COURSE CURRICULUM

The English Creative Writing degree at the University of North Texas offers students a rich academic and creative environment designed to strengthen writing, analytical thinking, literary understanding, and communication skills while preparing them for a wide range of professional and artistic careers. One of the program’s major strengths is its distinguished faculty, many of whom graduated from top programs across the country and are recognized scholars, researchers, and award-winning teachers. Faculty honors include prestigious achievements such as the BBC International Short Story Award, a major U.S. State Department grant, and the National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry, reflecting the high level of expertise and accomplishment students are exposed to throughout the program. English majors also have opportunities to participate in student organizations such as the Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society, which supports academic excellence, leadership, and professional networking. Creative writing students benefit from personalized feedback from published writers and visiting authors through the Visiting Writers Series, which brings accomplished literary professionals to campus for readings, workshops, and discussions. Students may also collaborate with faculty on research projects or contribute to respected department publications such as the American Literary Review, Studies in the Novel, and Conradiana, providing valuable editorial and scholarly experience. Small class sizes across all levels of the program encourage meaningful collaboration with classmates and close interaction with professors, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in English pursue careers in fields such as law, publishing, journalism, advertising, public relations, education, and media, while others continue into graduate and doctoral programs nationwide. Alumni achievements include positions at Rolling Stone magazine, the New York Public Library, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, as well as successful careers as novelists, poets, screenwriters, educators, and government professionals. The curriculum includes courses such as British Literature to 1780, American Literature from 1870 to the Present, Beginning Fiction Writing, Beginning Poetry Writing, Beginning Creative Nonfiction Writing, and Gender and Sexuality in Literature, all of which help students develop both creative expression and critical literary analysis skills essential for professional and intellectual success.