Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

A creative writing degree opens doors across careers in writing, publishing, media, marketing and education, bringing strong storytelling, editing and communication skills to every field. Many graduates also continue into graduate, law or Master of Fine Arts programs. 

Yes—through internships, faculty mentorship and partnerships with organizations like Encore Magazine, Michigan Public and WMUK, you'll build practical experience and grow your professional network. On campus, you can contribute to student journals, newspapers and radio programming, work as a writing consultant in the Writing Center, or collaborate with WMU's theatre program on playwriting projects. These opportunities help you build a portfolio and prepare for life after graduation. 

Yes—Western offers scholarships at the institution, college and department level, including English Department scholarships designed specifically for creative writing students. Connect with the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore what you qualify for. 

Creative Writing has no additional admissions requirements beyond standard WMU admission. Many students declare their major by or during their second year, so you have time to explore before committing. 

Both degrees develop strong writing and communication skills, but they point in different directions. Creative writing focuses on craft—you'll workshop poetry, fiction, plays and creative nonfiction while building a portfolio of original work and gaining experience through campus journals, student media and WMU's theatre program. Rhetoric and writing studies takes a broader lens, exploring how language shapes culture, communities and ideas through coursework in multimedia writing, editing, web content and grant writing. If you're drawn to storytelling and literary craft, creative writing is your path; if you're interested in professional writing, content strategy or how communication works across industries, rhetoric and writing studies may be the better fit.