Undergraduate

Creative Writing Program

Students interested in the department's offerings in creative writing should begin with English 223, an introduction to the reading and writing of poetry and prose and to the workshop method of critiquing student writing. Successful completion of the introductory course entitles students to enroll in the intermediate course in the genre of their choice, English 323 (fiction) or English 324 (poetry). At the advanced level students may elect (with the instructor's permission) the advanced fiction workshop (English 423) or the advanced poetry workshop (English 424).

English concentrators who wish to specialize in the writing of poetry or prose fiction may, in the winter term of their junior year, apply to the Creative Writing Subconcentration, which is an optional path to a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Students in the program take the creative writing workshops described above in sequence, and, in their last term, compile a major manuscript of poetry or prose fiction while working closely with the creative-writing faculty in a tutorial reserved for subconcentrators (English 428). The program is small and selective; however, students not enrolled in the subconcentration may still pursue their interest in creative writing by applying to the appropriate upper-level workshops.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Admission to the subconcentration in creative writing will occur during winter term and is limited to juniors who have taken or are enrolled in English 323/324 (or 423/424). The application process will involve the submission of the attached application and a writing sample. Acceptance will be based on an evaluation of the writing sample by a committee of three readers. Applications for the Undergraduate Creative Writing program are accepted once a year, in February. Please see the application form for exact dates and instructions.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Students wishing to fulfill the subconcentration in creative writing must satisfactorily complete a total of 33 upper-level credits in English, including both the requirements for the regular English program and the special Creative Writing Subconcentration requirements. The courses required for the concentration in the regular English Program are the two prerequisites (English 297 and 298) and a total of 27 upper-level English credits, including one course in pre-1600 literature, two pre-1830 courses, one New Traditions course, one American Literature course and upper level elective courses. For the subconcentration, students are required to enroll in English 323: Advanced Creative Writing in Fiction or English 324: Advanced Creative Writing in Poetry; English 423: The Writing of Fiction or English 424: The Writing of Poetry; and English 428: Senior Creative Writing Tutorial. Of these courses, 3 credits count as elective credit toward the regular English degree requirement of 27 upper level credits, and 6 credits count toward the Creative Writing requirement of 33 credits, for a total of 9 credits in Creative Writing at the 300- or 400-level. Although students will receive university credit for other writing courses (such as repeated enrollment in 323, 324, 423, or 424), these courses will not count toward the English concentration, nor the Creative Writing subconcentration.

CREATIVE WRITING HONORS

Students who have at least a 3.5 GPA in the English concentration may apply for honors in Creative Writing after they have been accepted into the subconcentration. Honors will be awarded, as warranted, based on the student maintaining a 3.5 GPA and earning a grade of A- or better on the thesis. If you have more questions about achieving Honors in Creative Writing, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions about this program.

SAMPLE PATH TO CONCENTRATION

The number of elective courses you may choose to take will depend on your selection of courses that meet the regular program requirements and the course credit level. The following is a sample course plan; please see an English concentration advisor for help in developing your program.

For further information, please contact:

Keith Taylor
Director, Creative Writing Program
email address = keitay@umich.edu
office phone = (734) 647-7693