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Department of English
Creative
Writing Program
B.A., Certificate in Creative Writing, M.A.
The B.A.
Classes in the undergraduate program are
small and intensive, with an average of 8-15 students in each, which allows
for much more student-teacher contact than other, larger programs can
provide. Majors enjoy not only the benefits of personalized instruction but
also the opportunity to work closely with distinguished contemporary
writers. See the Course Requirements for the Major at http://mockingbird.creighton.edu/english/engldata.htm#majcw
The program also offers a co-major in creative writing for
undergraduates pursuing other studies. This option is especially popular
among students interested in law, medicine, and other majors requiring
creative thinking and clear expression. See the Course Requirements for the
Co-Major at http://mockingbird.creighton.edu/english/engldata.htm#co-majcw
The Creative
Writing Certificate
For those who already have an
undergraduate degree of some kind, and who don't want to pursue a full
undergraduate degree in creative writing, we offer a program of study
leading to a certificate. For more information, visit the University College
web page describing the certificate program at http://www.creighton.edu/UnivCol/Certificates/cw.htm
Undergraduate Courses
The courses listed below are for the
major itself. For a full list of required courses, consult the Creighton
catalogue or speak to one of the faculty members in the program. Note: all
undergraduate creative writing courses have been designated "certified
writing" courses.
ENG 300: Introduction to Creative Writing
English 300 is the first course in the creative writing sequence. It's
offered every term. Here, students are introduced to the techniques,
strategies, and issues of writing poetry and fiction. We regard creative
writing as an essential process for building and appreciating character requiring
the highest professional standards.
ENG 301: Narrative Forms
The course provides practical guidance in the writing of fiction and a
forum for discussing the theory and appreciation of fiction. Prerequisite:
English 300 or Director's approval.
ENG 302: Poetic Forms
The course provides practical guidance in the writing of poetry and a forum
for discussing the theory and appreciation of poetry. Prerequisite: English
300 or Director's approval.
ENG 403: Seminar in Creative Writing
The course is a workshop in creative writing, the text for which is
primarily the writing of the students enrolled. Prerequisite: English 301
or Director's approval. Can be taken three times for credit.
ENG 492: Senior Project
This course is the culmination of the undergraduate major's work in the
program, a book-length collection of fiction and/or poetry suitable for
submission to publishers and/or graduate programs in creative writing.
The M.A.
The M.A. in creative writing is a two-year
program providing training and guidance in poetry and/or fiction writing.
Graduates of the program are prepared to take jobs in publishing, to teach
part-time at the university level, and to enter Ph.D. programs in English
and Creative Writing. It's important for prospective students to realize
that people pursue an education in creative writing out of passion. For
those who intend on becoming professional writers, a graduate degree is one
of the first steps, not the last.
Like the undergraduate courses, graduate
workshops and seminars in creative writing are small and intensive, with an
average of 8-11 students in each, allowing for much more student-teacher
contact than other, larger programs can provide. Graduate students enjoy
not only the benefits of personalized instruction but also the opportunity
to work closely with distinguished contemporary writers. Creative Writing
faculty with graduate status take turns teaching the courses to allow for a
variety of genre, content, and teaching style.
In addition to the workshop, graduate
students in the program participate in hosting writers for The
Creighton Reading Series. Those interested in preparing themselves for
a career in teaching can shadow a faculty member teaching an undergraduate
workshop in creative writing. And on- and off-campus opportunities exist
for those interested in experience and training in editing, proofreading,
and other publishing skills.
Graduate Courses
ENG 640: Graduate Workshop in Creative Writing
The core of the program, English 640 is a small workshop in which students
discuss each other's writing under the guidance of a creative writing
faculty member with graduate status. Graduate students take English 640
every term they're enrolled in the program.
English 683: Supervised Practicum in the Teaching of Creative Writing
Students shadow a full-time creative writing faculty member in an
undergraduate creative writing workshop (English 300). The teacher mentors
the student in the principles and methods of teaching creative writing.
ENG 798: Master’s Thesis
Working closely with the thesis advisor in a one-on-one setting, the
student carries out the final writing and editing of a publishable
book-length novel, work of creative non-fiction, or collection of stories
or poems, the culmination of work the student has done in the program.
Details on length and scope will be worked out with the faculty advisor,
falling within the current standards set by publishers.
Creative Writing Program
Department of English
Creighton University
Omaha, NE
68178
Phone: (402) 280-5768
Fax: (402) 280-2143
mhs@creighton.edu
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