In creative writing, the writing you produce is far more important than
the name of your school or your degree.
Creative writing degrees can be offered as a bachelor of arts, fine arts
or liberal studies, with a major in either English or creative writing. The
average program length is four years, but some can be completed in three.
Many community colleges offer shorter programs -- one or two years long
-- which lead to diplomas or associate's degrees.
The goal of most programs is to produce published writers. A good
school will help you find and hone the talent, tools, inspiration and discipline
needed to succeed.
As with other majors, a bachelor's degree in English or creative writing
will require you take subjects in other areas as well.
That's a good thing; as a writer, you should learn about as many subjects
as you can. You may think you don't need the biology class you're taking,
but it may provide the inspiration for a sci-fi novel about a strain of super-viruses
that take over the world.
Many writers choose to get a master's degree. This allows them to concentrate
on one or two types of writing. Advanced degrees also provide for more
career options, such as teaching at the college or university level.
Not all colleges offer a major in creative writing, but nearly all offer
an English major with creative writing concentrations or courses.
At the undergraduate level, some universities (like Southern Oregon University)
do not accept students into the creative writing program until their second
year.
Once you're in a program, you can expect to take general literature
and creative writing classes, as well as those in your particular area of
interest -- poetry, short story writing, novel writing, screenwriting,
playwriting and so forth.
At many schools, coursework often includes learning to sell and market
writing.
Take as many literature, English and writing courses as you can in high
school. Any course or activity, "that has to do with language, such as
school magazines or debate clubs" can be helpful, says Hilary Masters, a writing
teacher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania.
Aside from tuition, books are the main expense in this program. Literature
courses often require that several novels and other books be read throughout
the semester.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Writers
and Authors
Types of Creative Writing
Explore the different genres of creative writing
Novelists Inc.
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