Creative writing degrees are associated with the area of arts and humanities. Those who wish to study creative writing should be creative, intelligent and dedicated. They tend to excel in journalism, literature and communications.
Common Specialized Degree Programs
- Epics
- Fiction
- Journalistic
- Non-Fiction
- Novels
- Playwriting
- Poetry
- Professional Writing
- Screenwriting
- Short Stories
Average Salary
Entry level $35,000 to $52,000 mid-career
Degree Programs
Certificates of completion, which take about eight weeks to a year to complete, or a 60 credit hour of study associate’s degree is satisfactory for entry-level work, however a bachelor’s degree is preferred for entry-level work from a completion of between 120 and 128 credit hours depending on the university. Master’s degree and doctoral degrees are preferred for mid-level work entry. There are also a number of excellent non-degree programs and workshops available for writers who wish to work on their skills and receive feedback on their work, without committing to the time and expense of a graduate school degree.
Top Creative Writing Programs
(According to Poets and Writers Magazine, 2010)
University of Iowa
University Michigan at Ann Arbor
University of Virginia
University Massachusetts Amherst
University of Texas Austin
Main Courses of Study in College
Writing, Language, Literature
Recommended High School AP Classes
- English Language
- English Literature
Careers Obtained with Creative Writing Degrees
- Advertising Copy Writer
- Author
- College Professor
- Editor
- Elementary School Teacher
- English Language Arts Teacher
- Epics Writer
- Fiction Writer
- Freelance Writer
- Journalist
- Non-Fiction Writer
- Playwriter
- Poet
- Political Advocate
- Private Tutor
- Professional Blogger
- Professional Writer
- Publisher
- Screenwriter
- Technical Writer
- Website Producer
Notable Creative Writing Majors
- Darren Star, Screen Writer
- David Benioff, Screen Writer
- Decheonbae Jones, Writer
- Flannery O'Connor, Writer
- Ian McEwan, Writer
- Kazuo Ishiguro, Writer
- Margaret Badore, EDU In Review Staff Writer
- Michael Chabon, Writer
- Peter Farrelly, Screen Writer
- Rose Tremain, Writer
