English and Creative Writing majors learn to think, read, and write critically and creatively about how literature and language influence individuals and society.
They study the major literary movements and genres in British, American, and global literature in English and learn the many dimensions of literature and how it is created and circulates in the world.
The University of Iowa is the number two university in the country for writing, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The Iowa Writers' Workshop, the Nonfiction Writing Program, and other programs bring world-renowned writers to campus. In 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named Iowa City its third "City of Literature" in the world.
For 75 years, the Department of English has been a leader in writing. Iowa's international reputation in writing is boosted by synergy across colleges, with the International Writing Program hosting published writers from around the world each fall. The university and Iowa City draw writers of all ages and nationalities to its writing community. This community is bolstered by the strong readings series offered by the Nonfiction Writing Program, the Writers' Workshop, and Prairie Lights Books, with hundreds of readings archived by the Iowa Digital Library.
Students interested in this major need to meet the requirements for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
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Iowa graduates have a 96 percent job/grad school placement rate within six months of graduation. Our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
About 20 percent of English majors plan to teach, while another 50 percent plan to write or edit for non-profit organizations or for businesses such as marketing, content writing, or book publishing. The rest use English as a background for graduate study in law, business, social work, creative writing, library science, or other graduate programs.
In addition to more than 500 student organizations, Iowa students choose from more than 100 study abroad programs and multiple undergraduate research opportunities.
The English department is home to two student organizations:
- English Society is a social group open to all students in the major and which meets a few times a month.
- ATI is the University of Iowa branch of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society and requires an application to join after three semesters in college.
Students also participate in many literary magazine organizations, the Daily Iowan newspaper, KRUI Radio, EPX Studio, and the theatre department among many other organizations.
The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college.
The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.
Literature and writing are the focus of the English and Creative Writing major. Students take at least four literature courses, four writing seminars and writing workshops, and four electives to shape their program to meet their goals.
The major supports courses in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, translation, and writing for film, TV, and radio. Coursework in English literary studies in historical and cultural contexts teach the significance of texts in the cultures from which they emerged.
Students may opt to use three of their major courses to complete the publishing track which, along with extra-curricular publishing activities, prepares students to apply for entry level positions in the publishing field.
Review English and Creative Writing in the General Catalog for more details about required coursework and graduating with honors.
English Honors Program
English and Creative Writing majors with a 3.33 overall GPA may declare honors in the major. They then complete three courses, including two selective entry workshops, to earn honors in the major, which also fulfills part two of the university's Honors Program.
Teaching Licensure
If you're interested in teaching English and Creative Writing at the secondary school level, you'll need to apply to and complete the College of Education's Teacher Education Program (TEP). Your English advisor can help you choose courses to take prior to application.