Arts and Sciences Transfer, Arts and Humanities, Fine Arts, Creative Writing Option, A.A.

Award: Associate of Arts degree, A.A. (code AA.FA.CREAT-WRIT)

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 60 credit hours.

Purpose: Designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop as readers and writers. Prepares students for advanced study in creative writing. Students completing this degree will have developed a portfolio of original work (fiction, poetry or creative non-fiction) for submission to baccalaureate level (BA and/or BFA) writing programs, as well as reputable journals. The comprehensive core of general education courses and specialized courses in creative writing will also prepare students for transfer to programs in related disciplines.

Range of Occupations

Occupations can be explored further through the virtual Careers Center.

Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses

AACC faculty developed the following sequence of courses to encourage greater success in each student’s program of study. This sequence incorporates all of the student’s admissions requirements for this degree and provides the student with essential notes to guide their success. It is recommended that students view and save this as they plan courses for this degree.

Click Here to View, Save, or Print a PDF Copy of the Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses for this degree

General Education Requirements: 31-37 credits

An approved list of general education courses can be found in the General Education Requirements and degree program required courses section of the catalog. Choose general education courses from the following topics:

English: 3-6 credits

ENG 111 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 1 3 credit hours AND
ENG 112 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 2 3 credit hours
OR
ENG 115 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 1 for Non-Native Speakers 3 credit hours AND
ENG 116 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 2 for Non-Native Speakers 3 credit hours
OR
ENG 121 - Composition and Literature 3 credit hours
Successful completion of ENG 121 fully satisfies the college English composition general education requirements.

Arts and Humanities: 6 credits

Must select two different disciplines. See General Education Arts and Humanities Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Biological and Physical Sciences: 7-8 credits

At least one lab science required. See General Education Biological and Physical Sciences Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Technology or Mathematics: 3-4 credits

See General Education Requirements for a list of approved courses. CTA 100 or CTA 103 reccomended.

Health/Fitness/Wellness: 3 credits

See General Education Health/Fitness/Wellness Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Mathematics: 3-4 credits

See General Education Mathematics Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

Must select two different disciplines. See General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Program Requirements: 23-29 credits

ENG 200 - Introduction to Creative Writing 3 credit hours
ENG 205 - Creative Writing: Portfolio Development 2 credit hours

Students should check the requirements of their transfer school before selecting the courses listed below:

Must take a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following:

ENG 201 - Creative Writing: Beginning Fiction Workshop 3 credit hours
ENG 202 - Creative Writing: Beginning Poetry Workshop 3 credit hours
ENG 203 - Creative Writing: Writing for the Stage and Screen Workshop 3 credit hours
ENG 204 - Creative Writing: Beginning Creative Nonfiction Workshop 3 credit hours
ENG 275 - Creative Writing: Literary Publishing Practicum - Working on Amaranth 1 credit hour
ENG 276 - Creative Writing: Literary Publishing Practicum - Working on Amaranth 2 credit hours
ENG 277 - Creative Writing: Literary Publishing Practicum - Working on Amaranth 3 credit hours

Must take a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following:

ENG 211 - World Literature 1 3 credit hours
ENG 212 - World Literature 2 3 credit hours
ENG 213 - British Literature 1 3 credit hours
ENG 214 - British Literature 2 3 credit hours
ENG 215 - Early American Literature: Colonial to 1865 3 credit hours
ENG 216 - American Literature, 1865-1945: Realism to Modernism 3 credit hours
ENG 217 - Contemporary American Literature: 1945-present 3 credit hours
ENG 220 - The Bible as Literature 3 credit hours
ENG 221 - Introduction to Shakespeare 3 credit hours
ENG 222 - The American Novel 3 credit hours
ENG 223 - The British Novel 3 credit hours
ENG 224 - Modern American Poetry 3 credit hours
ENG 226 - Ethnic American Literature 3 credit hours
ENG 227 - Literary Nonfiction 3 credit hours
ENG 228 - Literature in English by Women 3 credit hours
ENG 235 - Modern Drama 3 credit hours
Electives (with approval of department chair) 0-6 credit hours
No more than 3 credits of physical activity courses may be used as electives.

Additional Requirements

Computer Competency Requirement

See Computing and Information Technology Competency Requirement for a list of approved courses.

Diversity Requirement

Students may satisfy the diversity requirement simultaneously as they satisfy the arts and humanities, biological and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences or health/fitness/wellness general education requirements or elective requirements. See Diversity Requirement for a list of approved courses.

Related Educational Opportunities

Continuing Education and Workforce Development Offerings

Additional courses, credentials and/or certifications may be available through the AACC School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development.

Transfer Agreements

Agreements may exist for this program of study. To access agreements, go to Transfer Services.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Apply a conscious process to writing and revising works in at least three of the following genres: fiction, poetry, play/screenwriting, and creative nonfiction.
Apply a wide range of stylistic tools and craft techniques to create competent original fiction, poetry, play/screenwriting, and/or creative nonfiction.
Critically evaluate one’s own and others’ writing in various genres through careful reading and workshopping.
Research, identify, and prepare documents for academic and professional avenues in writing fiction, poetry, plays/screenplays, and creative nonfiction, including publication processes and business aspects.
Use software to create, format, and otherwise prepare and submit professional documents.
Identify, analyze, and interpret a broad range of literatures, forms, styles, and works as products of their historical, cultural, philosophical, and/or political landscapes.
Develop a personal statement, style, and portfolio for professional and transfer purposes.

This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies. For a full list of Core Competencies, click here.