Easiest Creative Writing Degree Programs & Colleges
All creative writing degrees help students develop their writing skills, but some types of programs are easier than others. Learn more about the easiest creative writing degrees.
Creative writing is a field in the humanities that focuses on developing the skills to become an engaging writer, whether it's for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or screenwriting.
If you're someone who enjoys writing, you probably won't find these programs to be too difficult. However, some are easier than others. Keep reading to learn more about the easiest creative writing degrees.
What are the Easiest Creative Writing Degrees?
Creative writing degrees are available at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. Of those, the easiest for most students is likely going to be an associate degree.
Usually offered as an Associate of Arts or Associate of Fine Arts degree, these programs are usually about two years in length and include introductory creative writing coursework.
There are a few things that make an associate degree in creative writing easier to obtain than a bachelor's or master's degree:
- They're offered at community colleges, which typically have higher acceptance rates and lower tuition costs than four-year colleges and universities.
- They take two years to complete rather than the four years required by a bachelor's or the five or six total years required by a master's.
- They primarily offer introductory courses, so you do not need to have a deep understanding of the topic to excel in the program.
What Courses Are Required for an Associate Degree in Creative Writing?
Most associate degrees require 60 total semester credit hours to complete. Students earning their associate degree in creative writing will likely need to take some foundational general education courses in addition to the courses for their major.
The specific courses required for an associate degree in creative writing vary by program but often cover topics like:
- creative writing basics
- writing fiction
- writing nonfiction
- writing poetry
Most programs have a set of core major courses that all students in the major must take but also allow students to choose creative writing electives.
Colleges and Universities With Associate Degrees in Creative Writing
Although associate degrees in creative writing are not as common as bachelor's degrees, there are still several colleges that offer these programs, including:
- Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Cambridge, Minnesota- Associate of Fine Arts in creative writing, available online
- Austin Community College in Austin, Texas- Associate of Arts in creative writing
- Berkeley City College in Berkeley, California- Associate in Arts in English language/writing
- Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts- Associate of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing
- Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan- Associate of Arts in creative writing, available online
- Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York- Associate of Arts in creative writing, available online
- Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington- Associate of Arts in English with an emphasis in creative writing
- Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico- Associate of Arts in English-creative writing, available online
- St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, Missouri- Associate of Fine Arts in creative writing
- Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee- Associate of Arts in creative writing
What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Creative Writing?
An associate degree in creative writing can start you on the path toward many careers, including:
- copywriter
- digital writer
- editor or proofreader
- journalist
- novelist
- playwright
- poet
- technical writer
Note that some career paths and employers may require additional education beyond an associate degree.
Other Creative Writing Degrees
In addition to associate degrees in creative writing, students can also earn bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in creative writing.
Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing
Bachelor's degrees are another type of undergraduate degree, but they usually take about four years to complete instead of two.
Often, students who have earned an associate degree can transfer their credits toward their bachelor's program, meaning they'll only need to complete two more years to earn their bachelor's. This is a great way to save money, as associate programs can be less expensive.
A bachelor's degree in creative writing will usually expand on the foundations of creative writing with theory courses and workshops on poetry and prose.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in creative writing, such as:
- Carleton College
- Central Washington University
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Duke University
- Emory University
- Northwestern University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- University of Michigan
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Weber State University
Bachelor's degrees in creative writing are available on campus and online.
Master's Degrees in Creative Writing
A master's degree is a graduate degree that typically requires students to first earn a bachelor's degree. The amount of credits and time they take varies, but most require 30-40 credits and take one to three years to complete.
Master's degrees are often more focused on a particular field of creative writing, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or screenwriting, so as to hone students skills
Master's degrees in creative writing are available through several colleges and universities, including:
- Bowling Green State University
- Central Washington University
- Eastern Oregon University
- Emerson University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Lindenwood University
- McNeese State University
- Saint Leo University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- University of Texas El Paso
As with associate and bachelor's degrees, master's degrees in creative writing are available on campus and online.
Are Online Creative Writing Degrees Easier?
Most colleges and universities offer the same or similar rigorous coursework to both on-campus and online students. However, the flexibility of programs at online colleges often makes them feel easier.
Online programs typically do not require you to visit campus or to log on at a set time. Instead, you do your coursework on your schedule, which makes these programs more convenient.
Because the courses are easier to access, the program seems easier, even if the coursework is the same as what on-campus students have.
Despite this convenience, not all students feel like online degrees are easier. Some prefer the stability and socialization offered by in-person courses, so whether or not an online degree feels easier depends on the person.
Find an Easy Creative Writing Degree
The easiest creative writing degrees to earn are two-year associate degrees, and these can be found at colleges across the country. The multitude of options available makes it possible for you to get your degree on your own terms.