Creative Writing Emphasis
Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 , ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.5 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.5 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total
Minimum Grade Accepted: C within major courses (no grades of pass/fail). B- or better in ENGL 1410 , ENGL 3420 , ENGL 3430 and ENGL 3440 .
Number of required credits: 45
Credits in Residence: Students must complete 21 credits of major-applicable coursework at Utah State University. Students completing the Creative Writing emphasis must also complete two of the three Advanced Creative Writing classes at Utah State University.
This emphasis is devoted to the art of literary writing: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama. Through practice in specific genres and a comprehensive study of literature, students learn the craft of literary writing as discovered and practiced over the last three thousand years of written human culture. The emphasis prepares undergraduates for graduate work in creative writing and develops critical, cognitive, and writing skills applicable in numerous professional fields.
Since creative writers must have a broad knowledge of literature, students complete ENGL 2600: Literary Analysis , as well as 12 credits of Literature courses numbered 3000 and above. A course that fulfills the Diversity requirement can also fulfill this requirement.
Also at the 3000-level, students begin their work as creative writers, taking three introductory writing courses in three genres: fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
At the 4000- and 5000-level, students concentrate their training as creative writers, taking three courses in advanced fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction writing, which can be repeated, as well as the Special Topics in Creative Writing course.
