Bachelor of Creative Writing at The University of Montana

The Creative Writing at The University of Montana is a Full Time Bachelor program offered at the university's main campus in Missoula , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 21, 2027.

About Bachelor of Creative Writing

Study Creative Writing at the University of Montana

Join one of the oldest and most prestigious creative writing programs in the nation. We offer outstanding opportunities to hone your writing skills for publication, prepare for jobs in the private sector or develop a portfolio for applying to an MFA program.

At UM, you can pursue creative writing as a concentration of the bachelor's degree in English, or as a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree – we are the only program in Montana to offer both. The BA offers a unique focus of literary study, allowing you to explore various works while creating your own stories, poems and essays. The BFA combines a workshop-based approach with a rigorous literature component, offering expanded internship and professional development opportunities. Both programs give you the unique opportunity to work with faculty from our nationally-ranked graduate program, as well as visiting writers who are known around the world.

The creative writing major at UM is distinguished by small, intimate classes that foster mentorship and personal attention. Collaborative workshops in fiction, nonfiction and poetry encourage you to explore diverse genres, as you learn to read with attention to writing craft and apply those lessons to your own creative works.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Creative Writing at The University of Montana

Entry Requirements

Academic Eligibility

First-year students: To be eligible for admission, freshman students must have met/be on track to meet all upper/senior secondary school requirements with the equivalent of a 2.5 GPA to be automatically considered for admission to undergraduate programs.

Transfer students: Transfer students must have graduated from secondary school and completed at least 12 university-level credits (1 semester) with the equivalent of a 2.0 GPA.

UM Undergraduate Admissions uses a 4.0 unweighted scale to determine GPA. If your school does not calculate GPA, we will calculate it for you when we evaluate your academic records.

Documents for Admission

Secondary school students/graduates: Please submit academic transcripts/mark sheets for grades 9-12 and secondary school leaving certificates, exam results or diplomas showing secondary school completion (if applicable)

Students who have completed at least one semester (12 U.S. credits) of university or post-secondary study: university transcript/mark sheets/exam results listing all courses, grades and credits/hours and diplomas/graduation certificates (if applicable). Students who qualify for transfer do not need to submit secondary school documents.

English translations: All documents not originally issued in English must also be accompanied by word-for-word English translations. You, the applicant, can make the translations yourself.

Admission consideration for international applicants can proceed with unofficial documents. Unofficial documents are photocopies or scans of original academic documents submitted to University of Montana directly by you, the student. Unofficial documents can be uploaded to your admission portal.

English Requirements

PTEMin 48
IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 70

Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Creative Writing

Career development in the English degree

When you major in creative writing at UM, you can count on getting the support you need to hit the ground running when you graduate, and faculty who are ready to go the extra mile to help you succeed. You'll also benefit from the vibrant literary and arts community here in Missoula.

Readings, whether hosted by local bookstores or UM, are a great way to meet other aspiring writers. Our Montana Writers LIVE class, for example, showcases Missoula and Montana's amazing community of local and regional writers reading from their work and answering your questions.

As you engage in internships with local businesses, community mentors will provide insight into different ways you can apply your skills – ways that your ability to research, analyze, summarize, write and edit fit into the operation of a small business, a homeless shelter or a political campaign.

You can also participate in a wide variety of clubs and activities related to English and creative writing, including The Oval and Prose and Poems, volunteer for the Montana Book Festival and get involved with numerous other campus and community literary organizations and activities.

Creative writing faculty

One of the incredible opportunities you'll have as an undergraduate in the creative writing degree at UM is to work with faculty from our nationally-ranked graduate program.

Our faculty include Guggenheim Fellows, New York Times Bestsellers, and National Endowment for the Arts Fellows. They are winners of the American Book Award, Montana Governor's Arts Award, and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award, among others. They serve as judges for the National Book Award, the PEN Faulkner award, and travel and lecture around the globe. Most of all, they share a powerful dedication to recognizing and nurturing developing writers.

Creative writing scholarships

Creative writers at UM are supported by thousands of dollars in scholarships each year, as well as those they may apply for as English majors. Explore creative writing scholarships and awards.

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Creative Writing at The University of Montana

Application Fee 30

How to Apply for Bachelor of Creative Writing at The University of Montana

1. Complete an online application
2. Pay the application fee
3. Submit required application documents

English language proficiency requirements
Academic records
Financial information
Copy of passport
Transfer form (for transfer students only)

You can also download our International Admissions Checklist to help you submit all required materials.

Bachelor of Creative Writing at The University of Montana

The University of Montana

United States of America, Missoula