Field of Study and Learning Outcomes

The Creative Writing major at OSU combines the study of the craft of creative writing with an in-depth study of literature. We prepare our students to think and write creatively, as well as hone their analytical, critical, technical, and editorial skills. Students learn to write, read, analyze, and communicate powerfully for a variety of fields and contexts.

Creative Writing Major Requirements

Major Requirements 53 credits
University Baccalaureate Core requirements 51
College of Liberal Arts Core requirements 15
Foreign Language requirements 24
General Electives 37
Total 180 credits
Creative Writing Requirements - 53 credits total

Lower Division: 17 credits

  • Students must take all 3 200-level creative writing courses (9 credits)
  • WR 224: Introduction to Fiction Writing
  • WR 240: Introduction to Nonfiction Writing
  • WR 241: Introduction to Poetry Writing
  • Pick any 2 200-level ENG courses (8 credits)

Upper Division: 36 credits

  • Pick 2 300-level WR courses (8 credits) from the following:
    •  WR 324: Short Story Writing*
    • WR 340: Creative Nonfiction Writing*
    • WR 341: Poetry Writing
  • Pick 2 400-level WR courses (8 credits) from the following, corresponding to the prerequisites already taken at the 300 level:
    • WR 424: Advanced Fiction Writing*
    • WR 440: Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing*
    • WR 441: Advanced Poetry Writing*
  • Pick 1 pre-1800 upper-level (4 credits) ENG course
  • Pick 1 post-1800 upper-level (4 credits) ENG course
  • Pick 3 upper-level electives (12 credits) in ENG, WR, or FILM

*Note:  WR 324, 340, 341, 424, 440, 441 are repeatable for 8 credits

Learning Outcomes

Having completed the Creative Writing major, student will be able to:

  • Analyze craft in a variety of forms, genres, and cultural contexts
  • Apply aesthetic principles to their own creative work
  • Respond to the work of peers in oral and written critiques
  • Use practices of revision to produce polished and/or publishable manuscripts
  • Recognize and interpret a wide variety of literature and genres (may include visual material and inter-cultural texts) using a range of theoretical and interpretive strategies including close reading, and write effective arguments about these texts.
If you have questions, please contact SWLF Advising.