Creative Writing and Publishing
Creative writers are daydreamers and romantics, but they are also, as the poet Shelley said, "the unacknowledged legislators of the world." Salve Regina University's bachelor's degree in creative writing and publishing offers students the opportunity to combine their own creative work in poetry, fiction and literary nonfiction with an understanding of the world of print and digital publishing that brings such works to the public.
Perfect Your Craft
Salve Regina's creative writing and publishing program addresses all aspects of this multifaceted discipline, preparing students for careers as poets, playwrights, speechwriters, journalists, copywriters, educators and publishers. In the workshop setting, our students pursue the art of reflection, negotiation, critical analysis and diplomacy while deepening their empathy, their imaginative capacity and their understanding of the human experience.
Working closely with professionals in the field, our students perfect their craft through focused coursework, creative exercises and workshop critique. They enjoy small classes, a dedicated faculty and a lively program of extracurricular readings, all of which provide a supportive and challenging writing community.
Through Salve Regina's popular accelerated program, qualified undergraduates can begin our master's degree in creative writing during their senior (fourth) year.
Program Spotlight: The Newport MFA in Creative Writing
Our students have an unparalleled opportunity to pursue a Master of Fine Arts after completing their bachelor's degree. The Newport MFA, Salve Regina's vibrant low-residency program in creative writing, immerses students in the creative life through an intensive study of the craft of writing guided by dedicated faculty.
Held each January and June, residencies consist of daily workshops, craft lectures, manuscript consultations and keynote readings, initiating students into the writing life as well as the business of publishing and editing.
Our Faculty
Our creative writing and publishing program is coordinated by Salve Regina’s writer-in-residence, Dr. Jen McClanaghan, who provides dedicated advising to all majors and minors. An accomplished poet, her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Best American Poetry, The Iowa Review, The Southern Review and New England Review.
Life After Salve
Students who wish to pursue creative writing and publishing as a career may focus their work in poetry, fiction or literary nonfiction. Additionally, they may consider careers in publishing, journalism, technical communication, education, social media, marketing, advertising, public relations, government, law or business.
Possible employers include:
- Publishing houses
- Advertising agencies
- Digital/interactive agencies
- Newspapers or magazines
- Broadcast media companies
- Trade, professional or consumer publications
- Government agencies
- Universities and university presses
- Literary agents
- Technical industries
Major in Creative Writing and Publishing (B.A.)
13 courses | 39 credits
Required courses:
- COM357: Editing and Publishing
- CWP224: Elements of Craft
- CWP250: Introduction to Creative Writing
- CWP395: Special Topics in Creative Writing
- CWP451: Advanced Creative Writing
- ENG489: Critical Writing and Research
- ENG490: Senior Seminar Capstone
Students also take three literature courses, chosen from a wide range of offerings in American, British and regional literature, along with three electives from a list of offerings in communications, film, publishing and studio art.
Minor in Creative Writing
6 courses | 18 credits
Required courses:
- CWP250: Introduction to Creative Writing
- CWP395: Special Topics in Creative Writing (taken twice, topics must be unique)
- CWP451: Advanced Creative Writing
Students also choose two of the following:
- COM238: Podcasting
- CWP224: Elements of Craft
- CWP268: Screenwriting