Quick Highlights:
- Creative writing degrees typically require little to no math, ideal for those intimidated by mathematics.
- These degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing which are focused on extensive writing and literary skills development.
- Graduates can pursue various writing careers, including editor, screenwriter, novelist, and technical writer.
- Creative writing careers pay well. Indeed reports that an editor can make $67,714 per year!
Table of contents
- Overview of Creative Writing Degrees
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing
- Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Degree
- Coursework and Curriculum
- Career Opportunities with a Creative Writing Degree
- How to Choose the Right Program
- Application Tips and Resources
- Get Started on a Creative Writing Degree
Returning to college is an exciting decision, but it can also be stressful. If you haven’t taken math for years, you may be hesitant about enrolling in a program that has a high math requirement. Fortunately, many creative writing degrees don’t require math.
When you pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, you can take low-math college courses. These minimal math degree programs focus primarily on English courses, creative writing, and literature. Because of this, the best creative writing programs are an excellent degree choice for someone who feels intimidated by mathematics.
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- Bachelor’s Degrees that Require Minimal Math
- 5 Great Paying Low Math Degrees
Overview of Creative Writing Degrees
The types of creative writing degrees you can get depend on where you go to college. In general, you need to get a bachelor’s degree before you can pursue a master’s degree. The following list includes the best creative writing programs for returning college students.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing
A Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing involves majoring in creative writing. In addition to taking coursework related to creative writing, you must also fulfill your university’s general education requirements. Because universities have to meet certain course requirements for accreditation, these general education requirements will typically include a minor amount of math.
During a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, you may take courses on character development and narrative construction. Often, schools will set up writing workshops and seminars for students to attend. You may be able to get a concentration in:
- nonfiction
- fiction
- poetry
- screenwriting
This type of program will typically focus on developing your critical-thinking skills. You may learn about literary analysis so that you can understand storytelling elements better. Additionally, you will learn how to use the different conventions and techniques that are common to each genre of literature.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Creative Writing
If you are looking for minimal math degree programs, this is one of the best creative writing programs to choose. One of the biggest differences between a BFA and a BA is that a BFA focuses significantly more on writing. Because of this, you will spend more time in intensive writing classes and less time in math classes.
With a BFA, you are also likely to take part in specialized workshops. For example, many BFA programs involve peer critique sessions. During this type of session, you share examples of your creative writing with your classmates. Then, your peers take turns critiquing your work.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing
If you’re searching for advanced degree programs for writers, an MFA is an excellent choice. This type of degree field focuses on mastering writing skills so that the student can embark on a professional writing career.
In addition to having additional coursework and low-math college courses, a master’s program may offer advanced workshops. Teaching-oriented programs may offer assistantships where you can gain experience by teaching undergraduate classes. Additionally, some programs involve a thesis project.
Associate Degree and Certificate Programs
If you are just getting started on creative writing degrees, an associate degree or certificate may be a good step. Because an associate degree takes just two years to complete, you can start your degree much faster than you can with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
In addition, many associate degree programs will transfer to other universities as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. This means that you can complete your first degree, enjoy the additional job opportunities, and still leave the possibility of more schooling open.
If you decide to pursue a certificate, you can find additional flexibility. The length of these programs can vary, and they often focus on specific subtopics. For example, you may be able to find a certificate program about screenwriting or poetry.
Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Degree
Other than being able to study creative writing without math requirements, there are other reasons why the best creative writing programs are a good choice. Depending on your personal motivations and interests, you can enjoy some of the following benefits when you pursue a creative writing degree.
Develop Critical-Thinking Skills
When you take minimal math degree programs, you can work on developing your critical-thinking skills. A Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing can also help you boost your problem-solving abilities.
Boost Your Editing and Proofreading Skills
Because creative writing focuses heaving on writing and editing, it can help you improve your proofreading skills. This type of ability is useful for almost any industry because modern business communications happen predominantly online.
Enhance Your Professional Network
When you sign up for a creative writing course, you can meet other people who work in the industry. This can help you find potential jobs after graduation. Additionally, your program can help you develop professional references in the field.
Increase Your Job Appeal
If you get a degree, it can help improve your marketability to potential employers. When an employer has to choose between two similar applicants, they are more likely to pick the person who has a higher degree level.
Coursework and Curriculum
After you decide to pursue creative writing without math, you will be expected to take certain courses in order to graduate. Each of these courses is designed to enhance your writing and literary analysis skills. Because these are low-math college courses, they aren’t intended to increase your quantitative skills.
- Context of Writing: Writers and Publishing
- Advanced Creative Writing
- American Literature
- Introduction to Creative Writing
- The English Language
- Popular and Contemporary Fiction
- British Literature
- Literary Theory
Career Opportunities with a Creative Writing Degree
Once you have completed the low-math college courses involved in creative writing degrees, there are a variety of career paths you can take. Many industries can utilize someone who has solid writing and critical-thinking abilities. The following list includes some of the most common job titles for people who have attended the best creative writing programs.
- Editor: The typical editor earns $67,714 on average in the United States based on figures from Indeed.
- Screenwriter: If you are hired as a screenwriter, Glassdoor reports you can expect to make an average salary of $88,960 per year.
- Novelist: A novelist’s wages can vary significantly because they are typically paid through advances and royalties. However, the average novelist makes $49,046 per year according to Indeed.
- Technical Writer: US News reports a technical writer can generally earn $79,960 each year.
- Poet: While a poet earns an average salary of $83,209 per year according to the Economic Research Institute, very few people are hired for this job title each year. Often, aspiring poets work at other jobs, such as English language tutors, as they pursue a career as a poet.
How to Choose the Right Program
If you are about to start a creative writing program, there are a few things you should look for in a potential program.
- Faculty: Unlike many college degrees, creative writing involves building a close working relationship with your professors. Because of this, you should carefully research the faculty members at the school you want to go to. In particular, you should look for people who have experience writing in the style or genre you want to focus on.
- Internship Opportunities: At the best creative writing programs, you will be able to pursue internship opportunities in the industry. These internships will give you real-world experience that you can use to land a job after you graduate. In addition, an internship can help you gradually start developing your professional network.
- Cost: When evaluating creative writing degrees, it is important to consider the cost of your education. You don’t want to spend too much on your education because it can take years to pay your student loans back. As you look at different programs, think about the cost of school as well as any financial aid from the university that can make your schooling costs less expensive.
- Alumni Network: The alumni network can play a large role in helping you to get hired after you graduate. Because of this, it may be worth it to spend extra money attending a school that has a better alumni network.
Application Tips and Resources
To make a strong application for a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, you should start by creating an excellent writing sample. Because this degree is so heavily focused on writing, most schools require a sample of your work. You should never submit anything that still requires revisions.
Additionally, you should be extra cautious about typos on your application. You are expected to meet a higher level of writing proficiency than typical college students. After reading through your work, use a spell-check program, like Grammarly, to catch any errors that you may have missed.
Next, you should review your statement of purpose. It needs to be tailored to each institution you apply to. The hiring committee will review it to see if what you want is in line with the education they offer, so edit it carefully.
Finally, if your application isn’t accepted, reach out to the school to get feedback. You can still apply for other programs, and the feedback you receive can inform you about changes you need to make to your application, writing sample, or statement of purpose.
Get Started on a Creative Writing Degree
If you’re looking for low-math college courses, a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing can help. In addition to being one of the best minimal math degree programs, these creative writing degrees are excellent for improving your critical-thinking skills. Even if you decide not to pursue a career as a writer, the editing and proofreading skills you learn can help you succeed in other careers as well.
Through the best creative writing programs, you can turn your passion into a career. By learning about different degree programs for writers, you can take the next step in fulfilling your dreams.