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What is a Creative Writer and What Do They Do?

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Many of life’s great stories that are told in the form of literature, film, short stories and poetry, among many other outlets, first get their start in the minds and on the pages of creative writers.

Creative writing is a professional discipline that is unique in many ways and has the potential to take your career in a vast array of different directions.

If creative writing is a field you’re interested in pursuing, it’s important to keep in mind that while it can be a challenging and competitive profession, it also offers a number of distinctive benefits.

What Are the Different Types of Creative Writing?

“Creative writing” is a broad term that, when it comes to professional careers, encapsulates many different forms of writing.

“There are so many genres,” said Melissa Hart , an instructor in the online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in Creative Writing  at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Hart, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing, has authored seven fiction and nonfiction books and published articles and essays in The New York Times, Smithsonian, CNN, The Washington Post, Slate and The Los Angeles Times, among others.

She said the career pathways for creative writers are virtually unlimited.

“Creative writers can be poets and screenwriters, personal essayists, novelists, short story writers,” Hart said, explaining that even within the world of creative writing , there are a number of creative avenues you can take. Some of these include:

• Flash fiction
• Hybrid forms
• Researched nonfiction
• Writing that embraces audio and video

What Are the Main Duties of a Creative Writer?

Much like their earning potential, the daily duties of a creative writer can vary greatly depending on what projects they’re working on at any given time, Hart said.

“I think duties differ writer to writer,” she said. “In my work, I practice writing almost every day — usually rough drafts, and then revisions, of novel chapters and nonfiction book chapters, magazine and newspaper articles and essays and newsletter posts.”

According to the BLS , how you spend your days as a creative writer depends largely on what type of writer you are, some of which include:

• Biographer – writing about the accounts of an individual’s life.
• Copywriter – working in advertising and marketing writing persuasive ad copy.
• Novelist – authoring books of fiction based on imaginary plots and characters.
• Screenwriter – creating scripts for movies and television.
• Speechwriter – developing orations for government leaders, political candidates and business leaders.

And in today’s digital world, another form of writing that continues to thrive is blogging , which is defined by global website development leader Wix as articles posted to a website focused on a specific area of interest.

Social media writing , too, continues to emerge with many large organizations like Mailchimp establishing specific standards for its social media writing.

What Credentials Do You Need to Become a Creative Writer?

Hart pointed out that creative writing is a unique profession in that it doesn’t require a degree or academic credential of any kind in order to succeed.

“You don't need any credentials," she said. "You just need an open mind and a willingness to learn your craft in the genre that most interests you.”

However, high-quality college programs in creative writing can be an excellent way for writers who have natural talent and abilities to further develop their skills, Hart said. For instance, in the SNHU online Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in Creative Writing and English, students develop and sharpen their skills in a number of areas, including:

• Writing and editing techniques
• Literary form, genre, structure, style, analysis and critical thinking
• Application of storytelling elements
• Use of genre conventions  and techniques
• Professional portfolio building

There is also an abundance of resources you can look into on your own to better position yourself for a career as a creative writer .

“There are piles of books, for instance, on how to write children's fiction,” Hart said. “Ditto poetry, screenplays, creative nonfiction... and there are so many resources online, as well.”

Is Creative Writing a Skill or a Talent?

Another aspect of creative writing that makes it a unique professional field, Hart said, is that it involves both natural talent and skills that can be learned.

“Perhaps a person is born with an innate talent for storytelling, but reading and practicing and studying creative writing for years will give you the skills you need to write fiction and nonfiction and poetry that appeals to readers,” she said.

Hart said that she’s had a love of language since the age of five, which is when she started writing short stories. It was her passion for writing and storytelling that inspired her to work hard developing her skills.

“All that practice gave me skills as a creative writer,” she said. “I believe I developed a talent for writing in particular genres because I studied them so deeply.”

Is it Hard to Learn Creative Writing?

While for many, learning to be a creative writer could be characterized as hard, Hart explained that “time consuming” is probably a better way of putting it.

“For instance, I just spent three years learning to cross-country ski when I’d never been on skis before,” she said. “I think it generally takes people at least three years to grow adept at creative writing in a particular genre because you’re constantly reading and deconstructing literature and thinking about it and writing and rewriting and rewriting some more.”

That said, among the many benefits of a career in creative writing is the flexibility and freedom it provides, Hart said.

“Creative writers can work anywhere they want,” she said. “I've written novel chapters in my car outside my daughter's dance studio, on airplanes, on the bank of a local river while my kid looked for newts.”

According to Hart, many of her students work in a corner of their house with noise-canceling headphones, while others write on their lunch breaks or in bed late at night.

“You can train yourself to get into a creative writing space the moment you open your laptop,” she said. “It just takes a while.”

Find Your Program

Is creative writing a good career.

What determines if writing is a “good” career will vary person to person, but there are a lot of considerations to keep in mind if it’s a path you’re interested in following, Hart said.

“It’s a good career for me, because I get to write about topics and issues which interest me,” she said. "However, it's my husband who has the great health insurance. If I didn't have health insurance, it might not be a viable career option because freelance writers and authors don't get subsidized health insurance — we must pay for our own."

While freelance writers and authors typically do find and fund their own health insurance, there is a growing number of writer unions and guilds that can assist with health insurance plans, according to Find the Plan , an online hub for freelance writers. And non-freelance copywriters, social media writers and blog writers usually get health benefits through the organization for which they work.

Does Creative Writing Pay Well?

Unlike other professional fields — in areas like business, engineering, education, medicine and law, among others — that typically have a salary range based on experience and the level of your degree, there is a vast disparity in what creative writers earn.

While high-profile, bestselling authors can command six-figure advances for their work, they comprise just a small fraction of those earning a living as creative writers, Hart said.*

“Most of us are midlist writers, earning modest advances and royalty checks,” she said. “It's interesting to note that I can earn as much off of two 4,000-word researched essays for magazines as I can for one of my young adult novels.”

Hart said that it’s common for creative writers to generate their income from a combination of different forms of writing for a variety of outlets, along with other professional activities where they’re paid for their professional expertise. For example, Hart said she earns her living through a combination of:

• Fiction writing
• Nonfiction writing
• Private teaching and instruction through her website
• Teaching college-level creative writing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage for writers and authors in 2023 was $87,590.*

“But creative writing isn't about the money, for me,” she said. “It's about getting to join the conversation and put something beautiful and inspiring out into the world.”

Discover more about SNHU's online bachelor’s in creative writing : Find out what courses you'll take, skills you'll learn and how to request information about the program.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Cary Jordan is an Iowa-based writer with more than 20 years of writing and editing experience on a wide range of issues related to higher education. Cary has held administrative and cabinet-level positions at multiple colleges and universities, and his writing has spanned topics related to undergraduate education as well as graduate education in the areas of business, law, medicine and engineering, among others.

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Best Creative Writing colleges in California 2024

Best creative writing colleges in california for 2024.

University of Southern California offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 37 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 37 Bachelor's degrees.

University of California-Davis offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 12 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 12 Master's degrees.

University of California-Riverside offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 94 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 49 Bachelor's degrees, and 45 Master's degrees.

University of California-Irvine offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 16 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 16 Master's degrees.

California State University-Long Beach offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 10 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 10 Master's degrees.

Saint Mary's College of California offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 23 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 23 Master's degrees.

San Diego State University offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 17 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 17 Master's degrees.

University of San Francisco offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 26 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 26 Master's degrees.

San Francisco State University offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 26 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 25 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.

Chapman University offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 46 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 34 Bachelor's degrees, and 12 Master's degrees.

Find local colleges with Creative Writing majors in California

List of all creative writing colleges in california.

41 Best colleges for Creative Writing in California, US

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in California ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 196K citations received by 12.4K academic papers made by 41 universities in California was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. Stanford University

For Creative Writing

2. University of California - Berkeley

3. University of Southern California

4. University of California - Los Angeles

5. University of California - Santa Barbara

6. University of California - Irvine

7. University of California - Santa Cruz

8. University of California-San Diego

9. University of California - Davis

10. University of California - San Francisco

11. San Jose State University

12. San Diego State University

13. California State University - Fullerton

14. University of California - Riverside

15. California State University - Long Beach

16. San Francisco State University

17. Loyola Marymount University

18. Santa Clara University

19. University of San Francisco

20. Fielding Graduate University

21. California State University - Northridge

22. California State University - Los Angeles

23. California State University - Sacramento

24. Chapman University

25. California State University - San Bernardino

26. Claremont Graduate University

27. California Institute of Technology

28. Sonoma State University

29. Fuller Theological Seminary

30. university of san diego.

31. Mills College

32. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

33. California State University - Fresno

34. Pepperdine University

35. Pomona College

36. Occidental College

37. Dominican University of California

38. California State University - Chico

39. California State University - San Marcos

40. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

41. Azusa Pacific University

Closest to California states to learn Creative Writing

Art & Design subfields in California

Creative Writing

One of the nation's most prestigious open-enrollment creative writing programs..

Whether you're looking to improve your writing for personal fulfillment, want to be published, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Writers' Program can help you achieve your goals. You will find a supportive community of instructors, academic counselors and fellow students to help you on your journey.

We offer a wide range of open-enrollment courses, all of which may be taken individually. A guide on where to get started is provided below.

We also offer a fully customizable 21-unit Certificate in Creative Writing  where you can develop professional creative writing skills in the genre of your choice.

What do you want to create?

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Creative Writing Certificate

Develop your skills in the genre of your choice, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more.

This customizable program culminates in a capstone project where you will make significant progress on a polished collection of work.

Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both.

Annual Writers Studio

4-day in-person, intensive workshops in Creative Writing & Screenwriting.

Perfect for both aspiring and experienced writers looking for new inspiration.

August 1-4, 2024 Registration opens Monday, February 5

Writers' Program Consultations

If you have a completed draft of a manuscript and need feedback for your work, you may consider a one-on-one consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor.

Consultations give you a full cover-to-cover read of your work, a written evaluation, and a follow-up conversation in person, via phone, or web chat.

Expect more from your education.

MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. 

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Writers' Program Network of Writers (WP NOW)

Stay immersed in the Writers' Program community. Our optional membership program offers exclusive access to a range of discounts and benefits, including members-only networking, professional development opportunities, and course discounts. 

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My UCLA Extension coursework, teachers, and colleagues have shaped my writing life, fueled the creation of my novel, and provided continual inspiration.

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MFA – Creative Writing

Admission   |  Required Coursework   |  MFA Faculty   |  Visiting Writers Series   |  RipRap   |  FAQs

Since the late 1960s, California State University, Long Beach has promoted the value and significance of creative writing as part of its educational mission. Building on a thriving undergraduate program, CSULB welcomed its first class of MFA students in Creative Writing in 1995. Over 200 students have since earned their MFA degrees and a respectable number have gone on to publish in a wide range of national outlets as well as to teach at various postsecondary levels.

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing is a terminal degree currently recognized as sufficient to qualify students for college and university teaching jobs and for positions in the publishing industry. The MFA program at CSULB is a two-year, full-time program in which students complete 48 units of coursework with professors in the Department of English. Students are expected to submit an approved thesis of creative writing midway through the spring semester of their second years.

We hope this site will help guide interested applicants and newly admitted students through the process of becoming part of a distinct community of writers in Southern California.

Creative Writing

Graduate Studies

• Master of Fine Arts

The UC Davis graduate creative writing program is a two-year master of fine arts degree rooted in the study and creation of literature that reaches toward the other arts with the goal of presenting students with a wide range of aesthetic approaches and models for being a writer. Students may specialize in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, as well as multi‐genre, multi‐media, or hybrid forms of literary art. 

Graduate Program Requirements

Contact information.

• San Francisco State University
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Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

Program learning outcomes.

• Creative Work: Students will produce a written creative work demonstrating growth as writers.
• Professional Preparation: students will demonstrate skills in fields related to literature and/or creative writing, including publishing, writing, teaching, editing, book arts, and/or arts management.
• Literature: Students will read, discuss, and analyze the work of a broad range of writers from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and explain how literature in general, and their own genre in particular, relates to larger human experience.
• Craft Elements: Students will write and revise creative nonfiction, fiction, plays, and/or poetry using the elements of craft to embody their individual and universal visions as well as analyze and discuss craft elements in their peers’ work.

Creative Writing (B.A)— 42 units

A. fundamentals (6 units).

Fundamentals of Creative Writing and Fundamentals of Creative Reading are prerequisites to all other Creative Writing courses. C W 302 is also a prerequisite to all upper-division English literature courses. C W 302 must be taken at SF State. Upon completion of C W 302 , courses from Section G may be taken at any time. C W 301 and  C W 302 may be taken concurrently.

B. Craft (3 units)

One course in the Craft Area selected from the following must be taken after C W 301 and C W 302 and before the workshop course.

C. Creative Process/Workshop (12 units)

Select four courses from the following:

D. Variable Topics Course (3 units)

Select one:

E. Revision Course (3 units)

F. Capstone Course (3 units)

G. Courses in the Literature Areas (12 units)

 May be taken for two semesters of credit.

May be taken for three semesters of credit.

Complementary Studies

Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least 12 units of Complementary Studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.)

Creative Writing majors will satisfy this requirement from within the major by taking 12 units of literature classes required in the major, which are recognized in the major list of any or all of the following prefixes: ENG, AFRS, CWL, LTNS, WGS, HUM, AAS, MGS, or AIS.

Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement in order to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

First-Time Student Roadmap (4 Year)

The roadmaps presented in this Bulletin are intended as suggested plans of study and do not replace meeting with an advisor. For a more personalized roadmap, please use the Degree Planner tool found in your Student Center .

First-Time Student Roadmap

Transfer Student Roadmap (2 Year)

For students with an AA-T in English . ENGL ADT Roadmap

This degree program is an approved pathway (“similar” major) for students earning the ADT in English

California legislation SB 1440 (2009) mandated the creation of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) to be awarded by the California Community Colleges. Two types of ADTs are awarded: Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T). 

Note: no specific degree is required for admission as an upper-division student. However, the ADT includes specific guarantees related to admission and graduation and is designed to clarify the transfer process and strengthen lower-division preparation for the major.

An ADT totals 60 units and in most cases includes completion of all lower-division General Education requirements and at least 18 units in a specific major. (The Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science AS-T degrees defer 3 units in lower-division GE area C and 3 units in lower-division GE area D until after transfer.) Students pursuing an ADT are guaranteed admission to the CSU if minimum eligibility requirements are met, though not necessarily to the CSU campus of primary choice.

Upon verification that the ADT has been awarded prior to matriculation at SF State, students are guaranteed B.A. or B.S. completion in 60 units if pursuing a “similar” major after transfer. Determinations about “similar” majors at SF State are made by faculty in the discipline.

Degree completion in 60 units cannot be guaranteed when a student simultaneously pursues an additional major, a minor, certificate, or credential.

A sample advising roadmap for students who have earned an ADT and continue in a "similar" major at SF State is available on the Roadmaps tab on the degree requirements page for the major. The roadmap displays:

• How many lower-division units required for the major have been completed upon entry based on the award of a specific ADT;
• Which lower-division requirements are considered complete upon entry based on the award of a specific ADT;
• How to complete the remaining 60 units for the degree in four semesters.

Students who have earned an ADT should seek advising in the major department during the first semester of attendance.

General Advising Information for Transfer Students

• Before transfer, complete as many lower-division requirements or electives for this major as possible.
• a course in U.S. History
• a course in U.S. & California Government

For information about satisfying the requirements described in (1) and (2) above at a California Community College (CCC), please visit  http://www.assist.org . Check any geographically accessible CCCs; sometimes options include more than one college. Use ASSIST to determine:

• Which courses at a CCC satisfy any lower-division major requirements for this major;
• Which courses at a CCC satisfy CSU GE, US History, and US & CA Government requirements.

Remedial courses are not transferable and do not apply to the minimum 60 semester units/90 quarter units required for admission.

Additional units for courses that are repeated do not apply to the minimum 60 units required for upper-division transfer (for example, if a course was not passed on the first attempt or was taken to earn a better grade).

Before leaving the last California Community College of attendance, obtain a summary of completion of lower-division General Education units (IGETC or CSU GE Breadth). This is often referred to as a GE certification worksheet. SF State does not require delivery of this certification to Admissions, but students should retain this document for verifying degree progress after transfer.

Credit for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College-Level Examination Program courses: AP/IB/CLEP credit is not automatically transferred from the previous institution. Units are transferred only when an official score report is delivered to SF State. Credit is based on the academic year during which exams were taken. Refer to the University Bulletin in effect during the year of AP/IB/CLEP examination(s) for details regarding the award of credit for AP/IB/CLEP.

Students pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines often defer 6-9 units of lower-division General Education in Areas C and D until after transfer to focus on preparation courses for the major. This advice does not apply to students pursuing associate degree completion before transfer.

Transferring From Institutions Other Than CCCs or CSUs

Review SF State's lower-division General Education requirements. Note that, as described below, the four basic skills courses required for admission meet A1, A2, A3, and B4 in the SF State GE pattern. Courses that fulfill the remaining areas of SF State’s lower-division GE pattern are available at most two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

Of the four required basic skills courses, a course in critical thinking (A3) may not be widely offered outside the CCC and CSU systems. Students should attempt to identify and take an appropriate course no later than the term of application to the CSU. To review more information about the A3 requirement, please visit bulletin.sfsu.edu/undergraduate-education/general-education/lower-division/#AAEL .

Waiting until after transfer to take a single course at SF State that meets both US and CA/local government requirements may be an appropriate option, particularly if transferring from outside of California.

Creative Writing

About the Program

The Creative Writing Program is an interdisciplinary minor program offered by the Office of Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies in the Division of Undergraduate Studies in the College of Letters & Science. The approved courses students take to satisfy the minor course requirements are offered by over forty departments and programs on campus. Interested undergraduate students in any major may earn an interdepartmental minor in creative writing by completing the requirements listed in the Minor Requirements tab. For further information, please also see the Creative Writing Minor website  and the program's Frequently Asked Questions pages .

There is no major program in Creative Writing.

Declaring and Completing the Minor

Information regarding declaring the minor and completing the minor, including deadlines, is available on the Creative Writing Minor website . See Declaring and Completing . 

Students who are interested in the Creative Writing minor are encouraged to subscribe to the Creative Writing minor email list serve to receive important news about the minor, including special approval courses for the minor that are not published on the website. To subscribe, email [email protected] .

Visit Program Website

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements and are noted officially on the transcript, but are not noted on diplomas.

General Guidelines

All minors must be declared before the first day of classes in your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). For summer graduates, minors must be declared prior to the first day of Summer Session A. 

All upper-division courses must be taken for a letter grade. 

A minimum of three of the upper-division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.

A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required in the upper-division courses to fulfill the minor requirements.

Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth requirement, for Letters & Science students.

No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.

All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which the student plans to graduate. If students cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, they should see a College of Letters & Science adviser.

All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Course Requirements

 At least two of the three writing courses must be taken at UC Berkeley.

Students may be allowed to include courses that are not on the following lists with the approval of the creative writing minor faculty advisor. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the faculty advisor with documentary evidence to support the claim of course eligibility. Contact the creative writing minor student academic advisor at  [email protected]  for more information.

Contact Information

Creative writing minor.

Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies

295 Evans Hall

Program Director and Faculty Advisor

Fiona McFarlane, PhD (Department of English)

413 Wheeler Hall

[email protected]

Student Academic Advisor

Laura Demir

[email protected]

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Department of Creative Writing

Undergraduate

The program.

The Department of Creative Writing offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing - the only major of its kind in the University of California - with fields of specialization in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Our faculty is comprised of poets, fiction writers and playwrights who develop and present writing courses as workshops to provide students with new and unique subject material. With intimate class sizes for focused student attention, the Creative Writing major is a demanding and rewarding program for all aspiring writers. For students who are interested in minoring in Creative Writing, the Department also offers a Creative Writing minor. 

University Requirements

Students must complete the general University requirements for admission to the Undergraduate Division. Applicants should access the Undergraduate Studies section for a complete listing, and www.futurestudents.ucr.edu for more information.

College Requirements

Students must complete the breadth requirements of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. For a detailed list of requirements, see Breadth Requirements .

Major Requirements

The major requirements for the B.A. degree in Creative Writing are as follows: Prerequisite courses: CRWT 056 or equivalent, and ENGL 001A or equivalent.

• Lower-division requirements (20 units; five courses) Two Creative Writing survey courses from CRWT 046A, CRWT 046B, or CRWT 046C and Two Creative Writing introductory courses from CRWT 057A, CRWT 057B, or CRWT 057C and One literature survey course from CRWT 012/CPLT 012, CRWT 040/FVC 039, CRWT 041, CRWT 042, CRWT 043, CRWT 044, CRWT 045,   ENGL 014, ENGL 015, ENGL 017
• Upper-division requirements (36 units) a) Three workshop courses in primary genre: Creative Nonfiction CRWT 130, CRWT 132, CRWT 134 or Poetry CRWT 150, CRWT 160, CRWT 170 or Fiction CRWT 152, CRWT 162, CRWT 172 b) One workshop in second genre: CRWT 130, CRWT 132, CRWT 134, CRWT 150, CRWT 152, CRWT 160, CRWT 162*, CRWT 164A/THEA 164A, CRWT 164B/THEA 164B, the CRWT 166A/FVC 166A/THEA 166A, CRWT 166B/FVC 166B/THEA 166B, CRWT 166C/FVC 166C/THEA 166C series, CRWT 170*, CRWT 172* *These workshops may be repeated; however, only 4 units total can be applied to the major. c) One workshop in third genre: CRWT 130, CRWT 132, CRWT 134, CRWT 150, CRWT 152, CRWT 160, CRWT 162*, CRWT 164A/THEA 164A, CRWT 164B/THEA 164B, the CRWT 166A/FVC 166A/THEA 166A, CRWT 166B/FVC 166B/THEA 166B, CRWT 166C/FVC 166C/THEA 166C series, CRWT 170*, CRWT 172* *These workshops may be repeated; however, only 4 units total can be applied to the major. d) Three upper-division courses in Creative Writing: CRWT 143, CRWT 146 (E-Z), CRWT 155, CRWT 165, CRWT 171, CRWT 173, CRWT 174, CRWT 175, CRWT 176 (E-Z), CRWT 185 (E-Z), CRWT 187/CPLT 187, CRWT 191 (may be taken twice but used only once for major credit), CRWT 198I (may be taken only once, for 4 units) e) Four (4) units of CRWT 195 or CRWT 195H (Senior Honors Thesis) or approved course from the list available in the department

Minor Requirements

Lower-division requirements (12 Units)

• CRWT 56 Introduction to Creative Writing (4.00)
• One introductory reading course: (4.00) CRWT 040 Fiction and Film CRWT 043 Creative Writing and Ancestry CRWT 046A Craft of Writing: Survey in Contemporary Fiction CRWT 046B Craft of Writing: Survey in Contemporary Poetry CRWT 046C Craft of Writing: Survey in Contemporary Nonfiction
• One introductory workshop course: (4.00) CRWT 57A Introduction to Fiction CRWT 57B Introduction to Poetry CRWT 57C Introduction to Nonfiction

Upper Division Requirements (20 Units)

• One 4-unit course from: CRWT 176 (E-Z) (or) Any upper division course in English, Literatures, Language or Theatre EXCEPT the ones listed below*
• Sixteen (16) units in ONE of the following emphases:

Poetry emphasis: CRWT 150 –Beginning Poetry Workshop CRWT 160 –Intermediate Poetry Workshop CRWT 170 –Advanced Poetry Workshop & One 4-unit course from: CRWT 130, 152, 164A, 165, 166A, 171, or 187

Fiction emphasis: CRWT 152 – Beginning Fiction Workshop CRWT 162 – Intermediate Fiction Workshop CRWT 172 – Advanced Fiction Workshop & One 4-unit course from: CRWT 130, 150, 164A, 165, 166A, or 187

Nonfiction emphasis: CRWT 130 –Beginning Nonfiction Workshop CRWT 132 –Intermediate Nonfiction Workshop CRWT 134 – Advanced Nonfiction Workshop & One 4-unit course from: CRWT 150, 152, 164A, 165, 166A, 171, or 187

Drama emphasis: CRWT 164A – Beginning Playwriting CRWT 164B –Intermediate Playwriting CRWT 164C – Advanced Playwriting & One 4-unit course from: CRWT 130, 150, 152, 165, 166A, 166B, 166C, 187, Or THEA 121 (E–Z)

*English 101 and 103; French 100, 101A, B, C, 104; German 101, 103A, B; Russian 103; Spanish 101A, B, C, 105, 106A, B

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office assists students with meeting educational expenses that cannot be met from personal resources. To obtain financial aid students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the Financial Aid Office yearly. FAFSAs are available beginning December 1 for the upcoming academic year at the Financial Aid Office or at www.fafsa.ed.gov . Students applying for other grants, loans, and work-study should apply as early as possible. Applications are accepted year-round, with awards to late applicants based on fund availability.

Forms & Petitions

For more information, contact:

Elaine Chacon Office Location: INTN 3033A Email:  [email protected] Advisor for students with names: A – Hi

Anthony Gonzalez Office Location: INTN 3033B Email: [email protected] Advisor for students with names: Ho – M

Jennifer Paramo Email: [email protected] Advisor for students with names: N – Z

Advising Hours 9—11:00 A.M. AND 1—3:30 P.M. Monday through Friday First two weeks of any given quarter—walk-ins ONLY Third week and on—appointments in the mornings and walk-ins in the afternoons

• UC Berkeley
• Letters & Science

Creative Writing Minor

The Creative Writing Minor Program at the University of California, Berkeley is offered by the Office of Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies in the Division of Undergraduate Studies of the College of Letters and Science. The approved courses students take to satisfy the minor course requirements are offered by over thirty departments on campus. Interested undergraduate students in any major may earn an interdepartmental minor in Creative Writing by completing three approved upper-division creative writing courses and two approved upper-division literature courses from any department that offers them, satisfying the minor requirements, and declaring the minor.

Find out about our Requirements

Announcements.

• Fall 2024 Course List
• Summer 2024 Course List
• Spring 2024 Course List
• Berkeley Holloway Poetry Series – Spring 2024
• UC Berkeley Lunch Poems 2023-24
• Minor Declaration Form – Must declare no later than term before EGT.

Give to Creative Writing

Forms and downloads, student academic advising.

Get in touch

Administrative office.

Laura Demir 235 Evans Hall [email protected]

UGIS Office

231 Evans Hall

- Learn more

• Graduate Programs
• Creative Writing

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Our low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing welcomes you to a vibrant community of writers and dedicated faculty, in an unsurpassed San Francisco Bay Area location.

Whether you are a poet looking to hone your craft, an aspiring novelist who wants to get that book written, or a memoirist with an urgent story to tell, our MFA Creative Writing program will help you achieve your writing goals.

The MFA program fosters a supportive community of talented writers who are encouraged to experiment across genres and with new forms of writing.

In addition to the genres of Poetry, Fiction and Creative Nonfiction, Dominican offers an optional track in Narrative Medicine, which allows students to embrace the special role that creative writing can play in the process of healing. 

I like the vision they have in the MFA program at Dominican. It’s a fabulous resource, this island of calm in the middle of a lot of chaos in this world. Catharine Clark-Sayles, MFA 2019

Low-Residency MFA Program Highlights

• Flexible low-residency format customized to meet your writing goals. 
• A dedicated mentor and opportunities to publish your work.
• Two on-campus residencies per year featuring dynamic speakers and workshops. 
• Co-curricular activities in publishing and teaching.
• An optional track in narrative medicine.

ATTEND AN INFORMATION SESSION

participate in a workshop or event

Admissions and Financial Aid

A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required to apply to our graduate programs.

Completed Application  —  Apply now!

• Official Transcript(s)   Official transcript(s) of coursework from each college or university attended (undergraduate and graduate) are required upon matriculation. Find complete instructions on how to submit your transcripts to Dominican  here.
• Statement of Purpose or Intent A brief essay (two pages, double spaced, 12-point font) describing writing background, professional and/or personal goals, and additional life and/or academic experience relevant to your application.
• One Letter of Recommendation (Elect a Personal Interview to waive this requirement.)
• Poetry (up to 10 pages single spaced, one long poem or up to 8 individual poems, or some combination)
• Prose: (up to 25 pages double spaced. Can be one piece or multiple pieces)
• A combination of both poetry and prose (not to exceed 25 pages)

If an application deadline falls on a weekend and/or holiday, applications will be accepted through the end of the next business day.

Learn about tuition per unit, additional fees and total tuition.

We'll also show you how a Dominican education is more affordable than you might think with support from financial aid, scholarships and loans. 

Tuition and Aid

Creative Writing Residencies

Our low-residency format consists of twice-yearly residencies and semester-long distance mentorships, allowing students to advance a writing career without disruption to work or family.

The degree consists of five residencies (three summer sessions and two winter sessions) over the course of two years. Each 8-day residency consists of morning workshops, afternoon talks, and evening readings. Four semesters of distance mentorship provide a personalized academic experience based on each student’s individual writing goals.

Current Student and Alumni Opportunities and Events

Creative writing retreats.

The MFA program offers creative writing retreats held on campus and remotely that are open to the public. Participants study with MFA faculty in small group writing workshops and close reading discussion groups. The on-campus retreats are held in the idyllic Edgehill Mansion. Faculty and participants have lunch together in Caleruega Hall and take a nature walk on campus during our outdoor journal writing activity. There is an online retreat option over Zoom that follows a similar schedule. Registration is now open for our Spring 2024 Creative Writing Retreat.  Click here for more details.

Our optional MFA track in Narrative Medicine grounds students in the art of storytelling and supports them as they take up the subject of the body and express through writing what happens when a physical or mental anguish disrupts a life.

Students will contemplate the differences between being cured and being healed of disease, and the therapeutic role creative writing can play in the process of healing.

History of Narrative Medicine The term “Narrative Medicine” typically applies to the inclusion of literary study as an integral part of the education of caregivers. In these programs, medical students, doctors, and other caregivers practice the art of attentive listening through the close reading of creative literature.

Close reading trains caregivers to follow clues to a patient’s illness that may not have a physical symptom, to listen for subtexts and hear significant metaphors within the patient’s narrative. Close reading also helps to nurture the qualities of empathy and compassion, qualities that have traditionally been nurtured by the arts and humanities.

To receive regular updates about our program, including information about upcoming admissions events, workshops and residencies, please sign up for the MFA Newsletter .

join our Email list

To read prior newsletters, view the MFA newsletter archives .

Band Practice

Each week, you can join MFA students and alumni can join an online writing drop-in session. Band Practice is a supportive space to generate new writing and develop a strong writing practice.

Coffee with Classmates

At residencies, MFA students host group conversations on topics related to being a writer, the craft of writing, and the literary world. Through Coffee with Classmates students have a direct voice in the content and focus of each residency. It also provides an opportunity for students to develop their teaching and leadership skills.

MFA Student Assistantships

MFA graduate student assistant positions offer experience in writing, social media, and editorial management of the Tuxedo Literary Magazine. These positions are conducted largely remotely with occasional on-campus events.

Editorial Experience and Writing Contests

The MFA program runs various co-curricular activities that provide students with insights into literary publishing. MFA students serve as editors for the Tuxedo literary journal and review submissions to writing contests.

Graduates of the MFA program enter into a supportive and active alumni community. Our alumni have many opportunities to participate in creative writing and professional development opportunities at Dominican including:

• Weekly Band Practice writing sessions
• Teaching Assistantships at Residencies
• On-campus Creative Writing Retreats in Fall and Spring
• Select Residency events including an Alumni Reception
• Online writing workshops
• Give public readings alongside current students and faculty at local venues, writing conferences and festivals
• Publication opportunities in the MFA Newsletter and Tuxedo literary journal
• Access to a private Linkedin MFA Alumni group  

Career Paths

Graduates of Dominican’s MFA in Creative Writing program are ready to pursue a variety of careers as a writer, as well as work in related fields such as education, teaching, editing, marketing, publishing, grant writing, and nonprofit arts organizations.

Meet Our Mentors

Judy Halebsky

Judy is the author of the poetry collections “Tree Line and Sky=Empty” which won the New Issues Prize. Her chapbook “Space/Gap/Interval/Distance” won the Poets-Under-Forty award from Sixteen Rivers Press. On a MEXT fellowship from the Japanese Ministry of Culture she trained in Butoh dance at the Ohno Studio in Yokohama and studied Noh theatre at Hosei University in Tokyo. Her translations of poetry from Japanese to English include work by Yuka Tsukagoshi and Mizuho Ishida  Most recently, she has written essays on Moth-style storytelling and the poet Chana Bloch.   See full bio here.

Joan Baranow

Joan founded and teaches in Dominican’s MFA program in creative writing. Her poetry has appeared in The Gettysburg Review, The Paris Review, JAMA, Feminist Studies, Spillway, and other magazines. Her poetry has also appeared in the anthologies that focus on writing and healing: Women Write Their Bodies: Stories of Illness and Recovery (Kent State, 2007) and The Art of Medicine in Metaphors (Copernicus Healthcare, 2012). She has published four books of poetry, most recently In the Next Life (Poetic Matrix Press, 2019). A Fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and long-time member of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, she has won individual artists fellowships in poetry from the Marin Arts Council and from the Ohio Arts Council. With her husband, physician, and poet David Watts, she produced the PBS documentary “Healing Words: Poetry & Medicine.” Her second documentary, “The Time We Have,” presents an intimate portrait of a young woman facing terminal illness.   See Joan's full bio here.

Claudia Morales

Claudia Morales (1988) is an author and scholar from Chiapas, Mexico. Her debut novel, No Habrá Retorno (Coneculta Chiapas 2015, reissued by Los Libros del Perro 2021) won the prestigious National Rosario Castellanos Prize for Short Novels. Her work has been supported by the Fulbright Program and the Foundation for Mexican Letters where she was a writing fellow. Claudia's stories have been featured in Rio Grande Review 2022, The Offing Magazine 2021, Lunch Ticket 2019, Ficción Atómica (Palindroma 2020), Mexicanas: Trece Narrativas Contemporáneas (Fondo Blanco 2021) and her second novel Calao Bicorne is forthcoming in Fondo Blanco, Spring 2023.   See Claudia's full bio here.

Thomas Burke

Thomas Burke is the author of the fiction collection Where Is Home from Fithian Press. His work has been published in reviews including The James White Review, Harrington Gay Men’s Fiction Quarterly, The Chiron Review, and the Evergreen Chronicles; in webzines; and in anthologies including Queer and Catholic (Routledge). Twice nominated for a Pushcart prize, he received the Steven L. Smith Prize for Gay Fiction.   See full bio here.

Marianne Rogoff

Marianne Rogoff, PhD, is the author of the Pushcart-nominated story collection Love Is Blind in One Eye, the memoir Silvie’s Life, and numerous travel stories, short fictions, essays, and book reviews.

Since 2018, her writing has been a Finalist in Narrative magazine’s Spring Story Contest, Top 10 for the Tillie Olsen Story Award, on the Short List for the Bath International Novella-in-Flash Award, Top 10 for Sequestrum Editor’s Reprint Award, Finalist for ScreenCraft’s Cinematic Short Story Award, Semifinalist for the Tamaqua Award from Hidden River Arts for a book of essays, and Finalist for the Ernest Hemingway Flash Fiction Prize. As adjunct professor at Dominican University, she teaches fiction, creative non-fiction and the personal essay.

Kim Culbertson

Kim Culbertson is the author of the YA novels Songs for a Teenage Nomad (Sourcebooks 2010), Instructions for a Broken Heart (Sourcebooks 2011), which was named a Booklist Top Ten Romance Title for Youth: 2011 and also won the 2012 Northern California Book Award for YA Fiction, Catch a Falling Star (Scholastic 2014), The Possibility of Now (Scholastic 2016), which was named a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year (2017 edition), and The Wonder of Us (Scholastic 2017). Much of her inspiration comes from her background teaching high school since 1997. In 2012, Kim wrote her eBook novella The Liberation of Max McTrue for her students, who, over the years, have taught her far more than she has taught them. Kim also works as a fiction mentor for the Dominican University MFA in Creative Writing. She lives in Northern California with her husband and daughter.

Robert F. Bradford

Robert F. Bradford writes plays, stories, poems and songs. His work has been honored with two Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards. His writing has been published in Raven’s Perch, Strange Encounters, Pithead Chapel, and elsewhere.

Lee Kravetz

Lee Kravetz is the author of the national bestselling novel The Last Confessions of Sylvia P ., (The Millions Most Anticipated Pick and A GMA March Reads Pick) as well as acclaimed nonfiction, Strange Contagion and SuperSurvivors . He has written for print and television, including The New York Times, New York Magazine, Psychology Today, The Daily Beast, The San Francisco Chronicle, and PBS. He lives in Berkeley with his wife and two children.

Iris Jamahl Dunkle

Iris Jamahl Dunkle is an award-winning literary biographer and poet and former Poet Laureate of Sonoma County, CA. Her latest books include the biography Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adventurer (University of Oklahoma Press, 2020) and her poetry collection West : Fire : Archive (The Center for Literary Publishing, 2021).  Her next biography Done Dirty: Sanora Babb, the American West, and a Forgotten Literary Masterpiece will be published by the University of California Press in 2024. Dunkle received her MFA from New York University and her Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. She’s received fellowships from Biographers International, Vermont Studio Center, and Millay Arts.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How will an mfa in creative writing degree help my career.

The MFA is designed to support poets and writers who wish to complete and publish a book manuscript. Thus, the focus is on honing your writing skills and learning about the publishing industry.

However, since the MFA is recognized as a terminal degree in academe, you would be eligible to apply for college-level positions. You will also be prepared for jobs that require strong writing skills, such as publishing, editing, marketing, public relations, social media and web content strategy.

Are scholarships available?

MFA Endowed Scholarship

The Matthew Henderson Award is an endowed scholarship that supports MFA students and is awarded on the basis of merit and need. All MFA students who apply for financial aid will be considered for this scholarship.

Dominican MFA Tuition Discount 

We offer a tuition discount of $300 each semester to many students enrolled in the program. 

Alpha Omicron Rho

We are home to the Alpha Omicron Rho chapter of the English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta, which offers graduate level scholarships.  

MFA Student Assistantships  

Students may apply for graduate student assistantships in writing, social media, and editorial management of the Tuxedo Literary Magazine. These positions are conducted largely remotely with occasional on-campus events.

 Tuition and Aid

What is the length of your program?

Our MFA starts with a residency and runs for two years, for a total of five residencies and four mentorship semesters.

May I take longer than two years to complete the program?

Yes. You have up to five years to complete the MFA in Creative Writing program. Consult with the graduate director to create a degree plan.

May I focus on more than one genre?

Yes, with the approval of a mentor and the graduate director.

What happens during the mentorship semesters?

During semester-long mentorships you will be writing towards the goals outlined in your individualized syllabus. Once a month you will meet with your cohort group for a workshop and one-on-one sessions with your mentor. Workshops and faculty mentor sessions are held online. Your mentor is always available for support and instruction throughout the semester.

How many students are enrolled in your program?

All MFA students attend the winter (January) and summer (June) residencies together. During the Fall and Spring mentorship semesters, students are broken out into smaller groups of three to five students per mentor, in accordance with the AWP guidelines and best teaching practices.

How can I support the MFA program at Dominican?

Thank you for supporting the MFA program. Gifts to Dominican University of California have a profound impact on our students. 

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY

Degrees Offered

School/department.

School of Liberal Arts and Education

Course Catalog

Learning Outcomes and Course Descriptions

Program Contact

Deepa Raghupathy, MBA

Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

• (415) 458-3748
• [email protected]
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Faculty, Staff and Mentors

Judy Halebsky, PhD

• Japanese Noh Theater

Joan Baranow, PhD

Natalie Babler

Claudia Morales Ramirez

Vivian Delchamps, PhD

• 19th Century Literature
• Illness, Pain, Disability

Christina Lopez, MFA

David watts, creative writing: in the news.

Poet and Filmmaker Dr. Joan Baranow: New Work Inspired by Family, Healing, Happiness

MFA Summer Residency Collaborates With Art Therapy Program

Former US Poet Laureate Among Poets Exploring Writing Across Languages

La Vida Dominican

La Vida Dominican is a program for all students, increasing educational access and connection to support services, enabling degree completion and post-graduation success. Particularly, La Vida is centering experiences of students from Latinx and other historically underserved backgrounds.

Start your Dominican Journey

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CalArts offers a variety of unique programs at the undergraduate and graduate level within its six world-renowned Schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater.

Undergraduate core courses are the foundation of BFA studies at CalArts, providing a strong general education and opportunities to deepen every student's artistic practice.

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CalArts is located in Santa Clarita, Calif., 30 miles north of Los Angeles. Explore the local area and community.

Offering innovative continuing education arts courses designed to meet the needs of both emerging artists and lifelong learners.

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Creative Writing

Program faculty.

• Writing Now Reading Series
• Next Words Reading Series

A defining feature of the Creative Writing Program is hybridity and experimentation, so students are free to take courses in, and to write in, any genre they wish. Poets may take prose workshops to learn narrative conventions and how to deploy or challenge them; fiction and nonfiction writers may benefit from poetry workshops that hone their use of and engagement with language; and still other students may develop multidimensional writing practices. All students graduate with the ability to comprehend and critique work across genres, and an expanded sense of possibilities for their own work.

Students are encouraged to situate their creative practice in a critical context—to engage with the history, theory and politics of contemporary writing, and to think hard about what and why they write. The Program offers graduate students the chance to further develop both their craft and their knowledge base, and workshops combine attentive critique of student work with the discussion of readings on and in the various genres—or on special topics particularly relevant to writing today.

Program Gallery

Gabrielle Civil

Brian Evenson

Carribean Fragoza

Muriel Leung

Anthony McCann

Chris Santiago

Janet Sarbanes

Matias Viegener

Alumni Story

The two most important things about the Writing Program for me were the mentorship—being pushed by, and being championed by, faculty—both while I was at CalArts and after I graduated. Also, the peer group with which I’m still in contact. We had daily workshops; a handful of people working on the same projects for two years, who knew each other’s work really well. Taking criticism and learning how to communicate better based on that feedback, is important, because most of the time you’re trying to write on your own; you’re in a vacuum. You have no idea whether readers are going to pick up what you’re putting down. It’s valuable to learn that you can build from that criticism rather than being destroyed by it.

CalArts is a great place to be if you’re not sure exactly what you’re doing yet, and you want the room to grow and find your style or your niche. You’re encouraged to experiment, and there are some great faculty members that say, ‘What you've done here is good, but you need to go further.’ Or, maybe, ‘What you’ve done here isn’t so good.’ I gained a lot of confidence. When I came out of the Program I felt like I was no longer a dabbler. It also taught me discipline and good habits–having to produce work on a weekly basis.

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2024 Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

Choosing a great creative writing school for your bachelor's degree, quality overall is important, other factors we consider, one size does not fit all.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat , our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Creative Writing in California

Top california schools for a bachelor's in creative writing, best creative writing colleges in the far western us region.

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Creative Writing, BFA

In CBU’s creative writing bachelor's program, students develop their writing technique, hone their creative style and establish a voice that is uniquely and distinctly their own. 

Program Intro

From copywriting to creating trade journals or novels, writers influence the world through words. In CBU's BFA in Creative Writing program, students  will be part of a close-knit writing community that offers feedback, support and constructive criticism as they refine their craft, eventually working on a final writing project of publishable quality that expresses universal themes and their personal worldview.

*51-52 Units

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Why Study Creative Writing at CBU?

Small workshops help improve writing.

This is the first bachelor of fine arts degree offered at CBU, and one of only two BFA creative writing programs offered at a Christian college in the U.S. Writing workshops are kept small so that students can get frequent feedback on their writing from their professors and peers. The program culminates with a creative capstone project, which is usually a collection of poems or short stories or a novel/novella.

Use writing skills in any industry

The skills students acquire in this program will equip them for all types of careers where keen, lucid writing is expected, whether analytical, editorial or creative. This program also prepares students for graduate study in both creative writing (MFA) and English (MA).

Write for the campus literary journal

Students have the opportunity to work on the campus literary journal,   The Dazed Starling . This literary journal is published every spring and features poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction by CBU students. Students select and edit submissions, then format and design the journal, which is usually about 125 pages. After the journal is published, the creative writing program hosts an event where students read aloud from the issue.

What You'll Learn

• Creative Writing and Revision – Evaluate how craft, style, and technique in creative writing influence the writing process and strategies for revision.
• Language and Voice – Create an approach to crafting poetry, fiction, nonfiction with a distinct voice, style, faith and/or worldview, and with effective use of grammar, syntax, and mechanics.
• Essay Writing and Research – Incorporate research from scholars in the appropriate literary and theoretical fields into well-organized and revised essays.
• Reading and Interpretation – Develop textually grounded interpretations of the content, form, aesthetics, genre, historical significance, themes, and relevant topics in literary texts.
• Writers’ Community (the classroom, the campus, the world) – Evaluate peer work and communication, constructive feedback writers give and receive, public readings of creative writing, and submissions to literary journals for publication.

Program Details

Eng 384: writing fiction.

An intensive writing workshop designed to permit the student to study and practice fiction in various forms.

ENG 385: Writing Poetry

Eng 386: writing creative nonfiction.

An intensive writing workshop designed to permit the student to study and practice creative nonfiction in various forms.

• Digital Literary Studies Concentration
• Journalism and New Media Concentration
• Marketing Communications Concentration

Jennifer Tronti, M.A.

Assistant Professor of English Director of First Year English Composition

Office Phone: 951-343-4290 E-mail: [email protected] Office Location: Office Location: W.E. James Building, Room #258

I chose my major because I wanted a creative outlet, to write to express the things I cannot say. My professors are all very compassionate and willing to serve. I have learned to trust the gifts and instincts God has given me, and in the future, I hope to heal others with my words. Amber Jackson '21

I enjoy writing and hope to be a novelist and travel writer. Because CBU offers classes in so many areas of writing, I can learn a number of writing styles. I like that the professors pray in the beginning of class and often start with a devotional. Harmony Taetz '20

Student Opportunities: Student Literary Journal

Founded in 2014, The Dazed Starling is a student-edited literary journal that features poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction submitted by California Baptist University students and recent graduates. Our mission is to demonstrate the diversity of human imagination and provide enjoyment for our readers. Submissions are accepted from every major, genre, and walk of life to open the doors to new experiences. It is published in the spring of each year.

Career Possibilities

Creative writing majors can apply their field of study to a variety of careers. Some careers listed below may require further education.

• ESL / TESOL Teacher
• Professional Blogger
• Technical Writer
•  Creative Director
• Publishing Professional
• Library Scientist

Related Programs

English, BA

Communication Studies, BA

Journalism, BA

Request more information.

Join our community. At CBU, you’ll be challenged to become an individual whose skills, integrity, and sense of purpose glorify God and distinguish you in the world.

  Interest Areas

Creative writing.

• Graduate Students

Bedient, Calvin B

D’aguiar, fred, huneven, michelle, mullen, harryette r., simpson, mona, snelson, daniel, stefans, brian kim, torres, justin, wang, xuan juliana, wilson, reed, yenser, stephen, alvarado, jo, solis, samantha, torres, joseph, williams, alexander.

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• Creative Writing

Professional Certificate

• Courses and programs

About the Creative Writing Program

Delivery method.

• Live Online

Required Courses

Students must complete all 5 courses listed below. Classes can be taken in any order.

Grammar Lab WCWP-40234

Units:  3.00

Grammar Lab (WCWP-40234)10 Weeks | OnlineThis ten-week online Grammar Lab course is skillfully designed to meet the needs of all students. It is beneficial for those with little grammar experience and...

Upcoming Start Dates:

The art and craft of creative writing wcwp-40107.

The Art and Craft of Creative Writing 10 Weeks | Online Course Description/Goals: Creative writing begins when the spark of an idea ignites the fuel of language. The writer picks up a pen or presse...

Developing Unforgettable Characters WCWP-40245

Units:  2.00

Whether you are writing short fiction, a novel, or memoir, characters are what draw your reader in and make them care enough to read on. This course offers methods for creating three-dimensional chara...

Finding Our Voices, Telling Our Stories: Part I WCWP-40142

Within you there dwells an innate sense of storytelling and a unique voice with which to tell your stories. In this course you will explore writing techniques to help you locate and refine the natura...

Writers' Workshop: Read and Critique WCWP-40252

­­­Literary criticism is not a form of negatively critiquing a writing piece, but rather conscientiously and carefully analyzing written works through various lenses. Reading and critiquin...

Students must choose minimum 2 units of Literature from any of the classes below

Women and Madness LIT-40069

In the 19th century, a strange marriage of art, literature, science, and psychology catapulted society’s obsession with the archetypal madwoman into the mainstream. Pathologies that had once been used...

Gender Identity and Literature: Him, Her, Us LIT-40071

Gender is infinitely more intricate than the biological question of sex. Uncover the cultural, social and political implications of gender identity in three powerful works. Kiss of the Spider Woman, b...

Ernest Hemingway: Titan of American Literature LIT-40064

Ernest Hemingway wrote “All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwar...

American Literature: Stories of Immigration LIT-40022

Explore this Unique Take on Immigration Stories Immigration has once again taken center stage in the national spotlight, giving artists, writers and thinkers another opportunity to consider and help r...

Glittering Wit: Three Works by Oscar Wilde LIT-40099

Famous, and infamous, for his brilliant turn of phrase, seething social commentary and flamboyant personality, Oscar Wilde was the toast of the literary world throughout the 1880’s and 1890’s. Join us...

History of Children's Literature LIT-40093

Gain a deep understanding of the history of children s literature by studying classics of post-enlightenment writing for children. This course provides children s book writers, illustrators and enthus...

Students must choose 12 units of electives from any of the classes below

Novel Writing I WCWP-40187

The greatest challenge to writing a first novel may be deciding where to start. This course will help you write an engaging first paragraph and a draft of at least the first chapter. You may also work...

Novel Writing II WCWP-40297

Are you ready to develop a significant portion of your novel? This workshop will bring you valuable feedback on your work, including suggestions for revision. Class discussion will focus on the struct...

Novel Writing III WCWP-40254

This class will prepare you for the big picture review of your novel. With the use of contemporary and classic novels as examples, you will evaluate the progress on the plot arc and character developm...

Creative Non-Fiction

Memoir writing wcwp-40200.

Many of us have had fascinating lives, whether lived inwardly or outwardly, during childhood long ago or in the past decade. But when it comes to writing a memoir, where do we begin? The day of our bi...

Self-Editing and Publishing for the Web WCWP-40313

The ability to edit your own written work is a skill that s highly valued by employers and publishers. This class focuses on strengthening your writing for the web using journalistic techniques. Wheth...

News and Feature Writing WCWP-40276

The goal of this course is to introduce you to the purpose of journalism and the fundamentals of news and featue writing. In this ever-changing media landscape, one thing can remain constant: an indiv...

The Writer's Art of Interviewing WCWP-40123

Effective interviewing techniques translate to writing that is clear, lively, and depending on the writer s mission instructive or entertaining. This course will encompass all the integral compone...

Finding Our Voices, Telling Our Stories: Part II WCWP-40338

This course is a continuation of Finding Our Voices, Telling Our Stories: Part I. In this course students will continue to build upon the story they created in the first section of this series of clas...

Children's Writing

Writing children's picture books wcwp-40261.

Let the wild rumpus begin! Do you dream of imaginary lands and mythical creatures? Learn how to inspire a child s imagination by giving them the tools necessary to explore the world around them. The ...

Writing for Children I: Introduction WCWP-40186

Have you ever told yourself that someday you will write a children s book? Now s your chance! Join us as we demystify the writing process and examine the wide variety of books offered to children: pi...

Writing for Children II: Intermediate WCWP-40315

Revision is the key to improving your work to reach the next level: publication. But often the hardest part is to figure out which words to cut, which to leave in, and how to tighten up the rest. Thi...

Writing for the Middle Grade/YA Reader WCWP-40274

Discover how successful middle grade and young adult books are crafted, and begin to plot out and write a tale of your own. In this course, we will consider how a plot works, what makes a compelling ...

Writing Non-Fiction and Informational Books for Children WCWP-40327

The market for children s nonfiction and informational books and articles has never been better. In this course, which can be taken by those familiar with writing for children and those just beginnin...

General Electives

Forms of poetry wcwp-40308.

Amy Lowell wrote, "No one expects a man to make a chair without first learning how, but there is a popular impression that the poet is born, not made, and that his verses burst from his overflowing he...

Nature Writing: The True Muse WCWP-40342

Nature Writing: The True Muse (WCWP-40342)6 Weeks | Online As writers, we are the witness and voice of our time, and as such, we are invited to translate what we experience to share and celebrate wit...

The Business of Writing

Building a business around writing wcwp-40321.

Units:  1.00

There a many avenues to building a business around writing. In this short course we will briefly discuss various possibilities including becoming a book author, freelance writer for hire, or journal...

The Art and Business of Blogging WCWP-40334

In this course students will learn the art of writing for an online audience, how to create a basic Wordpress site, insert blog posts, edit, and brand their blog. This course will also touch on how to...

Conditions for Admission

Students should have a native level of fluency in English and be able to write clear, logical and grammatically-correct sentences.

Certificate Guidelines

The program consists of earning at least 28 quarter units in Creative Writing and related courses. Students should be able to complete the entire certificate program in 2.5 years or less depending on their work load.

Students must pass all 14 units of required classes, 2 units of Literature, and choose 12 units from our listed electives in order to receive the certificate.

Advisory Board

Benjamin Doller

Professor and Author

UC San Diego

Author and Professor Emerita of Writing and Literature

University of CA, San Diego

Judy Reeves

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Welcome to the Department of Creative Writing

The mission of the Department of Creative Writing is to make our writers attentive readers of the literatures of the world and socially aware members of society, who can use writing for self-expression, explorations of the possibilities of the medium, as well as in service of social causes and concerns.

Why Creative Writing at SF State?

In Creative Writing classes, students work with an active, publishing faculty. They learn by vigorous practice; by focused studies of craft; and by extensive reading, analysis and discussion of their work, as well as that of published authors.

Our well-published and well-recognized faculty teach in our undergraduate, masters and masters of fine arts program, in which they guide students in the production and revision of their craft in creative nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, poetry and literary translation. Learn more about our faculty .

A great many of our students, and alumni go on to publish imaginative work of distinction; many others are in positions of leadership in publishing firms, foundations and art organizations. View our extensive list of alumni publications .

Announcements

Endowed Chair Dr. Tonya Foster Wins 2023 C.D. Wright Award for Poetry!

Congratulations to Professor Foster! Read more about the award and Dr. Foster here . 

Congratulations, Caro De Robertis, John Passos Prize Winner!

Professor De Robertis’ named John Dos Passos Prize winner.  Read more about the award !

Tomorrow in Shanghai long-listed for the Story Prize

Tomorrow in Shanghai long listed for the Story Prize . Congratulations to Professor Chai! 

Strike! December 5th Action on SF State Campus

Creative Writers on Strike!

• July 25, 2024 The Palace of Eros - New Novel by Professor Caro De Robertis! Professor Caro De Robertis is releasing a new novel! Please read their message below for all the details. Congratulations to…
• June 10, 2024 Kiana Lew, BA CW Alumni- Debut Novel DANCE O THE STARLIT SEA Join CW BA Alumni for the launch of their debut novel, DANCE OF THE STARLIT SEA Location: Books Inc. 2251 Chestnut St., San…
• March 05, 2024 Lara Coley Debut Poetry Collection ex traction Congratulations to MFA Alumni Lara Coley on her debut poetry collection, ex traction! Lara Coley delivers her debut poetry…
• Aug 13 LAUNCH: Caro de Robertis with Ingrid Rojas Contreras / THE PALACE OF EROS Tue, August 13, 07:00 pm The Booksmith: 1727 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117

Trans Brilliance, Trans Futures: Leading Writers Speak Out is a Creative Writing Department virtual panel featuring three acclaimed trans writers: Julián Delgado Lopera (Lamba Award-winning author of "Fiebre Tropical"), Jo Livingstone (author and critic, winner of the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing from the National Book Critics’ Circle) and Denne Michele Norris (editor-in-chief of "Electric Literature" and author of the forthcoming novel, "When the Harvest Comes"). Moderated by Professor Caro De Robertis (John Dos Passos Prize for Literature-winning author of "The President and the Frog" and "Cantoras") Co-hosted by Creative Writing Department Acting Chair, Prof. May-lee Chai

The What’s Next Panel discusses the variety of pathways in which students might apply their Creative Writing degree. Writers Matt Ortile, Lydia Jen, Trevaughn Roach-Carter, Emily Hunt Kivel and Matthew Clark Davison share aspects of their personal writing journey post-graduation.

SF State Creative Writing Department Virtual Panel M.A. or M.F.A.: Q & A Thursday, October 26th, 2023, from 1 - 2 p.m.; featuring M.F.A. Candidates Gretchen Cion, Billy Gong & Ryan Jones and hosted by Professor and Graduate Coordinator May-lee Chai

The Department of Creative Writing presents a virtual panel of four distinguished authors describing their own pathways to publication in different genres of writing, including first publications, how they determine where and with whom they'd like to be published, working across genres, advice for emerging authors, etc. with a Q&A from audience members.

Hasti Jafari, Class of 2023 Commencement Speech

Hasti Jafari, recent graduate with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, was the class of 2023 graduate student selected to represent classmates in the College of Liberal & Creative Arts during Commencement.

Since coming to SF State from Iran, playwright and theatre artist Hasti Jafari has been extraordinarily active in the Creative Writing Department — whether they are creating a series of zines on the Jina revolution in Iran (also known as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement), writing comedic plays and creative nonfiction, volunteering or teaching.

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: (415) 338-1891

Office Hours

Quick links.

• Undergraduate Advising Center
• SF Bulletin
• Academic Calendar

About Creative Writing

Passionate about creative writing? This certificate offers an interdisciplinary approach to creative expression and provides excellent preparation for a job in the publishing industry or a degree in creative writing.

Many courses are UC/CSU transferable, and some fulfill general education requirements for CSU. The Creative Writing program offers many benefits, such as discovering your voice through artistic expression, participating in a writers’ community, and gaining experience designing, editing, and publishing our student-run literary and visual arts magazine, Forum , that serves the City College of San Francisco community, greater Bay Area, and beyond. We also host public events including our Visiting Writers Series and our community-based reading series and open mic, LitNight .

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Creative Writing can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have:

• Social Media Manager
• Grant Writer or Technical Writer

Program Options 

Click on the certificate to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Total Units: 9 

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring English programs at the following institutions: 

• San Francisco State University
• UC Berkeley
• UC Santa Cruz
• Mills College
• California College of the Arts

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center  for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives. 

• Take a Career Assessment
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• Visit the Career Center
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Creative Writing Contacts

• 415-239-3407
• [email protected]