English: Creative Writing, Associate in Arts

The English: Creative Writing degree program develops strong writing and critical thinking skills through the reading and writing of forms including short fiction, poetry, the novel, creative nonfiction and screenplays. Students produce original creative work and learn to analyze and evaluate works written by classmates and established authors. To satisfy degree requirements, students must successfully complete a minimum of 18 units. Completion of the program prepares students for creative writing programs at Bachelor’s degree granting institutions.

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Read, analyze and write works of creative prose and poetry.
  • Suggest improvements (in writing and in discussion) to works evaluated, using concepts and vocabulary appropriate to the relevant literary genre.
  • Revise their own works of creative prose and poetry, applying concepts and techniques appropriate to the relevant literary genre.

Associate in Arts Degree Major Requirements

Required Core
ENGL 31Introduction to Creative Writing3
or ENGL 32 Creative Writing II
Select five courses from the following (at least four of the five must be Creative Writing courses; courses may not be repeated; all courses must be taken at MPC):15
Creative Writing Courses
Introduction to Creative Writing
Creative Writing II
Fiction Writing
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Poetry Writing
Novel Writing
Novel Writing II
Magazine Editing and Publishing I
Magazine Editing and Publishing II
Writing for the Theatre I
Writing for the Theatre II
Beginning Screenwriting
Intermediate Screenwriting
Literature Courses
Introduction to Great Books
Literature by and About Women
Introduction to Shakespeare
Introduction to Poetry
Survey of American Literature I
Survey of American Literature II
Comics As Literature
Survey of World Literature I
Survey of World Literature II
Survey of British Literature I
Survey of British Literature II
TOTAL MAJOR UNITS18
Additional Requirements
Complete Competency Requirements, general education pattern (MPC General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC), and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 degree-applicable units.42
Total Units60

Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.  
 

The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.

Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallUnits
ENGL 1A
College Composition
or College Composition: Enhanced
3
LIBR 50 Introduction to Library and Research Skills 1
ENGL 31 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
MPC GE Area A2 (MATH 10 or MATH 16 Recommended) 4
Electives 3
 Units14
Spring
MPC GE Area B and Lab 4
Electives (ENGL 2 Recommended) 3
Electives 6
ENGL 5
Introduction to Great Books
or Literature by and About Women
or Introduction to Shakespeare
or Introduction to Poetry
or Creative Writing II
or Survey of American Literature I
or Survey of American Literature II
or Comics As Literature
or Survey of World Literature I
or Survey of World Literature II
or Survey of British Literature I
or Survey of British Literature II
or Fiction Writing
or Creative Nonfiction Writing
or Poetry Writing
or Novel Writing
or Novel Writing II
or Magazine Editing and Publishing I
or Magazine Editing and Publishing II
or Writing for the Theatre I
or Writing for the Theatre II
or Beginning Screenwriting
or Intermediate Screenwriting
3
 Units16
Year 2
Fall
MPC GE Area D 3
Electives (SPCH 1 or SPCH 2 Recommended) 3
Electives 3
Select two courses from the following: 6
Creative Writing II
or Fiction Writing
or Creative Nonfiction Writing
or Poetry Writing
or Novel Writing
or Novel Writing II
or Magazine Editing and Publishing I
or Magazine Editing and Publishing II
or Writing for the Theatre I
or Writing for the Theatre II
or Beginning Screenwriting
or Intermediate Screenwriting
 
 Units15
Spring
MPC GE Area E 3
MPC GE Area F 3
Electives 3
Select two courses from the following: 6
Creative Writing II
or Fiction Writing
or Creative Nonfiction Writing
or Poetry Writing
or Novel Writing
or Novel Writing II
or Magazine Editing and Publishing I
or Magazine Editing and Publishing II
or Writing for the Theatre I
or Writing for the Theatre II
or Beginning Screenwriting
or Intermediate Screenwriting
 
 Units15
 Total Units60