Creative Writing Major
The Creative Writing Major includes four tracks: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and cross-genre (students choose one).
Students may declare the cross-genre track of the major at any time, with no application process or prerequisites.
Admission to the poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction track is by application only and is normally based on a manuscript of creative work from ENGLISH 206-0 Reading & Writing Poetry, ENGLISH 207-0 Reading and Writing Fiction, or ENGLISH 208-0 Reading & Writing Creative Non-Fiction. The department accepts applications to these tracks of the Creative Writing Major early each spring. First-year students may not apply.
A strong literature component and a course in the history and culture of literary production anchor the Creative Writing Major within a context of general literacy.
Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.
NOTE: This Catalog describes Weinberg College BA requirements that pertain to students who matriculated at Northwestern after spring quarter 2023. Refer to the Archives if you are following BA requirements described in the 2018-2019 through 2022-2023 editions.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Department Courses (13 units) | |
| 3 introductory courses: | |
| Reading & Writing Poetry | |
| Reading and Writing Fiction | |
| Reading & Writing Creative Non-Fiction | |
| ENGLISH 300-0 | Seminar in Reading and Interpretation |
| 1 200- or 300-level English department literature course | |
| 4 300-level English department literature courses | |
At least 1 on works written before 1830 | |
At least 1 on works written after 1830 | |
| ENGLISH 392-0 | The Situation of Writing |
| Three additional courses based on track: | |
Poetry Track: | |
| Theory and Practice of Poetry and Theory and Practice of Poetry and Theory and Practice of Poetry | |
Fiction Track: | |
| Theory & Practice of Fiction and Theory & Practice of Fiction and Theory & Practice of Fiction | |
Creative Nonfiction Track: | |
| Theory and Practice of Creative Nonfiction and Theory and Practice of Creative Nonfiction and Theory and Practice of Creative Nonfiction | |
Cross-genre Track: three courses chosen from the following: | |
| Advanced Poetry Writing | |
| Advanced Fiction Writing | |
| Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing | |
| Advanced Creative Cross-Genre Writing | |
Students who matriculated in Spring 2025 or earlier can choose to opt into the current requirements listed here or can choose to follow requirements as outlined in a Catalog edition corresponding to their prior quarters of enrollment. The Office of the Registrar maintains an archive of Catalog editions.
Honors in Creative Writing
Interested creative writing majors should apply to the Honors program early in spring quarter of the junior year. Over fall and winter of the senior year, admitted students enroll in ENGLISH 399-0 Independent Study and work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to complete a significant writing, creative media, or literary translation work (ENGLISH 399-0 does not count toward requirements for the major). Students whose projects and grades meet department criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information, visit the department website and see Honors in the Major.