Should I Get a BFA in Creative Writing?
by Richard Edwards
Not a lot of universities and colleges offer a BFA in Creative Writing, but is it a good idea to get a degree like this? Will it help you be a better writer? Will a BFA give you any chance at getting a job?
I’ll start by saying I have a BFA in Creative Writing. I wanted to be a writer all my life. I signed up for school, found the BFA in Creative Writing and went for it. I didn’t know how lucky I was or how rare these programs are.
Benefits of a BFA in Creative Writing
The difference between a BA in Creative Writing and BFA in Creative Writing tends to be workshop writing courses. BFAs usually focus on writing and shy away from literary courses. The programs are typically workshop heavy, meaning you write a lot. You will have a writing course or more every semester, and you will study modern and contemporary writers. The idea is to focus on things that shape writing right now. BAs, on the other hand, often have literary courses dealing with classic or period works and do not have as many workshop courses.
If you want to write, BFAs are a great place to be. You can meet a lot of writers, share work, and you’ll have time to write. You’ll get much of the same information in a BFA program as in an MFA program.
With a BFA in Creative Writing, you really have the same amount of job prospects as others who get an undergrad in communications.
Beyond the BFA: Further Education Options
MFAs are not the same as BFAs. If you get an MFA, it’s a huge investment, and it’s a second degree. BFA graduates have choices. They can go on to an MFA or go into law, education, media, or other fields. It’s nice to have options. What I’m saying is getting a BFA is not, in my opinion, as big of an investment as an MFA. You can get your feet wet and experience a little part of meeting and being a writer. You can go on to other things if you like, or move into an MFA.
I had a blast in my BFA, and I highly recommend going through a program like this, if you can find one you like. Check the writers who are teaching the program. If you like their work, you are on the right track.
Colleges Offering BFA in Creative Writing Programs
Here is a list of 30 universities that offer BFA in Creative Writing: Arkansas Tech University, Chapman University, Brewton-Parker College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Columbia College Chicago, University of Evansville, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Spalding University, University of Maine at Farmington, Emerson College, Hamline University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Belhaven College, Stephens College, Truman State University, New Hampshire Institute of Art, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Institute of American Indian Arts, Brooklyn College of CUNY, Pratt Institute, State University of New York at Postdam, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Bowling Green State University, Chatham University, Roger Williams University, Converse College, Stephen F. Austin State University, Goddard College, Johnson State College, University of British Columbia
Bottom Line
I loved my program and it served me well in life and in my career, but I don’t think I would make the same decision today. The cost of college has more than doubled since I attended BGSU. At that time, a liberal arts degree was risky, but you could still get a job in many different fields. I would be fearful to go through this today with the massive amount of debt you could incur with little chance of ending up in a profession where you would use this degree.
The arts are not valued like the sciences. I ended up going back for a Master’s in Education and became a teacher, but I was working as an editor. With AI and so much more competition taking up these low-level editing jobs, I feel like the risk would be too great. If you do get a BFA in Creative Writing, you can go back and get a masters in something else, but the cost is just so great now.
There are many other avenues to writing, and I simply believe universities have out-priced themselves when it comes to degrees that do not connect directly to a profession or that connect students to high-paying professions with abundant jobs like finance, sciences, and healthcare.
I’m an author with many credits to my name and some awards, but no, you’ve never heard of me. I have an associates degree in Nursing, enough credits for a bachelor’s degree, but I’ve never jumped through the hoops. I studied history and French and wrote dozens of freelance articles and essays, published in literary and mainstream magazines. I have published six books – one of them by Knopf – which was recognized by the New York Public Library as one of the Books for the Teen Age – 2007.
So why do I want a creative writing degree? Because I love literary fiction and literary memoir. I want to make the connections and improve my craft. What I would really like is a MFA in creative writing, but since I don’t actually have a bachelor’s degree, I don’t think I can be accepted in any respected program. Yet, because of my significant writing and publishing experience, I feel I have earned the equivalent of a BA in creative writing.
Oh, I might mention I am 60 years old.
Any advice for this dame d’un certain age?
The only thing I can say is talk to the local university. I think there may be some options. If you don’t have a BFA program near you, a BA or other writing program would be good, but ask the university about your options.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers a BFA in Writing although Columbia College Chicago only offers BA’s. Just thought I should mention.
To add to your list, Portland State University in Oregon is offering a BFA in Creative Writing beginning Spring Term 2016.
Thank you Renee!
Penn State-Erie offers a BFA in creative writing also.
I think that you will find that often the writing workshops in BFA programs are being led by grad students in the MFA program. Your exposure to the big-name professors will be limited, at best.
Linda, your experience(s) should trump having a bachelor’s degree in hand. I would think that making a simple inquiry to any program that you’re interested in attending before submitting a formal application and paying the fee would get you an honest response that they are interested in students with the best chances of succeeding in their program and reflecting well on them in the future. Your track record will speak volumes. Literally.
Hello, thank you for the informative article…
I have completed my BTech. in Mechanical Engineering from a University in India. I now want to pursue a full-time writing course in the United States…
Will I be able to complete my BFA in two years having already done my Bachelors?
Also can you list down some of the top colleges that offer BFA?
Regards,
Varun Pandey
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Ringling College of Art + Design now offers a BFA in Creative Writing. What better place for a writer to thrive than in a creative, arts-centered environment like this?
http://www.ringling.edu/Creative-Writing
You missed the first, and best: University of Iowa
UIOwa doesn’t have a BFA in CW. Only an English & Creative Writing BA. And most of the undergraduate classes are taught by their MFA students so it isn’t as great as many think it is. I would know I’m going there.
Dale that list is coming.
As a graduate of a BFA in Creative Writing, I do not see the value of an MFA unless you are trying to become a university teacher. And I’m pretty confident in my research and storytelling skills, so I’ll let my work do the talking. You wrote a fine article, but I have to disagree with the MFA segment.