The opportunity to hone your writing. The chance to express yourself. The skills to read like a writer. That’s what a concentration in creative writing from Ball State offers. Our rigorous and immersive coursework prepares you to become an excellent writer, critical thinker, and a creative force across a variety of industries and job categories.
What You Will Learn
- creative thinking and critical analysis
- the importance of research
- the importance of close observation and deep curiosity
- how to write in a variety of genres, including screenwriting
- how to collaborate and work as a team
- how to respond to works-in-progress through the workshop method
- how to revise based on feedback from students and faculty
- how to prepare a portfolio of revised and polished work
All of the above are enduring skills that will remain relevant regardless of changes in the job market and are truly transferrable across a wide range of careers and disciplines.
We’re asked this question all the time. Our answer: A lot. You will learn skills that transfer across hundreds of possible careers and industries—some of which may not even exist yet. Our graduates go on to work in marketing, publishing, non-profit fundraising, speechwriting, as well as in countless other fulfilling occupations.
Explore Careers
What It’s Like to Study Creative Writing
Our teaching-focused faculty members include screenwriters, filmmakers, and widely published writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Their excellent work has been recognized with numerous national and international honors, which include fellowships, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Harvard University, and the Indiana Arts Council.
Read profiles of our faculty:
Our robust student writing community and workshop-focused classes give you a chance to develop soft skills, such as the ability to collaborate, give and receive constructive criticism, manage interpersonal relationships, and more.
Explore all of our activities and opportunities.
Take your writing skills outside the classroom: edit our national literary magazine, meet writers and editors, teach kids to write, or see your scripts made into a movie.
Discover immersive learning.
Promoting Change
English faculty and students are express their dedication to social and educational justice in many different ways—and you can help. You can work on a young-adult literature magazine that addresses diversity—or the lack thereof. You can learn to teach English to speakers of other languages. You can mentor young writers.
Creative Writing in the Community
Through this immersive learning course, English 409 students serve their community by teaching creative writing techniques and to write a text collaboratively.
English Language Learning
Dr. Lynne Stallings brings her students into the Muncie community and the Muncie school system to teach English Language Learners.
Indiana Writers Center
English students have the opportunity for a paid internship every summer in downtown Indianapolis with the Indiana Writers Center (IWC) to educate and inspire youth ages 6-16.
Rethinking Children's and YA Lit
In this free, digital, interactive literary magazine, teacher education, English, and journalism students invite readers to engage with children’s and young adult literature as a way to raise social consciousness and awareness.
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Major Requirements
Our creative writing program engages writers in all personal and professional aspects of their artistry and encourages the habit of lifelong writing and creative thinking.
Four semesters (or the equivalent) of a modern or classical language at the college level are also required.
Total Credits
120
Classes
Some of our hallmark courses include:
- ENG 489 Literary Editing: The Broken Plate—gives you a chance to edit and publish content in a national literary magazine
- ENG 409 Creative Writing in the Community—opens doors to working in the community via helping kids learn to write their own stories and poems
- ENG 285 Intro to Creative Writing—provides a multi-genre introduction to the craft of creative writing
- ENG 405 Special Topics—a rotating course that focuses on various focused topics in creative writing
- ENG 406, 407, 408, and 410—advanced-level workshops in every genre: creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry and screenwriting
A current list of course offerings and descriptions can be found on our blog. Course topics may vary per semester.
For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, consult our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Paying for Your Education
In addition to the dozens of scholarships the university offers its students, our department gives awards to acknowledge the excellence and achievements of our own majors and minors. Learn more.
Application Process and Requirements
Are you interested in pursuing this major? The first step is to review Ball State’s admissions criteria and apply as an undergraduate student.
Want to Learn More?
One of the best ways to understand why Ball State stands out is to come see it for yourself. You can schedule a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Make sure to tell them you’re interested in our program. Or if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.
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