on-campus clubs and societies, which provide additional social opportunities for students.
UConn
The University of Connecticut’s Creative Writing Program is one of the more recent additions to this list. The school opened a graduate program in creative writing in 2013, and it has gained a lot of popularity since then. UConn students interested in the creative writing-related degrees can study either applied or technical writing, with some modules even allowing students to pursue a double-major. The applied writing program’s technical content provides students with the opportunity to specialize in legal, medical, or business writing, which are always in demand.
Students will likely find it appealing that UConn’s technical writing program offers an MFA-level certificate as well as a bachelor’s degree. The combination of the two allows students to study for a more applied master’s degree while also developing their creative writing skills. This could open up more career opportunities for future graduates, who will likely have both a creative writing portfolio and an academic background when seeking employment.
Northwestern
Northwestern University is yet another prestigious school that offers a creative writing degree. The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to become successful writers. Students can choose to study either narrative or critical prose, and they can also double-major in creative writing and another subject area, such as international relations or economics. The range of courses available are quite impressive, providing students with a solid foundation in both theory and practice.
Like many other universities on this list, Northwestern’s creative writing program is quite expensive, with tuition fees ranging from £42,000 to £61,000 a year, not including living expenses. While these may seem like a lot of money, much of this can be covered by financial aid and grants. Many high-achieving students manage to pay for their tuition with little to no financial aid, which shows how meritocratic these degrees are becoming.
Virginia
The Virginia Tech Carver School of Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in creative writing. The school partnered with the Miami-based publishing house Amantra to offer an immersive multidisciplinary experience to students interested in the creative writing degree. The combination of creative writing courses with other disciplines, such as mass communication, journalism, or advertising, is what makes this program so unique. While the program isn’t free, the vast majority of applicants receive some kind of financial aid, which makes the overall cost reasonable.
Virginia is another state that prides itself on being “Virginia Tech,” with the school providing many opportunities for students. This year, the school is celebrating 100 years of innovation, with various events marking the occasion. There is also likely to be a special exhibit dedicated to the history of the school.
Louisiana
The Louisiana State University School of Medicine offers a combined Bachelors in Biology and Biochemistry, as well as a M.D., with a specialty in Pathology. Students can choose to pursue the M.D.-Pathology (Path) specialty, which is unique among allopathic medical schools in the U.S., or the Bachelors in Biology and Biochemistry with a specialty in Pathology. This is followed by a medical residency, which students take after successfully completing their graduate studies.
The LSU Health Sciences Center has a joint campus with the school of medicine and the veterinary school, and it is one of the biggest medical schools in the country. In addition to a graduate education in medicine, students can gain valuable experience by taking a variety of courses related to veterinary medicine, which makes the overall cost of the degree appealing.
Louisiana is the home of legendary chef Anthony Bourdain, and many of his courses are available to students. The state is also the birthplace of rapper and songwriter Ludacris, who went on to become one of the biggest names in the industry. While it is not uncommon to pursue a graduate degree in creative writing based in Louisiana, the cost of doing so could be managed with financial aid or scholarships. There is certainly no shortage of job opportunities in the state after completing a master’s degree in creative writing, with many publications and media companies hiring graduates.
This list of universities that offer creative writing degrees is fairly short, and it doesn’t include some of the biggest names in higher education, such as Stanford and Harvard. Many of these universities have graduate programs in other disciplines that can be supplemented by a minor in creative writing, broadening the overall employment opportunities for prospective students. It also doesn’t include a number of smaller, private universities, primarily located in the U.S., that offer degrees in creative writing. While tuition fees can vary significantly from institution to institution, those interested in a creative writing degree will find it appealing that most universities on this list are well-known for their writing-related degrees, with prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford offering some of the most popular creative writing degrees in the U.S. According to the Center for Creative Studies, a college degree in creative writing opens up a variety of lucrative job opportunities, with the Creative Writing minor, for example, accounting for a $40,000 to $50,000 annual salary increase once employed.