does howard have a creative writing major

Undergraduate Academic Programs

Howard university offers over 50 areas of study across 7 undergraduate schools & colleges.

The University has an enduring commitment to the education and advancement of underrepresented populations in America and the global community. Howard University’s unique mission represents an unwavering commitment to its core values of leadership, excellence, truth and service. Since its founding in 1867, Howard has awarded more than 130,000 degrees and certificates in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities. 

Students may declare majors, minors, and concentrations (where applicable) in areas such as the arts, sciences, humanities, business, engineering, architecture, nursing, allied health sciences, education and communications. Undergraduate degree-seeking students are generally admitted, or conditionally admitted in the case of Fine Arts students who have not yet received audition/portfolio results, into their first or second choice major preference, as indicated on the Common App. Moreover, while students cannot declare a minor at the time of admission, degree-seeking students may generally declare a minor during or after their sophomore year of college (30+ credits earned) from the available list of minors. For more information on each major, minor and concentrations, please see the school/college websites provided below.  

• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of Fine Arts ( Art | Music | Theatre Arts )
• College of Engineering & Architecture
• College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences
• School of Business
• School of Communications
• School of Education

New incoming degree-seeking students may not generally change their major until after their first semester of attendance. As such, all new entrant students are encouraged to thoroughly review the highlighted links for details on their programs of interest.

Current undergraduate degree-seeking students seeking to change their major/minor/concentration may consult with their academic advisor for further details on the program change/declaration process. Applicable forms with detailed information may also be accessed via the Registrar's Forms page.

Undergraduate Programs - Majors & Concentrations

College of arts and sciences .

• African Studies (BA-AFRS)
• Afro-American Studies (BA-AFAM)
• Biology (BS-BIOL)
• Chemistry (BS-CHEM) 
• Criminology (BA-CRIM)
• Economics (BA-ECON)
• Creative Writing (CRWR)
• Community Health (CMHL)
• Maternal and Child Health (MTCH)
• History (BA-HIST)
• Sports Medicine (SPMD)
• Sports Management (SPMG)
• Bioethics (BA-BIET)
• Community Development (BA-COMD)
• Environmental Science (BS-ENVS)
• Environmental Studies (BA-ENTS)
• Humanities: Ancient & Modern (BA-HAMD)
• International Affairs (BA-INTA)
• Pure Mathematics (PRMT) 
• Applied Mathematics (APMT)
• Actuarial Science (ACSE)
• Math Education (EDUC)
• Philosophy (BA-PHIL)
• Physics (BS-PHYS)
• Political Science (BA-POLS)
• Psychology (BS-PSYC)
• Sociology (BA-SOCI)
• Spanish (BA-SPAN)
• Undecided (No degree awarded)

Indented areas represent available declared concentrations.  Visit  coas.howard.edu  for further details on the College of Arts and Sciences.

College of Fine Arts

• Ceramics (CERM)
• Electronic Studio Art (ELSA)
• Fashion Design (FADS)
• Graphic Design (GRHD) 
• Interior Design (INTD)
• Painting (PAIN)
• Photography (PHOT) 
• Sculpture (SCUL)
• Composition*
• Jazz Studies* 
• Music with Business*
• Music Education*
• Music History* 
• Music Therapy* 
• Acting (ACTG)
• Dance (DANC)
• Musical Theatre (MUTE)
• Theatre Arts Administration (THAD)
• Theatre Technology (THTH)

Bulleted indented areas represent available declared concentrations. 

*Denote department areas of study that will not appear on a student’s degree and cannot be officially declared as a concentration.

​​​​​​​School of Business 

• Accounting (BBA-ACCT)
• Computer Information Systems (BBA-IS)
• Actuarial Science (ACSE)
• Risk Management (RKMG)
• International Business (BBA-IB)
• Management (BBA-MGMT)
• Marketing (BBA-MKTG)
• Supply Chain Management (BBA-SCMT)

Indented areas represent available declared concentrations.  Visit  business.howard.edu  for further details on the School of Business.

School of Education 

• Human Development (BS-HUMD)
• Elementary Education (BS-ELEM)

Visit  education.howard.edu  for further details on the School of Education.

​​​​​​​College of Engineering & Architecture

• Architecture & Design Studies (BS-ARCHDS)
• Chemical Engineering (BSCHE-CHEG)
• Civil Engineering (BSCIV-CIVL)
• Computer Engineering (BSCOEG)
• Electrical Engineering (BSEEE-ELEC)
• Mechanical Engineering (BSMECH)
• Computer Science (BS-COSI)

Visit  cea.howard.edu  for further details on the College of Engineering & Architecture.

​​​​​​​College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences

• Clinical Laboratory Science (BSCLS-CLAB)
• Health Management (BS-HSCI) (HLMN major)
• Health Sciences (BS-HSCI)
• Nursing (BS-NURS)
• Nutritional Sciences (BS-NUTR)
• Radiation Therapy (BS-RADT)

Visit  cnahs.howard.edu  for further details on the College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences.

School of Communications 

• Audio Production (AUPR)
• Interdisciplinary Comm. Studies (INCS)
• Journalism (JOUR)
• Television & Film (MEFP)
• Advertising (ADVT)
• Legal Communications (LGCM)
• Media Management (MGCM)
• Organizational Communications (ORCM)
• Public Relations (PURL)

Indented areas represent available declared concentrations.  Visit  communications.howard.edu  for further details on the Cathy Hughes School of Communications.

Joint/Dual Degree

• BS/MD – COAS & College of Medicine
• BS/DDS – COAS & College of Dentistry
• BA/JD – COAS/CHSOC & School of Law
• BS Human Development/MSW – School of Education & School of Social Work

Undergraduate Programs - Minors

• African Studies 
• Afro-American Studies 
• Allied Sciences
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Biology  
• Caribbean Studies
• Chemistry 
• Classical Civilization
• Community Development
• Criminology  
• Economics 
• English  
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Health Education ( Community Health | Maternal & Child Health )
• History  
• Humanities: Ancient to Modern
• International Affairs
• Mathematics
• Military Science ( Army | Air Force )
• Political Science  
• Sociology 
• Sports Administration
• Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Art History
• Electronic Studio Art
• Interior Design
• Music (Classical or Jazz Performance) 
• Photography
• Playwriting
• Theatre Arts   
• Theatre Arts Administration
• Theatre Technology

School of Business 

• Business Administration

College of Engineering & Architecture

• Computer Science
• Human Development  
• Secondary Education
• Strategic, Legal, & Mass Communications
• Media, Journalism, & Film  
• Speech Language Pathology

Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts

Where creativity makes history., get to know chadwick a. boseman.

The newly reestablished College of Fine Arts is named in honor of alumnus  Chadwick A. Boseman , whose remarkable career as an actor, director, writer, and producer inspired millions around the world. 

New Student Orientation Guide

Welcome to the chadwick a. boseman college of fine arts, the cultural center of howard university..

Students from across the country and globe choose Howard University, a leading research-intensive and historically Black private university, for its reputation, for academic excellence, its research preeminence, its global diversity, and its distinct location in the global capital of the world, Washington, D.C. 

The Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts is one of the most active, dynamic, and engaging colleges across the University campus. Comprised of the Departments of Art, Music, Theatre Arts, the Howard University Gallery of Art, University Choirs and Bands, and Center for Student Success, the students and faculty in the College present significant events that open the academic year and continue throughout the calendar months. The Fine Arts' components are highly visible in the University community, nationally, and internationally.

The College commits itself to producing leaders for America and the global community. Students like you, across Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Music degrees and over 25 specializations, turn their education and research passions into a relentless pursuit of ideas to solve some of the globe’s toughest challenges. Our institutional motto, Veritas et Utilitas (Truth and Service), is woven throughout our University community. Our faculty and graduate students are driven by a deep-rooted sense of purpose and desire to make an impact in the world. WELCOME TO THE MECCA!

Download the guide by clicking here or use the QR code

Dedicated to the Student Experience!

Featured Events and News of the College

August 28 - chadwick a. boseman day.

Chadwick A.

Category: Homepage Featured, News

August 27 - For What It's Worth Screening and Wellness Event

For What It’s Worth is a BET Networks television movie created to promote mental health awareness.

From Student to Dean: Howard University’s Phylicia Rashad prepares to step down and ponder her future

WASHINGTON — Phylicia Rashad typically shuns the spotlight and had to be convinced to take on the role of 

Phylicia Rashad brought more than star power to Howard University

The first thing to understand about Phylicia Rashad, the outgoing dean of Howard University’s Chadwick A.

2024 Recognition Ceremony Dates & Information

Congratulations Class of 2024 Graduates! Chadwick A.

Alumni: Connect With Us!

Gwendolyn h. everett, ph.d., named interim dean of the chadwick a. boseman college of fine arts, how the pipe organ shaped black music, howard university appoints chancellor mills as new director of bands, class of 2024: the longest walk, iconic alumni, chadwick a. boseman.

Award-winning actor and producer, Class of 2000, Bachelor of Fine Arts

A native of South Carolina, Chadwick Boseman graduated from Howard University and attended the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford, after which he began his career as an actor, director and writer. Boseman starred as T'Challa/Black Panther in the worldwide phenomenon Marvel Studios' "Black Panther," which has shattered box-office records both domestically and internationally. Boseman made his debut as the African superhero Black Panther in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” in May 2016. He reprised the role for Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War” in 2019.Boseman's breakout performance came in 2013 when he received rave reviews for his portrayal of the legendary Jackie Robinson in Warner Bros’ “42.” He previously starred in the title role of Open Road Films’ “Marshall,” which tells the story of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases as the Chief Counsel to the NAACP. His other feature film credits include: the revenge thriller “Message from the King,” Summit Entertainment's “Draft Day,” the independent psychological post-war drama, “The Kill Hole” and Gary Fleders’ drama, “The Express.”Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016. During his four-year battle with cancer, he continued his work, persevering through the production of several films between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. Boseman passed away in August of 2020, surrounded by his wife and family. 

Purpose is the essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.

Jessye Norman

Opera Singer & Humanitarian, Class of 1967, Bachelor of Music

Jessye Norman was a Grammy Award-winning operatic singer, humanitarian, and Howard alumna known for her powerful voice and stage presence. She was born in 1945 in Augusta, Georgia to a musical family that nurtured her budding talent. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, Norman helped to integrate local businesses, participating in sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. At the age of 16, Norman’s performance at a vocal competition earned her a full scholarship to Howard University. She graduated from Howard in 1967 with a degree in music, then went on to complete her graduate education at the Peabody Conservatory and later at the Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Over the course of her lifetime, she earned several honorary degrees from a number of other prestigious institutions.Norman’s opera career took off in Europe. She made her debut in 1969 in Germany, then continued to perform at famous opera houses around the world. Her worldwide success as a Black woman on the operatic stage was both rare and groundbreaking. Though billed as an operatic soprano, Norman had an impressive vocal range and a diverse range of musical interests, including popular music, gospel, blues, and more. As a humanitarian, Norman addressed hunger, homelessness, youth development, and arts education. In 2003, the Jessye Norman School of the Arts opened in her hometown of Augusta to provide free education in the arts   to underprivileged children. After a long and successful career, she died of complications related to a spinal injury in 2019. Thanks in part to her trailblazing efforts, Norman left the opera world a more inclusive place than when she entered it.

One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.

Alma Thomas

Artist, first graduate of the Department of Art, Class of 1924, Bachelor of Science

Alma Thomas was an artist and educator best known for her colorful abstract paintings. Born and raised in Columbus, GA., her family moved to Washington, D.C. when she was 15, seeking relief from the racial climate of the South. Thomas graduated from Howard University in 1924, becoming the first person to graduate from the newly-formed Department of Art. Though Thomas’s early artwork was realistic, her Howard professor James V. Herring and peer Lois Mailou Jones—both notable artists in their own right—encouraged her to experiment with abstract styles. Thomas taught art for 35 years and pursued painting in her free time. After retiring from teaching, Thomas developed her signature abstract style and debuted her first exhibition at Howard University at the age of 75. Her mosaic-like paintings translated art history, nature, and personal aesthetic in simple compositions influenced by the pointillism and abstract expressionism movements. Thomas was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American art. In 2015, 37 years after her death, Thomas's piece “Resurrection” (1966) became the first piece of artwork by a Black woman to hang in a public space in the White House and enter the permanent collection. 

My real belief is in my art, in beauty. I say everyone on earth should take note of the spring of the year coming back every year, blooming and gorgeous.

David Driskell

Artist, professor, curator, Class of 1955, Bachelor of Fine Arts

A 1955 graduate of Howard, Professor David C. Driskell began his studies in 1949 as a history major, however, his outstanding work in the drawing class of Professor James Wells not only led him to become an art major and afforded him a full scholarship. It was Professor James A. Porter who then urged him to switch to art history, stating: “You just can’t afford to be an artist, you must also show the world what our people have contributed.”

Driskell excelled in the rigorous art history curriculum, as well as in design, drawing, painting, and printmaking. He soon achieved his greatest triumph as a student—a scholarship to the prestigious summer program at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, where he won the 1953 Leonard Bacour Progress Prize in Art. In the Fall, Dr. Driskell assigned his own painting studio by the Howard University College of Fine Arts and studied under Dr. Albert Carter (1915-1977) the Curator of the Art Gallery, who Dr. Driskell assisted with the a major exhibition of African Art.

After earning his B.F.A. from Howard in 1955, and his M.F.A from Catholic University in 1962, Dr. Driskell looked to university teaching. His professorial career began at Talladega College in 1958. In 1961, he exhibited at the Howard’s new art gallery in the show, “New Vistas in American Art.” Over time, he evolved into a true art historian, a curator and author, art consultant, and most importantly, a practicing artist.

In 1962, Dr. Driskell was selected as a full-time faculty member at Howard; and in 1963-64, he was appointed Acting Chairman of the Art Department and Director of the Art Gallery during Professor Porter’s sabbatical year. During this period, Dr. Driskell published a complete informational brochure of the Art Department for the public. As a member of the American Federation of Arts, he secured funding for the purchase of 15 modern masterworks for the permanent collection.

In 1966, Professor Driskell became Chairman of the Art Department and Director of the Carl Van Vechten Gallery at Fisk University. As gallery director, Professor Driskell cultivated a relationship with two of Americas’ greatest artists. Georgia O’ Keeffe (1887-1986) was known as the “mother of American Modernism” and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) pioneered urban nocturnal views as fine art. 

In the 1970s, Professor Driskell exhibited his own work widely and he cataloged the Fisk University collection with Professor Earl Hooks. His greatest achievement of this period was the curation of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art exhibition: “Two Centuries of Black American Art, 1750-1950,” which included 200 works by 63 artists. It was a monumental undertaking that exposed black artistic achievement to the masses on a grand scale. The 1970s also saw Professor Driskell’s departure from Fisk to assume a professorship at the University of Maryland, where he became Chairman of the Department of Art in 1978. In 1980 he was honored with a solo exhibition at the gallery there: “David C. Driskell, a Survey”; and in 1981, his alma mater, Howard, bestowed upon him the Distinguished Alumni Award.

His most ambitious undertaking in the fields of exhibiting and teaching African American art and contextualizing black art history occurred in 1999. Sponsored by the Andover Academy of American Art and the Studio Museum in Harlem, “To Preserve a Legacy: American Art from Historically Black Colleges and Universities” was an eight city, two year journey, exhibiting the collections of six institutions: Howard, Fisk, Hampton, Clark-Atlanta, Tuskegee and North Carolina Central. Not only were their collections shown at the major civic museums adjacent to each school but, the ancillary shows of additional masterpieces from their permanent collections helped to continuously spark headlines. This undertaking embodied the passion that Professor Driskell had for black art institutions, especially HBCUs.

Source: Scott W. Baker

Taraji P. Henson

Actress, Producer, Mental Health Advocate, Class of 1995, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Taraji P. Henson is an Academy Award-nominated actress, producer, and mental health advocate. She was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in an apartment that she described as “one step up from the projects”. Henson’s path to an acting career was not always clear-cut. After graduating high school, she pursued a degree in electrical engineering at North Carolina University, but dropped out after failing a math class. Henson transferred to Howard University, where she studied theater while working two jobs to support herself and her newborn son.

After graduating from Howard in 1995, Henson moved to Los Angeles, where she took on an office job and landed small roles in various television series. Her breakthrough role came in 2001, when she starred in the film, “Baby Boy .”  From there, her repertoire of film roles grew, and in 2008, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as the titular character’s mother in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button . ” She focused primarily on film until 2015, when she returned to television in “Empire” as Cookie Lyon, a role for which she received an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe award. Her 2016 role as Katherine Johnson in the critically acclaimed film “Hidden Figures” cemented Henson’s popularity and iconic status.  In 2018, Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, a nonprofit committed to challenging the perception of mental illness in the African American community. 

Roberta Flack

GRAMMY award-winning musician, Class of 1958, Bachelors in Music Education

Classically trained on the piano, GRAMMY Award-winning musician Roberta Flack received a music scholarship at age 15 to attend Howard University. She was discovered by jazz musician Les McCann while singing at the Washington, D.C. nightclub, Mr. Henry's, and was promptly signed to Atlantic with a string of hits, including, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Where Is the Love” (a duet with former Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway), “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “Feel Like Makin' Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” and “Set the Night to Music.” In 1999, she received a star on Hollywood's legendary Walk of Fame. Flack regularly performs for audiences around the world, and has had the pleasure of appearing with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. In February 2009, Flack performed with critically acclaimed orchestras in Australia, including the Melbourne, Queensland, and Sydney Symphonies. She is currently involved with a new venture — an interpretive album of Beatles' classics. As a humanitarian and mentor, Flack founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, providing an innovative and inspiring music education program to underprivileged students free of charge.

My hope is that out of all the anger and seeming hostility that we hear in some of today's music will come some sort of coalition that will become politically involved.

Earning A Creative Writing Degree: All About A Bachelor’s In Creative Writing

Updated: Aug 24, 2023, 11:05am

When thinking about creative writing, you may recall Emily Dickinson writing evocative poems, Nicholas Sparks penning love stories or Ernest Hemingway tapping away on an old typewriter. While these are all creative writers at work, not all professionals in the field are authors; there are other career options for you if you love writing and want to make it your career.

Though not always required, many writing jobs call for a bachelor’s degree. From writing novels to reporting news stories, a creative writing degree equips you with strong writing and communication skills to prepare you for a fulfilling, imaginative career.

This article discusses bachelor’s degrees in creative writing, admission requirements, common courses and job options. Read on to learn how a creative writing degree prepares you for a writing career.

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What Is a Creative Writing Degree?

A creative writing degree teaches you the techniques behind many writing projects, including fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, biographies and poems.

A bachelor’s degree in creative writing focuses on the principles of effective storytelling, writing for different genres and developing believable characters. You hone essential skills through giving and receiving feedback from peers and instructors, preparing you for many jobs requiring strong writing skills.

A bachelor’s degree in creative writing requires about 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study to complete. Accelerated programs may take less time.

Admission requirements for a bachelor’s in creative writing typically align with the university’s general admission requirements and include a completed application, transcripts from previous coursework and English proficiency. Because each school is different, these requirements may vary.

Specializations for Creative Writing Majors

Many creative writing programs offer areas of concentration, which allow you to focus your studies. Offerings vary by program, but below are a few typical specializations for students pursuing creative writing degrees.

This concentration covers all aspects of fiction writing, including character development, storytelling, plot development, narrative voice, various genres, publishing techniques and the mechanics of fiction writing. It prepares you to write engaging stories and bring them to life.

A nonfiction concentration allows you to explore many types of nonfiction writing, including autobiography, travel writing and magazine writing. It also touches on publishing technologies and teaches you how to use research and reflection to create stories that resonate with readers.

With a poetry concentration, you learn to tap into your imagination to write work that creates engaging imagery and inspires others. Coursework includes poetry writing workshops where you and other students share your work for feedback and support.

Screenwriting

A screenwriting concentration prepares you to write for Hollywood productions, such as television shows, documentaries, short films and movies. With this concentration, you learn about story structure, character development and visual storytelling.

Common Courses in a Creative Writing Degree

Introduction to creative writing.

This course covers the essential mechanics of creative writing, such as point of view, setting, dialogue, imagery, scene development and characterization. As a student in this class, you can expect to read and critique your peers’ work and get feedback on your own.

Writing with Digital Media

Since digital media has become an essential medium for disseminating information, no creative writing program would be complete without a digital media course. This course covers writing and publishing across digital media formats and how to use audience, purpose and context in your writing.

Introduction to Screen and TV Writing

If you are interested in working as a screenwriter for films or television, this course helps get you started. It provides an overview of narrative screenwriting, the history and development of screenwriting, and storytelling principles used in writing for film and television.

Introduction to the Writing of Creative Nonfiction

Creative writing students need to know how to write both nonfiction and fiction. In this course, you learn the mechanics of writing original nonfiction while reading and studying contemporary nonfiction.

Fiction Writing Workshop

In this course, students explore writing different types of fiction pieces. They then share their work with each other and engage in discussion and group commentary.

Creative Writing Degree vs. English Degree: What’s the Difference?

While there are overlapping subjects in the English and creative writing disciplines, these degrees are a bit different.

An English bachelor’s degree focuses on both writing and literary studies. In this major, learners study various types of writing, such as creative, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, digital and professional writing. They also explore literature and build analytical, editorial and cultural literacy skills. It’s common for programs to offer English concentrations such as literature or creative writing.

A creative writing degree more narrowly hones students’ writing skills rather than focusing on literary subjects. This degree prepares learners for careers as screenwriters, novelists, journalists, poets and other writing professionals.

If you know you want to work in a creative writing career , a creative writing degree may be a good fit. If you prefer a broader degree that includes a more in-depth study of literature and literary theory in addition to writing, an English degree may be a better option.

What Can You Do With a Creative Writing Degree?

Below are a few popular jobs you can pursue with a creative writing degree. We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale .

Writer or Author

Median Annual Salary: $73,150 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; high school diploma sometimes acceptable Job Overview: The roles of authors and writers vary depending on the type of writing they do. They may write content for various mediums, such as books, magazines, advertisements, blogs, films, television programs, biographies or speeches. Writers often work closely with editors, advertising agencies and other stakeholders to create pieces for print or digital publication. Some writers are freelancers who work with multiple clients.

Median Annual Salary: $73,080 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Editors review and revise written content to ensure clarity, concision and accuracy. They must have excellent grammar and proofreading skills. These professionals may also plan and develop story ideas and collaborate with writers to ensure high-quality final products. Editors often work for magazines, book publishers, advertising firms and television broadcasters.

Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field Job Overview: Journalists write stories about current events and newsworthy issues to inform the public. Successful journalists have strong interviewing and investigative skills. They may work for broadcast news organizations, newspapers, magazines, or other print or digital publications. Some journalists are freelancers who write for multiple publications, and some work as columnists, news anchors or news correspondents.

Average Annual Salary: Around $57,300 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; high school diploma sometimes acceptable Job Overview: Copywriters are persuasive marketing writers who craft copy that advertises or encourages readers to take a specific action, such as purchasing a product or signing up for a newsletter. These professionals often write advertisements, company slogans or taglines, website copy and marketing emails. Copywriters commonly work for advertising agencies or marketing departments; some are freelancers.

Screenwriter

Average Annual Salary: Around $71,000 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; high school diploma sometimes acceptable Job Overview: Screenwriters , sometimes called script writers, write, revise and test scripts for television shows, commercials and films. These scripts may be original stories or stories based on books. Screenwriters need a firm grasp of dialogue and character development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Creative Writing Degree

How many years does it take to get a creative writing degree.

A bachelor’s in creative writing typically requires 120 credits and takes four years to complete. Your degree may take longer if you study part time, and accelerated programs may allow you to complete your degree faster.

How much do creative writers make?

Salaries for creative writers vary drastically depending on their job title. For example, a best-selling author earns much more than a small-town newspaper journalist. According to the BLS, writers made a median annual salary of $73,150 as of May 2022.

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Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.

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List of All U.S. Colleges with a Creative Writing Major

Writing has been my passion practically since I learned to read in kindergarten. I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars.

Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for success in numerous fields, whether you want to be an editor or a lawyer.

Interested in majoring in creative writing? Learn which schools offer the major and what to look for in a program.

Overview of the Creative Writing Major

Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you’ll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.

Most creative writing majors must participate in workshops, in which students present their work and listen to peer critiques, usually with a certain number of advanced courses in the mix. In some cases, colleges will ask you to specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting. 

To succeed in creative writing, you’ll need to have a tough spine, in order to open yourself up to feedback from your classmates and instructors. You may need to give readings in public — if not as an undergraduate, certainly during your career. Of course, a passion for creating is essential, too, as is a willingness to revise your work and learn from the greats and your peers.

A creative writing major opens up doors to many careers, including journalism, content marketing, copywriting, teaching, and others. Even careers that don’t center around writing often have a strong writing component: you’ll need to write reports, deliver presentations, and so on.

Some writers go on to earn an MFA, which will help you hone your craft. It’s also often a prerequisite for teaching creative writing at the college level.

What to Look for in a College as a Creative Writing Major

Published authors on faculty.

Many world-renowned authors have another claim to fame: professorships. Writers who have taught their craft include (among many others):

• Maya Angelou (Wake Forest University)
• Colson Whitehead (many colleges, including Vassar College and Columbia University)
• Stephen Dixon (Johns Hopkins University)
• Viet Thanh Nguyen (University of Southern California)
• Eula Biss (Northwestern University)
• Toni Morrison (Princeton University)

Be aware that as an undergraduate, you may not be able to learn from the greats. That’s why it’s important to look into which courses these faculty teach before you have dreams of being mentored by Salman Rushdie — who is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at NYU.

Genres Offered

While many schools that have creative writing majors offer fiction and poetry courses and tracks, there are some niche genres that could be more difficult to find. If you’re interested in playwriting, for example, you won’t find that at every school. Before you decide on a program, be sure it includes the genres you’d like to explore further, whether that’s flash fiction, creative nonfiction, or something else.

Workshopping Opportunities

The core of most quality creative writing curriculum is workshopping. This means sharing your work in your classes and listening to your peers discuss and critique it. While this may sound intimidating, it can do a lot to help you hone your work and become a better writer. Look for colleges that make this the bedrock of their curriculum.

Showcasing Opportunities

Are there opportunities to present your work, such as college-sponsored readings where undergraduates can participate? Or, perhaps the school has a great literary journal. At my school, students could submit their plays and have them performed by fellow students. 

List of All U.S. Colleges With a Creative Writing Major

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

No matter what major you’re considering, the first step is ensuring you’re academically comparable to students who were previously accepted to the college or university. Most selective schools use the Academic Index to filter out applicants who aren’t up to their standards.

You’ll also want to demonstrate your fit with the school and specific major with the qualitative components of your application, like your extracurriculars and essays. For a prospective creative writing major, the essay is particularly important because this is a way to demonstrate your writing prowess. Activities might include editing your school’s newspaper or literary journal, publishing your work, and participating in pre-college writing workshops.

Want to know your chances of being accepted to top creative writing schools? Try our Chancing Engine (it’s free). Unlike other calculators, it takes your individual profile into account, including academic stats and qualitative components like your activities. Give it a try and get a jumpstart on your journey as a creative writing major!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what are the standout hbcus for creative writing.

I love poetry and I'm looking to blossom in an environment that’s nurturing and diverse for college. My dream is to develop my craft at an HBCU, but I'm not sure which ones have strong creative writing programs. Are there particular HBCUs with great faculty, workshops, or a supportive community for aspiring writers?

Your aspiration to hone your poetic skills at an HBCU is wonderful, and there are several institutions known for their supportive environments and creative writing programs. Firstly, consider Howard University, which is prominent not only for its esteemed alumni but also for its rich literary community and workshops. Additionally, Morehouse College and Spelman College in Atlanta share resources and often collaborate, offering a dynamic setting for writers. Fisk University, with its connections to the Harlem Renaissance, also provides a historical lens to the study of creative writing and literature. Moreover, Hampton University is known for fostering a supportive community for writers.

Don't forget to look into each of these school's course offerings and any special programs or extracurriculars that could further your development as a poet. Good luck finding the right fit for your creative journey!

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College of Arts and Sciences

Writing center, aspire to write with depth, clarity & precision.

The Writing Center offers you one-on-one sessions, both in-person and online, with trained graduate and undergraduate tutors. Tutors address a variety of academic writing issues, including...

• interpreting writing assignments;
• brainstorming and generating ideas;
• organizing an essay or paper (thesis statements, topic sentences, paragraphs, etc.);
• navigating the research process (selecting, using, and citing sources);
• proofreading techniques;
• identifying and addressing recurrent issues in grammar, usage, and mechanics;

...and much more! Schedule an appointment and visit us today!

Helpful Contacts

Dr. Khalila Brown Interim Director Alain Locke Hall 2441 Sixth Street NW, Room 100 Washington, DC 20059 Phone: 202-806-4100 Email: [email protected]

What does a student majoring in Creative Writing study?

To develop their skills, creative writing majors will take courses in historical and contemporary literature and participate in writing workshops. Such courses or workshops include, among others: 

• American Literature
• Introduction to Creative Writing
• Reading and Writing Poetry
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting

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Should You Really Be A Creative Writing Major?

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.

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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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Department of English

Writing center, about the writing center.

The Writing Center is offering all appointments in an online and in-person. To schedule an appointment, see "Visit the Writing Center" below. 

The Writing Center offers Howard students one-on-one sessions, both in-person and online, with trained graduate and undergraduate tutors. Tutors address a variety of academic writing issues, including...

• interpreting writing assignments;
• brainstorming and generating ideas;
• organizing an essay or paper (thesis statements, topic sentences, paragraphs, etc.);
• navigating the research process (selecting, using, and citing sources);
• proofreading techniques;
• identifying and addressing recurrent issues in grammar, usage, and mechanics;

...and much more! Schedule an appointment and visit us today!

All hours currently indicate online appointments based on Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

Monday-Thursday : 10am-5pm Friday : 10am-4pm

By email: [email protected]  In-person:  Locke Hall, Room 100

Director  Prof. Kyr Mack [email protected]

Our Policies and Procedures

Scheduling your tutorial session.

• You must have an appointment to see a tutor. Schedule your tutorial appointment using the link below. Please make sure you are logged-in to your Howard University student e-mail account to schedule your appointment.
• Tutors need time to help you make your writing more effective; therefore, you should schedule a session at least a day prior to your assignment deadline.
• Tutorial sessions are limited to 45 minutes per person.
• Although your papers are interesting, time constraints permit us to read one paper per student per day.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please do so online through your confirmation email or contact the Writing Center by email BEFORE your session begins.

Preparing for Your Tutorial Session

• For online appointments, your tutor will wait 10 minutes for you to log into your Microsoft Teams session. If you do not log in after 10 minutes  then your online appointment will be canceled. If your appointment is canceled, you will need to reschedule, pending availability. 
• Please be prepared to provide a .doc/.docx or .pdf copy of your document using the file sharing and/or screen sharing options in Micorsoft Teams. You should also provide assignment instructions, prompts, or any feedback you have received from your professor. You may also provide a referral form if you have one.

Getting the Most Out of Your Tutorial Session

• Tutors do NOT provide editorial services. Your tutor will review your paper and offer suggestions to make your writing more effective.
• Tutors may not type directly into student papers. Please feel free to take notes during your session.
• Your tutor may not be able to address every concern in your paper. To make your sessions most effective, you should plan to schedule multiple appointments for a single paper.

Visit the Writing Center

Schedule your online appointment below.

Please follow these instructions to schedule your online Writing Center appointment. 

Step 1 : Navigate to the Writing Center's Bookings page .

Step 2 : Sign-in to your Howard student email account ([email protected]).

Step 3: Select the appropriate appointment session: Online Tutoring Session or Online Tutoring Session (Graduate Students).

Step 4 : The calendar will now appear. Choose a date and time for your appointment.

Step 5: Scroll down to the “Add your details” section. Include your name and your email address. Use the “Notes” box to inform your tutor of any requests you may have concerning your appointment.

Step 6 :  Scroll down to the “Provide Additional Information” section. Choose the response that best fits the nature of the appointment. (You can also provide a detailed explanation in the “Notes” box.)

Step 7: Click “Book” to confirm your appointment. A confirmation of the appointment will be sent to the email address you provided. The confirmation email will also contain the link to the tutoring session in Microsoft Teams. Do not delete this email!

Step 8: Be sure to install Microsoft Teams before your appointment. Use the guidelines provided  here  to complete the installation.

Note: Tutors will only provide feedback on Microsoft Word documents (.docx/.doc) or pdf. You may also submit supporting documents such as assignment sheets or instructor feedback. Include your specific questions or concerns in the “Notes” section when booking your appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, you can do so via the link at the bottom of the confirmation email. You can also send an email to [email protected] to have a staff member cancel your appointment on your behalf.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Engl 009 : tech writing pre-professional, prerequisites, engl 010 : tech writing pre-law students, engl 014 : intro to humanities i, engl 015 : humanities ii, engl 054 : afro-american lit to 1940, engl 055 : afro-american lit from 1940, engl 056 : introduction to caribbean lit, engl 084 : honors for sophomores i, engl 088 : honors for juniors, engl 092 : directed honors for seniors, engl 104 : sophomore sem i, engl 105 : sophomore seminar ii, engl 110 : linguistics foundation, engl 111 : african american literature foundation, engl 112 : american lit foundation, engl 113 : british literature foundation, engl 114 : college grammar, engl 117 : introduction to creative writing: fiction / poetry, engl 117 / 118 : introduction to creative writing: fiction / poetry.

Examines the art and craft of fiction writing, explored from the perspective of both writer and reader. Students will study the elements of successful fiction writing aided by texts about craft as well as published stories and excerpts provided by the instructor and stories created by classmates. Through these examples, they will analyze fiction's architectural details " including voice, imagery, character, plot, dialogue, narrative, metaphor, description, resolution, etc. Prerequisite: Completion of First Year Writing Sequence (ENGW courses) with grade of or higher. Satisfies a requirement for English Majors with Creative Writing concentration; Satisfies an English Major/Minor elective (Note: course does not fulfill a Division A or 3rd Writing Requirement of COAS)

Completion of First Year Writing Sequence (ENGW courses) with grade of  <C> or higher.

ENGL 118 : Intro: Creating Wrtg Poetry

Engl 119 : intro: creative wrtg non fict, engl 127 : creative writing fiction / poetry, engl 127 / 128 : creative writing fiction / poetry.

Focuses on the techniques required in the writing of fiction. English Majors and Minors. Fulfills a requirement for English Majors with Creative Writing concentration Prerequisite. ENGL 117 (Intro to Creative Writing Fiction) with "C" or higher. Satisfies a requirement for English Majors with Creative Writing concentration; Satisfies an English Major/Minor elective (Note: course does not fulfill a Division A or 3rd Writing Requirement of COAS)

ENGL 117 (Intro to Creative Writing Fiction) with “C” or higher

ENGL 128 : Creative Writing Fiction / Poetry

Engl 129 : the art of the essay, engl 130 : rhetoric, theory and practice, engl 140 : crosscult-drama, engl 141 : poetry across cultures, engl 142 : fiction across cultures, engl 201 : featured author, engl 202 : featured author, engl 203 : featured author, engl 204 : featured author, engl 205 : featured author, engl 206 : featured author, engl 207 : featured author, engl 208 : major author: faulkner, engl 209 : major author - british author, engl 210 : early african-am lit, engl 211 : af am realism, naturalism, mod, engl 212 : afro-amer lit blk arts to pres, engl 213 : african-american drama, engl 214 : african-american poetry, engl 215 : african-american fiction, engl 217 : african literature, engl 218 : ethnic american literature, engl 225 : modern caribbean lit, engl 226 : caribbean author, engl 231 : american realism & naturalism, engl 233 : american genre, engl 234 : american genre, engl 235 : american genre, engl 242 : age of rev brit lit 1660-1800, engl 243 : british romantic sensibilities, engl 245 : modern and post col brit lit, engl 247 : genres in british lit.

May focus on historical surveys of the development of broad genres, like drama or prose fiction, or may focus on specialized topics such as The Jacobean Revenge Play, The Post-Colonial Novel, Abolitionist Poetry, or Afro-British Playwrights. ENGL-113 is strongly recommended. Prerequisite: ENGL 104 and 105 (with grade of “C” or higher), or ENGL 104 with or higher WITH concurrent enrollment in ENGL 105…   Restricted/Reserved for English Majors or Minors. Satisfies an English Major/Minor elective    

ENGL 104 and 105 (with grade of “C” or higher), or ENGL 104 with <C> or higher WITH concurrent enrollment in ENGL 105.

ENGL 248 : Genres in British Lit

Engl 250 : comparative literature, engl 261 : topics in linguistics, engl 262 : topics in linguistics, engl 263 : topics in linguistics, engl 271 : topics in literary criticism, engl 272 : topics in literary criticism, engl 273 : topics in literary criticism, engl 280 : topics in lit and writing, engl 281 : topics in lit and writing, engl 282 : topics in lit and writing, engl 283 : topics in lit and writing, engl 284 : topics in lit and writing, engl 285 : topics in lit and writing, engl 286 : intro to black lgbtq studies, engl 287 : topics in lit and writing, engl 288 : topics in lit and writing, engl 289 : topics in lit and writing, engl 290 : principles of editing, engl 291 : writing critical reviews, engl 295 : creative writing workshop, engl 296 : senior thesis, engl 297 : internship practicum-english, engl 298 : creative writing thesis, engl 890 : study abroad, engw 103 : freshman composition.

Intended to increase the student’s ability to write effectively, to read critically, and to present ideas logically. 

ENGW 103 : Persuasive Writing & Research

The second course of the two-semester required writing course requirement for First-Year Writing.  This course builds on the  study of rhetoric begun in ENGW 101 or 102, and introduces students to  argumentation and persuasive writing techniques, in addition to the conventions of academic research. English Writing 103 stresses the examination of counter-arguments, the exploration of primary and secondary sources, and familiarity with academic style conventions. Students will be expected to engage in discussion of contemporary issues through class discussion and their writing.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENGW 101 or 102 with a grade of  or higher. Note: Successful completion of this First Year Writing course requires a grade of  or higher.