Department of English

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

When you major in creative writing at Brandeis, you will immerse yourself in small writing workshops, literary studies, and studio or performing art, all of which prepare you for a writerly life.

You will emerge with a strong grasp of historical and contemporary literature and culture as well as a sense of your own creative voice. Within the major, you may choose to concentrate on fiction, poetry or screenplay. Those who pursue honors within the major will work closely with a mentor to produce a body of high-caliber creative work. 

Why Brandeis?

Creative writing has a long history at Brandeis: taught since 1951, it has been a major in its own right since 2003.

Unlike other creative writing programs, our workshops are taught solely by established writers. You will learn your craft from working writers who are widely published and also dedicated teachers. Our impressive roster of past visiting writers includes Alice Walker, John Irving and Saul Bellow.

Our workshops are small — 14 students maximum. And because they are open to all, you will work closely with a wonderfully diverse group of peers majoring in neuroscience, Judaic studies, African and African-American studies, fine arts, law, business, biology and other areas.

Our program is also unusually active, sponsoring reading series, student awards, panel discussions, workshops on publishing, and journal and performance opportunities. Our Reading Series brings nationally known poets, novelists and translators to campus for readings and meetings with students. Featured readers have included Tom Perrotta, Jamaica Kincaid, Carl Phillips, Kazim Ali, Adrienne Rich, Sharon Olds, Mark Doty and others.

Academics

Faculty Excellence

Internships and Study Abroad

Careers, Graduate Study and Alumni

“I've gotten to the point where I'll go to office hours for professors whose classes I'm not in anymore just to hang out and catch up. I'm so close with them, I'd invite them to my wedding.”

Sarah Bierman ’14