Are your favorite classes those that allow creative expression? Do you dream of being a novelist, short story writer, essayist, or poet? Consider a concentration or minor in Creative Writing.
Creative Writing Program Information Sheet (PDF)
Program Overview
The Creative Writing program is designed for students with interests in writing fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Through the course of study, the program connects you to a creative writing community in which you can foster your writing talents and skills.
The program also offers:
- Focused coursework offering training in creative writing
- Opportunities for honors work in creative writing
- Dedicated advising from the Director of Creative Writing
Concentration and Minor
The concentration in Creative Writing allows English majors to add the focal area of Creative Writing to their major. The minor in Creative Writing requires the same set of courses and is for students majoring in other fields.
English courses in the concentration may also count toward the English major (BA).
Admission to the Program
Undergraduate students can declare the Creative Writing minor or concentration by completing the Undergraduate Program Add/Change Form through DocuSign. Students then consult with the program director to plan a course of study.
Honors Program
Each year, a small number of seniors is selected to pursue Honors in Creative Writing, a two-semester program in which the student creates a work of poetry and/or fiction. Each student receives one-on-one mentoring by a faculty member.
Course Requirements for the Concentration and Minor
The Creative Writing program requires a total of seven courses (21 credits):
- At least THREE courses in English, American, or Transnational Literature
These courses also fulfill English Major requirements.- ONE of these courses:
- ENGL 200: Introduction to Literary Studies
- ENGL 201: Five British Authors
- ENGL 202: Six American Authors
- TWO courses must be 300- or 400-level ENGL courses, excluding ENGL 300-302, 306-308, 457, 459, 475-477, and 496-499
- ONE of these courses:
- At least FOUR courses in Creative Writing
- TWO courses must be advanced workshops from this list:
- ENGL 301: Advanced Poetry Workshop (May be taken 3 times for credit. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.)
- ENGL 302: Advanced Fiction Workshop (May be taken 3 times for credit. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.)
- ENGL 303: Advanced Special Topics in Creative Writing
- ENGL 306: Advanced Nonfiction Writing
- ENGL 496: Creative Writing Honors I (Open only to seniors admitted to Honors in Creative Writing.)
- TWO courses may be 200-, 300-, or 400-level courses from this list:
- ENGL 210: Intro to Creative Writing
- ENGL 211: Creative Writing: Poetry
- ENGL 212: Creative Writing: Fiction
- ENGL 300: Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop
- ENGL 301: Advanced Poetry Workshop
- ENGL 302: Advanced Fiction Workshop
- ENGL 303: Advanced Special Topics in Creative Writing
- ENGL 306: Advanced Nonfiction Writing
- ENGL 496: Creative Writing Honors I
- ENGL 497: Creative Writing Honors II (Prerequisite: ENGL 496)
- ThrArt 251: Playwriting I
- ThrArt 275: Intro to Screen and TV Writing
- ThrArt 351: Playwriting II
- ENGL 455/456: Independent Study can count for credit towards this requirement only with permission of the Director of Creative Writing.
- Other writing-intensive courses in the 300- or 400- level may qualify, at the discretion of the Director of Creative Writing.
- TWO courses must be advanced workshops from this list:
- Other Requirements
- Students must receive a minimum grade of C minus in these courses to count towards the concentration/minor.
- Courses cannot be taken as pass/fail if they are to count towards the concentration/minor.
- Five courses must be completed in residence at UMass Boston.
- One course can be transferred in with permission of the English Department Undergraduate Program Director.
Contact
Program Director: Prof. Jill McDonough
Wheatley Hall, 6th floor
[email protected]