List of Bachelors in English Composition and Writing Programs – Campus & Online

An English composition/writing degree can help you excel as poet, teacher, grant writer, and everything in between. These types of English programs can prepare you for more than a writing-based career, since virtually every industry requires some level of writing skills. And even if you just want to take a few classes, to give you that added writing edge without earning an English degree, there’s a program for that too!

Where Can I Earn My Bachelors in English Composition and Writing Degree?

While you’re listening to the podcast, check out our list of schools with English composition and writing programs in the US. For each school, we provide a few highlights, including program offerings, course breakdown, and accreditation.

Click on the links below to jump to a specific state’s programs. You can also skip ahead to our Quick Facts about a bachelor’s degree in English composition and writing, or information about degree types and accreditation.

Online Sponsored Programs

California Baptist University Accredited by WASC Click To Request Info »	“The purpose of the online Bachelor of Arts in English degree program is to prepare students to be well rounded and well-versed in writing and evaluating literature. English majors develop skills in critical thinking, analyzing questions, and formulating well thought out responses. An English degree is one of the most versatile, foundational programs, useful in private and public sector job applications.”
Southern New Hampshire University Accredited by NEASC Click To Request Info »	“If you have a passion for storytelling and want to pursue a career using your writing talents, the online creative writing degree at SNHU is ideal for getting you started on the right path. The program gives you the option of pursuing a general track or choosing a concentrations to tailor your degree to your interests. Unleash your imagination and pursue a rich, rewarding career as a creative writer with the online Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English at SNHU.”
UMass Accredited by NEASC Click To Request Info »	The online Bachelor of Arts Writing Concentrations degree program is designed to develop students’ writing skills and their understanding of the theory and practice of writing and literature. Students in this program can take classes in creative writing, journalism, grant writing, autobiographical writing, and magazine and public relations-related writing.

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Alabama

University of Alabama in Hunstville Accredited by SACS

UAH has a BA in Writing degree program that is designed to prepare students for careers in writing-related fields such as technical writing, publishing, social media consulting, and public relations. Students in this program can take classes like Rhetorical Criticism, Technical Editing, Poetry Writing, Creative Nonfiction Writing, Women Orators, and Strategies for Business Writing.

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Arizona

University of Arizona Accredited by HLC

At the University of Arizona, students in the Creative Writing undergraduate degree program must pick a concentration in Poetry, Fiction, or Nonfiction. Students in this program must take the Elements of Craft in Creative Writing class, as well as four writing workshop classes where they will draft, analyze, and revise manuscripts in a small class setting.

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Arkansas

University of Arkansas Accredited by HLC

The BA in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing degree program at the University of Arkansas and is designed to prepare students for studies, meet the English requirements for secondary teaching licensure, or pursue careers outside academia. Students in this program must complete a minimum of 120 units, and can take classes in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing.

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California

California Baptist University Accredited by WASC

“The purpose of the online Bachelor of Arts in English degree program is to prepare students to be well rounded and well-versed in writing and evaluating literature. English majors develop skills in critical thinking, analyzing questions, and formulating well thought out responses. An English degree is one of the most versatile, foundational programs, useful in private and public sector job applications.”

California State University Northridge Accredited by WASC

The Creative Writing undergraduate degree program at CSUN is designed to help students develop their narrative, verse, or playwriting skills while providing a fundamental literary background. Students in this program can take classes like Women Authors, Writing for Performance, Narrative Writing, and Contemporary Poetry.

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Colorado

University of Colorado Denver Accredited by HLC

At the University of Colorado Denver, students can pursue English Creative Writing or English Writing undergraduate degree programs. The English Writing degree consists of 36 major-related credit hours, and focuses on multimedia, digital, technical, and business-related writing. The English Creative Writing degree consists of 39 major-related credit hours, and features classes in fictional and poetic writing.

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Delaware

University of Delaware Accredited by MSCHE

The University of Delaware has a Composition Program that is designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to communicate clearly in writing. The writing courses in this program also teach students how to research information properly and address specific audiences.

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Georgia

Georgia State University Accredited by SACS

Georgia State University has BA in English degree programs with concentrations in Composition and Rhetoric, Creative Writing, Education, and Literature. These degree programs can prepare students for careers in writing/editing, publishing, advertising, public relations, and more. Students in these programs can take classes in areas like technical writing, poetry, and fiction.

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Illinois

University of Illinois Accredited by HLC

The University of Illinois has a BA in Creative Writing degree program that is designed to develop students’ analytical and creative skills, and prepare them for a variety of careers and graduate study opportunities. This program consists of a minimum of 120 credit hours, and students can take workshop classes in poetry, creative nonfiction, and narrative writing.

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Indiana

Indiana University East Accredited by HLC

At Indiana University East, students can pursue a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, Literature, or Technical and Professional Writing. Each of these programs consists of 120 credits, with 36 major-related credits. Depending on the concentration, students can take classes in areas like fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, digital writing, science writing, and/or technical writing.

University of Southern Indiana Accredited by HLC

The University of Southern Indiana has English baccalaureate degree programs with specialized tracks in Creative Writing, Literature, and Professional Writing and Rhetoric. Depending on the degree specialization, students can take classes like Screenwriting Workshop, Twentieth-Century Poetry, Writing in the Digital Age, and Critical and Investigative Writing.

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Iowa

University of Iowa Accredited by HLC

The University of Iowa has and undergraduate English and Creative Writing degree program that is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers by teaching them how to think, read, and write critically. Students in this program can take classes in areas like playwriting, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction, poetry, and fiction writing.

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Kansas

University of Kansas Accredited by HLC

The Edwards Campus at the University of Kansas has Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Literature, Language, and Writing degree programs that can prepare students for careers in editing, technical writing, marketing, and sales and speech writing.

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Massachusetts

UMass Accredited by NEASC

The online Bachelor of Arts Writing Concentrations degree program is designed to develop students’ writing skills and their understanding of the theory and practice of writing and literature. Students in this program can take classes in creative writing, journalism, grant writing, autobiographical writing, and magazine and public relations-related writing.

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Michigan

University of Michigan – Flint Accredited by HLC

The University of Michigan-Flint has BA in English degree programs that give students the option to specialize in Writing, Linguistics, or Literature. Students pursuing the Writing degree concentration can take courses in fiction and poetry writing, as well as specific classes like Communications in Business, Technical Writing, Directed Writing, Writing Creative Nonfiction, and Public and Professional Writing.

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Minnesota

Minnesota State University – Mankato Accredited by HLC

The Creative Writing program at Minnesota State Mankato has BA, BS, and BFA in Writing degree programs that focus on literature and writing styles together with the goal to help students excel in their writing. Depending on the degree, students will need to complete a minimum of 34-68 degree-related courses in order to graduate.

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Missouri

Missouri State University Accredited by HLC	Missouri State University has BA and BS degree programs in Creative Writing and Professional Writing, all of which consist of a minimum of 36 degree-related hours. Depending on the degree, students can take writing courses in fiction, drama, poetry, and nonfiction, or classes like Scientific and Technical Editing, Writing for the Web, and Writing Grant Proposals.
University of Missouri Kansas City Accredited by HLC	The Department of English, Language, and Literature at UMKC has undergraduate English degree programs with specialized tracks in areas like Creative Writing, Language and Rhetoric, and Literature. UMKC also has a Composition Program designed to help students develop their writing abilities as they progress through their degree.

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Montana

University of Montana Accredited by NWCCU

The College of Humanities and Sciences at the University of Montana offers a composition program for English majors. Students learn to become more effective writers and researchers by teaching students flexible strategies for researching and composing texts. Students also create portfolios of their writing.

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New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University Accredited by NEASC

“If you have a passion for storytelling and want to pursue a career using your writing talents, the online creative writing degree at SNHU is ideal for getting you started on the right path. The program gives you the option of pursuing a general track or choosing a concentrations to tailor your degree to your interests. Unleash your imagination and pursue a rich, rewarding career as a creative writer with the online Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English at SNHU.”

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New Mexico

New Mexico State University Accredited by HLC

The Department of English at New Mexico State University offers a BA in Creative Writing that requires students to meet the English basic skills requirement in addition to 42 credits in designated areas of study. Courses also include writing workshops, the study of theory and rhetoric, and form and technique.

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New York

New York University Accredited by MSCHE	NYU undergraduate English, Creative Writing degree program that combines literary analysis and the writing process, which leads to a creative writing project of the student’s choice. Students in this program can take workshop classes in creative writing as well as courses like Reading as a Writer and American Literature.
Syracuse University Accredited by MSCHE	At Syracuse University, the Writing and Rhetoric Major focuses on different genres and practices of writing. Students write in a wide range of genres, some of which include advanced argument, research writing, digital writing, civic writing, professional writing, technical writing, creative nonfiction, and the public essay.

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Ohio

Ohio University Accredited by HLC

In the English – Literature & Writing major at Ohio University, students focus on developing their 21st-century skills in analysis and writing. Students in this program take classes in variety of topics in both literature and writing, and this program also includes the English Core to provide a solid foundation in literary genres and research.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University Accredited by HLC

Oklahoma State University offers a BA in English with a creative writing option that consists of 53 hours, including 15 hours of workshop, 24 hours of literature surveys, literary criticism, and upper-division literature courses. The program emphasizes the importance of writing craft within small classes (maximum enrollment 12 at the graduate level, 18 or fewer for undergraduates), and eligibility for competitive scholarships specifically designated for creative writers.

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Oregon

Western Oregon University Accredited by NWCCU

Western Oregon University offers a BA in English with the option to choose from three tracks: writing, linguistics, and literature (each track comprises 26-28 credits). The writing track major or minor includes courses in creative writing, professional writing, or a combination of both areas.

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Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania Accredited by MSCHE

The University of Pennsylvania has a plethora of concentrations for the undergraduate English degree program including Creative Writing, Poetry and Poetics, The Novel (prose writing), and Literature, Journalism, and Print Culture. Students in the Creative Writing concentration can take workshop classes in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, journalism, writing for children, and review.

University of Pittsburgh Accredited by MSCHE

The English Writing undergraduate degree program at the University of Pittsburgh is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching or writing, and the writing strategies, critical analysis, and other skills learned through this degree can be applied to an array of other careers as well. Students in this program must pick a concentration in Fiction, Nonfiction, or Poetry.

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Rhode Island

Brown University Accredited by NEASC	At Brown University, students can pursue an undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in Nonfiction Writing. Students in this program can take classes like Writing with Food, Poetics of Narrative, and Satire and Humor Writing. Brown University also has a Nonfiction Writing Program that consists of courses ranging from critical reading and writing to real world writing.
University of Rhode Island Accredited by NEASC	The University of Rhode Island offers a Writing and Rhetoric major that focuses on the practice writing in a wide range of settings. Students learn to collect information, conduct research,compose, analyze, and revise texts of many kinds. You will learn how to design brochures and web pages and present visual information effectively.

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South Carolina

Furman University Accredited by SACS	Furman University offers a BA in English, Writing Track that helps students develop critical thinking and writing skills. The curriculum is broad with courses that cover many different types of writing in addition to early traditions in literature as well as cultural and global studies. The English department also offers a BA in English.
Limestone College Accredited by SACS	Majoring in English with the writing concentration at Limestone College is excellent preparation for graduate school in a variety of fields. The English Writing Concentration also prepares students to enter diverse professions. Students in this program are encouraged to take courses in poetry, prose, and creative non-fiction.

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South Dakota

University of South Dakota Accredited by HLC

Students can specialize in Creative Writing or Secondary Teaching in the BA and BS in English degree programs at USD. These programs consist of a minimum of 120 degree hours, and 36 of those hours are dedicated to the English major and concentration. In the Creative Writing concentration, students can take classes in nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and playwriting.

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Tennessee

University of Tennessee Knoxville Accredited by SACS

UTK has BA in English programs with degree concentrations in Rhetoric and Writing, Creative Writing, Technical Communication, and Literature. These degree programs are designed to develop and enhance students’ understanding of analytical thinking, writing, editing, and publishing. Students can take classes in areas like argumentative writing, technical editing, and persuasive writing.

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Texas

University of North Texas Accredited by SACS

UNT has English undergraduate degree programs with the option to pick a concentration in Creative Writing, Language Arts, Writing and Rhetoric, or Literature. Students in the Creative Writing concentration program can take classes in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. UNT also has a first-year Composition Program to help students develop the writing skills they’ll need throughout their academic and professional careers.

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Utah

Unversity of Utah Accredited by NWCCU	The University of Utah has BA and BS in Writing and Rhetoric Studies degree programs that are designed to help students become more analytical thinkers and proficient writers. Students in this program can take classes like Rhetorics of Gender, Writing for Scholarly Publication, Digital Publishing, and Medical and Health Science Discourses.
Utah Valley University Accredited by NWCCU	UVU offers BA and BS in English programs with degree concentrations in Writing Studies, Creative Writing, Education, and Literary Studies. Depending on the concentration, students can take classes in fiction writing, creative nonfiction writing, editing, visual rhetoric, and grant and proposal writing. Each of the English degree programs consist of a minimum of 120 semester credits.

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Virginia

Old Dominion University Accredited by SACS

Old Dominion University has BA in English degree programs with concentrations in Creative Writing, Journalism, Linguistics, Literature, Professional Writing, and Teaching. Depending on the concentration, students in these programs can take classes in areas like fiction, poetry, feature story writing, television news production, technical writing, and client-based research writing.

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Washington

University of Washington Accredited by NWCCU	The University of Washington offers a BA in English with a Creative Writing option degree program that provides a broad introduction to historical world literatures. Students in this program can take writing workshop classes in areas like verse, short story, novel, creative nonfiction, and expository writing.
Washington State University Accredited by NWCCU	The undergraduate English degree program at WSU allows students to pursue concentrations like Creative Writing, English Teaching, and Rhetoric and Professional Writing. These programs are designed for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in literature or rhetoric and composition, or use the skills learned to build a career in areas like writing, editing, law, business, or public service.

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West Virginia

Marshall University Accredited by HLC

The Bachelor of Arts in English, Creative Writing degree program at Marshall University is designed to develop students’ critical thinking and perceptive reading and writing skills while honing their ability to write effectively. Students in this program can take classes like Texting the World, Autobiography and Memoir, Science Fiction, and Women Writers. Marshall University also has a Composition Program.

West Virginia University Accredited by HLC

West Virginia University offers BA in English degree programs with concentration options like Professional Writing and Editing or Creative Writing. This program is designed to develop communication, research, critical thinking, writing, and creativity skills. Students in this program can take classes like Editing, Multimedia Writing, and Technical Writing, as well as classes in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing.

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Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin Madison Accredited by HLC

The University of Wisconsin Madison has an English bachelor’s degree program that allows students to pursue a concentration in Creative Writing. Students in this program can take writing classes in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, and more. This university also has a Composition and Rhetoric Program designed to help develop students’ writing and critical thinking skills while also pursuing their degree.

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Bachelors in English Composition and Writing Quick Facts

Here is a brief snapshot of what to expect and look forward to with a bachelor’s degree in English composition and writing.

Quick Facts
Common Pre-Enrollment Requirements:	High School Diploma or GED (associate’s degree is optional)
Common Core Subjects Covered:	Rhetorical Criticism, Technical Editing, Non-Fiction, Fiction, and Poetic Writing
Non-Classwork Required:	None (internship is strongly recommended)
Expected Time to Complete Bachelor’s Degree:	4 years
Common Next Steps:	Entry-Level Position, Master’s Degree
Most Common Career Fields:	Writing, Editing, Publishing, Teaching, Public Relations, Advertising

Exploring Degree Types and Accreditation

Most of the programs listed below are also offered as a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The biggest difference between a BS and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, is that a BA will require at least one year’s worth of foreign language classes whereas a BS does not.

As language evolves, so do writing styles. As a result, there are a ton of English programs to choose from! Check them out below:

• Writing Composition Program – a selection of classes, supplemental to a degree program, designed to help improve and challenge reading and writing abilities at varying skill levels
• BA in Creative Writing – an arts-based approach to studying both literature and writing styles for fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, theatre, and film
• BA in English, Professional/Technical Writing Concentration – an arts-based approach to studying both literature and nonfiction writing for various industries and print and digital media platforms
• BA in English, Composition and Rhetoric Concentration – an arts-based approach to studying both literature and writing theories, styles, and rhetoric
• BA in Professional/Technical Writing – an arts-based approach to primarily studying nonfiction writing for various businesses and print and digital media platforms
• BA in Composition and Rhetoric – an arts-based approach to primarily studying writing theories, styles, and rhetoric

Accreditation is important for all degrees, ensuring you receive a qualified education. The accrediting bodies featured in our list are:

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