ucla creative writing minor

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The New Creative Writing Minor At UCLA: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

As someone who is an English major solely because I love creative writing (and there wasn’t a Creative Writing minor when I first enrolled at UCLA), I feel it is my duty to announce that, as of this fall quarter, UCLA is offering a Creative Writing minor . Previously, the university only offered a concentration in Creative Writing for English majors, where students would either specialize in poetry or fiction by applying for and completing three upper-division creative writing workshops. The catch was that in order to complete the concentration, you had to be an English major (and take a whole lot of courses with more literary analysis than creative writing). Now, for students solely interested in creative writing, you no longer need to take extensive courses on Chaucer or Shakespeare to study creative writing. 

The minor is quite simple: practically the only non-creative writing course necessary is an English 4 course (which is basically an introductory, lower-division critical writing course), and the rest are elective courses and creative writing workshops in your chosen “core” genre, either poetry or short story. You must also complete a capstone, either through a capstone English seminar, an internship or a directed research or creative writing project. 

Creative writing seminars at UCLA are incredible, and I honestly think everyone should take one if they’re even slightly interested in creative writing ( I even wrote an article about it ). Not only are the professors extremely helpful and encouraging, but the opportunity to discuss and get feedback on creative writing with other students in a warm, welcoming environment is unparalleled. For UCLA students of all majors, from South Campus to North Campus, the Creative Writing minor provides an opportunity to take these courses without feeling out of place because you are not an English major. 

That said, for English majors like me who are particularly interested in Creative Writing, the minor is a super easy addition to the English major. Many of the courses overlap with the English major, including the required lower-division courses and some of the upper-division electives. Plus, the minor provides the opportunity to highlight your engagement in creative writing on your diploma, whereas the concentration did not. 

From Entrepreneurship to Digital Humanities to Creative Writing, UCLA continues to expand and diversify its catalog of minors, enabling students of diverse majors to explore their interests beyond their core class schedule. As a Creative Writing enthusiast, I am especially excited about this opportunity to focus entirely on the subject through hands-on writing experience, close mentoring with professors and collaboration with fellow students. I highly recommend anyone interested in Creative Writing to take a class to see if the minor might be for you!

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• Professional Writing Minor

The UCLA Professional Writing Minor is hosted by the Department of English in collaboration with Writing Programs. Students take classes designed to strengthen their writing skills with an emphasis on practical writing, including many of Writing Programs’ English Composition classes. Learn about topics with immediate real-world applicability to better prepare yourself for your future scholastic and/or career-based endeavors.

Click here for detailed information about the minor’s requirements and application process, course descriptions, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and more.

Professional Writing Minor Learning Outcomes

Click here for a list of learning outcomes for the Professional Writing Minor.

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Sunday, July 14, 2024

Opinion Columns

Establishing a creative writing minor will expand possibilities for ucla students.

(Nicole Nobre/Daily Bruin)

By Sandra Wenceslao

Jan. 15, 2019 10:46 p.m..

Imagination is a hard thing to come by in one’s undergraduate studies. Putting pen to paper to write something imaginative can be even harder.

Right from the start, incoming students are made to fulfill general education requirements, including science and English literature courses, as well as a bevy of other courses, to complete their major. Some majors offer concentrations where students are able to delve into their more specific major-related interests.

The English department offers a creative writing concentration to students who have successfully completed three creative writing workshops of a given genre, which are writing-intensive, and rely heavily on peer discussion and review. Prior to enrolling in the workshops, students must complete courses that are aligned with those needed for the English major. Once the student completes the lower division coursework needed to be eligible for the workshops, they must apply for admission by submitting a sample of their work.

But being admitted into one workshop doesn’t ensure acceptance into another, so this process must be repeated a minimum of three times for students lucky enough to get in each time. And the creative writing concentration isn’t enough to give students the opportunity to explore their writing interests in depth.

Creative writing workshops cover general writing styles and works of literature – not always exploring topics of fiction like sci-fi or fantasy. The few creative writing workshops offered per quarter also make it difficult for students to enroll.

Frankly, the creative writing concentration isn’t creative enough to give students what they need.

The admission process for the creative writing concentration is subjective. It’s based on a writing sample and a couple of questions such as, “What are your favorite three short stories?” or “What book are you currently reading?” It doesn’t rely on test scores or grades from previous courses. Admission depends on whether the reader likes your story and responses, something that ultimately denies students willing to learn the opportunity to do so.

And still, the admission into one workshop doesn’t guarantee admission into another.

Moreover, a large number of students apply for around fifteen spots , with about two workshops offered per quarter. This creates an environment of competition and failure. Students who are denied acceptance may choose not to reapply. Those rejected can be left believing their writing samples or styles aren’t up to par with the rest of their peers’.

Making the concentration into a minor would result in the expansion of the entire department while easing the enrollment process for students. The admission process would happen only once, instead of the multiple times required for the current concentration, and rely on a more standard process, such as stipulating literature-based prerequisites.

Sarah Garcia, a fourth-year English student, said if there was a creative writing minor, there would be more classes available, and she wouldn’t have had to submit an application to three different workshops.

“(I would) hope I get in and hope I’m able to get these classes needed for the concentration,” she said.

In addition to creating more spots in classes, a minor can provide more detailed and specific course options. Creative writing students currently have two workshop options: short story and poetry. Very few workshops touch on specific genres or go in depth into any given literature, leaving students unable to explore fully the world of creative writing. A minor can result in a wider selection of diverse classes that specifically revolve around topics such as queer or multiethnic literature.

Christine Nguyen, a fourth-year English student, said while she has fulfilled all three workshop requirements for the concentration, she would still like to take additional courses. However, she isn’t looking to reapply because she doesn’t want to take up a spot needed by other students.

“I think it would be great to have more specific classes because my interests may not mesh with the interests of other people in the workshops, so they may not be able to give me as much good-quality feedback,” Nguyen said.

The English department has been working on creating a creative writing minor. Fred D’Aguiar, director of the creative writing department, said they hope to see a minor implemented within the next two to three quarters – after earning the stamp of approval from the needed academic committees.

The department also is trying to allow students to find cross-listed courses that satisfy the minor, such as film or Chicana/o classes, D’Aguiar said.

UCLA should support the English department’s efforts to expand creative writing. Not having the minor diminishes the opportunity for soon-to-be UCLA graduates to integrate creative writing into their diplomas.

A creative writing minor might seem unnecessary because it fulfills the same needs as the existing concentration. Yet, students outside of English or the American literature major, like STEM students, are unable to claim this area of study. A concentration also seems ill-fitting to any student who sees creative writing as a viable career option. A minor, on the other hand, can prepare any students for a future in writing, whether for their graduate school or career aspirations.

Having a minor would allow students to see the word “minor” on their diploma instead of just a series of elective courses scrawled across their transcripts.

It’s time to lend everyone a pen and paper.

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Creative Writing

One of the nation's most prestigious open-enrollment creative writing programs..

Whether you're looking to improve your writing for personal fulfillment, want to be published, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Writers' Program can help you achieve your goals. You will find a supportive community of instructors, academic counselors and fellow students to help you on your journey.

We offer a wide range of open-enrollment courses, all of which may be taken individually. A guide on where to get started is provided below.

We also offer a fully customizable 21-unit Certificate in Creative Writing  where you can develop professional creative writing skills in the genre of your choice.

What do you want to create?

See All Courses

Creative Writing Certificate

Develop your skills in the genre of your choice, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more.

This customizable program culminates in a capstone project where you will make significant progress on a polished collection of work.

Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both.

Annual Writers Studio

4-day in-person, intensive workshops in Creative Writing & Screenwriting.

Perfect for both aspiring and experienced writers looking for new inspiration.

August 1-4, 2024 Registration opens Monday, February 5

Writers' Program Consultations

If you have a completed draft of a manuscript and need feedback for your work, you may consider a one-on-one consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor.

Consultations give you a full cover-to-cover read of your work, a written evaluation, and a follow-up conversation in person, via phone, or web chat.

Expect more from your education.

MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. 

BUILD COMMUNITY

Writers' Program Network of Writers (WP NOW)

Stay immersed in the Writers' Program community. Our optional membership program offers exclusive access to a range of discounts and benefits, including members-only networking, professional development opportunities, and course discounts. 

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General Catalog

Professional writing minor.

Creative Writing

Develop creative writing skills in multiple genres of interest including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more. This customizable program culminates in a capstone project in which students make significant progress on a polished collection of work. This certificate can be completed online or in the classroom.

This program is perfect for...

• Those new to writing who want to explore various genres while cultivating their skills
• Writers looking to hone their craft and develop a solid portfolio of work in a particular genre
• Writers considering graduate-level writing study, including those who wish to polish pieces for submission to MFA programs
• Individuals who want to become part of a vibrant and supportive community of artists who share their passion

What you can learn.

• Identify your creative writing goals and develop a plan to achieve them
• Deepen your practice within a chosen genre, or explore various forms of creative writing
• Discover techniques of powerful storytelling, craft compelling characters, and write memorable scenes and stories
• Receive guidance from successful writers and workshop in a group of supportive peers

Achieve results and reach your writing goals.

Whether you are new to writing, have a specific project you'd like to get off the ground, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Certificate in Creative Writing is an immersive program for developing professional writing skills.

Our fully customizable certificate honors each individual student’s journey, allowing you to pursue the coursework that is most meaningful to your specific writing goals and level of expertise. 

The program offers the opportunity to specialize in genres like poetry, short stories, novel writing, essay writing, memoir writing, or to explore writing across genres, hybrid genres, and new forms without the limitation of a prescribed curriculum. 

The only required course, the Creative Writing Certificate Capstone , allows you to compile and further refine your writing from prior coursework into a final portfolio representing the finest examples of your craft. 

Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses in this certificate program can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both. 

Expect more from your education.

MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. 

4-DAY IN-PERSON INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS

Writers Studio 

Join a community of aspiring writers and jumpstart your creativity. Choose from 9 workshops taught by professionals in the fields of feature film, television, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing.

August 1 - 4, 2024 THURSDAY-SUNDAY, 10am-6pm

My UCLA Extension coursework, teachers, and colleagues have shaped my writing life, fueled the creation of my novel, and provided continual inspiration.

Certificate Curriculum

The Certificate in Creative Writing is fully customizable. You may follow a Writers’ Program sample curriculum plan based on specific writing goals, or design your own program of study.

Students must complete 21 total units comprised of the 3-unit Creative Writing Certificate Capstone course and 18 units of 400-level Creative Writing coursework.

Sample Program Tracks:

Novel I WRITING X 411.1

Novel II WRITING X 411.2

Novel III WRITING X 411.3

Novel IV WRITING X 411.4

Novel V WRITING X 411.5

Dialogue and Point of View WRITING X 462.1

Creative Writing Certificate Capstone WRITING X 460

Personal Essay I WRITING  X 422.1

Personal Essay II WRITING X 422.2

Personal Essay III WRITING X 422.3

Storytelling for Social Justice WRITING X 424.21E

Writing the Thinkpiece WRITING X 424.15E

The Art of Creative Research WRITING X 461.23

Poetry I WRITING X 431.1

Poetry II WRITING X 431.2

Poetry Toolbox WRITING X 432.10E

Prose Poetry WRITING X 432.11E

Reframing the Form WRITING X 432.7E

The "F" Word: Innovative Poetic Forms WRITING X 432.8E

Cuento Poems WRITING X 432.32E

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Students must complete 18 units of elective coursework. Select from courses numbered WRITING X 400-499 in the following areas:

Students may select courses in the following area with advisor approval:

Editing and Publishing

How to Get Started

Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each course is paid for individually.

Sequential courses should be taken in numerical order, starting from the lowest course number and progressing to higher numbers.

You may take Creative Writing courses without committing to the entire program.* However, by establishing candidacy in the program, you will receive  many benefits exclusive to our certificate students such as priority placement on waitlists and access to the UCLA Career Center's job board. Creative Writing Certificate students can also receive a customized curriculum tailored to your writing goals.

Need assistance? If you have any questions or need advice on course selection, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] .

Benefits exclusive for Writers' Program certificate students:

• Advising : Receive a 30-minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor. During this consultation, the advisor will customize a certificate program curriculum tailored to your experience, interests, and writing goals.
• Enrollment Advantages : Receive quarterly notice when Writers’ Program courses open for enrollment each quarter and receive preferential placement on wait lists.
• Manuscript Consultation : Within six months of completing certificate program coursework, receive 50% off a one-on-one manuscript consultation with a Writers' Program instructor. Learn more .

Advanced standing at Antioch University*

Students who complete the Certificate in Creative Writing can receive Advanced Standing in Antioch University Los Angeles’s MFA in Creative Writing .

Advanced Standing allows a student to enter the MFA program with the equivalent of one semester completed. In addition, you may be eligible for Antioch’s fellowships and scholarships.

Additional benefits exclusive to all UCLA Extension certificate students:

• Career Resources : Access UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops, networking events, and other resources.  Learn More .
• Handshake Access : Explore thousands of job and internship postings through UCLA Career Center’s online job board. Learn More .
• UCLA Alumni Association Membership : Upon completing your certificate, join the nationwide Bruin family as a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Learn More .
• Graduation Celebration : Attend the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate your achievements. Learn More .
• UCLA Recreation Facilities : Enjoy access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate. Learn More .
• Bruin ID Card : Obtain an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card for additional student-related benefits. Learn More .

How to Apply - Establish Certificate Candidacy

• Click the Apply Now button below
• Login or create a new student account
• Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
• On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application. 
• Proceed to checkout and pay the nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application. 

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

Estimated program tuition, estimated program textbook/materials.

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships Available

Approved for International Visa

VA Benefit Eligible

Federal Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our  Financial Aid page.

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Creative Writing Minor

Creative writing, undergraduate minor.

Program Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

About the Program Focus of Study Program Requirements Program Coursework Admissions

About the Program

The Creative Writing Minor, offered by the English Department, is an intensive program designed for students who are passionate about writing and wish to pursue careers in writing, editing, and publishing, or those who want to teach creative writing. 

This program is also beneficial for students who want to study literature from the perspective of a writer or who wish to enhance their academic studies with a focus on creative writing.

Focus of Study

The minor provides a comprehensive immersion in the art of literature, offering exposure to different genres and helping students to develop their writing and editing skills. 

Students minoring in Creative Writing will choose one genre of specialization—either poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction—in which to complete a sequence of introductory, intermediate, and advanced writing workshops, but they will also take a small sampling of courses from all three genres.

Overall, the Creative Writing Minor is an excellent opportunity for students to develop their creative and analytical abilities related to reading, writing, and presenting written texts.

Program Requirements

• 9 credit hours must be upper-division (3000+ level)
• English majors may complete this minor with 18 credits, while non-English majors will need 21 credits.  
• All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better

Program Coursework

Please note:

• Non-English majors are encouraged to contact the Creative Writing Coordinator for guidance on their choice of elective.
• English majors do not need to take the elective. English majors may complete the minor with 18 credit hours.

For details on coursework and degree requirements, please visit the Academic Catalog .

Admission Details

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the  UCCS Admissions page .

Additional resources for Admissions:

• Tuition Rate
• Cost of Tuition Estimator
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships

Creative Writing Minor

Learning outcomes.

Students who complete the creative writing minor will be able to demonstrate competency in several of the following outcomes:

• Understand and explain principles of creative writing, including form, technique, and style.
• Deepen that understanding by interpreting and evaluating both published works and the works of peer writers.
• Apply these principles to produce poems, stories, or essays.
• Become familiar with the publishing process in the literary market and improve as a writer by submitting work to literary journals and participating in the writing community.
• Apply principles of creative writing to improve communication in a variety of contexts, including personal, academic, and public life.

Note for Non-English major students preparing for BYU’s MFA program in creative writing: In addition to completing the creative writing minor, non-English major students are strongly encouraged to take ENGL 295 and at least one additional 300-level English literature seminar.  See the English Department for further information.

First Steps

• Review the requirements for the Creative Writing Minor. We have two separate tracks–one for English Majors and one for non-English majors.
• Declare the Creative Writing Minor at the Liberal Arts Advisement Center (1041 JFSB)
• Get to know the creative writing faculty: review faculty pages, read samples of their work, visit with them in their offices, and watch them read from their work at ers.byu.edu
• Visit the Creative Writing Minor Coordinator if you need to discuss course transfers, course substitutions, or any other program-related questions (Michael Lavers, 4162 JFSB)
• Check out the resources and activities below for more ways to get involved!• Review the requirements for the Creative Writing Minor. We have two separate tracks–one for English Majors and one for non-English majors.
• Check out the resources and activities below for more ways to get involved!

Review the Requirements

• BYU Creative Writing Community on Facebook: A great resource for a variety of creative writing opportunities, including writing groups, announcements, and job/ internship opportunities.
• BYU Writing Center: Offers readings, social activities, and critique groups in a variety of genres. 3322 HBLL.
• Contests: Several thousands dollars each year are awarded to student writers
• Scholarships: The department offers generous undergraduate and graduates scholarships for students studying creative writing, including those interested in study abroad and off-campus writing workshops and residencies.

Check us out on Facebook!

Creative Writing on Campus

• English Department Reading Series : Hosts weekly readings by nationally respected writers in multiple genres, and includes Q&A sessions, mini lectures, and refreshments
• Creative Writing Readings and activities sponsored by the BYU Writing Center.
• Annual English Symposium : Students present their critical and creative work in March at our annual symposium (proposals due every year around the end of January).
• Inscape Magazine an English+ course in the fall and club activity in the winter. Work on the editorial staff, read submissions, and submit your own work for publication.

Off-Campus Events

Life, The Universe, and Everything

Book For Young Readers

Working Dog Reading Series

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Creative Writing Minor

To minor in Creative Writing, students must complete 18 hours of study within in the English department. There are two tracks within the Creative Writing minor: poetry and fiction. Often students are introduced to poetry or fiction through their required English courses and then decide to minor in creative writing to further their study of the field.

Most degree programs at Baylor do not require a student to select a minor area of study, but students may choose to minor in a field that supplements their major or may choose to pursue an area of academic interest completely outside their major. For example, an English major may choose to minor in Creative Writing to supplement their major. Even though they are within the same department, minoring in Creative Writing would allow a student to take more courses in this specific vein of the field.

Courses a student might take include Advanced Creative Writing, Contemporary Poetry, or Modern American Novel.

For more information, please contact [email protected] , or call the English Office at (254) 710-1768. 

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• Minor, Creative Writing

Why minor in Creative Writing?

Students of creative writing tap into the basic human desire to tell stories—to learn about the experiences of others while sharing their own and building bridges across differences.

Creative writers learn how to use language to express their unique ideas, opinions, and perspectives through poetry and prose.

Students of creative writing add their unique voices to a centuries-old literary discussion, learning from, and responding to, the writers and traditions of the past while forging new paths forward.

Students of creative writing learn how to read as writers—studying what makes writing successful and using those tools to craft their own original work.

Creative writers learn to think critically both on and off the page, questioning assumptions, engaging in dialogue, and coming to—and sharing—their own original conclusions in language that lingers and resonates.

Students of creative writing are exposed to cultures, world views, religions, and perspectives far beyond their own as they explore written texts from around the world, gaining new insight, understanding, and awareness.

Creative writers actively engage in the politics, challenges, and questions that affect our world now.

Creative writers learn how to represent themselves articulately and effectively in both written and spoken language—skills that will serve you well no matter your chosen major!

Students of creative writing give themselves the time and opportunity to create—to make something new and meaningful, changing the world by adding their own artistic mark.

The creative writing students of today are the writers to be studied tomorrow.

Learn more about this minor in the Student Portal

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• B.A., Creative Writing Concentration
• B.A., Cultural Studies Concentration
• B.A., Public and Professional Writing Concentration
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Arushi Avachat selected as 2024 Marshall Scholar

Portrait of Arushi Avachat

Kayla McCormack | December 13, 2023

A rushi Avachat, who plans to graduate in June with degrees in English and political science and a South Asian studies minor, is the latest UCLA student to win the prestigious  Marshall Scholarship .

This is the third consecutive year in which a UCLA student or alumnus has received the highly competitive scholarship, which funds up to three years of graduate study in the United Kingdom for U.S. undergraduates or recent graduates.

Avachat is one of 51 winners chosen from among more than 1,000 applicants for 2024. She plans to pursue master’s degrees in English and American studies, and in global and imperial history at the University of Oxford.

The Pleasanton, California, native said she is looking forward to the experience, partly because she hopes to use England as a home base for travels to other parts of Europe, and partly because of one of her own literary inspirations.

“I’m an enormous Jane Austen fan,” she said. “So I’ll be excited for every Austen landscape I can go to in the U.K., and I’m hoping to see every setting from the 2005 ‘Pride and Prejudice’ movie.”

The new year is shaping up to be an exciting one for Avachat. Beyond her graduation and the Marshall award, her debut novel,  “Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment,”  is scheduled to be published in January by Macmillan.

She drafted the manuscript for the novel during her first year at UCLA. “As a COVID freshman, writing my novel was often a meaningful escape from the stress and uncertainties of that time,” Avachat said in a 2022  UCLA College Magazine  article.

She already has a contract for another young adult novel, which she is drafting as a part of her English honors thesis.

In addition to her writing, Avachat has been pursuing her keen interest in public service as an intern for California Senator Alex Padilla and EMILYs List.

“Both fields have helped me realize how storytelling works to generate empathy, shape public opinion and help people feel seen,” Avachat said in the College Magazine interview.

Avachat intends to continue exploring both publishing and politics.

“I’ll always be writing novels, and I have various genres I’m interested in,” she said. “I want to write a murder mystery one day — a fantasy as well. I’m really creatively excited and energized about my publishing goals. And I really liked applying my writing background to the political field, and I’d be interested in campaign communications for candidates that I feel really excited about.”

Avachat worked with the  UCLA Center for Scholarships & Scholar Enrichment  to complete her application and prepare for the interview. The center provides writing workshops, individual counseling, interview preparation and assistance with institutional endorsements to UCLA undergraduates who are applying for scholarships.

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