Creative Writing
Learn to express yourself creatively with the written word and craft new ideas and new worlds that inform, inspire, and entertain.
Why Study Creative Writing?
As a creative writing major at USD, you will learn the craft of writing in multiple genres through a hands-on, action-based approach that builds writerly skills in reading, craft and technique, and creative process. Our faculty members–all published writers–challenge students to experiment and take chances, to learn from the critiques of their classmates and professors, and embrace the process of revision. At USD, you can explore writing classes in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and publishing. You also have opportunities to read your work at public events, publish your work, participate in the editing of a student-run magazine, and help manage an independent literary press. Our students graduate with marketable skills in professional writing, editing, marketing, and teaching. Many pursue graduate work.
As a creative writing major at USD, develop real world professional skills while also learning the art of writing.
Degrees & Offerings
English: Creative Writing Specialization (B.A., B.S.)
Bachelor’sA creative writing specialization allows an English major to extend the tradition of strong and imaginative creative storytellers, poets and creative nonfiction writers who have honed their skills at USD. Our faculty include novelists, poets, creative nonfiction and short-story writers and a South Dakota Poet Laureate. Students work in small, intimate classes on their own creative work while also gaining a firm grounding in literature and literary criticism.
Creative Writing
MinorA minor in creative writing allows you to combine your imaginative interests in writing with your primary major area. This minor pairs well with any Arts and Sciences majors allowing students to work with published writers to develop literary craft and artistic skills across a wide range of genres including poetry, drama, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
Program Details
Undergraduate
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Department
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Student Opportunities
The Department of English offers opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in the operation of two periodicals and a literary press. South Dakota Review, a quarterly journal, publishes both creative and critical work for a national audience. Undergraduate students may assist English graduate students and faculty in the editorial and circulation duties associated with this publication.
The Vermillion Literary Project holds open-mic reading events, an annual writers festival and produces an annual anthology of local fiction, poetry and artwork entitled the Red Coyote. Undergraduate students participate in all of the group's activities. Astrophil Press produces award-winning books of literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Undergraduate students may help graduate students and faculty in management of this influential independent publishing enterprise.
Students who excel at writing can become a paid peer writing consultant at USD's Writing Center, which offers help in all areas of writing for USD students. Writing consultants receive training to assist students with any task that includes writing, including essays, reports, theses, short stories, resumes and cover letters. Working as a writing consultant gives you experience as a critical reader, proofreader and editor--all skills that will serve you in a future career.
USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of English. For example, you may be interested in joining Vermillion Literary Project to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests. Also, Alpha Mu Phi is USD's local chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta international English Honor Society. Students inducted into our chapter hold flash fiction contests, sponsor a little free library in the Vermillion community and present research and creative work at the national Sigma Tau Delta conference.
Thomas and Alice Gasque Study-in-Britain Scholarship
English students interested in traveling abroad are encouraged to apply for the the Gasque Study-in-Britain Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a USD undergraduate with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher, with special preference given to English majors, for the purpose of studying in Great Britain.
Apply NowDepartments & Facilities
English
Investigate and gain insight into how we understand ourselves and communicate through stories, poetry and other narratives. Cultivate your ability to read and write and think about complex issues with the Department of English.
Faculty & Staff
Lara Carlson McGoey
Pete Dexter
John Dudley
Specialty
Literary Naturalism
Sarah Garelik
Kenneth Green
Specialty
Grant Writing
English Grammar
Kevin Magee
Lisa Ann Robertson
Specialty
Michelle Rogge Gannon
Specialty
