Program Information
Learn more about the Creative Writing program.
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Course Sequence
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Field of Interest
The Academic Certificate (AC) in Creative Writing program is designed to provide students and professional writers with access to a community of writers and creative writing activities, instruction and guidance from established authors, and ongoing support in improving their writing skills and marketing their work. As students take courses in the program, they will build a portfolio of original work that may be submitted for publication. The program offers classes, workshops, and other activities such as readings and contests, which are accessible to writers of all levels regardless of academic or professional standing. The program aims to serve a diverse community who may be underrepresented in traditional creative writing programs. Completion of the certificate does not lead to a particular degree program, but may aid students in their pursuit of a career in the writing professions and in their continued enjoyment of writing for personal growth.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Culture and Society
- Type
- Academic Certificate (AC)
- Academic Plan
- Creative Writing (CER)
- Academic Plan Code
- 6224N
- Total Credits Required
- 24
- Catalog Year
- 2024-2025
- Effective Term
- Spring 2022
- Notes
This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Analyze the aesthetic values and literary styles of diverse eras and cultures.
- Evaluate the technical elements and theories of literature across multiple genres.
- Interpret the effects of technical craft elements in published literary works.
- Explore the dynamic relationships among people, culture, and the physical world.
- Demonstrate social responsibility and ethical behavior toward the creation of original works in a culturally diverse world.
- Engage the creative process through problem-solving, experimentation, and inspiration to produce original works across multiple genres.
- Apply the peer review workshop process to explore, develop, and revise original writing.
- Develop one-on-one relationships with creative writing mentors.
- Create a portfolio of publication ready work.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Copy Writers
$38,344 Show expanded career information for Copy Writers
Editors
$59,379 Show expanded career information for Editors
Interpreters and Translators
$50,475 Show expanded career information for Interpreters and Translators
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
$46,263 Show expanded career information for Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teachers
$72,944 Show expanded career information for Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teachers
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$44,515 Show expanded career information for Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Admission Criteria
Students who wish to enroll in the Creative Writing program must complete a formal application; contact Program Director.
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRW150 | Introduction to Creative Writing | Critical course Gateway course ENG210 maybe substituted for CRW150 with permission of Program Director | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series I | Series 1 | Select in consultation with the program director. | 3 | ||
| Series I | Series 1 | Select in consultation with the program director. | 3 | ||
| CRW200 | Readings for Writers | 1 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series II | Series 2 | Select in consultation with the program director. | 3 | ||
| CRW200 | Readings for Writers | 1 | |||
| Series II | Series 2 | Select in consultation with the program director. | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRW201 | Portfolio | 1 | |||
| Series II | Series 2 | Select in consultation with the program director. | 3 |
Series 1
Students must complete six (6) credits from Series I and nine (9) credits from Series II in consultation with a Program Director.
Series I: Credits: 6
Students must complete two (2) of the following courses for a total of six (6) credits.
CRW120 Introduction to Writing Children`s Literature 3
CRW160 Introduction to Writing Poetry 3
CRW170 Introduction to Writing Fiction 3
CRW172 Introduction to Comic Book Writing 3
CRW180 Introduction to Writing Nonfiction 3
CRW190 Introduction to Screenwriting 3
THE118 Playwriting 3
Series II
Series II: Credits: 9
Students must complete three (3) of the following courses for a total of nine (9) credits.
+ CRW202 The Writer as Witness 3
+ CRW203 Dialogue 3
+ CRW204 Journaling 3
+ CRW220 Intermediate Writing Children`s Literature 3
CRW251 Topics in Creative Writing 3
+ CRW260 Intermediate Poetry Writing 3
+ CRW261 Topics in Writing: Poetry 3
+ CRW270 Intermediate Fiction Writing 3
+ CRW271 Topics in Writing: Fiction 3
+ CRW272 Planning and Structuring the Novel 3
+ CRW273 Writing the Novel 3
+ CRW274 Revising the Novel 3
+ CRW281 Topics in Writing: Non-Fiction 3
+ CRW290 Intermediate Screenwriting 3
+ CRW291 Topics in Writing: Plays 3
Restricted Electives
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRW+++ | Any Creative Writing Course not listed in Required Courses area | 1–3 | |||
| ENG235 | Magazine Article Writing | 3 | |||
| ENH+++ | Any English Humanities Course | 3 | |||
| THF210 or HUM210 |
Contemporary Cinema or Contemporary Cinema | HU or HU | 3 | ||
| THE260 | Film Analysis | 3 |
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Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Creative Writing program.
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=172627).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Academic Certificate (AC) in Creative Writing