Creative Writing Bachelor’s Degrees in New York City
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary culture of New York City, a global hub for aspiring writers and storytellers. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing in NYC offers an unparalleled opportunity to refine your craft while surrounded by the inspiration of world-renowned publishers, iconic bookstores, and a thriving community of authors, poets, and playwrights. From workshops that hone your narrative techniques to classes exploring diverse genres, you’ll develop the skills to bring your unique voice to life. Whether you dream of penning novels, writing for screen or stage, or crafting compelling short stories, NYC’s creative energy will fuel your journey toward becoming a successful writer.
The New School
Located in the heart of Manhattan, The New School offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing through its Schools of Public Engagement. Established in 1927, it was the first academic institution to offer a creative writing workshop, pioneering a philosophy that integrates students’ personal experiences into their education. The program emphasizes workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and writing for children, fostering a diverse literary community.
Curriculum Details:
- BA in Creative Writing: Students complete 120 credits, including literature courses, writing workshops, a Writer’s Life Colloquium, and a capstone project. The program prepares graduates for careers in publishing, marketing, education, and the arts.
- MFA in Creative Writing: A 36-credit program featuring writing workshops, literature seminars, a Writer’s Life Colloquium, a literature project, and a thesis. Students can specialize in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Arts Writing, or Writing for Children and Young Adults.
- Address: 66 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011
- Website: www.newschool.edu
- Directions: Situated near Union Square, The New School is accessible via the 14th Street subway station, served by the F, M, L, 1, 2, and 3 trains.
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
As a hub for advanced research and learning, the CUNY Graduate Center offers a range of master’s and doctoral programs. While primarily focused on graduate studies, it contributes significantly to the academic and cultural landscape of New York City.
Curriculum Details:
- Program Structure: Focuses on fiction and nonfiction genres, with small groups meeting weekly for two-hour sessions over an academic year, working with four top editors.
- Objective: Guides students to develop their unique literary voice, providing insights into the publishing world through mentorship from senior industry editors.
- Address: 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
- Website: www.gc.cuny.edu
- Directions: Located in Midtown Manhattan, the center is near the 34th Street–Herald Square subway station, accessible via the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains.
Marymount Manhattan College
A private liberal arts college on the Upper East Side, Marymount Manhattan College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. The program provides students with opportunities to develop their writing across various genres, supported by a faculty of accomplished writers.
Curriculum Details:
- Core Courses: Students begin with foundational classes such as Introduction to Creative Writing I and II, followed by Intermediate Creative Writing, and culminate their studies with a Senior Seminar.
- Specialized Workshops and Electives: The program includes workshops focusing on poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, allowing students to tailor their learning to specific interests. Additionally, courses like Literary Magazine Publishing provide hands-on experience in the publishing field.
- Address: 221 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021
- Website: www.mmm.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the 68th Street–Hunter College subway station on the 6 train.
Pratt Institute-Main
Located in Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is renowned for its programs in art, design, and architecture. The institute offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing, emphasizing creative expression and critical thinking within a vibrant artistic community.
Curriculum Details:
- Core Curriculum: Over four semesters, students engage in core classes and seminars aimed at producing a final manuscript, performance, or collaborative event. The program emphasizes collective critique sessions, one-on-one faculty mentorships, and guided fieldwork residencies with external cultural and literary institutions.
- Specialized Electives: Students can choose from electives such as “Autofiction: Writing the Self,” focusing on the genre’s historical and global contexts, and “Animal Encounters: Writing with and About Our Nonhuman Kin,” exploring the representation of animals in writing. These courses involve significant reading and both critical and creative writing assignments.
- Address: 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
- Website: www.pratt.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the Clinton–Washington Avenues subway station on the G train.
Columbia University in the City of New York
An Ivy League institution located in Morningside Heights, Columbia University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing through its School of the Arts. The program is known for its rigorous curriculum and distinguished faculty, providing students with a comprehensive literary education.
Curriculum Details:
- Concentrations and Workshops: Students focus on Fiction, Nonfiction, or Poetry, participating in small workshops (7 to 12 students) that emphasize peer critiques and individual faculty mentorship.
- Comprehensive Coursework: The 60-credit, two-year program integrates writing workshops with craft-oriented seminars and lectures, fostering a deep understanding of literary techniques and traditions.
- Address: 116th Street and Broadway, New York, NY 10027
- Website: www.columbia.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the 116th Street–Columbia University subway station on the 1 train.
Yeshiva University
A private university with a strong emphasis on Jewish studies, Yeshiva University offers a Bachelor of Arts in English with opportunities to concentrate in creative writing. The program encourages the development of writing skills within a broad liberal arts education.
Curriculum Details:
- Coursework: To complete the minor, students are required to take five Creative Writing courses (ENG 1300–1899). These courses cover a range of topics, including Introduction to Creative Writing, Writing Fiction, Writing Poetry, Playwriting, Writing the Essay, Writing Creative Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Reading/Writing Poetry, Digital Writing/Multimodal Composing, Digital Journalism, Digital Poetry, and Learning and Teaching Writing.
- Prerequisite: The First Year Writing course (FYWR 1020/H) is a prerequisite for ENG Creative Writing courses and does not count towards the minor.
- Address: 500 West 185th Street, New York, NY 10033
- Website: www.yu.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the 181st Street subway station on the 1 train.
CUNY Brooklyn College
Part of the City University of New York system, Brooklyn College offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The program is designed to provide students with intensive training in writing, supported by a diverse and accomplished faculty.
Curriculum Details:
- Core Coursework: Students begin with foundational courses such as English 2120 and 2121, which are prerequisites for advanced electives. The program requires completion of English 2301 and a sequence in a specific genre, such as Fiction (English 3301, 3302), Poetry (English 3304, 3305), or Playwriting (English 3306, 3307).
- Literary Studies and Electives: The curriculum includes courses in literary history, covering periods from 900 to the present, and electives focusing on areas like race/ethnicity, genre studies, thematic studies, or interdisciplinary studies. A capstone seminar (English 4301) and additional advanced English courses round out the program.
- Address: 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
- Website: www.brooklyn.cuny.edu
- Directions: Accessible via the Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College subway station on the 2 and 5 trains.
Bloomfield College
Located in New Jersey, Bloomfield College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts and Technology with a concentration in Creative Writing. The program integrates writing with digital media, preparing students for various creative industries.
Curriculum Details:
- Bloomfield College’s Creative Writing program, previously offered during the 2023-2024 academic year, is no longer admitting new students.
- For those interested in pursuing creative writing studies, Montclair State University offers a comprehensive program with courses in fiction, poetry, drama, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and memoir.
- Address: 467 Franklin Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
- Website: www.bloomfield.edu
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit’s Montclair-Boonton Line to Bloomfield station, followed by a short walk.
Seton Hall University
Located in the picturesque town of South Orange, New Jersey, Seton Hall University offers a dynamic Creative Writing program through its College of Communication and the Arts. This program emphasizes a balance of creative freedom and academic rigor, helping students explore poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction while developing critical literary analysis skills.
Curriculum Details:
- Foundational Courses: Students begin with essential literature courses such as Great Books, American Literature, and British Literature, alongside an introductory creative writing class.
- Specialized Workshops: After selecting a concentration in either poetry or fiction, students engage in focused workshop courses to refine their craft.
- Address: 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079
- Website: www.shu.edu
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit’s South Orange station, Seton Hall is a short walk or shuttle ride from the station.
St. Thomas Aquinas College
Nestled in the quiet suburban town of Sparkill, New York, St. Thomas Aquinas College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing through its School of Arts and Sciences. The program provides personalized instruction, emphasizing mentorship and opportunities to work on student-run literary publications.
Curriculum Details:
- Core Coursework: All students take foundational courses in academic writing, literary analysis, and survey courses covering British, American, and World Literature.
- Concentration-Specific Courses: Literature students explore Shakespeare, multicultural studies, and historical literary periods, while Creative Writing students engage in workshops for poetry, nonfiction, and screenwriting.
- Address: 125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976
- Website: www.stac.edu
- Directions: Easily accessible by car from major highways, St. Thomas Aquinas College is about a 30-minute drive north of New York City.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
Located in Madison, New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing as part of its Becton College of Arts and Sciences. This program combines workshops, literary studies, and the opportunity to engage with visiting writers, creating a robust environment for aspiring authors.
Curriculum Details:
- Core Curriculum: Students engage in small, workshop-based classes from their freshman year, studying Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Young Adult Literature, Poetry, Screenwriting, and Playwriting. The program culminates in a year-long Senior Writing Project and a capstone class in literary publishing.
- Accelerated BA/MFA Option: Outstanding undergraduates can apply for an accelerated BA-MFA program during their junior year, allowing them to begin graduate coursework in their senior year and potentially complete the MFA within 18 months post-BA.
- Address: 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
- Website: www.fdu.edu
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit’s Madison station, with a campus shuttle available for students. It’s approximately a 40-minute train ride from Midtown Manhattan.