BFA in Creative Writing
What makes our BFA in Creative Writing unique is that students work alongside studio artists and experience the offerings of an art college environment. There is an opportunity to cross disciplines and develop a broad creative practice.
who should enroll
This is the program for learners who want to broaden the possibilities of their creative future by committing to writing while also receiving an arts education. If you have wanted to write your own children’s books or turn scripts into storyboards, you can develop your skills alongside the illustrators and filmmakers of tomorrow. It is through community and collaboration that artists succeed, and this is why the BFA in Creative Writing here at PCA&D will set you up for success.
Degree requirements
The program is structured around a curriculum with a foundation in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Students may then explore genres and specialize their focus in writing by the junior year. Our writers explore literary niches such as children’s book writing, playwriting, worldbuilding, character construction, and graphic novel scripting. Before graduation, students will learn about the publishing industry, have an internship experience, and develop a capstone project ready to launch them into a career in writing.
Creative Writing BFA required courses include:
- 21 credits in Foundation Year Courses
- 6 credits in the Verbal Communication Distribution Area during the foundation year
- 6 credits in the Art History Distribution Area during the foundation yea
- 9 credits in Creative Writing Foundations
- 9 credits in the Verbal Communication Distribution Area after the foundation year
- 6 credits in Liberal Arts requirements in Life & Physical Sciences and Mathematics (NAS or MAT) and Behavioral & Social Sciences (PSY or SOC)
- 12 credits in the Humanities Electives in Literature requirements
- 15 credits in the Liberal Arts Distribution Area (AH or Humanities)
- 48 credits in BFA Major courses
- 9 credits in General Elective studio courses
In addition, you’ll need to complete these requirements…
- Successfully complete and document an internship.
- Earn a cumulative 2.0 grade-point average at the conclusion of your coursework
- Submit a capstone project and complete an internship
- Satisfy all financial obligations to the college
course goals
When you successfully complete the program, you’ll demonstrate the ability to:
- employ a wide range of writing skills across styles and genres
- perform close readings, edit manuscripts, participate in craft seminars, workshop original creative writing, prepare formal documents, and write in a professional capacity
- compose and effectively communicate informed ideas and viewpoints through oral and written projects and assignments, as well as classroom discussions
- apply information literacy and research techniques to course projects, assignments, and classroom discussions
- incorporate cultural and historical context into the analytical process, and then demonstrate the ability to choose when and how this critical thinking should be applied to intellectual and creative problems presented in the work
- pull from a broad knowledge of visual culture as well as a proficiency in art historical analysis and theory
- utilize a well-rounded knowledge base in the Liberal Arts, including general humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and mathematics
career opportunities
With a BFA in Creative Writing, a graduate will have numerous career opportunities that may include working at non-profit arts organizations, writing copy for advertising agencies, creating web and social media content, or freelancing as an independent author. The world needs human-centered content creation, and the BFA will prepare writers to be the communicators who speak to a wide audience.
Job placement in any of the following professions is possible:
- Copywriter
- Publishing Assistant
- Journalist
- Social Media Marketer
- Web Content Manager
- Communications Specialist
- Proofreader
- Editor
- Grant Writer
- Literary Agent
- Educator
- Freelance author
How to register
Enrolling in this program is simple, just fill out an application.
If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie Kern, our Admissions Transfer & Outreach Coordinator, at 717.396.7833 ext 1014 or email bkern@pcad.edu.
Make your creative life, a way of life
Make your creative life,
a way of life
Submit An Application
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