BA in Creative Writing (Columbia College) in New York United States | Columbia University

The School of the Arts' creative writing program blends rigorous writing workshops with literature seminars examined through a writer's lens. In workshops, students refine their literary skills, while creative writing seminars (covering both technique and literary history) expand their artistic horizons by introducing diverse historical approaches to crafting art with language. Complementing these core components, students may select relevant courses from departments like English, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, History, and Anthropology, tailored to their creative needs in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

At the heart of creative writing practice lies the selective, demanding workshop. Here, students create original fiction, poetry, or nonfiction pieces for in-depth peer and faculty critique. These evaluations (comprising comprehensive written feedback and line edits) examine both technical execution and artistic value, with one-on-one faculty meetings synthesizing feedback into concrete revision strategies. Through this process of creation and critique under expert guidance, writers progressively advance their craft, constantly pushing toward higher creative achievements.