Is a Creative Writing Degree Right for Me?

Do you have a passion for writing stories? Perhaps you have an eye for perfecting others' writing and you would like to turn these editing and writing skills into a career. So, you're wondering if a creative writing degree is the right path for you?

A degree in creative writing can lead to a variety of creative and technical careers in writing and editing. If you have a love of words and dream of turning this passion into your livelihood, a creative writing degree can help you reach your goals.

What Is a Creative Writing Degree?

A creative writing degree is a college-level liberal arts program that teaches you advanced techniques relative to various types of writing and editing. These programs help you develop strong writing and technical writing skills.

Creative writing degrees commonly focus on fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenplays, and other types of writing in which creativity with words is important. Whether you want to become a published author, technical writer, blogger, or some other writing professional, a creative writing program can help you reach your goals.

Students can study creative writing at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Bachelor's degrees in the field are most common, and master's degrees are often offered as Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs.

Those hoping to pursue careers as creative writers can benefit from creative writing programs. These degrees can also be useful for those hoping to pursue related careers in marketing and advertising, public relations, and education.

Creative writing degrees are often offered in different formats, such as online, in-person, and hybrid. Students can choose whether to study full time or part time and may have the opportunity to pursue internships as part of their degree.

What Does a Creative Writing Major Study?

Creative writing majors study the ins and outs of good storytelling. Various writing classes are available, and classes often cover topics such as character development, writing for different genres, the writing process, and more.

These degree programs commonly allow students to choose a concentration in a particular area of creative writing. Typical concentrations include:

• fiction
• nonfiction
• screenwriting
• poetry

Regardless of the concentration, all creative writing degree programs focus on many of the same topics. Common courses you may take as a creative writing major focus on:

• creative nonfiction writing
• fiction writing
• creative writing
• screen and TV writing
• writing with digital media

Why You Should Consider a Degree in Creative Writing

Let's take a look at some common reasons why you might want to consider a degree in creative writing.

Pursue an Editing or Writing Career

If you are interested in forging a creative career in writing or editing, a college degree in creative writing can give you a leg up over the competition. It can teach you essential skills you need to succeed in the field and make you a more hirable job candidate once you graduate.

Improve Writing and Editing Skills

Perhaps you're not sure what career path you want to pursue, but you enjoy writing short stories, would like to self-publish books, or are interested in going to graduate school. Having good writing and editing skills can transfer into a variety of industries. As such, a degree in creative writing can help you improve these skills, making you more job-ready regardless of the career you ultimately decide to pursue.

Explore Diverse Genres

Do you have a love of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting? Maybe you'd like to explore these topics in-depth and learn more about the different genres contained within each one. Not only can this make for an enjoyable college experience, but it can also help you learn to write and edit in many different genres, improving your future job prospects.

Potentially Increase Salary

Though a degree isn't required for many creative careers, having a degree in creative writing can set you apart from the competition and may help you earn a more competitive salary. Regardless of profession, those holding a degree in any subject generally earn higher wages than those without a degree.

Build a Professional Network

Having a strong professional network in the creative industry can prove invaluable when it comes to finding good jobs within the field. Getting a creative writing degree can help you build relationships with professors, peers, and others who could become valuable connections down the road.

Job Opportunities for Creative Writing Degree Majors

There are many potential writing jobs for creative writing majors. Some of the potential job titles to explore include:

• novelist or nonfiction writer
• editor or proofreader
• social media manager
• ghostwriter
• copywriter
• creative director
• screenwriter
• freelance writer
• content writer
• literary agent

Creative Writing Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself

Still on the fence about a degree in creative writing? You can ask yourself a few questions to help determine if this is the right degree path for you.

Do I Want a Career in Writing or Editing?

As you can tell from the list above, there are a variety of jobs in writing and editing you can get with a creative writing degree. Do any of these careers appeal to you? If you're not sure, consider taking creative writing courses in high school or in your local community.

Creative writing degrees will allow you to learn more about topics you are interested in, and they will give you a better chance of landing high-paying jobs within the writing and editing fields. If you have your heart set on a career within this field, getting a degree can help you reach your goals.

Is Creative Writing the Best Degree for My Career Goals?

What if you enjoy writing but plan to pursue a career in another industry? A creative writing degree benefits writing and editing-related jobs, but depending on your professional goals, it may not help prepare you for a chosen career in a different field.

While creative writing degrees provide soft skills in writing, editing, and communication that can apply across industries, it's a fairly specialized degree. It's a good idea to evaluate your career goals and determine whether there's a more appropriate degree you could pursue that would better prepare you for your specific career path.

Is a Creative Writing Degree Worth It to Me?

Even if you want to become a writer or editor, it is possible to break into the field without a degree in creative writing. You could choose a related program, such as a communications or English degree, or no degree at all.

With this in mind, ask yourself whether the time and money you will invest in this degree is worth it to you. Remember that you will likely have more and better career options if you pursue higher education, and if you're specifically interested in a creative career, a degree in creative writing can make it easier for you to get there.