With the world looking towards a digital future, some traditional roles are being redefined. One of these is the role of the ‘creative writing major’. We take a look at what makes up a typical creative writing curriculum, how to get started with your MA in Creative Writing and what careers are waiting for you once you have your degree. Keep reading for more information.
The Majors That Feed Into Creative Writing
Firstly, let’s look at the traditional role of a literary ‘major’ in more detail. As the name suggests, a major in creative writing is primarily concerned with creative writing courses.
One of the most common courses is poetry. Indeed, almost all English speaking countries require students to take a poetry course as part of their degree curriculum. Besides, a lot of the contemporary fiction and creative non-fiction which is popular amongst readers, is also studied as part of a literary major.
Furthermore, it is common for English speaking universities to offer an intensive English course. This can include a mix of academic and creative writing, allowing students to progress towards a major in creative writing while also gaining practical experience.
Nowadays, with the world looking towards a more digital future, the role of the ‘creative writing major’ is being redefined. As we mentioned above, some universities are now offering an intensive course in digital marketing, which incorporates a mix of creative and academic writing. This can help develop the skills needed in today’s world, whether you’re looking for a job in digital marketing or in another sector entirely.
What Is the Difference Between a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing?
When it comes to higher education, the distinction between a bachelor’s and a master’s degree can be confusing. However, there is a crucial difference between the two. A bachelor’s degree is a general degree that you can apply for after completing your secondary education. A master’s degree, on the other hand, is a more specific degree that you can apply for after completing your postgraduate education. In other words, a bachelor’s degree is something that you start off with and then you work towards being a master of. The same cannot be said for a creative writing major. A bachelor’s degree in creative writing is something that you start off with and then you never look back. Not only does it give you the practical experience that you need to enter the job market, but it also opens up a whole range of careers that you might not have thought of before.
A good starting point for those interested in pursuing a master’s degree in creative writing might be to look at the open courses that are available on popular education sites, like Coursera. There, you will find many open courses that you can take, all of which are worth pursuing. Furthermore, you can also use sites like DeansGuide.com to find course information and rankings for universities around the world. When searching for possible courses, make sure to look at the required qualifications, as well as the preferred and optional specializations. This will help determine which courses you should pursue and which you should avoid. In addition to this, you should also look to see if your chosen degree will give you the practical experience that you need for a career in your chosen field. This is often the case for degrees in creative writing. By completing a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, you will gain the practical experience that you need to enter the job market. Furthermore, you will also be able to specialize in your field and develop your career accordingly. Some of the courses that you will complete, will allow you to do this. For example, a degree in digital marketing might equip you with the practical skills you need to succeed in the field. However, if what you are looking for is a traditional, book-based publication, you might want to look into other options.
A Typical Course Content for a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing
So, what exactly does a bachelor’s degree in creative writing entail? One of the first things that you will learn is how to write a good query letter. A query letter is a letter that you send to a potential publisher or literary agent, asking them to consider your pitch for a book. A good query letter will make them want to read your book, which will in turn, make you work that little bit harder to achieve your goal of publishing a book one day. You will learn how to craft a winning submission, no matter if you are pitching for children’s or adults’ fiction, or non-fiction. This is a crucial skill for anyone who plans to enter the field. The ability to write a winning manuscript, is what separates the good writers from the great writers.
Besides writing a winning query letter, you will also learn how to organize and present your ideas in a coherent and succinct manner. One of the first tasks that you will complete, as part of your bachelor’s degree in creative writing, will be to write an argument essay. An argument essay is a type of writing that requires you to argue a particular point of view. For example, in one of the courses that you will complete, you will be required to write an essay, arguing that the Harry Potter series is really just a self-help book for magic users, struggling with their personal problems. The topic is something that you are familiar with, as it is based on the popular ‘Harry Potter’ books. However, you will need to put your own spin on it, to make it special.
Once you have completed your undergraduate studies, you will have the option to continue your education, by pursuing a master’s degree. The choice is entirely up to you, as long as you meet the criteria of the chosen institution. There are any number of master’s degree programs that you can complete, all of which can help you enter the job market and develop your career. Alternatively, you can decide to go into academia and teach high school English, using the skills that you have acquired thus far. The choice is entirely up to you, as long as you meet the criteria of the chosen institution.
Career Prospects for Those With a Bachelor’s Degree In Creative Writing
With more people seeing the value in a formal education, the opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing are wide open. In fact, many of the jobs that you will be graduating into, will already be saturated with job applicants. However, the competition for the limited number of positions is fierce, so much so, that you might have to look for more than one job to be able to make a living.
The first step towards securing your future is to ensure that you are applying for the positions that are most suitable for you. This can be done by using the internet to search for graduate schemes and job vacancies in your chosen field. When searching for job vacancies, make sure to look at the requirements for the position, as well as the qualifications that you have gained. Most importantly, make sure that you are applying for positions that are most suitable for you. The key to securing your future is to find a job that you enjoy, which will in turn, allow you to progress within the field. When applying for graduate schemes, do not just look at the highest paying positions, but look at the ones that interest you most.
Some of the most in-demand jobs for those with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, are listed below. However, these are just a small sample of the types of job that you might be able to get. With the right skills and training, you will be able to secure a job in almost any field. Job titles such as literary agent, editor, academic, and publisher are just a small selection of the many different jobs that you can get with a degree in creative writing. The opportunities are endless, as long as you are willing to put in the work.
Why Should You Specialize In Creative Writing?
As the name suggests, a bachelor’s degree in creative writing is primarily concerned with creative writing courses. However, it is a broad field, which allows for a lot of specialization. Once you have completed your undergraduate studies, you have the option to continue your education, by pursuing a master’s degree. The choice is entirely up to you, as long as you meet the criteria of the chosen institution. Some of the most popular specializations within the field of creative writing, are listed below: