creative writing degree useless

FinanceBuzz

17 Most Useless College Degrees Employers Don't Want Today

Posted: June 19, 2023 | Last updated: June 19, 2023

College can be expensive, so you want to make sure you’re getting a useful education for the money you’re putting down or borrowing.

However, some degrees are better than others when it comes to landing a job when you get out of school. After all, you don’t want to be looking for ways to pay off debt on a degree that doesn’t pan out.

Here are some degrees that might not give you the best bang for your buck as you consider a particular career after graduation.

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Creative writing

Pursuing a creative degree may not make you much money after college, and that’s particularly true of creative writing.

The publishing field isn’t lucrative for many writers (unless you’re a big name), so you may be stuck with a degree that won’t help you get a sustainable job after graduation.

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Communications

One issue with a communications degree is that it could be too broad depending on the program and the classes required for the degree. Instead, focus on a specific type of communication like journalism, marketing, or public relations.

Fashion design

Fashion design has become more popular, and more competitive, with social media and reality competition shows looking for new designers. The market may be oversaturated and it could be difficult to stand out.

If you enjoy fashion, consider other positions in the industry, including writing for fashion publications or working as a buyer or stylist, which may help you earn more money.

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Hospitality

Travel habits have changed in recent years due to the pandemic, and have affected places like hotels. Events planners and hospitality management have also taken a hit. But you may still have options if you want to pursue a career in hospitality.

For example, consider getting a business degree that may be more useful when finding a job after college. You could still use it to get a job in hospitality or have the flexibility to find a position outside of hospitality that would require a business degree.

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Teachers are amazing resources for students across the country. Despite a nationwide teacher shortage, salaries often do not reflect their importance in society. Plus, nearly 50% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years.

If you feel the strong desire to be a teacher, it would be wise to have a backup plan in case you need to leave the profession.

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Computer science

There’s been an emphasis in recent years on computer science careers, but that focus has led to an oversaturation of computer science graduates compared to the number of jobs available.

If you still want to get a computer science degree, find ways to make yourself stand out among other applicants such as internships and training or certification in specialized skills.

Culinary arts

If you want to work in a restaurant or get a job as a personal chef, a culinary arts degree might not give you the experience and education you need to cook or bake for a living.

Instead, ask around to local restaurants you like or talk to chefs in your area to see if it's possible to get a job working with food without a degree.

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Music may be a wonderful thing to participate in, but it could be difficult to make enough money with a music career to cover the cost of getting a music degree. Instead, get a degree in a field that may be more lucrative and use your free time to practice music.

You may even be able to use your music to make money with a side hustle while earning a salary that can pay your bills another way. Many people nowadays take on a side hustle to reach financial independence and  stop living paycheck to paycheck .

Film, video, and photographic arts

This is another degree that can be tempting if you have a passion for the arts. However, the result of success in the fields of videography and photography often comes without a college degree.

You may be able to just use your natural talent to become a filmmaker and develop your skills by using online resources. You could get a job as a photographer or videographer in fields such as marketing or the service industry, serve as an independent contractor, and even open your own business, all the while without needing a student loan.

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Performing arts

If you want to be an actor, it may be better to act than to go to school for it. You don’t need to enroll in a college or university to take acting classes.

Practice, auditions, and real-world experience can also be more helpful than sitting in a classroom or lecture hall. Try landing your next best role instead of spending cash on a degree.

Criminal justice

If you’re interested in a job in law enforcement, a criminal justice degree may not be as helpful as other options. You might want to apply for a job directly and go through training that may be paid for by a police department or sheriff’s department.

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There may be few opportunities for foreign-language majors once they leave college or a university, which may make it a less-than-desirable degree.

Instead, consider getting a minor in a language you’re interested in and major in something else you’re interested in. For example, you could get a business degree and work internationally.

Anthropology and Archeology

You may be someone who loves history and dreams of excavation sites, but be ready to spend years as an underpaid intern or research assistant. The truth is unless you go for the fancy Ph.D., which will take a lot of time and money, most degrees in this career path don't offer much. 

Religious studies

You may be interested in studying the spiritual side of life, but it might not help you financially. A religious studies degree could lead to a low-paying job in exchange for a high debt load from your degree.

Instead, consider training that may be paid for by a local religious organization, or major in something else and minor in religious studies.

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Exercise science

Exercise is a good component of a healthy life, and you may want to help others follow a plan for a healthy life as an exercise science major. But majors in this field may not make enough to cover college debt or everyday expenses when they graduate.

Instead, look into certification programs that may be more affordable or find out how you can become a trainer or instructor without a college degree.

The pandemic proved that the tourism industry can change dramatically at any time, for better or for worst. COVID-19 kept tourists at home for so long, which resulted in high prices post-pandemic. Now many people are choosing staycations to avoid the high costs driven by the current market. 

If you want to stay in the tourism industry, it may be a good idea to save extra cash in an emergency fund to weather the ups and downs of the industry.

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Advertising

Working for an ad agency today could be difficult if you’re trying to create interesting ads that pull in a viewer. Instead, ads are usually targeted based on the interest of particular internet users who may not interact with ads the way they once did.

If you still want to pursue an advertising degree, consider taking classes about social media or online advertising. That may make you stand out more as a job candidate and help you earn some extra cash.

Bottom line

Before you commit to a degree, sit down and find out what kind of careers that degree could be useful for. You also may want to find more affordable options to take some general classes or summer classes to get the degree you want at a lower cost so you won't find yourself  barely scraping by financially . 

And remember that in the end, it’s important to be happy with whatever major you pursue. You may be able to find a way to make any degree work for you.

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Is A Creative Writing Degree Worth Your Time (And Money)?

• by Hannah Collins
• March 20, 2017

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I got my Creative Writing degree by accident. My college, in the UK, was unusual in requiring first-year students to pick an additional subject in their first year – partly to widen their interests, and partly as an escape route if their first choice wasn’t everything they hoped . My major was Fine Art, so naturally I scanned down the list of related arts subjects that A) I was vaguely competent in and B) didn’t clash with anything else on my timetable. Out of everything, Creative Writing seemed the best answer. I figured it would be fun distraction from the studio during the first year of my degree. Little was I to know that I’d be graduating with both subjects emblazoned on my degree certificate.

For most people, a Creative Writing degree isn’t something you sleepily sign up to like I did. Since you’re reading this article, you’re obviously thinking a lot harder about the pros and cons than I ever did. I can tell you straight off the bat that a degree is not an iron-clad guarantee of career success, or even enhancement, nor an automatic ticket to fame and fortune as a writer.

That’s not to say that a Creative Writing degree won’t help your career (especially if you’ll need to pitch for work, like a ghost or travel writer ), but it’s far from a sure thing. Really, the best question isn’t where a Creative Writing degree can take you next , but what it can do for your craft and method.

To help you with this all-important decision, I’ll take you through the pros and cons, as well as some alternative paths that may meet your needs just as well (if not better).

Pros of a Creative Writing degree

1. you’ll be part of a community of writers.

Half (or more) of the appeal of college is socialization. Even if you study part-time; seminars, lectures, group study and extracurricular activities will keep you busy both socially and intellectually. Being regularly entrenched in a fertile learning environment with so many other like-minded people can develop and grow your skills – both writerly and socially – exponentially. You’ll encounter different people with vastly different experiences, tastes, and writing styles to you, and you’ll find unexpected sources influencing and evolving your work.

You’ll also be networking almost constantly, and without the usual unpleasant effort of finding a suitable event. This may sound trivial, but you’ll be learning alongside the influential writers, editors, agents, and reviewers of the future – people who are only going to grow in influence as time wears on. While there’s no guarantee you’ll meet the next huge publisher, you may well form a relationship that will benefit you down the line. Even passing acquaintance makes you a more known quantity when someone is checking manuscripts or organizing a literary fair down the line. And all that’s before the opportunities you’ll have to write for college newspapers, literary collections, and reading events.

2. You’ll be given regular feedback on your work

Criticism can be double-edged sword, but we’ll just focus on the positive side, for now. Unless you already have a bank of reliable and relatively unbiased alpha and beta readers at your disposal, it’s likely that, beyond school teachers, you’ve been relying on family and friends for feedback. The problem with that is that, no matter how much they swear to be as honest as possible, they’re going to be far more inclined to pull their punches when your work really needs beating into shape.

Now, there will be some in your seminars or critique groups who may show you similar kindness, but there will certainly be others who won’t – for better or worse. The thin-skinned may find this a rough ride, but they’ll also find that it almost unavoidably toughens them up. As well as your peers, you’ll of course have the opportunity to pick the brain of your tutors and lecturers, who can sometimes offer counsel worth the steep price of admission by itself.

You’ll also be asked to critique and evaluate the work of others, which not only sharpens your own skills and powers of observation, but will help you define your personal brand .

3. You’ll read. A lot

Bookworms, rejoice! It goes without saying that the key to great writing is reading great writing. A Creative Writing degree will have you reading for study as well as just pleasure, and reading a lot of things you might not normally choose.

A less obvious benefit is that you’ll also read a lot of poor-quality and early work from other writers. Nothing will help you catch lazy decisions, easy clichés, and damaging writing devices quicker than looking out for them in the work of others. Plus, seeing someone else’s work go from first-draft mess to fourth-draft promise will reassure you that your own early efforts can be redeemed.

4. You’ll also write. A lot

It seems almost redundant to say this, but doing a Creative Writing degree will have you doing, well, a lot of creative writing. Probably a good 1000+ words per week. Yes, it can be draining , but writing, like any other skill, needs a lot of practice, and you’ll certainly get that.

5.  You’ll learn discipline

The rigorous structure of education – whether full or part-time – can be ideal for those of us who thrive within that kind of environment, and you might be surprised to find yourself in that category. Actively receiving feedback, week after week, incentivizes good writing behavior, and having others depend on you for the same will hone your study of, and appreciation for, the craft.

Cons of a Creative Writing degree

1.  college is expensive.

Let’s talk about the gauche subject of money, shall we? America has both the most sought-after and most expensive colleges in the world, ranging at the time of writing between about $11,000 and about $45,000, depending on the length of the course and whether you need bed and board while you study. For many of us who are less financially fortunate, this changes the question from, ‘Should I get a degree?’ to ‘Is it really worth me getting a degree?’

Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, there’s no absolute guarantee that pouring your hard-earned savings into a costly course will yield tangible results, and if money is your biggest barrier, then you may want to consider the cheaper alternatives abroad (particularly Canada), or the other options I’ll be sharing soon.

2. Not all the feedback you receive will be useful or constructive

Remember that double-edged sword? Having your work regularly scrutinized can be hugely beneficial, but bear in mind that you’ll be getting a mixed bag each week. We creative people tend to also be a little precious with our work, so turning in something you’re proud of only to have it harshly savaged by your class in an unfriendly (possibly caffeine-deprived) attack can be hard to take, especially if your creative writing journey is in its infancy. The worst part is they might all be wrong, too, as sometimes the pressure of having to contribute something to the class can induce unnecessary opinions.

3. You might not be suited to college

We all learn differently and flourish in different environments. I started my Fine Art degree with a class of about 35—40. By graduation, that group had been whittled down to under 30. College isn’t for everyone, and I don’t mean that those people are in any way stupider or less motivated. The intensive, results-driven, traditional academic system doesn’t work for everyone.

4. The pressure to succeed could make or break you

This goes back to harsh critiquing and the college environment not being everyone’s cup of tea. The students that dropped out of my Fine Art course did so for many different reasons. Some felt they’d picked the wrong course, or even the wrong college. Some felt homesick. Others sadly crumbled under the pressure – which can feel substantial. A lot of that pressure comes from your tutors pushing you to succeed (sometimes to their definition of success), but a lot of it can come from yourself, which is far trickier to deal with.

5. Creative Writing may not be the best subject for your creative writing

Creative writing can be a beneficial degree for writers, but it’s often best as an accompaniment to another subject. It’s possible that the wider knowledge of a Literature degree, the expanded knowledge base of a History or Law degree, the non-fiction applications of a Journalism degree, or even the technical thinking of an Engineering degree will benefit your work more. Before settling on a Creative Writing degree as default, ask yourself what your writing (and your life) really needs.

Alternatives

There may have been a time when a college education was not only highly affordable, but reliably opened doors to well-paid and suitable jobs. Sadly, that’s just not the case anymore. Happily, there’s also more in the way of alternative (and cheaper) educational paths than ever before. To ensure you’re making a totally informed decision, it wouldn’t hurt to consider the other options available to you, such as:

• Joining a creative writing group ,
• Starting a creative writing group,
• Enrolling in a community college course,
• Getting a Writing Certificate ,
• Taking an online class ,
• Joining a low-residency creative writing program ,
• Starting a blog or becoming a journalist (learn on your feet!)

To degree or not to degree

It can be just as hard to decide against pursuing a degree as it is to start one. If you feel that something is holding you back from reaching your full potential as a writer, there’s a lot to be said for, well, just being a writer. Read a lot of books. Start a blog. Go out and experience the world. Meet new people. And write – as much as possible. If you’re still feeling stuck in a rut, maybe a degree – or one of the alternatives – could help you.

Ultimately, you get out of a degree what you put into it. Do thorough research, visit as many campuses as you can, listen to what others have to say about certain courses and/or tutors, and – most importantly – figure out exactly what you want.

If you’re committed to improving as a writer, a Creative Writing degree is one of the best places to do so. If you’re not, all you’re really getting is a really expensive piece of paper. Of course, the best way to find out more is to ask those who know. If you have a Creative Writing degree, are currently studying for one, or just want to find out what they’re like, let me know in the comments.

For more advice on honing your writing as part of a group, check out Why Joining A Writing Group May Be The Best Thing You Do All Year , or for a choice of non-college classes, try 10 Online Creative Writing Courses For Every Kind Of Writer .

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Hannah Collins

4 thoughts on “is a creative writing degree worth your time (and money)”.

As you said, a Creative Writing degree is no guarantee of success as a writer. But, here in the States, no degree is guarantee of anything, including employment in a degree field. I have friends with degrees that don’t come close to the jobs they have. With the exception of Law and Medicine, I don’t think there is a degree program (especially at what we call the undergrad level) that really prepares a student for a job in any particular area better than any other degree program. That is, Bachelor’s Degrees are all pretty much the same.

That said, I’m now in graduate school pursuing a Master’s Degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing/Fiction. It will allow me to teach, should I need or desire to go that route, or to write professionally (by virtue of the demands it makes on clarity and honing craft). Most of the writers I admire have Master’s degrees either in English or in Fine Arts/Creative Writing. Does that mean I’ll automatically make a spot beside them when I graduate? No. But, it just may be the deciding factor in whether or not I have the skill to do so. Are there successful writers with no college at all? Yes. Just as there are successful writers whose credentials read like alphabet soup. I think there is happy medium to be had and I think everybody needs to figure out where that is for themselves.

In the end, I think the decision of whether to attend grad school for a Creative Writing degree should depend almost entirely upon your skill level. If you’re satisfied taking a chance as you work through your learning curve, cool. If you want a bit more guidance in the most efficient way to do so, by all means enroll in a good writing program. At the very least, you’ll be employable by every company on the planet that fears putting their brand on poor grammar and lazy usage… which I’m still assuming is all of them.

My wife works for a company that demands a Master’s degree for their managers (they don’t specify a subject, which tells me that it isn’t really necessary, just a way to thin the herd of applicants). Increasingly, employers in the States are doing this. With this in mind, you may just as well get some real personal satisfaction out of your degree program. And what better way to do that than to spend all your time reading and writing?

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the comprehensive insight. That’s really interesting to hear in regards to Master’s requirements for recruitment. I wonder if that will sway opinion more in favour of getting a degree for those reading this.

You’re right – if you love doing something, doing it intensively and frequently while becoming more qualified in it sounds ideal. I certainly enjoyed it, but it was still quite draining at times. That being said, I was doing both a Fine Art AND Creative Writing course, so my creative juices were stretched to the limit!

I completely understand the challenges you faced! Congrats, by the way, for doing it! Too many people think of FA/CW degrees as easy. But I’ll match the work necessary to comprehend most philosophy with that of Quantum Physics, any day. It’s all the same process, just different signifiers. The result is, you’re really smart and the world, according to Cormac McCarthy, became personal to you. In the end, that’s the most compelling reason of all to pursue education.

I plan to do a Creative Writing degree, and reading this article and comments help me@

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Student Opinion

Is There Such a Thing as a ‘Useless’ College Major?

Would you consider pursuing a degree in a field you love even if it wouldn’t necessarily lead to a well-paying job?

By Shannon Doyne

Please note: We ask that adults respect the intent of our Student Opinion questions and refrain from posting here . While there are many other places on nytimes.com for adults to have their say, this is the only forum that explicitly invites the voices of young people.

If you are planning to go to college, what are you thinking of studying? Why?

Will your passion guide you, or are you more likely to choose a subject because it is practical and likely to lead to a job?

In the Opinion essay “ Stop Corporatizing My Students ,” the creative writing professor Beth Ann Fennelly writes about a proposal in her state, Mississippi, to determine which college majors are the most needed and least needed based on how likely students are to find employment in the state after graduation. Such a study could lead to changes in the way the state government allocates funding to public universities and community colleges.

The essay begins:

I have taught creative writing at Mississippi’s flagship university for over 20 years, and I’ve witnessed a powerful outcome: Students who master written and spoken communication can change the world. Which is why the educational trend focusing on student outcomes is so alarming. In September, Mississippi’s state auditor, Shad White, published a report, “ Plugging the Brain Drain: Investing in College Majors That Actually Work .” It notes that many students are likely to leave our state after completing their educations, presumably for more exciting opportunities elsewhere. Mr. White proposes tying educational investments to majors that dovetail with workplace needs in Mississippi. He cited a Texas bill signed into law in June that overhauls how the state funds its community colleges. Money for those colleges in Texas is now allotted based on student outcomes that prepare them for the work force. Mr. White said the Mississippi Legislature should create a study committee of work force experts to outline the most- and least-needed programs and design a university funding structure with the state’s work force and economy in mind. It’s worth noting that nowhere in the eight-page report is educational value discussed in relation to anything other than money. I wonder what value he’d ascribe to John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn .” In social media posts, Mr. White dismissed fields like African American studies, gender studies and anthropology as “useless degrees” in “garbage fields.” Instead, in the report, he recommends that students enter fields like construction management. See how efficiently students in the poorest state are shunted toward the vocational: It’s not personal. It’s business. This, despite a study by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences that found that humanities majors are comparably likely to be satisfied with their jobs and employed in supervisory roles as graduates from other majors.

Ms. Fennelly continues:

Reducing education to a business model changes what, and who, gets taught. Framing students as entry-level employees emboldens this nudge toward the vocational. But students need a wide horizon to explore, dream, try, fail, try harder, fail better. They need, if you will, to be useless — for a while, anyway. It’s true that a great majority of my students won’t go on to be writers, but they will go on to be readers who, through literature, educate themselves cognitively, emotionally and spiritually. They’ll leave my classroom prepared to think critically, to consider another’s perspective and muster empathy and to recognize fake news, fearmongering and demagogy. Maybe that’s why the Shad Whites out there seem so keen to thwart my students working toward “useless” degrees. After all, they can detect faulty reasoning faster than a sneeze through a screen door. So let me suggest that higher education administrators jettison the corporatese. My students’ degrees are high value only if they’ve reason to value them highly. My campus is not your corporation. My classroom is not your boardroom.

Students, read the entire essay and then tell us:

What do you think of the comments calling African American studies, gender studies and anthropology “useless degrees” in “garbage fields” from Mississippi’s state auditor, Shad White? In your opinion, are some degrees or fields “useless”? If so, which and why?

If you are planning to go to college, what do you think you will study? How will you make that decision? Would you consider pursuing a major you’re passionate about even if it wouldn’t necessarily lead to a well-paying job?

What do the influential adults in your life — whether they are family members, teachers, coaches or others — believe about the role of college? What attitudes or advice have they shared with you on the subject?

Do you think the needs of a state’s workforce should determine what programs are available at public universities and community colleges? What if that means that students could no longer major in subjects like English, history, art, theater and music?

What do you think is the purpose of college? Is it chiefly to improve students’ employment opportunities? To what extent do you think it is, or should be, about giving students what Ms. Fennelly describes as “a wide horizon to explore, dream, try, fail, try harder, fail better”? Is that a luxury for only the richest students, or should every student have that experience?

Ms. Fennelly says that, through literature, her students “educate themselves cognitively, emotionally and spiritually” and leave her classroom “prepared to think critically, to consider another’s perspective and muster empathy and to recognize fake news, fearmongering and demagogy.” Has that been your experience with humanities classes? What do you think such classes offer that more job-focused courses like construction management don’t? Do you think students need both? Why or why not?

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Is a Creative Writing Degree Worth It? Let’s Get Into It.

In my day—by which I mean the early 2000s—a creative writing degree was considered one of the less practical academic pursuits, only a little more reasonable than a philosophy degree and a theatre arts degree (which, incidentally, is what I have).

These days, we have a bit more appreciation for what a person can do with some well-rounded creative writing skills. Such a person can write novels and poetry, sure, but they can also compose speeches for politicians, create written content to refresh a major corporation’s brand, and craft compelling ad copy.

There’s no question about it. Creative writing is a skill that earns , depending on how you use it.

But as is the case in a lot of modern industries, we’re starting to see that a degree doesn’t carry the weight it used to. And not having a degree isn’t always a barrier to entry.

So where does that leave aspiring writers? Should you bother to pursue a creative writing degree? If so, what should you be trying to get out of it?

We’re about to go over all the ins and outs of this educational path. We’ll talk about:

• The advantages of pursuing a degree in creative writing
• The different types of creative writing programs
• How to choose the program that’s best for you
• How creative writing is taught
• The career opportunities that come with a creative writing degree

Let’s start by looking at the perks.

Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Degree

I’m about to list the four biggest benefits of attending a creative writing program. But I want to be clear about something:

Every one of these perks is something you can also get without a degree in creative writing.

I don’t say that to discourage you from taking this path. This might still be the best next step for your career. See, the biggest difference between getting a formal education and DIY-ing one isn’t what you learn but how you learn it.

That’s why we’re not just looking at what these four benefits are but also how you achieve them in a creative writing program.

Develop Strong Writing Skills

This is the reason most creative writing students pursue a degree. A good program offers a range of courses to help you sharpen your skills, faculty members who have real-life experience with the publishing industry, and access to visiting writers who can offer additional inspiration and insight .

Most programs incorporate writing workshops where you and your fellow students share and give feedback on your work, all under the guidance of a professor. Many universities also put out literary journals, giving students the opportunity to participate in the publishing process .

And of course, enrolling in a creative writing program ensures that you’ll be constantly writing , which is the best way to sharpen your skills.

Explore Diverse Genres and Styles

A self-guided learner has full authority to choose which areas of writing and literature they’ll explore. This is mostly a good thing, but the benefit of pursuing a creative writing degree is that your professors will see to it that you get familiar with a range of formats, genres , and styles .

This is especially true in undergraduate creative writing programs. Expect to read and analyze a wide spectrum of literature, from ancient epic poems to modern mainstream novels.

Build Your Network

This is such a notable perk that many of my friends who went to graduate school for screenwriting highlight this as the number one benefit.

Of course, you can build a network of peers and mentors without shelling out a ton of money for a formal education. But in a creative writing program, you spend all your time with other writers. You read each other’s work, struggle through the same coursework, and connect on a personal level.

Plus, if you happen to go to a school with a robust alumni network, you might find it easier to connect with those in your industry who share your alma mater after you graduate.

Widen Career Options

There are plenty of writers who don’t have a degree in creative writing—or don’t have a degree at all —who are making a decent living off of their words.

Nevertheless, a formal education can offer a wider range of options. It will give you a better shot with employers who place high value on college degrees or want to know that you have specialized knowledge regarding a specific type of writing.

And if you think you might enjoy teaching creative writing, a degree is a must. 

Types of Creative Writing Degrees

Intrigued? Then let’s explore your options more in depth.

There are several different types of creative writing degrees you can pursue, each with a slightly different focus and different opportunities once you leave school to practice your craft in the real world.

We’ll break this down one by one.

Undergraduate Degrees

It typically takes four years to complete an undergraduate creative writing program, though the timeline can be longer or shorter depending on your schedule and any credits you’ve already earned and transferred over.

We’re covering some general creative writing degrees available at the undergraduate level, but I highly recommend doing additional research. There are several more specific degrees that zero in on a particular aspect of writing, like a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or Journalism.

If you have a clear-cut vision for your writing career, start there and work backward to find the degree that makes sense for you. If you only know that you want to be writing one way or another, start by looking at these three options:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing

When you pursue a Bachelor of Arts, you can expect to get a well-rounded education that includes writing instruction as well as a balanced emphasis on the sciences and humanities.

It’s a liberal arts degree, basically, and it’s the most common choice for students seeking a creative writing education. 

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Creative Writing

BFA programs are much rarer than BA programs, but it’s worth considering one if you want an education that puts a heavy emphasis on the “arts” part.

This type of program focuses less on sciences and humanities. It often includes hands-on writing workshops (more on those in a bit) and is favored by students who fully intend to become authors, playwrights, screenwriters, or poets.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Writing

If you think you might enjoy applying your creative writing skills to something more scientific or analytical, a BS might be the best option for you.

This is a popular option for students who see themselves getting into technical writing, cultural studies, or communication.

Graduate Degrees

Postgraduate education—or grad school, as the cool kids call it—comes after you’ve earned an undergraduate degree. The most common reasons to seek out a graduate degree in creative writing include:

• You think you might like to teach creative writing at the college level one day
• You earned an undergraduate degree in a different field and now you want to study writing
• You just really want to go deep on this subject

Just as with undergrad degrees, there are highly specific grad programs you can explore. Or you can dive into one of these:

Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing

While an MA program doesn’t have the humanities and sciences components of a BA program, it still maintains a balance between participating in the arts and observing them. 

That is to say, you’ll do a ton of writing in this program, but you’ll also read and analyze a fair amount of literature.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing

MFA programs tend to be super hands-on, with workshops in which students share and give feedback on each other’s writing. Over the course of the program, you’ll complete a book-length work like a novel or poetry collection.

You also might find that you need more credits to earn an MFA degree than an MA in creative writing. 

PhD in Creative Writing

Now you’re just stalling. Write your book already.

I’m kidding. A PhD is a perfectly reasonable option if you want to study literature and creative writing in great depth. Most students who take their writing education this far are also planning to build a career in academia in addition to being a published author.

PhD programs are extremely rigorous, can last four years, and conclude with a dissertation project.

Writing Workshops vs. Writing Courses

At this point, we should probably discuss the difference between writing courses and workshops in an academic setting. You’ll find both in many programs, but the balance between these two educational experiences will depend on which type of creative writing degree you pursue.

It will also influence your entire learning experience.

What Makes a Course a Course?

A creative writing course is exactly what you think of when you imagine any class in a formal education setting.

In a course, a professor lectures on specific topics, assigns projects, and grades students on their performance. There may be class discussions and even opportunities for students to share and engage with each others’ writing. But the overall structure of a course focuses on conveying information.

What Makes a Workshop a Workshop?

A creative writing workshop is more hands-on. While the professor will share insights and guide discussions, the primary purpose of a workshop is to help students refine their craft. They share their work and give each other feedback.

You see much more of this learning style in BFA and MFA programs, which put greater emphasis on honing creative skills. If you want your writing education to include analyzing literature or studying the business end of publishing, you’ll probably want to look into more course-heavy BA or MA programs.  

Renowned Creative Writing Programs

This is usually when a person wants to know where they should go to get these degrees. What are the best creative writing programs out there?

Really, the best program is the one that fits you. Reputation is just one of many factors you should consider when you decide where to pursue a degree in creative writing. 

That said, it’s always a good move to know the respected institutions in your field. It helps you sound informed at cocktail parties. To that end, here are some of the most revered schools in the world of creative writing (in the U.S., anyway):

• The Iowa Writers’ Workshop
• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Mizzou (Journalism)
• Northwestern University

Choosing the Right Creative Writing Program

If prestige shouldn’t be a top consideration when deciding where to earn a degree in creative writing, what should you prioritize?

Here are a few factors to keep in mind as you research your options:

Career goals - Do you want a program that’s going to prepare you for a job in marketing that pays the bills while you write poetry on the side? Do you want to become a globe-trotting journalist or a high-earning technical writer?

Decide what will be the best degree for you, then zero in on the schools that excel in that area of study.

And don’t forget to consider genre! If you want to earn an MFA but are interested in commercial fiction writing, make sure you find a program that matches your goals. Literary fiction tends to get all the love in higher education.

Faculty - Research who you’ll be learning from. Do they seem like the right folks to guide you on your professional journey?

Curriculum - Learn everything you can about a school’s course options and creative writing majors before you commit. Will you be able to focus on the area of writing that matters most to you? Will the skills you learn help you do fun things in the real world like eat and pay rent?

Location - There are accredited creative writing programs that are entirely online. However, many of your best options will be in-person or low residency . Not only is the location relevant for practical reasons—you have to be able to get there—it can also influence how much you pay to go. 

If you attend a state school in your own state, for example, you can expect to pay less than the out-of-state students.

Results - Do a little digging to find out what graduates say about their experience in the program. What did they like about it? What didn’t they like? Would they say it was worth it? What are they doing with their creative writing degree now?

Cost - You’re probably way ahead of me here, but I’ll mention it, anyway. The less you pay for a degree in creative writing, the greater your return on investment will be. Look at tuition costs, possible scholarships, out-of-state versus in-state expenses, and the local cost of living.

Career Opportunities with a Creative Writing Degree

Maybe you decided long ago that you definitely want to go to college. Maybe for you, the question isn’t whether you want a degree at all but whether a degree in creative writing is a good use of your college fund.

In that case, we should talk career opportunities. What exactly can you do with a creative writing degree?

A lot, as it turns out. In fact, we have this ridiculously long list of jobs that require strong creative writing skills. You can follow the link to explore them in depth, but here’s a quick sample of what’s in there:

• Proofreader
• Content writer
• Technical writer
• Social media writer
• Screenwriter
• Speechwriter
• Literary agent
• Brand strategist
• Corporate communications specialist

That’s really only scratching the surface, and it doesn’t even touch on the ways your writing skills might serve you in less creative professions. I know multiple lawyers with a creative writing degree they credit for making them significantly better at drafting legal arguments. (On the flip side, an alarming number of lawyers become screenwriters or novelists.)

The important thing is to consider different creative writing majors carefully. Between the different schools, degrees, and areas of concentration, you’ve got lots of options and plenty of opportunities to select the education path that leads to your ideal writing career.

Whatever You Do, Keep Learning

Only you can decide if a creative writing degree is the right move for you. Whether you go for it or not, remember that continuous learning is the best thing you can do to ensure a successful and fulfilling writing career.

Keep reading work that inspires you. Build and nurture your writer network. Proactively seek out workshops, seminars, conferences , books, articles… anything you can get your hands on that will help you sharpen your skills.

And while I wouldn’t claim it’s a one-to-one replacement for the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, remember that Dabble is always here for you with a shocking amount of free educational resources and a supportive community in the Story Craft Café .

Peruse the hundreds of articles, templates, and worksheets in DabbleU . Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Download this free, 100-page ebook walking you through the entire novel-writing process.

Even if you need a little more time to decide if you want a degree in creative writing, you can start boosting your skills now.

So what are you waiting for?

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

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College Info

So you’re thinking about majoring in creative writing! Completing an undergraduate creative writing program can be a great way to explore your love of fiction or poetry and hone your craft.

As edifying as a creative writing major can be, it may not be what you expect.  Dedicated creative writing majors are also quite uncommon, so if you're committed to getting your degree in that subject, you'll have a narrower pool of possible colleges. This post will help you decide whether a creative writing major is right for you.

Feature Image: Nilufer Gadgieva /Flickr

Many Great Schools (with Awesome Writing Classes) Don't Have a Creative Writing Major

As I mentioned above, creative writing is a relatively rare major, so if you're solely focused on schools with a dedicated creative writing degree, you might miss out on schools that could be a great fit for you. 

Keep in mind that a lot of school that don’t offer specific majors still have great opportunities to pursue creative writing, whether by completing a minor, contributing to the campus literary journal, or simply taking classes.

Even if you know you want to study creative writing, try researching the opportunities available at different schools with an open mind . You might be surprised by what you find!

You're Going to Have to Read — A Lot

I once had a friend who loved writing ;but hated reading—especially if he had to analyze the text. If you tend to agree with him, and would rather be submerged in a vat of ants than write a paper about Virginia Woolf's use of symbolism to comment on World War I in The Waves , this course of study isn't right for you. Most creative writing majors are run by the English department, and, in fact, many are special tracks within the English major. As such, they involve a lot of reading of all kinds , including fiction, plays, poetry, and literary theory.

I was an English major in undergrad, and we were expected to read a roughly book a week in each class . Some were long (I had one professor assign the longest single volume novel in the English language ) and some were short, but it added up to a lot of books! You’ll also have to write critical essays analyzing these works of literature—if you really only want to write your own fiction or poetry, consider majoring in something else and taking creative writing classes as electives.

You Don't Need a Specific Major to Be a Writer

Writing isn't like engineering: you don't need a specific degree to pursue it professionally. The only thing that you need to do to be a writer is to write.

Most writing jobs, whether in publishing, journalism or teaching, don’t require or even expect you to have majored in creative writing. For the few positions that do require a writing degree, which are almost exclusively in academia, you'll actually need a graduate degree (generally an MFA).

Studying writing in school is a great way to motivate you to work on your writing and to get constructive feedback (more on this below), but it’s not the only way. A lot of great writers studied something totally unrelated to writing or didn’t go to college at all.

You Can Learn A Lot From Really Focusing on Writing

So far I've focused mostly on reasons you might not want or need to major in creative writing, but there's one very good reason to do so: you'll spend a lot of time writing, talking about writing, and reading your peers' writing.

One of the key features of any creative writing major is the workshop —a small class where students closely read and dissect each other’s work. Workshops can be very productive, since they offer the opportunity for lots of revision and rewriting. However, they also involve a lot of criticism and can be challenging for very sensitive people. Consider how you'll react to someone not liking your writing or suggesting ways to improve it.

Many creative writing majors also require a capstone project or creative BA thesis, which requires you to complete a substantive piece of work that's at or near publication ready. For students who are genuinely committed to publishing their writing, this project is an invaluable stepping stone.

Some Schools Have Special Opportunities for Creative Writing Majors

At schools with particularly strong writing programs, majors may have the opportunity to attend special readings or meetings with authors that aren't open to non-majors. They may also have priority for activities like working at the literary journal or university press.

These kinds of perks are completely dependent on the school, however, so make sure to research the specific programs that you're interested in.

Final Thoughts

Creative writing majors offer a unique opportunity to focus on the craft of writing, but they aren't right for everyone. If the following statements apply to you, a creative writing major could be a great fit:

• You love to read and write.
• You take criticism well and don't mind other people reading your work.
• You want to pursue writing outside of the classroom as well as in it.

More Recommended Reading

Convinced you want to be a creative writing major? Check out our list of the best undergrad writing programs .

Creative writing majors go on to a wide range of jobs. If you're exploring different career ideas , check out our guides on how to become a lawyer and how to become a teacher .

If you're looking at colleges , also check out our guide on how to pick the best school for you and our list of the best college search websites .

For those of you interested in particularly selective schools , we have a guide to getting into Ivy League schools written by a Harvard grad.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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Creative Writing Courses Are Useless: Creative Writing Programs and the Italian Literary System

• First Online: 10 October 2020

Cite this chapter

• Cecilia Ghidotti 6  

Part of the book series: Science, Technology and Innovation Studies ((STAIS))

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Creative writing schools and programs are weird creatures. They have been around for decades and have become increasingly popular despite their relatively recent addition to the curricula of higher education. This chapter investigates the public discourse around creative writing programs: it looks at how creative writing degrees are received both in the English-speaking world (the United States and the United Kingdom) and in Italy, and it investigates the reasons behind this reception. In the Anglo-American case, creative writing is part of university education, but this is not the case in Italy, where universities do not offer degrees in creative writing. The teaching of creative writing thus is entirely entrusted to private enterprises such as schools, associations, charities, cooperatives, and bookshops. This chapter looks at how, in Italy’s case, the reception of creative writing has been shaped by the country’s historic understanding of high and popular culture and by the position of the Alessandro Baricco, best-selling author and founder of the Holden School, the most famous Italian creative writing school. These themes are relevant to the scholarship on creative and cultural industries because they offer insights into the role of creative writing programs as mechanisms for the inclusion and exclusion of cultural workers. They also reveal the programs’ growing influence over literary production and cultural production more generally.

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The Rise of Creative Writing

Creative Writing for Professional Writing Majors

Bridging the Distance: Learning Victorian Literature Through Creative Projects

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“Though we partially agree with the popular insistence that writing cannot be taught, we exist and proceed on the assumption that talent can be developed, and we see our possibilities and limitations as a school in that light. If one can ‘learn’ to play the violin or to paint, one can ‘learn’ to write, though no processes of externally induced training can ensure that one will do it well.” Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Philosopy  https://writersworkshop.uiowa.edu/about/about-workshop/philosophy

Myers ( 1996 : 146), Harbach ( 2014 ) and Bennett ( 2014 : 52).

In January 2019, the Holden School launched the Holden Academy, a three-year program that will award a qualification recognized as a bachelor’s degree by the Ministry of Education, University and Research. The Holden Academy will not replace the Holden School’s two-year program, which will award the same qualification as before.

According to the data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD  2017 ), the average fee for a master’s degree in Italy in 2017 was about 1800 USD (1580 euros).

“For over 20 years, this diploma has been acknowledged in all working storytelling environments, TV, the radio, cinema, theatre and advertising. It’s always been a business card which allows whoever has it in their pocket to present themselves as a professional storyteller with the acknowledgment they deserve” (Holden School Website 2019 ).

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Ghidotti, C. (2020). Creative Writing Courses Are Useless: Creative Writing Programs and the Italian Literary System. In: Kiriya, I., Kompatsiaris, P., Mylonas, Y. (eds) The Industrialization of Creativity and Its Limits. Science, Technology and Innovation Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53164-5_5

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Accredited online colleges in louisiana, cheapest online colleges in california, what are the 12 ivy league schools, 6 month certificate programs that pay well 2024, cheapest law schools online 2024, most popular online colleges, 20 most useless college degrees 2024.

Numerous degree options and professional trajectories are available to students embarking on their college journey. We'll help you by going over the most useless college degrees so you can make an informed decision.

The choice quickly becomes overwhelming, with dozens or even hundreds of different options.

When choosing a major, you may first consider a college degree that sounds most exciting and what you think you would be good at. Nonetheless, you may overlook the potential usefulness of a college degree in securing employment following graduation.

When considering what major is best for you, it's important to consider which degrees will secure you a job and which are entirely useless.

Useful Degrees That Might Interest You

Here are some of the most useless college degrees out there.

20 Most Useless Degrees of 2024

1. advertising.

Pursuing an advertising major could lead to potential career paths in digital marketing, e-commerce, or sports marketing. What many advertising majors don't realize, however, is that to land a highly competitive job in one of these areas, their degree should be directly in that field.

Advertising majors take classes on promoting and selling products through media outlets like social media, television, and bulletin boards. They also learn what aspects of advertising are most appealing to people, including color and design. This education leaves limited opportunities for employment after graduation. Those who graduate with an advertising degree can find a job at advertising companies, but few employers will take them otherwise. Those who do not succeed in advertising have few other options.

2. Anthropology And Archeology

A degree in anthropology and archeology may sound appealing if you love history, travel, and being outside. If you are not willing to commit significant time and money to obtain a PhD in the field and to potentially spend years in roles such as underpaid intern or research assistant this career path may not be suitable for you.

Anthropology investigate's human civilizations and their cultural development while archaeology examines human history by unearthing artifacts and remains. Those who graduate with a degree in anthropology and archeology may hope to spend time studying the findings on a historical excavation site or at least in a museum. While a prestigious doctorate from Harvard or Yale may land you at an excavation site, likely, the majority of degree's won't even get you out of your backyard.

Those who cannot make it in this field may search elsewhere but have difficulty finding a job.

3. Art history

Students who study art history love art and design. Those who want to get a degree in art history usually take classes in art composition and multiple classes in art history from every time period. They may study influential artists like Vincent van Gogh or Claude Monet.

Although students with an art history degree are passionate about old art and sculptures, it's hard to make a career out of it. Those who graduate have a wealth of knowledge about art throughout the centuries but have difficulty finding a job where they can use it. Some get jobs at art museums and, later on, as art appraisers, but this is one of the most challenging fields to break into. Most places that specialize in art want to see a lengthy resume with plenty of experience.

Individuals who complete their studies but are unable to secure a career within the realm of art must seek opportunities in other domains. However, their limiting degree doesn't leave them many options. Most employers want to see education more directly applicable to their careers.

4. Communications

Communications majors study the science behind communication. They learn how to make communication more accessible while promoting suitable communication methods. If you're interested in communications, you may take classes related to oral and visual rhetoric and classes that help you learn how to promote your message best.

Because communications is such a broad field, the degree has no specific focus. While this may sound useful, it makes getting a job after college more difficult. Those with a communication degree commonly pursue journalism, marketing, and business administration jobs. However, those interested in one of these fields are better off getting that specific degree. Many jobs that communications majors may apply for after graduation are related to specific majors. This makes getting a job with a broad communications degree more difficult.

5. Computer Science

Pursuing a computer science degree may appear to be a promising path towards a thriving career post graduation. However like many of the most useless college degrees, computer science is a challenging degree to use after you graduate.

This is because a general computer science degree is broad just like a degree in communications. Some students enter computer science to get a job in coding, information technology, or cybersecurity. However there are specific programs for these career paths that look much better on a resume.

Upon completing a computer science degree, you might find yourself uncertain about the next steps to take. To get a job you may require higher education in your field or more specific education and focus in an area like coding or cybersecurity. You may instead find yourself looking for a job with your current education and experience, which may prove unsuccessful.

6. Creative Writing

Creative writers really do have skills that people who want to publish stories and novels want to have. However, their education is narrow and specific. During their education, students in a creative writing major learn how to tell a story with colorful words and create poetry while also learning about the professional writing process. Their writing is flowing and descriptive.

Although you may become a talented writer with a creative writing degree you're not going to make enough money to make ends meet unless you publish a major novel or childrens story. Creative writers don't learn the skills of journalism or the technicality of linguistics to pursue a job writing for a newspaper or other news company. Instead, they are left with beautiful writing skills and no job.

If you're interested in creative writing and hope to publish a book someday consider majoring in a similar field, like journalistic writing, and taking some creative writing classes. This will make you more employable following graduation and give you a steady income while you write a novel.

7. Criminal Justice

Numerous students are inspired by television series and films such as NCIS or Criminal Minds to pursue studies in the criminal justice sector. Actors make jobs like detectives and special agents seem attractive and fun. Nonetheless, the truth about these careers is that they are not only perilous but also quite scarce.

Many students who major in criminal justice will spend a significant amount of time after graduation searching for a rare desk job for which they are qualified. They may work as paper pushers for their city or state of residence. Some individuals might pursue further education or training to embark on careers as police officers, lawyers, or foster care workers. When considering a career in criminal justice it's crucial to assess the desired job and determine if it aligns with your intended career trajectory.

8. Culinary arts

Culinary arts may teach students how to cook and make their food look presentable but it doesn't teach them many skills beyond this. A degree may look good on a resume if you're interested in pursuing a job as a cook or chef after college but any other career will consider your training useless.

Students in culinary programs acquire specialized knowledge such as food preparation techniques and ingredient combinations but their training often lacks transferable skills in areas like business or health related matters. While they become proficient in tasks like, vegetable chopping, spice blending, and potato boiling, they may not develop abilities applicable to a broader range of occupations. The result is that many students who graduate with a degree in culinary arts wind up unemployed but well fed after graduation.

Choosing a culinary or trade school over a conventional college or university degree could be a more prudent decision for those genuinely dedicated to forging a career in the culinary arts. This approach enables you to receive specialized training in your chosen field while saving both time and money.

9. Education

At first, this may seem like a highly useful degree. Teaching children is useful, right? However, many who enter the field quickly find this isn't as useful as it sounds.

Education majors must declare a specialty, such as early childhood, special education, or secondary education. Some who do this must get a master's degree to practice in their field. Those who stay with a general education degree may find their degree useless after graduation. A preschool won't want them because they aren't certified in early childhood education. Special education won't want them because they don't have the proper certifications or endorsements.

When contemplating a major in education, evaluate the specific educational field you wish to delve into and determine your area of focus. You should know that you may have to get a master's degree or receive extra training and endorsements to practice. Additionally, education majors typically undergo rigorous placements at schools of their interest to receive student teaching experience. After all of these channels have been completed, it is only then that an education major can expect to get a job.

10. Entrepreneurship

A degree in entrepreneurship may sound great for those looking to start a business someday. However the degree by itself is one of the most useless degrees. This is because students can get all the education they want, but without hands on business experience, their learning will hardly mean a thing.

Achieving success in launching a business necessitates an extensive understanding of business operations gained from years of experience. Numerous accomplished entrepreneurs possess a business degree and have acquired real world knowledge before establishing their ventures. Some might pursue further education, such as a degree in entrepreneurship, while others may opt for a selection of relevant courses.

An entrepreneurship degree by itself, however, leaves the learner questioning where to go next. They are less employable than someone with a business degree and may lack the education and experience it takes to get a job. Those interested in entrepreneurship should pursue experience first.

11. Ethnic and civilization studies

Ethnic and civilization studies is a culturally relevant field that may seem a great choice at first glance. Given the current state of our nation, ethnic and civilization learners are not only important but essential to the progress of our country.

However, a sole degree in ethnic and civilization studies may not land you the career you're hoping for. Many who receive jobs after graduation with this degree look for jobs in education, social work, and counseling. However, each of these jobs receives a special degree of its own. While studying ethnicity and civilization is essential, those interested should consider double majoring in a second degree or using it as a minor to increase their chances of an excellent job following graduation.

12. Fashion design

An individual pursuing a fashion design major may envision starting their own clothing line, joining a prominent company as a designer, or venturing into fashion marketing.

However, it's important to consider this major's job field. Securing a position with a leading fashion brand directly after graduation can be quite difficult, and creating your own brand from the outset is an even more daunting task. Successful people require years of experience, meaningful connections with those in the field, and learning how to build their brand.

If you're truly interested in the field of fashion design, be prepared to battle unemployment and disappointment. Many students who obtain a degree in fashion design are left looking for a job in a different field and find it wildly unsuccessful, as few employers consider their education relevant.

13. Film, video, and photographic arts

This is another degree that attracts those with big dreams. Those passionate about film production and media are found to pursue a completely useless degree.

Students who get a degree in film, video, or photographic arts usually learn how to use their artistic skills to start small businesses in photography or videography. While photography and videography are legitimate professions and many excel in them, these fields typically rely on innate talent rather than acquired skills. As a result, many of those who will be successful photographers will do so with or without a degree. Even if a few courses might offer some valuable insights to enhance their work, obtaining a degree in photography or videography is likely an impractical use of time and money.

14. Languages

Learning languages is an excellent means of acquainting oneself with foreign cultures and getting ready for international travel. While there are undoubtedly many benefits to learning multiple languages, studying languages as a college degree is useless. Those who invest years of their education into perfecting a language may feel accomplished. But when they graduate, there is one crucial question burning in their minds: now what?

Those who graduate with a language degree may become translators. Others work at a foreign embassy or in international relations. If you're lucky enough to land one of these jobs, the pay and job outlook can be okay. Conversely if you do not acquire proficiency in multiple languages, you might have to search for an employer willing to hire you based solely on this language skill set.

Some colleges offer programs for classical languages like Greek and Latin. Others stick to more relevant languages like Spanish and Chinese. If you're going to try and make it big in the language world be sure to choose a relevant language. You should also think about getting a second major to make yourself more marketable when you leave college.

An individual pursuing a music major might dedicate their time to choral singing, instrumental performances with a band, or engaging in extracurricular activities such as jazz or marching bands. They also spend much time in class studying music history and composition. Music majors may even focus on a specific area, like composition or conducting.

Because their field is so small, music majors often have trouble finding work after graduation. You may land a job as a prestigious conductor, professional musician, or community band director if you're incredibly talented. Most music majors wind up teaching music lessons or leading worship at church.

Although these are great jobs to make a little extra cash, they rarely manage to pay the bills. Music careers are typically low-paying and don't include benefits or a 401K. The result is that those who major in music look for a different career later. However, due to their limited degrees in music, many find that they lack the type of education that many employers are looking for.

16. Philosophy

Philosophy majors study the nature of knowledge. It often seems like a paradoxical field, as students learn about learning and think about thinking. Although philosophers like Plato and Aristotle are household names and have truly impacted the world, philosophy is a challenging field to break into.

In the present era, the study and application of science have outlasted the study and application of philosophy. Many jobs available on the market are related to science instead of thinking. After undergoing extensive education and gaining experience, philosophy majors may secure employment as philosophy professors, or they may opt to pursue further education in different fields such as law or writing. Those aiming to secure a stable job and acquire a bachelor's degree in philosophy might consider investigating alternative fields.

17. Psychology

The study of the mind and its corresponding behaviors constitutes the field of psychology. Like philosophy, a psychology degree is difficult to use after you graduate.

Psychologists often pursue higher education in their field to practice as clinical psychologists. Individuals who conclude their education with a bachelor's degree often face difficulties in finding a suitable niche. Some counseling jobs are available to those who graduate with a psychology degree. In general, individuals possessing a psychology degree face significant employability challenges.

Thus, it is imperative to assess the number of courses you plan to take and the potential career opportunities following graduation before embarking on a psychology degree. If you're looking at a specific field, you may be better suited and more employable by pursuing a different degree.

18. Studio arts and fine art

Comprising diverse areas such as sculpting, painting, drawing, photography, digital media, and graphic design, a degree in studio and fine arts is well suited for individuals who appreciate various forms of artistic expression. Multiple factors contribute to the perceived value of this degree.

First, as with the degree in photography students are typically talented in their area of interest or they're not. Those who are not talented can not expect to learn what they need to succeed in classes.

Second, those who are exceptionally talented in one of these areas may make a career from it by pursuing their dream without a degree or simply taking a few classes. Despite the limited availability of jobs in fields such as photography and drawing exceptionally gifted individuals might bypass the need for education and launch their careers straightaway.

Third, if a person is particularly interested in obtaining a degree in one of the fine arts they should pick a more specific degree focus. To gain knowledge and prosper in the field of graphic design, selecting a graphic design major is a prudent decision.

19. Theater Arts

A degree in theater arts allows a learner to study acting and the making of theater production. They may take classes about famous plays or classes that help them improve their acting skills. Those who pursue a theater arts degree are typically interested in acting jobs, writing plays, or producing scripts.

Those interested in the theater arts should be wary about pursuing a degree in this area. This is another field where jobs are few and far between following graduation. Graduating with a theater arts degree usually entails participating in internships and continuing education for several years. Eventually, one may secure a low-paying job in the field. Those who pursue a career outside of their degree may be shut out by employers looking for more relevant education.

Those with a lot of talent or drive should continue their education at a theater arts university or center. These schools have more prestigious reputations for education and may help launch an acting career.

20. Travel and tourism

Sounds fun, right? Even though this degree might have the glitz and glamour of travel and getaway, the result of this useless degree isn't so appealing. During their education, students studying travel and tourism learn about the best places to travel, their methods, and how to improve the tourist experience. Although these classes are more entertaining than most, many students who graduate with a travel and tourism degree are left unsure of the next step after graduation.

Students who graduate with a travel and tourism degree have limited job options after they finish school. Although many enter the field hoping to make it big as an Instagram traveler or professional vlogger, the result is that many end up taking boring and mundane office jobs. Some may choose to work as travel agents, while others may take a job as someone who helps others book plane tickets, hotels, or cruises through private companies. As with many of the other most useless degrees, these jobs tend to be poor sources of income with inconsistent hours, and workers aren't always treated well.

Finding a job is difficult if you graduated with a travel and tourism degree but are looking to leave the field. You may have fantastic stories and fun experiences to share, but employers looking for that degree will be disappointed.

Recommended Online Colleges With Useful Degrees

What is the most useless degree.

Some people may have acquired great careers in the past by earning the degrees mentioned in this list of useless degrees. Just as time changes, emphasis in the work world changes. Today, someone may have to look at a more specified degree within those fields of study to gain good employment.

Which majors are useless?

Twenty of the most useless degrees are found in this article. There may be other useless degrees but according to Edsmart these top the list.

What are the worst degrees?

This alphabetical list currently contains the most common useless degrees. The most useless degrees of today may not be useless degrees in the future.

Useful Degree Programs That Might Interest You

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Best Creative Writing colleges in the U.S. 2024

Creative writing is about artistically sharing emotions, thoughts, and opinions on a subject; not just relaying information. Courses include American literature, editing and proofing, fundamentals of writing, world literature, Shakespeare, screenwriting fundamentals, fiction fundamentals, writing nonfiction, and poetry writing. Creative writing covers both nonfiction and fiction, but the predominant types of creative writing are poetry and fiction, which includes novels, short stories, novellas, and flash fiction. Playwriting, screenwriting, journaling, and memoirs are other typical forms.

Students will learn how to use written language to communicate more clearly in their professional and personal lives and move beyond proficient mechanics to writing craftily in an attempt to evoke emotions and express points of view. Careers for creative writers?outside of being a creative writer?include blogger, journalist, composition teacher, copywriter, scriptwriter, and novelist. Creative writers must understand the importance of deadlines and have well-researched writing samples in order to move up the career ladder. The median annual wage of writers and authors was more than $50,000 in May 2010. Religious, professional, and civic industries employed the most writers followed by newspapers and book industries. Creative writers may also be freelance writers. Freelance writers are self-employed individuals who make a living selling their content to publishers. They may simultaneously work on multiple assignments for numerous companies depending on individual financial goals.

Best Creative Writing colleges in the U.S. for 2024

Brown University offers 3 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 48 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 38 Bachelor's degrees, and 10 Master's degrees.

Northwestern University offers 3 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 11 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 10 Master's degrees, and 1 Bachelor's degree.

Johns Hopkins University offers 4 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 80 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 47 Master's degrees, 29 Bachelor's degrees, and 4 Certificates.

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 Notre Dame offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 4 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 4 Master's degrees.

University of Virginia-Main Campus offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 6 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 6 Master's degrees.

Columbia University in the City of New York offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 174 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 124 Master's degrees, and 50 Bachelor's degrees.

The University of Texas at Austin offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 100 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 81 Certificates, and 19 Master's degrees.

Cornell University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 7 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 7 Master's degrees.

Vanderbilt University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 6 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 6 Master's degrees.

Find local colleges with Creative Writing majors in the U.S.

List of all creative writing colleges in the u.s..

Most Useless Degrees To Stay Away From

What makes you want to attend college? to improve your abilities and knowledge so you can become more useful and produce a living that is respectable.

What if, though, your degree is useless? What if it’s neither time nor money well spent?

The most pointless degrees that won’t help you advance in life will be covered in this post.

What Makes a College Degree Useless?

A college degree that doesn’t teach you anything new or equip you with any useful skills is useless. A meaningless degree won’t help you advance your career or present you with many employment opportunities.

The question of whether a degree will be beneficial in the future is not the only one; it should also be relevant today. You must acquire fresh knowledge that will help you now. Therefore, you must assess the entire program and determine whether it is assisting you.

If the response is negative, then it is probably pointless. If the response is somewhat affirmative, then perhaps it is still worthwhile to pursue. However, there is really little point in investing your time and money on a pointless degree if the response is negative.

Many pointless degrees are floating around out there. Some are helpful, while others aren’t as helpful for a wealthy or successful profession.

So let’s look at some of the dumbest and most pointless degrees available.

Most Useless College Degrees

This is a list of the most useless degrees to get, in alphabetical order.

Just because a college degree is on this list, it doesn’t mean the degree is completely useless either. It could still be worthwhile, depending on the circumstances. It may mean the degree is in less demand and there are less career opportunities once you graduate. 

1. Advertising

A degree in advertising will educate you how to write advertisements and develop marketing campaigns. This is not necessarily negative if you wind up working for an advertising firm.

However, advertising businesses are notoriously fiercely competitive workplaces. They are searching for individuals with sales experience. Therefore, they hire individuals with specialized skill sets, such as sales, public relations, writing, etc.

Those skill sets typically come from other college degrees, which a major in advertising may not provide.

As more and more advertising has shifted to digital marketing, possibilities for advertising majors are also diminishing. The job market for advertising grads is becoming increasingly competitive.

Learn more about How Hard an Advertising Degree is .

2. Anthropology and Archeology

Anthropology and archeology are two distinct subfields within the broader discipline of anthropology. Archeology is the study of previous cultures through artifacts, whereas anthropology investigates the present culture of humans across all continents.

Both disciplines demand in-depth knowledge of languages, especially ancient languages, and cultural traditions.

Each can lead to positions in museums, universities, and other institutions. However, the popularity of both of these fields is waning. Archeologists and anthropologists have less and fewer job opportunities accessible.

An anthropology or archeology degree may not be as valuable as a science degree.

3. Art History

Artists and designers are always looking for ways to express themselves. Art historians are interested in the history of art and how it evolved. Students who major in art history often take courses in art composition as well. They also study the history of art through each time period.

Many art historians go on to become teachers or professors. However, even though they have a lot of knowledge about art, it’s not easy to get a job in the field. Most places that specialize in art want to see a long resume with lots of experience. 

Art history majors often struggle to find employment after graduation because of the lack of skills required to get hired. 

4. Communications and Journalism

Journalism and communications are closely related fields. A major in communications teaches students how to successfully communicate through written and vocal means. Many students majoring in communications also learn how to use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Journalism majors concentrate on news reporting and narratives.

Communications and journalism graduates have a difficult difficulty finding employment. In reality, several schools no longer offer degrees in communications and journalism due to a reduction in student demand.

Learn more about Whether a Journalism Degree is Useless . 

5. Creative Writing

Students can explore their creativity through creative writing courses. Students can find their unique voices and writing styles thanks to them. Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting are among the forms of creative writing that are included in some classes.

Those who major in creative writing typically work in publishing or education. These aren’t always the best solutions, though. Make sure you are prepared with a portfolio upon graduation if you choose to pursue a profession in creative writing.

Consider merely writing if you want to pursue a career in creative writing and eventually publish a book. The majority of authors don’t major in creative writing before penning their debut novel.

6. Criminal Justice

Many students dream about becoming police officers or FBI agents, so they major in criminal justice. But the reality most of the time is you will be working in an office doing paperwork.

Becoming a police office or FBI agent usually requires different skills. You should research what position you’re interested in and see what major is best for that. Whatever your interest, you need to determine whether criminal justice is right for you.

7. Culinary Arts

Students who study in culinary arts learn all facets of food preparation. This encompasses all types of cooking and baking, as well as catering. Students can gain new skills while working in restaurants and hotels through Johnson & Wales University’s culinary arts program.

There are more jobs than ever because the culinary arts sector is expanding quickly. You can start earning money sooner if you choose this degree as well.

Not how to get ready for your career, but how to cook, is what you learn in culinary school. Students learn how to chop vegetables and mix spices, but they do not acquire knowledge that will enable them to find employment in a restaurant or hotel. As a result, getting employment as a chef can be difficult for many recent grads.

There are a variety of methods to start if you want to pursue a profession in cooking. If you want to become a professional chef, you could enroll in culinary school or a trade school. This will open up a wider selection of specialized cooking courses and assist you in becoming ready for the demanding criteria of becoming a professional chef.

8. Education

Many students choose an Education degree to become teachers because they love teaching kids. While this is a noble goal, not all students will end up loving teaching in the long term. 

For those who continue in teaching, they often find that their degree doesn’t help them in the long run. Teachers who specialize in certain areas are hired to teach specific subjects. These subjects vary greatly depending on the school district. Preschool teachers must be certified before they can start teaching. Special education teachers must have additional training.

Elementary and middle school teachers must complete an endorsement program. High school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject. All of these programs require additional time and money.

Education majors must first choose a specialization. Specializations are areas of study within an educational discipline. Education majors often specialize in specific subjects like math, science, English, history (social studies), and even art.

These specialties require additional training and post-graduate degrees before students can begin working as teachers. Students also need to complete student teaching placements before they can apply for jobs. Once they have received all of the necessary training and endorsements, education majors will be ready to start looking for jobs.

9. Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship degrees are great if you want to start your own company, but they aren’t always enough to land a well paying job after graduation. Entrepreneurship programs are designed to help students understand what it takes to run a successful business, but they often lack practical experience. Students need to gain hands-on experience before pursuing an entrepreneurial career.

Getting an entrepreneurship degree by itself isn’t the most useful thing. Most students graduate with no idea of how to start a business or how to manage employees. They may know how to code websites, design logos, write marketing copy, and market products, but they don‘t know how to do any of these things when it comes to running a business.

Students should consider taking classes outside of the Entrepreneurship major to learn how to run a business in certain areas.

10. Ethnic and Civilization Studies

If a student wants to learn about the past of many cultures and communities, earning a degree in ethnic and civilisation studies is an excellent choice. With a degree in this area, they can learn about the variations among distinct social groups and the reasons behind their behavior.

Students will learn more about how culture affects society as well. They will be equipped to assist others in overcoming stereotypes and cultural obstacles as a result.

Students are less likely to find a solid job straight immediately with this degree alone, though. To increase their value to future employers, they should enroll in some courses in additional professions. Ethnic and culture studies might make a nice second major or minor.

11. Fashion Design

Although it might not be the best option for a job after graduation, a fashion design degree might be beneficial for those interested in designing apparel. Students that pursue degrees in this field learn how to design clothing utilizing materials, patterns, and hues. A fashion designer’s objective is to create new, original, and stylish designs.

The path to becoming a fashion designer can take many different forms. Some people opt to attend art school, while others attend a nearby college to earn an associate’s degree. No matter the route taken, there are still a lot of steps needed to become a prosperous fashion designer.

Having a degree in fashion design does not ensure that you can start working as a fashion designer right away. With just a degree, it can be challenging to find employment as a fashion designer. When applying for jobs, the portfolio might be more crucial to your ability to sell yourself.

12. Film, Video, and Photographic Arts

Film, video, and photographic arts majors dream of working as as photographers, videographers, editors, directors, producers, cinematographers, set designers, makeup artists, costume designers, and more. Many film and photography jobs require years of training and practice, so students shouldn’t expect to start working right out of college.

These industries will usually have high competition and it doesn’t require you to have a degree in those areas either. These degrees teach students to capture their artistic talent. While this is a legitimate career choice, it’s unlikely that someone will become very successful at capturing images if they aren’t naturally gifted at it.

Many successful photographers don’t have a degree because they already have the talent. However, they may find classes or two helpful in fine-tuned specific aspects of their work.

13. Languages

It’s a wonderful pleasure to learn a language. You get to discover various cultures, get to know new people, and experience the world from a different perspective. Studying languages has have drawbacks, though. Some students shell out thousands of dollars on courses and books in order to learn a handful of words. Others invest years in learning one language before switching to another. Due to the fact that they rarely apply their abilities after graduation, many students feel as though their time and money were wasted.

You can apply for translator positions after you graduate. Technical papers like software manuals are the focus of several businesses. Others write historical or scholarly books or articles. Others concentrate on court records. You will need to develop a number of talents, regardless of the sort of translation you select.

You must first be a native speaker of both languages. Second, you must be knowledgeable about language and style rules. You’ll also need to be aware of cultural variations. You’ll probably need to write well, too, in the end.

You will have additional career alternatives once you graduate from college if you double major in a second subject. For instance, you may major in both Chinese and Finance. You would become more employable as a result for occupations dealing with the Chinese market in the United States, China, and other parts of Asia.

• Related article: How Hard is it to Double Major?

A music major might use their spare time to read about music theory, play their instruments, listen to music, write songs, perform at concerts, or create original works. They might play in a band or be a member of an ensemble. Additionally, they might attend lessons on composition or music history.

A double major in music and another field is an option for music students, as is narrowing their attention to a particular area like composition or conducting.

There aren’t many employment prospects for music majors, thus they frequently have trouble finding employment following graduation. If you have musical talent, you might be able to get employment as an orchestra member, conductor, professional musician, or even church choir director. However, those jobs are uncommon, and the majority of music majors find employment as teachers.

Because they lack the abilities required to be successful in other industries, music majors sometimes find it difficult to find employment after graduation. Many of them wind up working as baristas, in fast food restaurants, or in retail establishments. Others go on to become musicians. However, despite the possibility of occasional income, music jobs offer neither permanence nor security.

15. Philosophy

Philosophy majors examine the nature of knowledge, what it means to know something, and how we acquire knowledge. They also examine the evolution of ideas throughout history.

Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle are well-known for their contributions to the area, but today there are many more equally significant fields of study. Socrates, Descartes, Kant, Hume, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, and Sartre are among the most distinguished thinkers. These philosophers all contributed to the evolution of contemporary thought.

A philosophy major has numerous job options, however there are fewer employment alternatives than there are positions available. The majority of philosophy majors will pursue teaching positions.

If you intend to major in philosophy, you should also choose a second major that will increase your employment prospects.

16. Psychology

Students of psychology study human behavior and mental processes. They investigate personality traits, emotions, memory, and IQ.

Psychology is taught to students through classroom lectures, laboratory experiments, and clinical practice. In addition, some schools offer courses in forensic science, counseling, and child development as electives.

Psychology majors with only a bachelor’s degree will have difficulty getting employment. Typically, a master’s degree or doctorate is required for employment in psychology. Before choosing on a psychology degree, evaluate your desired career path and the prerequisites.

Read more about Whether a Psychology Degree is Useless . 

17. Sociology

Sociology is a broad discipline that studies society and culture. Sociologists study groups of people, including families, businesses, organizations, schools, governments, communities, religions, races, cultures, and nations.

Many sociologists focus on the interaction among individuals within groups. Others study the impact of technology on society. Some sociologists are concerned with the effects of globalization on societies. 

A sociology bachelor’s degree will not prepare you for much in the way of sociology careers. You will usually need to earn a master’s degree before pursuing a career in sociology. Another option is to pursue a second major for more job opportunities. 

18. Studio Arts and Fine Art

The study of art enables students to acquire proficiency in a variety of disciplines, including sculpture, painting, photography, digital media, and graphic design. Ofttimes, art students go on to become artists themselves, whether through teaching or other means.

Photography is an art form requiring both artistic and technical expertise. Others pursue interests other than photography. Numerous individuals enjoy photography as a hobby.

If you choose to earn a degree in an art form, you will have to narrow your options. For instance, if you want to become a painter, you may want to take classes in painting techniques, drawing, and composition. You could also investigate various mediums, such as oil paint, watercolor, acrylics, etc. Once you have determined your area of interest, you can begin researching local institutions that offer programs in that field.

Establishing a consistent career as an artist can be challenging. Numerous aspiring artists cannot support themselves without extra employment. However, if you appreciate art and enjoy creating it, you may be drawn to this field.

19. Theater Arts

Theater arts encompass choreography, acting, directing, playwriting, set construction, costume design, lighting design, and sound design. Most people with degrees in theater arts work in poorly compensated positions. Students who have a theatrical arts degree may think about pursuing a second major.

After graduation, employment is not guaranteed with a theater arts degree. The careers of many pupils include performing, directing, stage managing, costume design, and production design. Compared to occupations in theater arts, these ones require less education and pay more.

A degree in theater arts should be pursued by those who are talented or motivated. These courses will provide you with the requisite abilities. You can also think about enrolling in courses in a different discipline, such as producing, directing, or writing. Try moving up through regional productions if you want to get started right away.

20. Travel and Tourism

Travel and Tourism students often struggle to find a job after graduation because there isn’t enough demand for their skill set. Many graduates end up working at a travel agency or hotel desk all day long, making less money than they could if they had chosen a different career path.

Others become tour guides or even start their own businesses. Still others go back to school to get another degree. There are also opportunities for those who want to work in the industry, but need additional experience before applying for positions.

If you graduate with a degree in travel and tourism, you’ll likely get an entry level position at a hotel or travel agency. However, if you’re looking to move up to management positions, you’ll need to go back to school. Travel and tourism degrees are not very marketable right out of college because there aren’t many jobs available.

Most Useless Degrees Final Thoughts

You will learn some useful information in those fields of study thanks to these pointless degrees, but they will also have an impact on your employment prospects. The unemployment rates for these degrees are often the greatest.

In some fields, you might be able to find employment with these degrees, but most employers won’t take graduates with degrees in these fields at face value.

The best thing you can do is concentrate on obtaining a degree in a field that will truly be of value to you. In this way, when potential employers look at your resume, they’ll understand what you did in college and how much value you can add.

You may be interested in these other articles: 

• Are Hard College Majors Useful?
• Is a History Degree Useful?
• Why are Private Schools So Expensive?

Most Useless Degrees FAQs 

What is the most boring degree.

Most people think that Accounting is the most boring degree. Studying tax laws, recording transactions, and calculating profits and losses are certainly important tasks, but they don’t really make many people feel excited about life.

What is the most useful degree?

STEM Degrees are the most useful degrees because they teach you how to apply math, science, and technology to real-world problems. They prepare you for jobs in engineering, medicine, computer programming, and many other fields. You will also learn many valuable skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.

What are the weirdest degrees?

There are some really weird degrees out there, but they must be useful or schools wouldn’t offer them. Some weird majors include: Horology, Ethical Hacking, Baking Science and Technology, Viticulture and Oenology, Air Transport with Helicopter Training, and Brewing and Distilling. 

Are degrees becoming worthless?

However, they are no longer the exclusive route to success in life. College degrees are still significant. Success in business, professions, and entrepreneurship is common among those who did not complete college. If you lack a degree, there are many opportunities available.

The cost of attending college is rising along with tuition at colleges and universities, which reduces the value of degrees relative to that expense. Because earning a degree is now more expensive than ever, students should think carefully about whether the fees are justified.

The highest prestige sign in the past was thought to be a college degree. People are now, however, learning that success isn’t always guaranteed by a college diploma.

After finishing college, many graduates find themselves employed in positions that don’t call for a degree. Rather than working for someone else, some people decide to start their own businesses. Still some people make the decision to follow their passion and start their own business.

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I had a combination valve & bypass open heart surgery. We are talking about life or death. My distinct impression was that a cardiologist diagnosed the need for the operation. Then the surgeon performed the task. So basically, it was a cardiologist who called for the surgery and then the cardiac surgeon did it. One person would not do both. So it seems more like a team effort. And when the surgeon performed the operation, there were a number of people (including several surgeons) who assist the main surgeon. In this case, the surgery took 5 hours. In addition to a knack for doing the right thing, I hope you have nerves of steel to get though hours of stress.

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Creative writing professor Hanif Kureishi says such courses are 'a waste of time'

Creative writing courses are a "waste of time", according to the novelist – and creative writing teacher – Hanif Kureishi, who says that "a lot of my students just can't tell a story".

Kureishi, whose debut novel The Buddha of Suburbia won the Whitbread first novel prize, was speaking at the Independent Bath Literature festival on Sunday. He was made a professor at Kingston University last autumn, when he said it was " truly an exciting time to be a part of the creative writing department", but on Sunday Kureishi told the Bath audience that, when it came to his students, "it's probably 99.9 per cent who are not talented and the little bit that is left is talent".

"A lot of my students just can't tell a story. They can write sentences but they don't know how to make a story go from there all the way through to the end without people dying of boredom in between. It's a difficult thing to do and it's a great skill to have. Can you teach that? I don't think you can," said Kureishi, according to the Independent , which sponsors the festival.

"A lot of them [students] don't really understand," said Kureishi. "It's the story that really helps you. They worry about the writing and the prose and you think: 'Fuck the prose, no one's going to read your book for the writing, all they want to do is find out what happens in the story next.'" He works with his own students, said Kureishi, "for a long time". "They really start to perk up after about three years. And after about five years they really realise something about writing. It's a very slow thing.  People go on writing courses for a weekend and you think, 'A weekend?'"

He wouldn't, Kureishi said, according to the Independent, pay money to take an MA in creative writing himself. "No. I wouldn't do it like that. That would be madness. I would find one teacher who I thought would be really good for me," he told his audience. "It's not about the course. The whole thing with courses is that there are too many teachers on them, and most are going to teach you stuff that is a waste of time for you."

With a vast range of creative writing courses on offer in the UK - including from the Guardian - Kureishi is not the only author to feel the same way. Novelist and former creative writing teacher Lucy Ellmann, while disagreeing with Kureishi that style is unimportant, nevertheless described creative writing as "the biggest con-job in academia", and pointed to the poet August Kleinzahler's comment in the Guardian that "It's terrible to lie to young people. And that's what it's about."

"The whole system is set up to silence writers, and dupe students. It doesn't even provide a safe haven for writers, as Hanif made clear, because most universities go out of their way to ruin writers with admin, overwork, and other nonsense. There's lousy teaching too: I know of creative writing teachers who don't even read the students' work. This is criminal," said Ellmann. "But of course, the purpose of corporations - which is what universities now are - is to scupper originality and dissent.Universities have gone from being culture-preserving institutions to being culture-destroying institutions. And people queue up to pay these culture-destroying institutions £9000 a year to ensure that any idea of literature is destroyed before it can enter their heads."

If you want to write, said Ellmann, "what you should really be doing is reading as much good literature as you can get your hands on, for years and years, rather than wasting half your university life writing stuff you're not ready to write".

And once you've done that, "what you need and deserve is individual help, as Hanif says," she said. "I think it's a real pity that thousands of people are studying this subject - and being taught by unqualified tutors, some of whom have never published a novel. And I can't stand it when authors announce they have a degree in creative writing. So what? They're a dime a dozen."

But Jeanette Winterson , who teaches at Manchester University, disagreed with Kureishi. She told the Guardian: "My job is not to teach my MA students to write; my job is to explode language in their faces. To show them that writing is both bomb and bomb disposal – a necessary shattering of cliche and assumption, and a powerful defusing of the soul-destroying messages of modern life (that nothing matters, nothing changes, money is everything, etc). Writing is a state of being as well as an act of doing. My job is to alter their relationship with language. The rest is up to them."

Rachel Cusk and novelist Matt Haig, who is chairing the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered prize this year, have also defended the process in the past. Responding to Kureishi's remarks Haig said:

"Creative writing lessons can be very useful, just like music lessons can be useful. To say, as Hanif Kureishi did, that 99.9% of students are talentless is cruel and wrong. I believe that certain writers like to believe they arrived into the world with special, unteachable powers because it is good for the ego," said Haig. "Of course, it is always important to know your limitations. For instance, I could have 7,000 guitar lessons but I wouldn't be Hendrix, though I would be a lot better than I am now. Like most artforms writing is part instinct and part craft. The craft part is the part that can be taught, and that can make a crucial difference to lots of writers."

His own first novel was read by Winterson, said Haig, "and she gave me advice that still helps me today. She told me to change 'epiphanic moment' to 'moment of epiphany', for instance, which is advice of infinite wisdom".

"To say that creative writing courses are all useless is almost as silly as saying all editors are useless. Writers, of all levels, can benefit from other instructive voices," he said. "However, I do think some people will never be writers. Just like some people will never be architects or web designers. But good writing courses will help you work out if you are a writer or not."

A spokesperson for Kingston University told the Independent that Kureishi's course was "extremely demanding and valuable", and that the author, playwright and screenwriter "is employed for his thought-provoking, inspirational contribution which he provides through supportive masterclasses, tutorials and PhD supervisions. Students consistently praise him and benefit from his advice."

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From Chaos to Creativity: One Teacher’s Path to a Writing Degree

Heather hein.

Senior Editor

Former high school teacher and lifelong writer Ellie Moran finds her perfect fit in the Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing program at University College.

Ellie Moran will never forget the day she decided to go to graduate school.

It was the fall of 2021, and she was in her classroom at Denver’s East High School, where she taught English. Suddenly, the school was placed on lockdown, and Ellie was stuck with her rowdiest class of seniors, waiting for two hours while a dozen police officers, a SWAT team and bomb-sniffing dogs went through the building.

“And I said to myself, that’s it, I’ve got to go to grad school. That was quite literally the moment I decided. I went home that day and applied to DU,” she says.

Ellie had been teaching at East, her alma mater, for five years—an experience she calls both “delightful” and “tumultuous.” She loved her students, her colleagues and the field of education, but the pressures of being a teacher were too much—and not just because of lockdowns.

“I was only in my fifth year, and I felt like I was drowning, like I didn’t have the brain space or capacity to learn or be creative,” she says. The curriculum she taught had started to feel monotonous, and she wanted to spend more time writing.

As an undergraduate, she double majored in creative writing and secondary education at the University of Colorado Boulder. A couple years into her job at East, she decided to get a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction but, just before she was set to start the program, she had an “aha” moment.

“I was walking to a coffee shop and, I don’t know why, but I just asked myself, ‘Why are you going to grad school?’ And the only answer I had was to make more money. And I was like, ‘What?’ I can’t do something I’m not passionate about,” Ellie says. That afternoon, she says, she deferred her enrollment and removed herself from the pool completely about a week later.

'I have to write every day'

She realized that writing was what she wanted to do. “It’s like survival to me. I don’t know how to navigate the world without it,” Ellie says. “I have to write every day. I observe so many things in a day, there’s so many things in [my head], that I have to expel them.”

In the fall of 2022, Ellie enrolled in University College’s Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing program, which she says is a perfect fit for the memoir style of writing she enjoys most. “I have the memory of an elephant. I remember everything and enjoy writing about the things I remember,” she explains. “I don’t necessarily enjoy writing about things that haven’t happened.”

The creativity comes in, she says, by embedding her nonfiction with poetry and figurative language or adding images and “kind of just visually playing around” on the page.

“It feels like weaving, weaving creativity into the truth. It’s essentially making your personal story universal, taking the stories I see in my everyday life and pulling out the universal truths,” she says.

Now working as an enrichment coordinator for a Montessori academy in Denver, Ellie says her long-term goal is to get into publishing. The University College program, she says, was an easy choice because of its flexible schedule and virtual option.

“There are times where I’ve been wildly overwhelmed—because it’s grad school—but for the most part, it’s been really accessible, which I’m so thankful for,” she says.

That accessibility has allowed her to zero in on her writing. “I know how to write, but I wanted to get better. I wanted professors to look at my work and say, ‘That’s terrible’ or ‘That makes no sense.’ I wanted to learn how to structure my writing better, to work on the process.”  

One of her main writing outlets is a SubStack she started last year called Mis(s) Education . She writes narrative nonfiction essays on the state of education, including topics like school shootings (including one at East High School in 2023), teacher burnout and the “epidemic of ego” in educational leadership.

She plans to continue combining her love of writing and her love of education when she moves to New York City in the fall. She has applied to several publishing houses but is also applying to some schools and community colleges for non-classroom positions in areas like student engagement and community event planning.

“The biggest thing that I've learned is that you can’t change a system while you're in it. Teachers are too tired to write about their experiences. I want to have the time to, on their behalf, talk to them, take their words, write them down and get them out there.”

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Most Useless Degrees For Future

We are an open-minded generation that welcomes innovation, creativity and development. After all, what would the world be without new inventions, discoveries and solutions?

The number of people who major in different fields is growing rapidly with time because more parents are beginning to understand how important it is for their children to study something they enjoy.

However, there are certain degrees that provide you with nothing but a piece of paper. Yes, we know the world’s economy is in decline and people are struggling to find jobs everywhere, but let’s face it – some degrees are simply not worth your time and tuition fee.

With all this said, here is our list of 20 most useless degrees in 2022.

20. creative writing (bachelor’s degree).

What to expect after graduation: While some lucky graduates are able to make something out of their degrees, most people with this major end up working as bartenders, waiters or retail assistants. The only ones who make a career out of writing are those with a Master’s or PhD degree – and even then it is tough going. If you happen to create the next Harry Potter saga – good for you!

19. Fine Arts (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: On average, 44% of graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts are either unemployed or working jobs that don’t match their skills. Most people who enroll in this type of major are those who want to become artists – but there are many talented individuals with unique abilities per capita. Those who manage to find jobs do so as bartenders, store clerks or sales managers.

18. Philosophy (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: The percentage of unemployed graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy is 35%, while only 25% find jobs that match their skills. In most cases, those who major in Philosophy become teachers as they can’t find work elsewhere.

17. Film and Video Production (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Before you enroll in a Bachelor’s program in Film and Video Production, make sure that it is going to earn you a job that pays at least $30,000 per year. Being a director or cinematographer is an exciting career choice with a large number of opportunities. However, the issue is that it’s hard to find a job due to fierce competition from people with similar degrees or those who have actual experience.

16. Art History (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Those who graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History can only hope for one thing—to become an art expert. It’s definitely not easy to find a job in this field, but if you manage to land a position, your salary will range from $52,000 to $55,000 per year.

15. Sociology (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: If you major in Sociology, you will likely end up working as a social worker, counselor or in some other social-related field. Most companies and businesses prefer hiring people who have more flexible degrees like Psychology and Social Work, because they can place them in different departments and sectors.

14. Human Resources (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Most graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources end up working as sales clerks or managers. The only ones who find jobs that perfectly match their skills are those who have previous experience and can prove their qualifications.

13. English Language/Literature (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: In most cases, those who major in English Literature and Language end up working as teachers at high schools. The majority of graduates have a hard time finding a job – only 52% earn enough money for at least basic necessities. Those who find employment work as customer service representatives or real estate agents.

12. Physical Education (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: It is important to note that just because you have a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, it does not mean that you will be a physical education teacher. In most cases, those who major in this subject become physical therapists or fitness trainers – although there are still plenty of opportunities for growth and development. The average salary that graduates earn is $31,000 per year.

11. Hospitality Management (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: For the most part, those who major in Hospitality Management can look forward to becoming restaurant managers or hotel managers. This type of degree has a relatively high number of job openings, but it is hard to find employees for positions where the pay isn’t suitable. It’s important to note that men are more likely to get hired than women.

10. Fashion Design (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Since most people tend to associate fashion design with glamor and bright lights, they are often surprised to find out that the majority of people who graduate with this degree end up working as sales clerks or managers in clothing stores. According to statistics, only 48% of graduates are able to find a job that pays enough for basic necessities, while 30% work in construction and engineering.

9. Exercise Science (Bachelor’s degree)

This type of degree is secured by those who tend to think that exercise science will prepare them for careers as physical therapists or fitness trainers. However, this is not the case. Most graduates end up working in retail or sales because these jobs are more popular among people with similar degrees.

8. Culinary Arts (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Graduates who pursue this degree usually end up working as cooks or chefs. Although those who major in Culinary Arts can find jobs quite easily (especially if they have experience under their belt), it’s important to note that the average salary is only $33,000 per year

7. Human Services (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: The majority of graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services tend to work as social workers, counselors, or case managers. Although they have a relatively high number of job openings, the salary is often low and not enough for meeting basic needs. In most cases, graduates earn an average of $34,000 per year. High school teachers are required to possess a Bachelor’s degree in the subject they teach.

6. Visual Arts (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Despite the high number of job openings for arts, most graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in this field end up working as sales clerks or managers. There are also some who become substitute teachers or carpenters. The average salary is $35,000 per year.

5. Psychology (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology usually end up working as psychologists or mental health counselors – which isn’t a bad thing, but there are also plenty of opportunities in sales and marketing that don’t require a degree in psychology.

4. Child Development (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Like Human Services, Child Development is an interesting major choice for students who want to work with children. The only difference is that the number of job openings for Human Services graduates is much higher. In this case, there are at least six other people competing for each job opening. As a result, the average salary is only $36,000 per year.

3. Athletic Training (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: Many students choose Athletic Training as their major because they think it will prepare them for a career as trainers and physical therapists. Unfortunately, this doesn’t usually happen. Graduates with this degree tend to work as assistants or technicians rather than trainers and physical therapists. The average salary is $36,000 per year.

2. Paralegal Studies (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: After graduation, the only thing that awaits these graduates is a job interview in their chosen field. Unfortunately, most employers look for people with work experience and reject paralegal studies graduates because they think there are plenty of other lawyers who will do the job.

1. Communications (Bachelor’s degree)

What to expect after graduation: The number of Bachelor’s degree graduates in the communications field isn’t as big as those with a psychology or social work major, but they’re still very competitive. Communication majors usually end up working as writers and editors – and most of them struggle to find jobs.

The average salary is $38,000 per year – which can be even lower if their work field is freelance writing or if they’re just starting out.

In most cases, students who pursue a Bachelor’s degree major in one of the majors above will have a difficult time finding jobs after graduation. Some might say that these college degrees are useless, but there are still plenty of people who graduate with them every year – and most of them end up working as bartenders, servers, or part-time nannies because they’re unable to find jobs that meet their qualifications.

With that said, students who want to pursue a Bachelor’s degree major must think hard before choosing one – especially if their family has plenty of money and could easily support them if starting out doesn’t work out well.

It wouldn’t hurt if they gained some related work experience before graduating and applied for a job in their chosen field. Unfortunately, most people don’t do this and end up unemployed after graduation anyway.

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