Program: Creative Writing Certificate - University at Buffalo

Mar 29, 2025

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Learn more about the department

Course Requirements

Creative Writing Core (6 credits)

ENG 434SEM - Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry Credits: 3 (repeatable for credit) OR
ENG 435SEM - Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction Credits: 3 (repeatable for credit)
ENG 350SEM - Introduction to Writing Poetry and Fiction Credits: 3

One Contemporary and Modern Literature course (3 credits)

ENG 326LEC - Modern British and Irish Fiction Credits: 3
ENG 328LEC - Multicultural British Literature Credits: 3
ENG 337LEC - 20th Century Lit in the U.S. Credits: 3
ENG 338LEC - The Novel in the U.S. Credits: 3
ENG 339LEC - American Poetry Credits: 3
ENG 353LEC - Technical Communication Credits: 3
ENG 357LEC - How to Write Like a Journalist Credits: 3
ENG 367LEC - Poetry Movements Credits: 3
ENG 368LEC - Modern and Contemporary Poetry Credits: 3
ENG 387LEC - Women Writers Credits: 3

Three ENG Electives (9 Credits)

At least one workshop must be at the 400 level. Students may request to substitute one 300-level writing workshop with a similar writing workshop course in a different genre, such as ENG 393 or TH 485 .

ENG 390SEM - Creative Writing Poetry Workshop Credits: 3
ENG 391SEM - Creative Writing Fiction Workshop Credits: 3
ENG 434SEM - Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry Credits: 3
ENG 435SEM - Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for Certificate: 18

Academic Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.300 overall in required and elective certificate courses in order to be awarded the certificate upon completion of their Bachelors Degree.
The certificate is awarded concurrently upon completion of all program requirements and completion of a bachelor’s degree at the University at Buffalo. It cannot be awarded as a standalone certificate program even after the student has earned a bachelor’s degree.

Learning Outcomes

The Creative Writing Certificate aims to give students the skill sets they need to:

Follow a career path as writers.
Publish their work.
Successfully apply to graduate programs in creative writing (MA, MFA, PhD) in the genre of their choice by submitting material nurtured with the help of UB’s faculty.

(HEGIS: , CIP: 23.0101 English Language and Literature, General)