CREATIVE WRITING
Explore Your Creativity
The Concentration in Creative Writing begins with a four-genre introduction to creative writing and includes advanced classes in Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Playwriting, and Digital Writing, where students can explore their creativity in multiple genres. Students also explore literature in the core English classes and electives, and complete their program with a Senior Portfolio of their creative work. The concentration provides excellent preparation for writing careers or graduate work in Creative Writing or English.
Creative Writing for non-majors: Creative Writing Minor
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Continue your writing journey. The W offers a Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing. It is a 48-hour program that can be completed in two to three years (or longer if students choose to attend part time). Students take online classes, combined with two types of brief residency classes. Online classes include Graduate Writing Workshops in Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Playwriting, Translation, and Writing for New Media, as well as Literature and Form classes.
Eight Semester Degree Plan
Semester 1
| UN 101 | 1 |
| Gen Ed: EN 101 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: World Civ I or US History I | 3 |
| Gen Ed: COM 101 | 3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin I | 4 |
| TOTAL | 17 |
Semester 2
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (PHL) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: EN 102 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: MA 113 (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Fine Arts | 3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin II | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 3
| Gen Ed: Lit Survey* EN 201, 202 203, 204, 231, or 232 |
3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin III | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Natural Science I (w/ lab) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Social Sciences: WS, PSY, etc. | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 4
| Gen Ed: Lit Survey* EN 201, 202 203, 204, or 231, 232 |
3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin IV | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Natural Science II (w/ lab) | 4 |
| EN 312 | 3 |
| Literature Requirement⁑ | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 5
| Early Lit Requirement† | 3 |
| Literature Requirement, 300-level⁑ | 3 |
| Creative Writing Requirement⁂ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 6
| Literature Requirement, 400-level⁑ | 3 |
| Language or Theory Requirement° | 3 |
| Creative Writing Requirement⁂ | 3 |
| Diversity Requirement‡ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 7
| EN 499 English Capstone | 3 |
| Creative Writing Requirement⁂ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 8
| EN 419 Senior Portfolio | 1 |
| General Electives | 13 |
| TOTAL | 14 |
English BA, Creative Writing Concentration Curriculum
This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.
General Education Curriculum
In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Literacy
- Quantitative & Technology Skills
- Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
- Life-Long Learning
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must include the following courses (or demonstrate equivalent competency) in their academic program:
- Foreign Language 101-102 8 semester hours
- Foreign Language 201-202 6 semester hours
To fulfill the language requirement for the B.A., students must complete the 202 level or above in a foreign language. For information on foreign language placement, see the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy section in the Bulletin. If, upon entering the University, a student already has sufficient background to be successful in 201-202, he/she does not need to enroll in 101-102. The requirement is in essence six hours credit at the 200-level or above.
Major & Concentration Requirements
*Select any two literature survey courses:
- EN 201 - Survey of Early English Literature
- EN 202 - Survey of Late English Literature
- EN 203 - Survey of Early American Literature
- EN 204 - Survey of Late American Literature
- EN 231 - Survey of Early World Literature
- EN 232 - Survey of Late World Literature
†Select one of the following Early Literature courses: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 303 Early Shakespeare
- EN 304 Late Shakespeare
- EN 334 Greek and Roman
- EN 355 Bible as Literature
- EN 375 Women in Medieval
- EN 444 Earliest English Lit
- EN 445 Chaucer & Medieval
- EN 453 Eliz. & Jac. Drama
- EN 455 Early Modern Poetry
‡Select one of the following Diversity courses:
- EN 260 LGBTQ+ Lit
- EN 360 African-Amer. Lit
- EN 363 Black Women Writers
- EN 370 Ethnic Amer. Lits
- EN 380 Native American
- EN 433 Lit in Postcolonial World
°Select one of the following Language or Theory courses: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 302 - History and Structure of the English Language
- EN 305 - Advanced Grammar
- EN 480 - Literary Theory
- EN 312 - Creative Writing or 3 hrs of transfer credit in creative writing
⁂Select three creative writing courses: (9 Semester Hours) At least one of which must be at the 400 level
- EN 311 Nonfiction Writing
- EN 313 Digital Writing
- EN 315 Playwriting
- EN 317 Technical Writing
- EN 411 Fiction Writing Workshop
- EN 412 Poetry Writing Workshop
- EN 415 Advanced Writing Workshop
⁑Select three English, American, or World Literature electives: (9 Semester Hours)
EN 419 Senior Portfolio (1 semester hour)
EN 499 English Capstone
Note: Each course may count for only one requirement within the major, but literature surveys may count for both General Education requirements and major requirements. Of all major courses, at least one must be 300- or 400-level literature courses and one additional course must be a 400-level literature course.
Total Hours Required for a BA in English - Creative Writing: 124 Semester Hours