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English - Creative Writing

College of Arts & Sciences

The English Creative Writing concentration prepares students not only to be more effective communicators and artists, but also creative problem solvers and more nuanced critical thinkers. By situating small, student-oriented writing workshops alongside literary models, creative writing classes enhance the broader study of literature and critical theory, helping students gain a greater understanding of the social and cultural forces informing their work. A student completing the program is more able to situate themselves in a larger aesthetic and social context and make more meaningful, informed decisions about their own artistic practice. In addition, through the intense practice of creative writing, students are able to see the world more clearly, in a more nuanced and meaningful manner, and apply these skills to a wide variety of work and life situations.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Curricular options: Creative Writing

Topic(s): Arts, Humanities and Design

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

English — Creative Writing is a capacity-constrained major. An additional application is required after you enroll at the UW, and admission may be competitive. Visit the department website for more information.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Departmental application deadline: Must enroll at the UW before applying to the major.
Please contact the department for details about the application process.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

The Creative Writing Option is capacity-constrained. Completion of pre-requisites does not guarantee admission.

Creative Writing option

  • Admission to the English major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all English coursework
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA in ENGL 202
  • ENGL 283 (beginning verse) and ENGL 284 (beginning short story) or transfer equivalents.
  • Submission of an unofficial transcript and a writing sample of 3–5 poems and 5–10 pages of fiction (preferably a complete story) to the Creative Writing office (B-25 Padelford) during the first three weeks of autumn and spring quarters.

Courses recommended for the major:

ENGL 202 is usually taken after transfer to the UW. Spaces are reserved for new transfer students in autumn, winter and spring in this pair of courses.

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 56
Total from Washington community colleges: 10

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 5
3.50 – 3.74: <5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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