Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

English Writing, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Creative Writing

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Development of Research Strategies: Develop strategies for research and integrating the results of this research into various creative texts.
  • Knowledge of Traditional and Contemporary Techniques: Produce texts that will demonstrate knowledge of traditional and contemporary/experimental techniques in various creative writing genres.
  • Demonstrate Proficiency in Manuscript Preparation: Produce texts that will demonstrate a proficiency in preparing manuscripts in various genres for submission for print and electronic publications.

Universal Program Outcomes

  • Research Tools and Resources: Use the research tools and resources of the profession, integrate them effectively into interpretive arguments, and properly document sources according to professional standards.
  • Knowledge of Technology: Display knowledge of technologies that support both written and oral communication.
  • Degree Program Writing Competency - Understanding of the Writing Process : Understand the writing process to communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences.

RELATED LINKS

English Writing - Creative Writing, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.00 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.00 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements45
Electives33

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major/Concentration Requirements

  • 23 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 23 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • Fifteen credits are required in the same course prefix other than ENGL (e.g., HIST, SPAN, ART, PHIL, CPSC, etc.) or a minor or certificate or a major in a subject other than ENGL (15 credits) – Refer to My Rock Audit
Writing Workshops: Required English Courses
ENGL 205Introduction to Professional Writing 13
ENGL 225Introduction to Creative Writing 13
ENGL 330Literary Publications & Design 13
ENGL 334Writing Community Stories 13
ENGL 338Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction 13
ENGL 339Creative Writing: Fiction 13
ENGL 340Creative Writing: Poetry 13
ENGL 346Writing the Graphic Novel 13
ENGL 429Grant and Proposal Writing 13
Subtotal27
Writing and Theory
Select one of the following:3
Composition and Rhetoric 1
Writing About Electronic Media and Film 1
Healthcare Writing 1
Writing for Video Games 1
Creative Writing:Screenplay
Subtotal3
Literature Courses
Select three of the following:9
Introduction to Shakespeare 1
Stratford Shakespeare Tour
African-American Literature 1
Literature of the Women's Movement 1
Native American Literature 1
U.S. Latino/a Literatures 1
Asian Literature 1
Selected Topics 1,2
Chaucer and Medieval Culture 1
British Literature I 1
British Literature II 1
American Literature I 1
American Literature II 1
Young Adult Literature 1
World Literature 1
Literature of the Environment 1
Subtotal9
Capstone Experience – Part I
ENGL 409Professional English 13
Subtotal3
Capstone Experience – Part II
Select one of the following options:3
Option 1 - If below a 3.0 Overall GPA
Select one additional literature course from the Required Literature Course listing above
Option 2 - If at a 3.0 or above Overall GPA
Select one of the following:
One additional literature course from the Required Literature Course from the listing above
Senior Writing Project 1
Subtotal3
Total Hours45
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

May be taken twice as different topics.

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs (short-term) locations such as Italy, London and Canada
  2. Student-faculty research
  3. Career education and development
  4. Internships
  5. Community services experience through the national Writing in Schools program
  6. Volunteer experience in literary magazine production

ENGLISH WRITING - BS (5120)
Concentration in Creative Writing - (CREA)
This program is effective as of Summer 2021
Revised 04.20.2021
UCC 09.01.2020

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Student pursuing a B.S. in English - Creative Writing must also complete 15 credits hours or more outside the English Department in a sequence from one department, or of a minor or major, in a subject other than English.  The selection of outside courses must be approved by the student's English adviser and by the Chair of the English Department

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours16
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
ART 105 Basic Studio Drawing 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
ENGL 205 Introduction to Professional Writing 3
ENGL 225 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
Select one of the following: 3
Literature of the Women's Movement 2
Native American Literature 2
U.S. Latino/a Literatures 3
Selected Topics
Course in other department/thematic thread 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 6
 Hours15
Spring
Course in another department/thematic thread 3
ENGL 339 Creative Writing: Fiction 3
Select one of the following: 3
African-American Literature 4
Asian Literature 5
Queer Literature and Film 5
Introduction to Shakespeare
Select one of the following: 3
Composition and Rhetoric 6
Healthcare Writing
Writing for Video Games 5
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
ENGL 334 Writing Community Stories 3
Course in another department/thematic thread 3
Select two of the following: 6
Writing About Electronic Media and Film (if needed or select course in another department/thematic thread)
Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction 6
Creative Writing: Poetry 7
Select one of the following: 3
Literature of the Women's Movement 2
Native American Literature 2
U.S. Latino/a Literatures 3
Selected Topics
Chaucer and Medieval Culture 3
British Literature I
American Literature I
World Literature
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 330 Literary Publications & Design (if not taking semester 8) 4 3
ENGL 346 Writing the Graphic Novel (if not taking semester 8) 4 3
ENGL 429 Grant and Proposal Writing (if not taking semester 8) 4 3
Select one of the following: 3
African-American Literature 4
Asian Literature 5
Queer Literature and Film
Introduction to Shakespeare
Course in another department/thematic Thread 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Writing Community Stories
Course in another department/thematic thread
ENGL 409 Professional English 3
ENGL 491 Senior Writing Project (or additional Literature course) 3
Select one of the following: 3
Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction 6
Creative Writing: Poetry 7
Course in other department/thematic thread 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 330 Literary Publications & Design (if not taking semester 6) 4 3
ENGL 346 Writing the Graphic Novel 4 3
ENGL 429 Grant and Proposal Writing 4 3
ENGL 491 Senior Writing Project (or additional Literature course) 7 3
Course in other department/thematic thread 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Offered even numbered fall term.

3

Offered odd numbered fall term.

4

Offered even numbered spring term.

5

Offered even number spring term

6

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

7

Select additional Literature course from the following:  ENGL 242 (offered odd numbered spring term), ENGL 248 (offered even number spring term), ENGL 300, or ENGL 312.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5120
Concentration Code: CREA
Revised date: 12.22.2020