Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Creative Writing
Do you like to write but not sure how to turn it into a career? Consider a degree in creative writing! Skills gained from a creative writing degree are valued by many companies and are relevant in fields like marketing (traditional and social media), speech writing, copywriting, editing, and proofreading. Study.com put together this list on the best online bachelor's degrees in creative writing using data from the U.S. Department of Education as well as info given by the schools themselves. The rankings were based on overall affordability and quality of the programs, and accessibility for students. All of these schools provide diverse courses in writing and the English language and prepare students for a writing career after graduation.
1. Central Washington University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8273 | 85% | 58% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, WA, provides a flexible online creative writing program with their Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Creative Writing. The program provides many unique learning environments for their students with face-to-face, online, and hybrid course options, in addition to community projects, internships, and travel opportunities with a creative writing focus. Undergraduate students in this fast-paced two-year degree program will work with experienced faculty from the application process to developing a professional identity to stand out among other job applicants.
2. Southern New Hampshire University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31136 | 88% | 44% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an affordable and entirely online Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English. SNHU encourages its students to work collectively by participating in advanced writing workshops and presentations with creative writing students across the nation. Students can choose between four concentration areas for their degree, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting.
3. Calvary University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11164 | 78% | 36% | 89% | No | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
Calvary University ensures that their online students have the same quality education and experiences as their on-campus student do in their Bachelor of Science in English/Creative Writing degree. This Kansas City, MO, university's program consists of required credits in biblical and general education as well as unique options in their writing and literature courses, like creative writing for fiction, prose, and poetry.
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.
Online Creative Writing Degree Overview
There is no shortage of online degree and certificate programs in the field of creative writing. These programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate level and aim to further develop students' writing style, as well as train them in industry-related skills, like editing. As you might imagine, these programs are writing-heavy and typically include various kinds of writing workshops. Find out more about the different creative writing degree programs below.
Online Associate Degrees in Creative Writing
Typically offered as Associate of Arts (AA) degrees, online associate's programs in creative writing usually require between 60 and 65 credits of coursework. These programs are commonly available as transfer degrees and are designed to help students meet the general education requirements to transfer smoothly to a 4-year school. Some of these programs can be completed in as little as 1.5 years. Coursework helps provide students with an introduction to creative writing and may cover topics in writing, editing, literature, and publishing.
Online Bachelor's Degrees in Creative Writing
Although most online bachelor's degrees in creative writing are offered as Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, online Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees are available. Usually, students are required to complete around 120 credits, but the time to degree completion can vary. Some of these programs may offer additional areas of concentration to help students further focus their studies, but in general, coursework for these programs consists of general education courses, core writing courses, and electives, as well as advanced writing workshops. Graduates of these programs may be prepared to pursue a wide range of careers in various industries and fields (we will cover a few possibilities in this article).
Online Master's Degrees in Creative Writing
Available as Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees, online master's degree programs in creative writing can be completed fully online or as low-residency programs with some in-person requirements. Some of these programs may take around 2 years to complete, require between 36 and 48 credits, and/or provide various areas of concentration. Depending on the programs, students may complete the program with a thesis and/or capstone experience. Some programs may allow students to earn additional certificates through their studies and/or participate in unique learning opportunities, like study abroad or chances to write for local organizations.
Online Doctoral Degrees in Creative Writing
Doctoral degree programs in creative writing are rarely, if ever, available in online formats. Most commonly offered as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in areas like English or English and literary arts with a concentration in creative writing, these programs may require between 90 and 120 credits of coursework. Students can usually tailor the coursework to fit their interests and career goals, but many programs make completing a dissertation mandatory. Some programs may offer different tracks of study, such as prose or poetry, and/or provide students with different workshop opportunities to study various types of creative writing. Most of these programs are designed for those who want to teach the subject at the college level.
Online Certificates in Creative Writing
There are several online certificate programs available in creative writing for interested students. These programs may take as little as 7 months to complete and may require between 4 and 8 classes. Some programs may give students the option of choosing between a regular certificate or an advanced certificate that requires a couple of additional courses. Depending on the certificate program, students may be required to complete a capstone course.
Creative Writing Specializations/Concentrations
While creative writing is often offered as its own concentration for English degree programs, some online degree programs specifically in creative writing may offer additional areas of concentration. Usually, these concentration areas help students further develop their creative writing in a particular genre. Students typically take some additional coursework in their chosen concentration area. Some available concentrations for these online degrees may include:
- Screenwriting
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
Curriculum/Coursework for a Creative Writing Degree
Coursework for creative writing degree programs varies by degree level and school. In general, undergraduate degrees include general education courses in addition to core creative writing courses and electives, while graduate programs may consist of fewer general education courses and more core courses and/or electives. Due to the nature of the subject, core courses in the field are writing-heavy and focus on key skills in English, writing, and editing. Many programs include writing workshops where students complete various writing assignments to help further their skills in the craft. Other common course topics may include:
- Grammar
- Creative writing
- Editing
- Publishing
- Storytelling
- Literary theory
- English language
- Genre literature
How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Bachelor's in Creative Writing?
Traditionally, bachelor's degree programs take about 4 years to complete. In the case of online bachelor's degree programs in creative writing, some programs may allow students to complete their degrees faster than 4 years. For example, there is an online bachelor's in creative writing where students complete the program in 3.5 years on average and another where students can complete their online bachelor's in as little as 29 months. The time to degree completion can vary based on factors like full-time vs. part-time and transfer credit. Some online bachelor's degree programs in creative writing may allow students to transfer in as much as 75% of the credits for their degree, which typically causes the time to graduation to significantly decrease.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor's in Creative Writing Degrees
Accreditation is common at the institution level for creative writing degree programs, but is not usually available specifically for creative writing degrees. However, earning an online degree from an accredited institution can still help ensure that students are eligible for financial aid and an accredited degree may be preferred by employers. Depending on the school's region, those with creative writing degrees may have accreditation from groups like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Creative Writing Licensure & Certification
Creative writers typically do not need a specific license or certification to write. However, there are some optional certifications available for students who wish to demonstrate their expertise. For example, the organization ExpertRating does offer an online creative writing certification that includes a course and final exam. There are also some certifications available based on the specific type of writing that one does. For instance, the American Grant Writers' Association (AGWA) has the Certified Grant Writer credential that requires an online course and passing a final exam.
Creative Writing Career Information
Many graduates with their creative writing degrees may go on to write their own work and pieces for publication and/or write for other forms of media. However, creative writing graduates have a whole range of career options outside of becoming a specific type of writer. For example, some students may wish to pass on their knowledge in the field and become a creative writing teacher or put their creative writing skills to use in advertising. Some possible creative writing job titles include:
- Writer and author
- Editor
- Advertising copywriter
- Journalist
- Assistant creative director
- Speechwriter
- Web content manager
- Press assistant
How to Become a Writer and Author
Students wishing to become a professional writer typically need to first earn at least a bachelor's degree. This degree may be in areas like English, creative writing, communications, and more. Writers also usually need to have some prior writing experience and/or on-the-job training to learn their craft. Some of these requirements may vary based on the type of writer one is trying to become. For example, becoming a screenplay writer requires a completely different skillset than becoming a television writer. In general, writing experience may come from experiences like internships, writing for school papers, or blogging.
A creative writer job description generally includes generating ideas, conducting any necessary research, writing material, working with an editor to adjust the material as needed, and preparing the material for publication. As of 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that writers and authors had a median annual salary of $63,200. The BLS also projected that these professionals would see a decline of 2% in new jobs from 2019 to 2029.
How to Become an Editor
Editors typically have similar education and experience requirements as writers and authors. These professionals generally need to have at least a bachelor's degree in English, communication, or another related field. They also need experience writing and proofreading. This experience may come from internship experiences or other writing opportunities. It is also important for editors to have some experience with computers, including multimedia production and electronic publishing. Some editors may actually begin their careers as writers and then work their way up into editing positions.
Editors are primarily responsible for reading written pieces of work and checking for any mistakes in grammar, punctuation, or clarity. They may also help fact-check work, decide what gets published, help determine story layouts, create content ideas as needed, and check off on final copies of work. The BLS stated that editors made a median annual salary of $61,370, as of 2019. The BLS also projected these professionals would see a 7% decrease in jobs from 2019 to 2029.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Creative Writing Degrees
Students who are trying to figure out how to pay for college should first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what, if any, loans and/or grants they may qualify for. Although loans have to be repaid, grants and scholarships do not and many different kinds of grants and scholarships are available specifically for creative writers, in addition to other local, state, and national scholarships. For instance, students in the low-residency MFA at Drexel University can compete for the $1,000 grant opportunity offered by Story Medicine by writing a winning screenplay, which is then performed for children at a local hospital. Some schools, like Michigan State University, may provide a range of creative writing scholarships, like the Platt-Ruble Award in Creative Writing, as well as creative writing contests with awards. There are also national writing contests that may award money for education, such as the We the Students Essay Contest sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute.
How to Choose a Creative Writing School and Program
Choosing a creative writing school and program can come down to several different factors. Students may need to consider differences amongst schools and programs like tuition rates, scholarship opportunities, full-time vs. part-time formats, available start dates, and more. Specifically, for creative writing programs, students may also want to think about what type of degree they want to earn, such as a BA vs. a BFA. Students wishing to specialize in a specific genre may also want to look for a program that offers a concentration in that area. Finally, some programs offer additional, unique learning experiences. For example, there is a low-residency master's degree program that provides creative writing students the chance to work with hospice patients, veterans, and incarcerated men and women on writing projects.
Most of this information can be found on school websites. The National Center for Education Statistics also runs the College Navigator tool, which can help you narrow your choices.
Professional Organizations in Creative Writing
Students wishing to further develop their creative writing skills and/or get better connected within the writing world may consider participating in one or more available professional organizations for writers. These organizations help writers network with one another and provide a wide range of events and/or resources geared toward professional development in the field. Below are a few examples of available writing organizations.
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs- The AWP provides writers with an array of resources, including a job database, AWP Conference, and links to additional writers conferences. The organization also publishes its own online magazine, news, and podcast. Writers can also browse available writing contest opportunities and awards.
- The Authors Guild- The Authors Guild is a professional organization that works to help protect the rights of authors and provide them with various resources. The organization offers membership, as well as news in the field and a range of events and contests.
- National Association of Independent Writers and Editors- Geared specifically to freelance writers, the NAIWE helps provide training and professional development to writers through its membership. The organization has various online training programs as well as a blog and podcast to keep writers up to date.
