Creative Writing Concentration:
Information for Majors

Premised on the belief that the study of literature and the practice of writing are mutually reinforcing, the English Major with a Creative Writing Concentration emphasizes the inter-relations among creative writing, digital media, criticism, and scholarship. As a concentration with a dual focus on literature and creative work, fully integrated within the English department, this degree offering combines literature courses, small writing workshops, and practical industry training to prepare students for advanced study or careers in writing, media, and publishing. In addition, students benefit from the resources provided by New York City— a worldwide center for literary publishing.

  • Once you are accepted to this degree offering, we'll go ahead and submit your declaration paperwork. You should see your new major appear within Degreeworks in a few weeks.

  • Please carefully review our Degree Requirements

  • COURSE DESCRIPTION

    The Capstone course is the exit requirement for English Majors concentrating in Creative Writing. Students will work on comprehensive portfolios that will encompass their creative and professional work and will help pave the way for a life post-Fordham. In addition, students will work on a high-level collaborative creative writing public exhibition project. The principal aim of the Capstone is to introduce our graduating students to the realities of the writer’s life, which necessarily involves not just individual work but also affiliation, cooperation, and community.

  • The following are required of all Concentrators:

    FALL SEMESTER

    • Fall Craft Class & Social, featuring Mary Higgins Clark Chair

    SPRING SEMESTER

    • Spring Craft Class & Social, featuring Reid Writer

  • Join Fordham English on Discord. We see Creative Writing Concentrators as movers and shakers in our community. Jump in and join in our online conversations and adventures.

  • Poetic Justice Institute Events & Initiatives

    Opportunity to Apply to Creative Writing Graduate Master Class (Every Semester)

    Vision Quest: Long-Form Writing Fellowship

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes ‘Awww!
— Jack Kerouac

Creative Writing Program
Mission, Vision, Values 

Mission

  • Our mission is to teach creative writing to undergraduates in all forms and genres in a warm and supportive environment. We seek to balance our instruction between creative process and practical knowledge.

Vision

  • Our students understand creative writing as both a practice and a foundational way of thinking that fosters empathy, resilience and joyful innovation.

Values

  • Diversity/Inclusivity: We are open and inclusive toward genres, writers, lifestyles, language, aesthetics within our program.

  • Generosity: We foster an abundance mindset between students and faculty within our curriculum and in our initiatives.

  • Dedication: We ask a lot. We give a lot.

  • Innovation: We look to the cutting edge of literary programming and curriculum. 

  • Leadership: We instill a sense of agency and power within our students and faculty. We encourage our students to share their work on public platforms.