Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 General Catalog

English: Creative Writing Emphasis - BA, BS


College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English

About This Degree

With its small class sizes and nationally published faculty members, the English Department helps students develop skills in analysis, production, and understanding of texts in the English language. Students learn to write, think, and communicate effectively in a technologically and culturally complex world. Students develop skills in the areas most valued by employers, including critical thinking, teamwork, and oral and written communication, which will prepare them to enter into a wide range of career options.

Because the English Department is home to faculty that are heavily involved in research, students are provided with numerous opportunities to pursue undergraduate research projects and creative projects with individual attention from professors.

Students receive a by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Creative Writing Emphasis: The creative writing program gives students exposure to poetry, nonfiction, and creative nonfiction writing and then allows them to specialize in their chosen area(s). Through literature and writing courses, students develop critical and cognitive writing skills applicable in numerous professional fields

Minimum University Requirements


Admission Requirements For This Program


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5 GPA within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.5 USU cumulative GPA (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.5 career total GPA (including transfer credits) for new transfer students

Major Requirements (45 credits)


Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total

Minimum Grade Accepted: C in major courses (no pass/fail.)

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.

Emphasis Requirements (39 credits)


B. Grammar Requirement (3 credits)


Students must earn a “C” or better in ENGL 1410 .

C. Creative Writing Courses (21 credits)


Select all three of the following introductory creative writing courses (9 credits):


A grade of C or better is required in all three courses.

Select three of the following advanced creative writing courses (9 credits):


ENGL 4420 , ENGL 4430 , and ENGL 4440  are repeatable and can be taken more than once for this requirement. However, students must complete courses in at least two genres from the following list.

Select the following special topics in creative writing course (3 credits):


The Special Topics course varies according to the specialty of the faculty member teaching the course.

D. Literary Studies (12 credits)


Select four courses from the following:

E. English Electives (3 credits)


Select one English elective course numbered 3000 or higher (includes courses in creative writing, technical communication and rhetoric, literature, linguistics, folklore, and American studies).

Open Electives


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120


Suggested Degree Map - English: Creative Writing Emphasis BA, BS