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Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program
Unlock your creative potential and hone your unique voice.
Online Courses
11 out of 12 total courses
On-Campus Experience
One 1- or 3-week residency in summer
$3,340 per course
Next Start Term: Spring 2025
Registration is open through January 23, 2025
Program Overview
Through the master’s degree in creative writing and literature, you’ll hone your skills as a storyteller — crafting original scripts, novels, stories, and works of creative nonfiction.
In small, workshop-style classes, you’ll master key elements of narrative craft, including characterization, story and plot structure, point of view, dialogue, and description. Rigorous literature courses, many of them taught by Harvard College faculty members, will deepen your skills as a writer and scholar.
Program Benefits
Instructors who are established screenwriters, novelists, and nonfiction writers
A community of writers who support your growth in live online classes
Writer's residency with agent & editor networking opportunities
Personalized academic and career advising
Thesis or capstone options that lead to publishable creative work
Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation
Customizable Course Curriculum
As you work through the program’s courses, you’ll enhance your creative writing skills and knowledge of literary concepts and strategies.
You’ll hone your voice as a writer in courses like Writing the Novel and Advanced Memoir. You’ll explore the possibilities of the screen in courses such as Advanced Screenwriting and Comedy Sketch Writing.
Within the creative writing and literature program, you will choose between a thesis or capstone track. You’ll also experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.
11 Online Courses
- Primarily synchronous
- Fall, spring, January, and summer options
Writers’ Residency
A 1- or 3-week summer master class taught by a notable instructor, followed by an agents-and-editors weekend
Thesis or Capstone Track
- Thesis: features a 9-month independent creative project with a faculty advisor
- Capstone: includes crafting a fiction or nonfiction manuscript in a classroom community
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.
First, you’ll register for and complete 2 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.
Enroll for your first admission course this spring. Course registration is open November 4, 2024–January 23, 2025.
To get started, explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.
A Faculty of Creative Writing Experts
Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are established and award-winning writers and scholars. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Bryan Delaney
Playwright and Screenwriter
Talaya Adrienne Delaney
Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Elisabeth Sharp McKetta
Our community at a glance.
Most of our creative writing and literature students are enrolled in our master’s degree program for either personal enrichment or to make a career change. Over half are employed full time while pursuing their degree and work across a variety of industries.
Download: Creative Writing & Literature Master's Degree Fact Sheet
Average Age
Courses Taken Each Semester
Work Full Time
Would Recommend the Program
Professional Experience in the Field
Pursued for Personal Enrichment
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Graduates of our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Program have writing, research, and communication jobs in the fields of publishing, advertising/marketing, fundraising, secondary and higher education, and more.
Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Boston University, Brandeis University, University of Pennsylvania, and Cambridge University.
Our alumni hold titles as:
- Marketing Manager
- Director of Publishing
- Senior Research Writer
Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:
- Little, Brown & Company
- New York University (NYU)
- Bentley Publishers
Career Advising and Mentorship
Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs like the annual on-campus Harvard Humanities, Media, Marketing, and Creative Careers Expo.
Your Harvard University Degree
Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Creative Writing and Literature.
Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network
As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
Harvard is closer than one might think. You can be anywhere and still be part of this world.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
Learn more about the cost of attendance .
What can you do with a master’s degree in creative writing and literature?
A master’s degree in creative writing and literature prepares you for a variety of career paths in writing, literature, and communication — it’s up to you to decide where your interests will take you.
You could become a professional writer, editor, literary agent, marketing copywriter, or communications specialist.
You could also go the academic route and bring your knowledge to the classroom to teach creative writing or literature courses.
Is a degree in creative writing and literature worth it?
The value you find in our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program will depend on your unique goals, interests, and circumstances.
The curriculum provides a range of courses that allow you to graduate with knowledge and skills transferable to various industries and careers.
How long does completing the creative writing and literature graduate program take?
Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
What skills do you need prior to applying for the creative writing and literature degree program?
Harvard Extension School does not require any specific skills prior to applying, but in general, it’s helpful to have solid reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills if you are considering a creative writing and literature master’s degree.
Initial eligibility requirements can be found on our creative writing and literature master’s degree requirements page .
Harvard Division of Continuing Education
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.
Online Students
For All Online Programs
International Students
On Campus, need or have Visa
Campus Students
For All Campus Programs
Master’s in Creative Writing Online MA Degree Program
Cost per credit $637
Total courses 12
Term length 10 weeks
Program Overview Why get a master’s in English and creative writing?
Ignite your imagination and jump-start your professional writing career with a Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing online at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Learn to use the written word to effectively tell your story and share your ideas with the world. By studying literature and the way accomplished authors have perfected their art, you'll be prepared to enter a number of industries as a creative writer.
Skills you'll learn:
- Integrate form, language and literary works into writing style and voice
- Expand upon your own creative process
- Create original literary works of publishable quality
- Reflect on goals, process and ethos as a creative writer
- Use technology as a tool to stylize and promote creative work
Courses & Curriculum Online creative writing courses that foster your imagination
The master's in creative writing online exposes you to powerful examples of writing and provides you with an outlet to refine your skills as a writer. All of our courses were also created by subject matter experts in their field, many of whom are critically acclaimed writers themselves.
English & creative writing degree concentrations
Choose the general track or add one of 4 specializations to your master's degree.
Literature has long been a source of inspiration, both for readers and writers. In Southern New Hampshire University's online MA in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction degree, you can find your creative voice and tell your story.
Your knowledge can grow beyond a basic understanding of plot building, narrative, voice and character as you push your creative boundaries. Hone your craft for the kind of fiction you've always dreamed of bringing to life through novels, short stories, children's literature and more. In this degree program, you'll have the opportunity to explore whichever genres in fiction pique your interest, from horror and sci-fi to fantasy, young adult, romance and more.
The art of storytelling has deep historical and societal roots, and it is critical to cross-cultural communication. In your MA in Creative Writing online degree program, you’ll study the work of published writers to help you develop your own creative writing skills. You’ll focus on why authors make specific creative decisions to develop a deeper understanding of fiction in all of its forms, all while writing your own works of fiction.
If you decide to pursue this concentration, you'll take a capstone course designed around completing your thesis in your fiction genre of choice. At the culmination of your coursework, you’ll create your own manuscript and apply what you've learned about your own creative voice to your work. If you feel it's time to put pen to paper to tell a tale, this program is for you.
Career outlook:
Whether you're looking to write the next great fiction novel or you'd like to specialize in short stories that capture the imagination for a period of time, this concentration can give you the tools needed to become successful in your field.
The MA in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction can also lead to numerous career opportunities, as this program does more than just expose you to literature and help you develop new writing skills. You can apply the creative skills you gain to numerous professions, from scriptwriting to marketing.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for writers and authors was $73,690 in 2023. 1
Courses include:
- Fiction Fundamentals
- Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Other Popular Fiction
- Fiction Thesis Writing
- Fiction Thesis Completion
In the MA in English & Creative Writing with a concentration in Nonfiction degree, you'll learn how and why writers craft nonfiction narratives. These tools can help you develop factual material based on research and experiences of your own – or someone else's. The creative writing master's degree can help you gain insights into publishing, broadcasting and professional production, while you explore your creative boundaries.
At the culmination of the program, you'll develop your own professional-quality piece of nonfiction, one that takes you deep into subjects that matter to you and helps you develop the skills needed for great storytelling.
MA English & Creative Writing nonfiction graduate Alec Biron '17 '21G particularly enjoyed the combined emphasis on creative writing and literature.
"While the curriculum allowed me to select a unique genre of creative writing to develop my nonfiction thesis," he said, "it also allowed me to explore traditional forms of literature that I love, such as medieval British and feminist genres."
Nonfiction is the art of telling real stories – ones that people can learn from, relate to and understand. It covers a wide range of styles and subjects, encompassing everything from personal essays, autobiographical writing and memoirs, to marketing, travel writing and magazine features.
Given the many career paths you could take by adding a concentration in nonfiction writing to your degree, it's worth noting some you could explore. During a time when remote work is on the rise, you might consider a career writing freelance nonfiction stories for traditional print magazines and digital publications. Or, if telling stories for brands excites you, you could work in advertising as a copywriter and see your words on websites, billboards, emails, commercials and other types of advertisements.
"Employers have been impressed by not only my achievement of a master’s degree, but also by the publications I've subsequently written for following my education," Biron said.
If you like finding ways to make factual yet complex topics more digestible, you may enjoy the role of technical writer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, technical writers earned a median annual salary of $80,050 in 2023. 1
- Non-Fiction Fundamentals
- Non-Fiction Thesis Writing
- Non-Fiction Thesis Completion
Develop the skills you need to convey your poetic vision with a MA in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry . The poetry concentration within our online creative writing graduate program can take you to a new level of analysis, appreciation and understanding of this art form.
Foster your love of verse with the inspiration, passion and creative peer collaboration that only SNHU's concentration in poetry can bring. This curriculum focuses your study of literature on a genre where every word and line counts. Here, you'll be able to use your imagination to create imagery that moves and inspires readers and writers alike.
This creative writing graduate program challenges you to gain an appreciation for how the unique craft and vision of poetry is critical to learning to think, understand and communicate with the world at large. Throughout this online program, you’ll broaden your understanding of the art of poetry. You'll also dive deeper into structure, tone and rhythm while analyzing the work of renowned poets.
Upon completion of the program, you’ll develop your own manuscript of poetry, one that allows you to expand on subjects you're passionate about.
Whether it's getting your own poetry published or becoming the next great poet laureate that interests you, a career in poetry is sure to be one filled with passion for your work. You could work for nonprofits to promote local poetry in your area, or become the poetry curator for an array of journals, magazines and even bookstores. And the ability to write clever, concise and compelling copy is also a great fit for advertising and marketing positions.
- Poetry Fundamentals
- Poetry Thesis Writing
- Poetry Thesis Completion
We live in an increasingly visual society. The online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Screenwriting program at Southern New Hampshire University is an advanced exploration of the world of film and video, from shorts and episodic serials to feature-length blockbusters and documentaries.
This concentration is based on a comprehensive study of film, with a special focus on story structure, character development and creative writing. At the culmination of the degree program, you'll have developed your own screenplay that you can then share with others and put out into the world if you so choose.
While an understanding and analysis of literature – whatever the genre – is at the core of this MA degree, the screenwriting concentration places a special emphasis on visual storytelling. Designed by experienced and distinguished faculty, this master’s in screenwriting program can give you a powerful understanding of how story, character, theme, action, visuals and dialogue intertwine to create an immersive experience. In this concentration, you'll also have the opportunity to work closely with peers and faculty to workshop your pieces, which can help push your creative work to new heights.
Take it from José Roldan Jr. '17G who – with the support of his friends, family and SNHU advisor – was able to enroll in the online MA in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Screenwriting program while balancing his full-time job and performance schedule, along with additional acting gigs and auditions.
"That support just allowed me the strength to say, 'You know what? I can get this done. There are so many people who believe in me to do it, that I can get it done,'" Roldan said. "It wasn't easy, but it's possible. It's possible."
Whether you dream of writing for the big screen one day or writing scripts at a regional level, in the screenwriting concentration you can hone your craft for television, commercials, news, feature films, short films and even video games. There are multiple ways you could use this degree in the media world, from adapting an existing work into a movie or writing your own script, to working closely with producers on funding and producing projects.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for writers and authors was $73,690 in 2023, it also reports that producers and directors earned a median annual wage of $82,510 the same year. 1
- Screenwriting Fundamentals
- Fiction and Film
- Screenwriting Thesis Writing
- Screenwriting Thesis Completion
Creative writing courses
In addition to working on your writing craft, you'll take several literary courses that focus on analysis and reflection while learning about the history of the publishing industry. This can give you the chance to sharpen your editing and professional communication skills, while also giving you the edge you need to advance your writing career.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full MA in English & Creative Writing curriculum .
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
Apple (mac os) technical requirements.
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page .
Apply for free in minutes
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: March 24, 2025 | June 9, 2025
Next term starts: Jan. 6, 2025
Online student experience what’s it like going to snhu.
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
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You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors.
- Drop in for tutoring Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary.
- Learn from industry professionals Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away.
- Use the online library Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7.
- Reach out for accessibility help Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities.
- Focus on your well-being Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Jacob Powers
Associate dean of liberal arts
Joined SNHU
- MFA in Creative Writing – Fiction from Boise State University
- BA in Creative Writing with a minor in English Literature from Grand Valley State University
"The program provides peer and instructor dialogue through workshops and gives students the ability to strengthen technical skills in editing and proofreading, which transfer to a variety of careers including content and freelance writing, copyediting and strategic and institutional communications."
Read more about Jacob Powers and other online faculty at SNHU .
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North
- The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology
- Google.org Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932 , Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Get involved in the writing community
You'll have the chance to share your work with the vibrant creative writing community at SNHU:
- The Penmen Review, our online journal that accepts submissions 12 times a year
- Word for Word, a bimonthly livestream event featuring published writers reading from their work
- Fall Fiction Contest, a short-story competition that offers SNHU scholarships among its prizes
- Student Writers Spotlight, a live-stream reading showcasing the best of SNHU's creative writing students
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
Additional Requirements:
Master's degree candidates must also submit a personal statement. Students with an undergraduate GPA below 2.75 are eligible for provisional acceptance.
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | [email protected]
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) . The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online graduate tuition
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199
If 6 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $15,288
If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377
If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Transfer credits toward your master's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Earn credits in leadership, technology and more – while taking advantage of an online graduate tuition discount for active-duty service members and spouses.
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Bring in credits from popular options like CLEP, Sophia Learning, Google and other common credit for prior learning (CPL) experiences.
Receive an online tuition discount if your organization has partnered with SNHU for educational benefits. And consider asking your employer about tuition reimbursement.
Career Outlook What can I do with a creative writing master’s?
Whether it's telling your story or someone else's, your online master's in creative writing can equip you with detailed knowledge about the worlds of publishing, communications, copywriting and the role of the professional writer.
Graduates of the online master's in English and creative writing program will find that, according to the BLS 1 , there is opportunity for employment in a variety of fields, including:
Write creatively in a variety of genres for publication. Freelance for websites, blogs, newspapers or social media.
Research and write articles for print and online news sources. Use effective communication to increase audience understanding of material.
Proofread writing for spelling, grammar and formatting errors. Edit content to enhance flow and clarity.
Create how-to guides, operating instructions and FAQ pages for users of specific products. Translate complex information into digestible content.
Develop clear, catchy advertising copy that works to promote a product or service.
Write rhetorically sound speeches for organizational leaders, politicians and others who appear in front of an audience.
Median annual wages for writers and authors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – higher than the median annual wages for all occupations. 1
Understanding the numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Great and imaginative storytelling is always needed, and by having the fiction concentration, it's opened doors and avenues in a wide range of projects.
Joshua Yarbrough '21G
The skills that I learned in nonfiction writing have helped me to build a career in freelance journalism and content writing.
Alec Biron '17 '21G
I chose a poetry concentration because I am a poet at heart. I wanted to make sure that my studies preserved time to truly focus on poetry and developing my manuscript and network and connection to other authors.
NaBeela Washington '21G
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s rarely too late to learn something new. One of the best things about online education is the flexibility to learn something that has always interested you at your own pace. All you need to become a writer is a little imagination, a lot of hard work and the commitment to get started.
One of the biggest requirements to becoming a writer is the ability to accept and apply critical feedback, no matter your age. With Southern New Hampshire University's master's in creative writing degree, you’ll learn about story and craft, the English language and literary theory. Each of these elements can help create the foundation from which you can develop your own writing style.
Remember, international bestseller John Grisham practiced law for nearly a decade before he sold his first novel. J.K. Rowling was in her 30s before she sold the first Harry Potter book. If you become a professional writer as a second or third career (or just later in life), you'll be in good company.
Any writer will tell you that a successful career is the result of hard work, learning the craft and more hard work. While earning a master’s in creative writing is not a requirement to become a working writer, the skills you'll learn in this degree program are invaluable.
A formal writing education – whether it be an undergraduate creative writing degree or an advanced degree like a master's in creative writing – can help you learn how to give and receive critical feedback. It can also help you learn to write in different styles and genres. Perhaps more importantly, you can receive practical advice from faculty about how to work as a writer.
It’s important to keep in mind that being a working writer isn’t just about being a novelist. A career in writing can lead you to become a marketing copywriter, a screenwriter or a technical writer. You may become a development writer and use your writing skills to raise money for nonprofit causes. Perhaps you'll teach the craft of writing to others.
Because strong writing skills are necessary for most professions, an advanced writing degree can help you succeed in just about any career field you choose. And an online advanced writing degree like SNHU's master's in creative writing can help provide the flexibility to make it possible.
"I think SNHU's MA in English & Creative Writing program is perfect for anyone who works full time or has other obligations that restrict them from (face-to-face) instruction," said Joshua Yarbrough '21 . "As the world changes in how we educate and learn due to the pandemic, programs such as SNHU’s will become more important in opening educational doorways to students from all walks of life."
Writing just may be one of the most versatile career fields around. With a master’s in creative writing, you can sharpen your skills and abilities and eventually pursue careers in the copywriting, editing or publishing industries. Perhaps you’ll write policy or fundraising pieces for government organizations and nonprofits, or pick up an adjunct position at a local community college. And, during a time when working from home is on the rise, many people decide to act as freelance writers and create content for websites and blogs.
Some great examples of careers for writers and authors are:
- Content writing: Content writers create long- and short-form articles for a variety of print and digital media. They often work as freelancers or as part of a marketing team.
- Copywriting: Similar to content writing, copywriting is geared more toward advertising and marketing. Copywriters use words to help sell products or ideas for brands and advertising agencies.
- Speechwriting: People in the public eye need someone to write their speeches. It takes someone skilled in written communication to craft words that will have the greatest effect.
- Technical writing: As the name implies, this style of writing focuses on technical materials, such as white papers, manuals and supporting documents. Technical writers share complex ideas in an accessible way.
- Editing: A master’s in creative writing gives you the skills needed to be a wordsmith in every way. This includes helping others strengthen and revise their writing while checking for grammatical and spelling errors.
Like with any degree, only you can decide if a master's in creative writing is the right path for you. Having strong writing skills can set you apart in just about any career field. There are endless opportunities to work professionally as a writer in business, government or in creative fields. Marketing and advertising, for example, are fields where strong writing skills and a creative mind are highly valued.
Jobs for writers and authors are expected to increase 4% (about as fast as average for all occupations) through 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1 Writing as a career field is both diverse and competitive. Having a master's in creative writing has the potential to give you an edge over the competition. 1
If you're leaning toward a career in media, marketing, public relations, business or copywriting, a master’s in creative writing is probably the way to go. You can learn about literature, literary theory and literary analysis while working on your own creative process. A master’s in creative writing may be faster to complete than an MFA, with fewer credits required.
An MFA program is more focused on the single goal of helping students pursue creative writing as a profession. Thus, an MFA degree is best for people who want a career as a writer or as a writing teacher. MFA programs typically point you toward creative work in fiction or nonfiction and involve more intensive work on completing a finished novel or manuscript.
You can earn either degree online with Southern New Hampshire University. Our MA in English & Creative Writing allows for a number of course options, so you can customize your pathway. We also have one of the only fully online MFA programs in the country, as well as a low-residency MFA .
The MA in Creative Writing degree at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) can be completed in as few as 15 months, or you can take as long as you need. The courses are fully online, so you can learn at a pace that's right for you. All students can take courses in studying the craft of writing, story and concept. The program also provides instruction in the English language and literary theory. And with a choice of 4 genre concentrations or the opportunity to study multiple genres, you can enjoy customizing the coursework as well.
With our fully online programs, SNHU offers 24/7 access, academic advisors available to assist you around the clock and the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
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Sources & Citations (1)
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (viewed July 8, 2024)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm (viewed July 8, 2024)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm (viewed July 8, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
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