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English

Sample Degree Pathway for English - Creative Writing Concentration


For students who entered fall 2018 and beyond. 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total16
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I / FYSH (CW)3
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar1
MATH.xxxxMath Persp. (MATH) - MATH.1110 (QL) recommended43
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 & Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total15/16
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
ENGL.2380Introduction to Creative Writing3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 & Culture 3
xxxx.xxxxScience w/Lab Persp. (SCL)3/4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total15/16
ENGL.2000Critical Methods3
ENGL.3/4xxxCreative Writing Elective3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxScience w/Lab Persp. (SCL) 3/4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 & Culture or World Ready Elective13

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxCreative Writing Elective23
ENGL.3/4xxx Literature Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 & Culture or World Ready Elective13
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective3 (DCA), (SRE)3
ENGL.3/4xxxCreative Writing Elective23
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective (QL)3
xxxx.xxxxSTEM Persp. (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective1 or Free Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxCreative Writing Elective2 (AIL)3
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective33
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.4230 /
ENGL.4240
Shakespeare 1 / Shakespeare 2 (WOC), (IL)3
ENGL.3/4xxxCreative Writing Elective23
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.4500 /
ENGL.4010
Creative Writing Capstone (CTPS)3
ENGL.3/4xxxOptional English or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

2Appropriate Creative Writing Electives are listed below.

3Some students may satisfy the Diverse Traditions requirement with a 2000 level course and should consult with their advisors to be sure that they will also satisfy both the DCA & SRE ELOs.

4Quantitative Literacy (QL) is fulfilled outside the English major. The department recommends that all majors take MATH.1110 which fulfills both the Math Breadth of Knowledge requirement and the Quantitative Literacy ELO. See QL course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement.

A minimum of 36 credits, appropriately distributed, is required in English department courses. Students may not exceed the maximum of 54 credits of English department courses (not counting College Writing I & II). At least 66 credits must be earned outside of the major.

  • In order to graduate, students must earn a cumulative 2.200 grade point average for all English department courses, with the exception of College Writing I and II.
  • Students must complete 12 credits of advanced creative writing courses and 9 credits of literature electives as well as Introduction to Creative Writing (ENGL.2380), Critical Methods (ENGL.2000), Shakespeare 1 or 2 (ENGL.4230 / ENGL.4240), and a 4000 level creative writing capstone course.
  • Majors must take at least one course that fulfills the department's Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. Students should consult AR in SIS for the department's list of approved courses.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements. 

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Required Courses

Two foundation courses are required (6 credits):

  • ENGL.2380 Introduction to Creative Writing (must be completed before taking any advanced creative writing courses)
  • ENGL.2000 Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry

Five approved creative writing electives are required (15 credits):

Note: At least one of these must be a level II course.

Three 3000 or 4000 level literature electives are required (9 credits):

Any 3000 or 4000 level literature course qualifies. Review your Advising Report in SIS for the full list.

One of these literature courses should meet the department requirement for “Diverse Literary Traditions”.

One of the following is required (3 credits):

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

Optional: An additional six English electives may be taken (0-18 credits):

Additional English courses (up to six courses within the 54 credit limit) may be taken in literature, theatre, or writing. For students contemplating graduate school in the discipline, additional 3000 or 4000 level creative writing and literature courses are recommended. Students are encouraged in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year to seek an experiential learning opportunity such as the Practicum (Internship) or Community Writing 1 or 2, depending on the student's career goals and interests. Students planning a career in secondary teaching should consider the Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing.

Creative Writing students are not required to take a minor, but they are encouraged to do so. Depending on the student's career goals and interests, several different minors may be appropriate. All students are encouraged to discuss possible minors with their academic advisors.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Last updated: 5/31/2018