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 MajorsIan McEwan
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