Major & Career Planning
English Creative Writing

This page serves as an introduction to the areas listed and makes no claim to be all inclusive. See department coordinator, counselor, or advisor for more complete information.

College/School/Department	Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Name of Program Emphasis	English Creative Writing
Counselors	Steve Hathaway, Acting Counselor 612 Lindquist Hall 978-6233
Overview	The English Creative Writing department offers a broad and flexible program of courses that are central to a liberal arts education while offering students the opportunity for personal enrichment and a variety of career possibilities. The department offers bachelor's degree programs in creative writing, literature, and teaching, as well as a range of courses in linguistics. Students who pursue an English major will find the knowledge of communications skills acquired in their work in English a valuable asset as they seek entrance into a wide range of fields that include communications, education, government, law, and business. The creative writing program requires an introductory course, Eng 285, and 12 hours in skills courses: students may chose workshops in fiction, poetry, and drama, or at an advanced level, tutorial courses in fiction and poetry. In addition, students take 18 hours of literature: 12 hours selected from a menu of core courses and six hours of upper-division electives.
Places for Employment (Examples)	Teaching at university and college level Publication houses Newspapers Magazines
Specializations in the Field	Free-lance writers Editors
Working Conditions	Working conditions vary, depending on the circumstances. Some jobs occur in an office setting, but most involve individual tasks and working alone.
Personal Qualifications	Since most writing tasks are accomplished on an individual level, you should be self-disciplined in your work habits and able to work without supervision. Additionally, talent, drive, and an eye for the human condition are all important.
Undergraduate Internships/Cooperative Educations & Job Opportunities	Geraldine Hammond Award for Academic Achievement Harold and Eva Weimer Grafton Scholarship T. Reese Marsh Poetry Prize
Student Organization	Sigma Tau Delta
Try-out Courses	English 285: Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
Future Outlook	There will always be a market for good writing, but some professional writers find it difficult to make a living by writing. e. e. cummings sums it up nicely when he says, "I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart."
Quotes	"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." Emile Zola
Famous People in the Field	Tom Clancy (Clear and Present Danger), Gwendolyn Brooks (“We real cool”), Allen Ginsberg (“Howl”), Joseph Heller (Catch 22), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Stephen King (The Stand), Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman), Toni Morrison (Beloved), Amy Tan (Joy Luck Club).
More Information & Resources	See the English department web site. (It will be ready soon!)
Intellectual & Academic Competencies Expected of Majors	Talent, passion, and tenacity are critical for success as a creative writer.
As A Student in English	You will take courses in writing in which you will share your work with professional writers and with your classmates and discuss theirs in return. You will chose from a number of courses exploring literary history and form in English, American, and European literature.
The University reserves the right	To revise or change rules, charges, fees, schedules, courses, requirements for degrees and any other regulations affecting students whenever it is considered necessary or desirable.
Notice of Nondiscrimination	Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS, 67260-0145; telephone (316) 978-3371.

Return to Majors Index