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
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| ENGL 31 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| 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 UNITS | 18 | |
| 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 Units | 60 | |
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
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AE | 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 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 16 | |
| 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 | ||
| Units | 15 | |
| 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 | ||
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |