Students interested in creative writing should begin with English 223-Creative Writing. English 223 provides an introduction to the reading and writing of poetry and prose and to the workshop method of critiquing student writing.
Students who complete English 223 are encouraged to declare the English major, and continue through the following sequence of courses:
- Intermediate Fiction (English 323), Advanced Fiction (English 423)
- Intermediate Poetry (English 324), Advanced Poetry (English 424)
English majors who wish to specialize in the writing of poetry or prose fiction may, in the winter term of their junior year, apply to the Capstone Program in Creative Writing , which is an optional path to a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Students in the program take the creative writing workshops described above in sequence, and, in their last term, compile a major manuscript of poetry or prose fiction while working closely with the creative-writing faculty in a tutorial reserved for creative writing capstone students (English 428); this program is small and selective. Students not enrolled in the Capstone Program may still pursue their interest in creative writing by applying to the appropriate upper-level workshops.
Application Process
Admission to the Capstone in Creative Writing Program will occur during winter term and is limited to juniors who have taken or are enrolled in English 323/324 (or 423/424).
The application process will involve the submission of the application, a writing sample, and a transcript. Acceptance will be based on an evaluation of the writing sample by a committee of three readers.
The application cycle for the 2024-2025 academic year is currently open, and the deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. Please see the application form for more information.
Program Requirements
Students planning to complete the Capstone Program in Creative Writing must satisfactorily complete the following:
- Prerequisite course: English 223
- Choose a track: Fiction or Poetry and complete the appropriate classes (English 323/324 and 423/424)
- Completion of a thesis (English 428)
- Completion of all English major requirements
Click here to download the checklist for English Majors completing the Capstone Program in Creative Writing. Although students will receive University credit for additional writing courses (such as repeated enrollment in 323, 324, 423, or 424), only one such course will count for English credit. Additional writing course credits will not count toward the Capstone.
Creative Writing Honors
Students who have maintained a 3.5 English GPA may apply for honors in creative writing after they have been accepted into the Capstone Program.
Honors will be awarded based on the student maintaining a 3.5 English GPA, a 3.4 cumulative GPA, and earning a grade of A- or better on the thesis. The College of LSA will not award honors degrees if the student does not have the minimum cumulative GPA.
Contact Us:
Cody Walker
Director, Undergraduate Program in Creative Writing
jcodyw@umich.edu
or
English Undergraduate Studies Office
3187 Angell Hall
(734) 764-6330
