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Undergraduate Program

Creative Writing

The Department of English offers the opportunity to practice creative writing as part of the larger study of literature.

It is strongly recommended that students serious about their writing balance creative writing courses with as many literature courses as possible. Reading widely and critically is the best way to learn to write well.

Because creative writing at Tufts is approached in the context of extensive reading and critical examination of literature, the Department does not offer a separate creative writing major or minor.

English Major

English majors may count up to five creative writing courses towards the major’s required ten courses. See "Major Concentration Requirements" and "Approved Courses" for general information about the English Major.

English Minor

English minors may count up to three creative writing courses towards the minor’s required six courses. See "Minor Concentration Requirements" for general information about the English minor.

Prerequisites & Credits

Course prerequisites are indicated in the chart below. Also indicated are restrictions on how many times a course may be counted for credit towards the English major or minor.

Level Course Prerequisites # classes counted for Major/Minor Credits
Introductory English 5: Fiction Completion of College Writing Requirement Two
English 6: Poetry Completion of College Writing Requirement Two
English 7: Journalism Completion of College Writing Requirement Two
Intermediate English 9: Intermediate Fiction Completion of College Writing Requirement; Eng 5 Two
English 10: Non-fiction Completion of College Writing Requirement One
English 11: Intermediate Journalism Completion of College Writing Requirement; Previous journalistic experience One
Advanced English 13: Advanced Fiction Completion of College Writing Requirement; Two courses English 5 or English 5 and English 9 unlimited
English 16: Forms of Poetry Completion of College Writing Requirement; Eng 6 unlimited

Courses Requiring Completion of College Writing Requirement:

  • Liberal Arts students must have taken English 1 or English 3 and English 2 or English 4.
  • Engineering students must have taken English 1 or English 3.
  • See First Year Writing or the "First Year Writing Program Course Information Booklet," available in the English Department office, for complete information about the writing requirement, including exemptions.
  • Students should check transcripts to ensure that any exemptions have been documented. Transcript-related questions should be directed to the Student Services desk in Dowling Hall (617-627-2000).
  • Students whose transcripts do not reflect fulfillment of the writing requirement will first be emailed to rectify the situation. If proof of fulfillment of the writing requirement is not delivered to Student Services in a timely manner, the student will then be automatically dropped from the course.

Arts Distribution Requirement:

  • English 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, and 16 may be counted toward the Arts distribution.
  • English 7 and 11 may not be counted toward the Arts distribution.
  • For complete listings of courses fulfilling Distribution requirements see the Student Services Website

Class Size & Attendance

All sections are limited to twelve students. To retain your place you must be present at the first meeting of the course.

Senior Honors Thesis

See under "Senior Honors Thesis" for information about the creative option.

Playwriting and Screenwriting Courses

Please note that courses in playwriting and screenwriting are offered by the Department of Drama and Dance and do not count toward the English major.

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