carnegie mellon mfa creative writing

Majoring in English: The Five English Degree Options

How the curriculum is structured.

Double Counting

Transfer Courses

Recommended Curriculum Pathway: B.A. in Creative Writing

Recommended courses, recommended curriculum pathway: b.a. in film & visual media, recommended curriculum pathway: b.a. in literature & culture , recommended curriculum pathway: b.a. in professional writing, recommended curriculum pathway: b.s. in technical writing, completing an additional major in english, creative writing minor, humanities analytics minor, literature & culture minor, professional writing minor, technical writing minor, senior honors thesis, internship program, the accelerated ma in professional writing: mapw 4+1, course descriptions, undergraduate catalog, department of english.

Andreea Ritivoi, Department Head Location: Baker Hall 259 https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/english/

The Department of English at Carnegie Mellon engages students in the important study of reading and writing as intellectual activities embedded in historical, cultural, professional, technological, and literary practices. Working with experts in their areas, students become effective writers and analysts of various kinds of texts in a range of media, from traditional print documents to film, multimedia, and on-line texts. Faculty use distinctive methods of studying texts, but all share a deep commitment to working in small and intense workshops and seminars to help students learn to become experts in analyzing existing texts, and in producing original and distinctive work of their own.

The English Department offers the following degree programs:

• B.A. in Creative Writing
• B.A. in Film & Visual Media
• B.A. in Literature & Culture
• B.A. in Professional Writing
• B.S. in Technical Writing

All five majors are structured to allow students to balance liberal and professional interests. Students in the Creative Writing program focus on analyzing and learning to produce poetic and narrative forms. Students in the Film & Visual Media program focus on cultural analysis, writing, production, and digital media. Students in the  Literature & Culture program  focus on the production and interpretation of print texts and other media in their social and cultural contexts. Students in the Professional Writing program focus on analyzing and producing non-fiction for a variety of professional contexts. Students in the Technical Writing program focus on integrating writing with technical expertise in a chosen area of concentration ( Technical Communication or Science & Medical Communication ). In addition to the five majors, we offer five departmental minors as well as two interdisciplinary minors, and we strongly encourage non-majors in the campus community to join us in English courses, beginning with offerings at the 200-level.

Students also get involved in a range of complementary activities, including a reading series of distinguished writers of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction; publishing, editing, and marketing through involvement with The Oakland Review and The Carnegie Mellon University Press; writing and editorial positions on the student newspaper, The Tartan , and other campus publications. We also offer a strong internship program that places student writers in media, non-profit, arts, corporate, and technical internships before they graduate. The end of every year culminates in a gala event to celebrate our students and their writing achievements in literary, academic, and professional writing. For this event, known as the Pauline Adamson Awards, we invite a well-known writer to do a public reading and then present and celebrate student writing awards in over a dozen categories, all judged anonymously by writing professionals from outside the university.

The department of English offers students five degree options:

The B.A. in Creative Writing

The b.a. in film & visual media, the b.a. in literature & culture, the b.a. in professional writing, the b.s. in technical writing .

Students who wish to broaden their experience with English courses may do so by taking more than the minimum requirements for each major or by combining two of the majors within the department for an additional major in English. Common combinations include, but are not limited to, a B.A. in Professional Writing with an additional major in Creative Writing; a B.A. in Creative Writing with an additional major in Literature & Culture; or a B.A. in Literature & Culture with an additional major in Professional Writing. Due to significant course overlap, students are not permitted to major in both Professional Writing and Technical Writing together. Consult the English Department and the section on “Completing an Additional Major in English” for further detail. 

All of the English majors may be combined with majors and minors from other Carnegie Mellon departments and colleges. The English Department advisor can help you explore the available options so that you can choose a major or combination of programs that is appropriate for your interests and goals.

In addition to Dietrich College requirements, English majors complete 11 to 13 courses (99 to 117 units) specifically related to their chosen major within English and structured as indicated below. Please note that courses between majors/minors in the Department of English may not double count, with the exception of the Film & Visual Media major, due to its courses being pulled from multiple programs within English. A maximum of two courses may double count between Film & Visual Media and programs inside the Department of English. A maximum of two courses may double count for programs outside of the Department of English. 

Core Requirements for the Specific Major (7 to 10 courses, 63 to 84 units)

Complete seven to ten courses.

The Core Requirements differ for each major and are designed explicitly to provide both breadth and depth within the specific major the student has chosen.

English Electives (3 to 4 courses, 27 to 36 units)

Complete three to four elective courses.

Elective Electives for the majors are designed to add breadth to each student’s study within English and to provide experience with the range of approaches to reading and writing available within the department. Students in all English majors are encouraged to sample widely from the Department’s offerings.

Carnegie Mellon is one of only a few English departments in the country where undergraduates can major in Creative Writing (CW). In the CW major, students develop their talents in writing fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction. While studying with faculty members who are writers, CW majors read widely in literature, explore the resources of their imaginations, sharpen their critical and verbal skills, and develop a professional attitude toward their writing. The extracurricular writing activities and a variety of writing internships available on and off campus provide Creative Writing majors with valuable experiences for planning their future.  After graduation, our Creative Writing majors go on to graduate writing programs and to careers in teaching, publishing, public relations, advertising, TV and film, freelance writing, and editing.

Students in the CW major are required to take two of the introductory genre writing courses: one in the spring of their first year, and one in the fall of their sophomore year. Choices include: 76-260 Introduction to Writing Fiction, 76-261 Introduction to Writing Creative Nonfiction, 76-265 Introduction to Writing Poetry, and 76-269 Introduction to Screenwriting. In order to proceed into the workshop courses, students must do well in these introductory courses (earn a grade of A or B). Creative Writing majors take four workshops in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, or nonfiction where the students’ work is critiqued and evaluated by peers and the faculty. They also take courses in literature, including a Readings in Forms course where they spend a semester reading extensively in one genre.

Opportunities

During their senior year, students may write a Senior Project or Honors Thesis (if they qualify for Dietrich College honors) under the supervision of a faculty member.

Carnegie Mellon also offers CW majors various extracurricular opportunities for professional development, including internships both on- and off-campus. For example, they may work as interns with the Carnegie Mellon University Press, which is housed in the English Department. The Press publishes scholarly works, as well as books of poetry and short stories by both new and established American writers.

Students may help edit and submit their work for publication to The Oakland Review, a Carnegie Mellon University sponsored and student-run annual journal. 

Students also have opportunities to read their works in a series of readings by student writers held in the Gladys Schmitt Creative Writing Center (also known as The Glad) and to hear nationally known authors as part of the Carnegie Mellon Visiting Writers series. Additionally, the English Department offers prizes for students each year in the writing of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and screenwriting. Student writers are celebrated during The Adamson Awards ceremony.  

In addition to satisfying all of the Dietrich College degree requirements for B.A. candidates, Creative Writing majors must complete 11 courses in the following areas:

Creative Writing Core (7 courses, 63 units)

Introductory genre writing courses* (2 courses, 18 units):.

* * A student must earn a grade of A or B in the introductory genre writing class in order to be eligible to enroll in a workshop of that same genre. A student who earns a grade of C in an introductory genre writing course may enroll in a related workshop only with the permission of the workshop professor. A student who earns a D or R in Survey of Forms may not take a workshop in that genre.

Reading in Forms (1 course, 9 units):

Four creative writing workshops (4 courses, 36 units).

Complete four Creative Writing workshops, at least two in a single genre. Workshops in all genres may be taken more than once for credit, except for Literary Journalism. Additionally, if a student has been accepted into the Dietrich College Senior Honors Program and is completing their thesis in the field of Creative Writing, they may use one semester of thesis credit ( 66-501 Dietrich College Senior Honors Thesis I  or 66-502 Dietrich College Senior Honors Thesis II ) to fulfill a workshop requirement. 

English Electives (4 courses, 36 units)

Complete four additional courses from the English Department’s offerings. Two of the four English Electives must be courses that are designated as fulfilling the literature requirement and focus on close reading of literary texts. Please consult the list of courses published each semester by the Department for current offerings. English Electives may include any course offered by the Department at the 200 level or above. Additionally, English Electives can include no more than one course at the 200 level. The remaining English Electives must be at the 300 or 400 level. In choosing Electives, students are encouraged to sample courses from across the Department.

Students may double count up to two courses with other programs outside of the Department of English. NOTE: courses being used for the Dietrich General Education requirements do not have a double-counting limit.

Students may transfer up to two courses from other non-CMU programs/institutions toward the primary or additional major in Creative Writing or the BHA in Creative Writing, with the exception of one of the two required Introductory Genre Writing courses. Other transfer courses will be considered for general education requirements and free electives for graduation. Please see the Dietrich College Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

This plan is the recommended pathway for completing the B.A. in Creative Writing in four years. While it is not required for students to follow this pathway precisely, it is highly recommended for students to do so, and we recommend students begin the major’s courses as early as possible. Students in Dietrich College may declare their primary major as early as the middle of their second semester. Students who have not declared their major in the Department of English may still take courses with us.

Students may also view the four-year plan (also known as a Pathway) for the B.A. in Creative Writing via the Stellic Degree Audit Application .

The Film & Visual Media major trains students through a combination of coursework in:

• visual media,
• film history and analysis,
• screenwriting,
• and production of film and other visual media.

This major offers a comprehensive education in film and visual media, from theoretical framing and historical-cultural contextualization to training skills in both creating and analyzing film, as well as the development of a complex blend of creative, professional and technical competencies.

CMU's Department of English is an ideal home for the Film & Visual Media major due to the department’s combination of creative writers, film and media studies scholars, film makers, digital humanities and visual communication researchers.

In additional to satisfying all of the Dietrich College degree requirements for B.A. candidates, Film & Visual Media majors must complete 12 courses in the following areas. Note: courses cannot double count between areas. For example, if you take 76-429 Introduction to Digital Humanities for the Digital Media area, you cannot also count that course for your Literature & Culture area.

Required introductory courses (2 courses, 18 units)

Production courses (2 courses, 18-21 units).

Students who have completed 76-239 Introduction to Film Studies  and/or 76-269 Introduction to Screenwriting will be given registration preference.

Screenwriting Courses (2 courses, 18 units)

Digital media courses (2 courses, 18-20 units), literature & cultural studies courses (2 courses, 18 units).

Course options include but are not limited to the following:

Topics in Film & Visual Media Studies Courses (2 courses, 18 units)

While not required, a few courses are recommended as a part of the curriculum. They include:

Students may transfer up to two advisor-approved courses from other programs outside of Carnegie Mellon University toward the primary or additional major in Film & Visual Media Studies, with the exception of 76-239 Introduction to Film Studies and  76-259 Film History Other transfer courses will be considered for general education requirements and free electives for graduation.   Please see the Dietrich College Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

This plan is the recommended pathway for completing the B.A. in Film & Visual Media in four years. While it is not required for students to follow this pathway precisely, it is highly recommended for students to do so, and we recommend students begin the major’s courses as early as possible. Students in Dietrich College may declare their primary major as early as the middle of their second semester. Students who have not declared their major in the Department of English may still take courses with us.

Students may also view the four-year plan (also known as a Pathway) for the B.A. in Film & Visual Media via the Stellic Degree Audit Application .

The Literature & Culture Major teaches students how to read, interpret and write persuasively about novels, poems, plays and other imaginative works across a variety of genres and media forms. Along with teaching students the analytical skills and methodological tools to interpret these works, this major teaches the importance of understanding imaginative works within their cultural and historical contexts. In addition, the major is designed to train students in strong professional and academic skills like critical thinking, inductive reasoning and persuasive argumentation that are applicable to other fields of study and a variety of career paths.

In additional to satisfying all of the Dietrich College degree requirements for B.A. candidates, Literature & Culture majors must complete 13 courses in the following areas:

Requirements

13 courses, 117.0 units total

Required Introductory Courses (3 courses, 27 units)

200-level literature & culture courses (2 courses, 18 units).

One course must cover the period of 1830 or before. NOTE: a single course cannot double count for both the Required Introductory Courses and the 200-Level Literature & Culture Courses. For example, you cannot count 76-245 Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories as a Required Introductory Course as well as for the 200-Level Literature & Culture Course for the 1830 or Before requirement.

Options include but are not limited to:

​300-Level Literature & Culture Courses (2 Courses, 18 units)

Theory course (1 course, 9 units), rhetoric course (1 course, 9 units), 400-level capstone seminar course (1 course, 9 units).

Each semester, a 400-level course is designated as the Capstone Seminar. Literature & Culture majors are required to take this course in their final semester. Course options may include but are not limited to the following:

English Elective Courses (3 courses, 27 units)

Courses for the English Elective requirement can be fulfilled by choosing any of our 200- to 400-level courses. Students are encouraged to sample courses across our programs.

Students may transfer up to two advisor-approved courses from other non-CMU programs/institutions toward the primary or additional major in Literature & Culture or the BHA in Literature & Culture, with the exception of the Required Introductory Courses. Other transfer courses will be considered for general education requirements and free electives for graduation. Please see the Dietrich College Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

This plan is the recommended pathway for completing the B.A. in Literature & Culture in four years. While it is not required for students to follow this pathway precisely, it is highly recommended for students to do so, and we recommend students begin the major’s courses as early as possible. Students in Dietrich College may declare their primary major as early as the middle of their second semester. Students who have not declared their major in the Department of English may still take courses with us.

Students may also view the four-year plan (also known as a Pathway) for the B.A. in Literature & Culture via the Stellic Degree Audit Application .

Professional Writing (PW) combines a professional education with a strong foundation in rhetorical studies. The major prepares students for successful careers as writers and communications specialists in a range of fields, including but not limited to: editing and publishing, government, law, journalism, the non-profit sector, education, public and media relations, corporate communications, advocacy writing, and the arts.

The PW major includes 13 courses: 10 PW Core Requirements + 3 English Electives. The 10 Core Requirements include foundations courses in genre studies, editing, and argument, a professional seminar, plus a cluster of advanced rhetoric and specialized writing courses, all designed to closely integrate analysis and production. Through special topics courses— journalism, web design, advocacy writing, document design for print, science writing, public relations and corporate communications, writing for multimedia — students can pursue specializations while working with faculty who are both experts and practicing professionals in these fields. The 3-unit professional seminar, 76-300 Professional Seminar , which meets weekly during the fall term, provides majors with the opportunity to meet and network with practicing professionals in a range of communications fields. PW majors also gain experience in working on team- and client-based projects and receive focused support to develop a portfolio of polished writing samples to use in applying for internships and employment. Through English Electives in Rhetoric, Creative Writing, and Literary and Cultural Studies, students gain additional practice in the careful reading, writing, and analysis of both literary and non-fictional texts and important insights into how texts function in their historical and contemporary contexts. As a capstone experience, senior PW majors have the opportunity to complete a Senior Project or, upon invitation from the college, a Senior Honors Thesis in Rhetoric or Professional Writing. PW students can also apply for research grants through the Undergraduate Research Office to work on independent research projects with faculty.

While the major appeals to students with strong professional interests, both core and elective requirements develop the broad intellectual background one expects from a university education and prepare students to either enter the workplace or pursue graduate study in fields as diverse as communications, law, business, and education. PW majors also have the opportunity to apply for the Department's accelerated MA in Professional Writing, the MAPW 4+1, which allows them to complete the degree in 2 semesters instead of the usual 3. Because the major in Professional Writing is deliberately structured as a flexible degree that allows a broad range of options, PW majors should consult closely with their English Department advisors on choosing both elective and required courses and in planning for internships and summer employment.Various opportunities for writers to gain professional experience and accumulate material for their writing portfolios are available through campus publications, department-sponsored internships for academic credit, and writing-related employment on and off campus.

PW majors also have the option of taking writing internships for academic credit during their junior or senior year and are also strongly encouraged to seek professional internships throughout their undergraduate years and during their summers. Opportunities in public and media relations, newspaper and magazine writing, healthcare communication, publishing, technical writing, public service organizations, and writing for the web and new media illustrate both internship possibilities and the kinds of employment that Professional Writing majors have taken after graduation.

In addition to satisfying all of the Dietrich College degree requirements for B.A. candidates, Professional Writing majors must fulfill 13 requirements in the following areas:

Professional Writing Core (10 courses, 84 units)

Departmental core requirement (1 courses, 9 units):, professional writing core requirements (4 courses, 30 units):, rhetoric/language studies requirement (1 course, 9 units):.

Complete one course from a set of varied offerings in Rhetoric/Language Studies as designated each term by the English Department. These courses focus explicitly on language and discourse as objects of study and emphasize the relationships of language, text structure, and meaning within specific contexts. Courses include but are not limited to the following:

Advanced Writing/Rhetoric Courses (4 courses, 36-42 units):

Complete four courses from a set of varied offerings in Advanced Writing/Rhetoric as designated each term by the English Department. Options include all courses that fulfill the Rhetoric requirement, plus additional courses in specialized areas of professional writing. Students should select courses in consultation with their English Department advisor or the Director of Professional Writing. Courses include but are not limited to the following:

English Electives (3 Courses, 27 Units)

Complete three courses from any of English Department’s offerings (exceptions include 76-270, which is designed for non-majors). One may be at the 200-level or above; the remaining two must be at the 300- or 400-level. Two must be courses designated as Text/Context Electives, which focus on the relationship between texts and their cultural and historical contexts.

Students may double count up to two courses with other programs outside of the Department of English. Note: courses being used for the Dietrich General Education requirements do not have a double-counting limit.

Students may transfer up to two advisor-approved courses from other non-CMU programs/institutions toward the primary or additional major in Professional Writing or the BHA in Professional Writing, with the exception of the Departmental Core Requirement course and the Professional Writing Core Requirement courses. Other transfer courses will be considered for general education requirements and free electives for graduation. Please see the Dietrich College Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

This plan is the recommended pathway for completing the B.A. in Professional Writing in four years. While it is not required for students to follow this pathway precisely, it is highly recommended for students to do so, and we recommend students begin the major’s courses as early as possible. Students in Dietrich College may declare their primary major as early as the middle of their second semester. Students who have not declared their major in the Department of English may still take courses with us.

Students may also view the four-year plan (also known as a Pathway) for the B.A. in Professional Writing via the Stellic Degree Audit Application .

The B.S. in Technical Writing (TW) is one of the oldest undergraduate technical communication degrees in the country with a history that stretches back to 1958. The degree is specifically designed to prepare students for successful careers involving scientific, technical, and computer-related communication, including writing and designing for digital media.

Today’s technical communicators have the strong backgrounds in technology, communication, and design needed to enter a broad range of information-based fields, and do work that both includes and goes well beyond writing documents for print distribution. The expanding range of options includes positions that involve organizing, managing, communicating, and facilitating the use of both technical and non-technical information in a range of fields and media.

Technical communicators develop and design web sites, explain science and technology to the public, develop print and multimedia materials, develop information management systems, design and deliver corporate training, and develop support systems for consumer products ranging from software for word processing or personal finances to complex data management systems.

The B.S. in TW recognizes the important changes taking place in communication-based careers and includes two distinctive “tracks,” one in Technical Communication (TC) and one in Scientific and Medical Communication (SMC). Both tracks begin with a common core of foundation courses in print and on-line communication as well as a shared set of prerequisites in math, statistics, and computer programming. The two tracks differ in the set of theory/specialization courses beyond the core, with each track including a specialized set appropriate to its focus.

In both tracks, TW students work on real projects for actual clients, learn group interaction and management skills, and develop a flexible repertoire of skills and strategies to keep up with advances in software and technology. Above all, they focus on developing structures and information strategies to solve a broad range of communication and information design problems.

TW students are able to draw on exceptional resources on and off campus to enhance their education. Most obvious are the course offerings of Carnegie Institute of Technology, the Mellon College of Science, and the School of Computer Science. Additional course offerings in business, organizational behavior, policy and management, psychology, history, and design are also encouraged. As a capstone experience, Seniors have the opportunity to complete a Senior Project or, upon invitation from the college, a Senior Honors Thesis. TW students can also apply for grants and fellowship through the Undergraduate Research Office to work on independent research projects with faculty.

While the major appeals to students with strong professional interests, both core and elective requirements develop the broad intellectual background one expects from a university education and prepare students to either enter the workplace upon graduation or pursue graduate study in fields as diverse as communications, business, instructional design, information design, education, and science and healthcare writing.

Various opportunities for writers to gain professional experience are available through campus publications, department-sponsored internships for academic credit, and writing-related employment on and off campus. TW students have the option of doing internships for academic credit during their junior or senior year and are encouraged to pursue a series of internships throughout their 4 years and during their summers.

All TW students are required to enroll in the English Department’s 3-unit course,  Professional Seminar ( 76-300 ) , which meets once a week during the fall term and provides majors with the opportunity to meet and network with practicing professionals in a range of communications fields.

The Technical Communication (TC) Track

The Technical Communication track (TC) prepares students for careers in the rapidly changing areas of software and digital media. Students learn the fundamentals of visual, verbal, and on-line communication as well as the technical skills needed to design, communicate, and evaluate complex communication systems and to manage the interdisciplinary teams needed to develop them. Students become fluent in both print-based and electronic media across a variety of information genres and learn to design information for a range of specialist and non-expert audiences. The TW/TC major can be pursued as a primary major within Dietrich College or as an additional major for students in other Colleges with an interest in combining their specialized subject matter knowledge with strong writing and communications skills. Graduates of this track are likely to follow in the footsteps of previous TW students from Carnegie Mellon who are currently employed as web designers, information specialists, technical writers, and information consultants in a range of technology and communication-based organizations including Salesforce, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, and HP Vertica.

The Scientific and Medical Communication (SMC) Track

The Scientific and Medical Communication track (SMC) is designed for students who seek careers that focus on communication and information design problems in health, science, and medicine. It should appeal to students with interests in the health care professions, science and public policy, patient education, scientific journalism and related fields. Like the TC track, the SMC track is designed to provide both the technical and the communication skills needed to analyze and solve complex communication problems. Students learn the fundamentals of visual, verbal, and on-line communication as well as the technical skills needed to design, communicate, and evaluate complex information systems and to manage the interdisciplinary teams needed to develop them. Students become fluent in both print-based and electronic media across a variety of information genres and learn to design information for a range of specialist and non-expert audiences The TW/SMC major can be pursued as a primary major within Dietrich College or as a secondary major for students in other Colleges, such as MCS, with an interest in science or medicine.

All Technical Writing majors must satisfy the Dietrich College requirements for the B.S. degree, and a set of 3 to 4 prerequisite courses in calculus, statistics, and computer science. All prerequisites should be completed by the beginning of the fall semester, junior year. Prerequisites may double count toward Dietrich College Requirements or requirements for other majors or minors.

Mathematics Prerequisite (1 course, 10 units):

Statistics prerequisite (1 course, 9 units):, computer science prerequisites (1 - 2 courses*, 10 - 22 units):.

15-110 Principles of Computing is designed for students with little or no prior programming experience and is appropriate for students in both the SMC and TC tracks. 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science prepares students in the TC track for all other advanced Computer Science courses.

Beyond these prerequisites, students in both TC and SMC tracks take a common set of 5 TW Core Requirements in writing, communication, and information design. To complement these foundations courses, TW students take a set of 3 Theory/Specialization courses specific to either TC or SMC. In addition, students in the SMC track take a series of 3 courses in the natural sciences or engineering relevant to their areas of interest, while TC students take 3 electives in management, technology, and social issues.

DEPARTMENTAL CORE REQUIREMENT (1 COURSE, 9 UNITS):

Tw core requirements (5 courses, 45 units):.

*  prerequisite = 76-271 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing **prerequisite = 76-271 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing + 76-391 Document & Information Design

Theory/Specialization Courses (3 courses, 27 units):

Complete 3 courses to deepen your area of specialty and complement your chosen track (TC or SMC) in the major. One must be chosen from among courses designated as Recommended Options for TW majors. Theory/Specialization courses, including those marked as Recommended Options, are advertised by the English Department on a semester-by-semester basis. TW students should select courses in consultation with their academic advisor.

Electives (3 courses, 27 units):

TW majors take 3 courses outside of English to deepen their area of specialty in their track. Typically, students in the Technical Communication (TC) track select courses that focus on management, technology, and social issues. Students in the Science and Medical Communication (SMC) track select courses in the natural sciences, engineering, statistics or (for example) healthcare-related courses in the Heinz College. Students should work with their academic advisor and the Program Director to select courses that are meaningful for their track.

Students may double count up to two courses with other programs outside of the Department of English. NOTE: courses being used for the Dietrich General Education requirements do not have a double-counting limit. Also, the Mathematics and Computer Science prerequisite requirement courses for the Technical Writing major do not have a double-counting limit, nor do the Electives required for each specific track (TC track or SMC track).

Students may transfer up to two advisor-approved courses from other non-CMU programs/institutions toward the primary or additional major in Creative Writing or the BHA in Technical Writing, with the exception of the Introductory Genre Writing Course and Technical Writing Core Requirement Courses . Other transfer courses will be considered for general education requirements and free electives for graduation. Please see the Dietrich College Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

This plan is the recommended pathway for completing the B.S. in Technical Writing in four years. While it is not required for students to follow this pathway precisely, it is highly recommended for students to do so, and we recommend students begin the major’s courses as early as possible. Students in Dietrich College may declare their primary major as early as the middle of their second semester. Students who have not declared their major in the Department of English may still take courses with us.

Students may also view the four-year plan (also known as a Pathway) for the B.S. in Technical Writing via the Stellic Degree Audit Application .

*These courses must be taken in the sequence indicated. 76-271 is offered all semesters and therefore can be taken fall or spring of sophomore year. 76-271 is a prerequisite for 76-391 , and 76-271 + 76-391 are the prerequisites for 76-487 . 76-391  is typically only offered in the fall semesters, and 76-487  is typically only offered in spring semesters.

For Students with a Primary Major in the English Department

Students with a primary major in the English Department who have interests that include more than one of the department's majors have the option of completing an additional major within the department. Students may combine any of the departmental majors with one another, with the exception of Professional Writing and Technical Writing. Students may not combine these two majors because so many of the courses overlap.

Students with a primary major in the English Department and one or more additional majors in the English Department must fulfill the Core Requirements for each of those majors. The Survey of Forms requirement, common to all 5 majors, needs to be taken only once, with the exception of Creative Writing, which requires two Survey of Forms courses. For the English Department majors that require English Electives, students must complete the number of English Electives required by the major with the higher number of Electives. For example, a student with a primary major in Creative Writing and an additional major in Professional Writing would take 4 English Electives, as Creative Writing requires 4 English Electives, and Professional Writing requires only 3 English Electives.

Because students are only required to take a minimum of one Survey of Forms course, with the exception of Creative Writing, which requires two Survey of Forms courses, as well as the number of English Electives that is greater between the primary and additonal major(s), students can generally add an additional major within the English Department by completing 6 to 9 additional courses.

An example:

A student who has fulfilled all 11 departmental requirements for the B.A. in Creative Writing can complete the additional major in Professional Writing by adding 9 courses: 4 courses of the PW Core ( 76-271 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing , 76-300 Professional Seminar , 76-373 Argument , 76-390 Style ), one Rhetoric/Language Studies course, and 4 Advanced Writing/Rhetoric courses.

Because sequencing of courses can become an issue when doing multiple majors, students are strongly advised to consult closely with the English Department academic advisor about the sequence of their courses. The English Department academic advisor can also provide students with documents that clearly outline the requirements for additional majors based on their primary majors within the Department.

For Students with a Primary Major Outside of the English Department

Students in other departments who wish to complete an additional major in the English Department should contact the English Department's academic advisor. Additional majors in the five English programs are required to complete all requirements for the chosen major. The English Department will allow a maximum of two courses from the additional major to double count with the primary major requirements. (The types of courses that apply to this policy are predetermined by the Department of English. See the English Academic Advisor for more details.) The only exceptions to this rule are the Technical Communication Electives for the Technical Communication  concentration in the Technical Writing major and the Natural Science and Engineering Electives for the Science & Medical Communication  concentration in the Technical Writing major. All of those electives may double count with programs outside of the English Department. In planning schedules for an additional major, it is critically important that students consult with academic advisors in both departments in which they are majoring to be sure that all requirements for graduation can be met.

Minor in English

The English Department also offers minors in Creative Writing, Humanities Analytics, Literature & Culture, Professional Writing, and Technical Writing . We also house two Dietrich College interdisciplinary minors in Film and Media Studies and Gender Studies . All of these minors are available to all undergraduate students, including English majors.

Students who have a minor in English  as well as a primary and/or an additional major in English may not double count any English courses with that minor. (Please see the separate double counting rules for the interdisciplinary minors in Film and Media Studies and Gender Studies.) Otherwise, up to two courses from the minor may double count with programs outside of the English Department. Courses that meet the various requirements are advertised on a semester-by-semester basis. Full descriptions are available each semester on the Department's Courses web page. 

Students may transfer in a maximum of one advisor-approved course from an institution outside of Carnegie Mellon University, with the exception of the following courses , to count toward a minor:

• Creative Writing: 76-26x Introductory Genre Writing Course
• Humanities Analytics: 76-275 Introduction to Critical Writing and 76-380 Methods in Humanities Analytics
• Film & Visual Media: 76-239 Introduction to Film Studies
• Literature & Culture: 76-275 Introduction to Critical Writing , 76-245 Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories , and 76-247 Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances
• Professional Writing: Required Intro Course and the Core Writing Courses
• Technical Writing: Required Intro Course and the Core Writing Courses

Courses that meet the various requirements are advertised on a semester-by-semester basis. Full descriptions are available each semester on the Department's Courses web page. 

Complete 6 courses and a minimum of 54 units, which includes First-Year Writing.

Course options include 76-101 , 76-102 , [ 76-106 and 76-107 ], [ 76-106 and 76-108 ], or [ 76-107 and 76-108 ].

A student must earn a grade of A or B in the Introductory Genre Writing course in order to be eligible to enroll in a workshop of that same genre. A student who earns a grade of C in an Introductory Genre Writing course may enroll in a related workshop only with the permission of his/her/their workshop professor. A student who earns a D or R in an Introductory Genre Writing course may not take a workshop in that same genre.

Course options include  76-260 ,  76-261 ,  76-265 , and  76-269 .

Tech CEOs and data scientists are increasingly calling for employees with more exposure to the humanities.  

At the same time, the human experience that is traditionally at the core of a humanities education is being dramatically transformed by the emergence of big data, digital platforms, computational thinking, and digital connectivity. 

Spurred by such developments, the minor in Humanities Analytics (HumAn) trains students in the processes involved in analyzing, digitizing, questioning, quantifying, and visualizing different types of humanities and cultural phenomena, such as printed books, fan fiction, manuscripts, historical records, art, music, and film.

The minor is open to students across multiple colleges and degree programs and enriches their education in distinct ways that complement their primary majors. For example, students with a primary major in a humanities or social science department will learn the foundational methods used in the computational analysis of text. Students with a primary major in a non-humanities field will use technology as a lens into cultural history and will develop skills for making humanities knowledge visible and appealing. The minor bridges divides not only between the "digital/technological" and the "humanistic," but also between the qualitative and quantitative, between theory and application, and between critiquing and making.

HumAn prepares students for careers in: 

Data Science

Data Journalism

Cultural Commentary

Natural Language Processing

Professional Writing

Required Courses 6 courses, 54 units minimum

Electives 2 courses, 15-24 units.

Choose two courses from the following categories. One course must come from List A, and one from List B. Additional courses not on List A or List B may also be approved as electives; please speak with the English Department academic advisor for more information.

Course is very mathematical and is therefore appropriate only to students with such a preparation.

This course has prerequisites.

Complete 6 courses and a minimum of 54 units, including First-Year Writing as a prerequisite.

Curriculum 

Required courses 6 courses, 54 units.

One course must cover the period of 1830 or before. For example, Course options include but are not limited to the following:

​300- or 400-Level Literature & Culture or Theory Courses (2 Courses, 18 units)

Complete 6 courses and a minimum of 54 units.

Seniors in all five majors in the English Department who meet the necessary requirements are invited by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Dietrich College) to propose and complete a Senior Honors Thesis during their final year of study. The thesis may focus on research and/or original production in any of the areas offered as a major within the Department. To qualify for the Dietrich College Honors Program, students must have a cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA) of at least 3.50 in their major and 3.25 overall at the end of their junior year and be invited by Dietrich College to participate. Students then choose a thesis advisor within the Department and propose and get approval from Dietrich College for a Senior Honors Thesis. The Honors Thesis is completed over the two semesters of the senior year (9 units each semester) under the direction of the chosen advisor. By successfully completing the thesis, students earn 18 units of credit and qualify for graduation with “College Honors.”

Creative Writing majors participating in the Senior Honors Thesis program may petition to have one semester of their thesis work count as one of their Workshop course requirements. Students interested in this option should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  

Qualified students in all five of the Department’s degree programs have the option of doing a professional internships for academic credit during their junior or senior years. These opportunities help students explore possible program-related careers as well as gain workplace experience. Each internship is arranged, approved, and overseen by the Department’s Internship Director. Particular attention is given to matching students to internship sites of specific interest to them. Students have interned in a wide variety of communications-related positions including placements at local radio, television, and print publications; museums, theaters, and cultural organizations; non-profit and public service organizations; public relations, advertising, and marketing firms; software and technology companies; new media organizations; and hospitals and healthcare communication organizations.

To be eligible for an internship, students must have a Quality Point Average (QPA) of 3.0 or better and credit for at least one writing course (including Survey of Forms) beyond First-Year Writing (e.g. 76-101 Interpretation and Argument). Internships generally carry 3-12 units of credit. A 9-unit internship is the standard and requires a minimum of 120-140 hours (8-10 hours per week over a 15-week term) of work at the internship site during the term. In addition, interns complete a reflective journal and a series of short research and writing assignments relevant to the specific internship. Students doing an internship for credit must be registered for the internship during the term (including summer) when they are working at the internship site. Majors in the Department may count one 9- to 12-unit internship for one of their major requirements, generally an English elective, but sometimes as an Advanced Writing requirement for Professional Writing majors.

Students may pursue additonal internships for credit, which may count toward their overall units for graduation. For details, see the Dietrich College's Academic Standards, Regulations, and Protocols in the current Undergraduate Catalog.  

The Master of Arts in Professional Writing (MAPW) 4+1 is an accelerated masters program under which Carnegie Mellon students (usually majors or minors in the English department or BHA or BHS students with relevant coursework) can qualify to complete the M.A. in Professional Writing in 2 semesters and a required full-time internship instead of the usual 3 semesters and a summer internship. Most 4+1 students complete their internship requirement during the summer after their graduation.

Students apply for admissions during their senior year (the GRE is not required) and, following admission and evaluation of their transcripts, may receive credit for up to four courses, or one full semester of work, toward their M.A. requirements. The degree provides the advantages of an M.A. degree in an accelerated time frame, features intensive work in writing and visual design for both print and new media, and prepares students for a range of communications careers.

The coursework and career options most commonly pursued by students in the degree include:

• Technical Writing
• Science and Healthcare Writing
• UX Writing/Content Design
• Information Architecture
• Public & Media Relations / Corporate Communications
• Nonprofit & Policy Communication
• Editing and Publishing

Students interested in applying to the 4+1 program should consult the Director of the MAPW program early in their junior year for further details and advice on shaping undergraduate coursework to qualify for this option. 

About Course Numbers:

Each Carnegie Mellon course number begins with a two-digit prefix that designates the department offering the course (i.e., 76-xxx courses are offered by the Department of English). Although each department maintains its own course numbering practices, typically, the first digit after the prefix indicates the class level: xx-1xx courses are freshmen-level, xx-2xx courses are sophomore level, etc. Depending on the department, xx-6xx courses may be either undergraduate senior-level or graduate-level, and xx-7xx courses and higher are graduate-level. Consult the Schedule of Classes each semester for course offerings and for any necessary pre-requisites or co-requisites.

MARIAN AGUIAR, Associate Professor of English – Ph.D., University of Massachusetts;

JANE BERNSTEIN, Professor of English – M.F.A., Columbia University;

DAVID BROWN, Associate Teaching Professor of English, Associate Director of First-Year Writing for Research and Assessment – Ph.D., Lancaster University;

GERALD P. COSTANZO, Professor of English – M.A., M.A.T., The Johns Hopkins University;

DOUG COULSON, Associate Professor of English – Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin;

JAMES DANIELS, Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing – M.F.A., Bowling Green State University;

SHARON DILWORTH, Associate Professor of English – M.F.A., University of Michigan;

JASON ENGLAND, Assistant Professor of English – M.F.A., Iowa Writers' Workshop;

LINDA FLOWER, Professor Emerita of English – Ph.D., Rutgers University;

KEVIN GONZÁLEZ, Assistant Professor of English – M.F.A., Iowa Writers’ Workshop;

SUSAN HAGAN, Assistant Teaching Professor, Liberal & Social Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University;

PAUL HOPPER, Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Humanities, Rhetoric and Linguistics – Ph.D., University of Texas;

SARAH HAE-IN IDZIK, Assistant Professor of English – Ph.D., Northwestern University;

SUGURU ISHIZAKI, Professor of English, Director of Undergraduate Professional & Technical Writing Programs and Graduate Professional Writing Program (MAPW) – Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology;

BARBARA JOHNSTONE, Professor Emerita of English and Linguistics – Ph.D., University of Michigan;

DAVID S. KAUFER, Mellon Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English – Ph.D., University of Wisconsin;

ALAN KENNEDY, Professor Emeritus of English – Ph.D., University of Edinburgh;

JON KLANCHER, Professor Emeritus of English – Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles;

PEGGY KNAPP, Professor Emerita of English – Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh;

STEPHANIE LARSON, Assistant Professor of English – Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison;

ATESEDE MAKONNEN, Assistant Professor of English – Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University;

JANE MCCAFFERTY, Professor of English, Director of Creative Writing Program – M.F.A., University of Pittsburgh;

TOM MITCHELL, Assistant Teaching Professor, Liberal & Social Sciences; Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University;

CHRISTINE NEUWIRTH, Professor Emerita of English and Human Computer Interaction – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University;

KATHY M. NEWMAN, Associate Professor of English and Director of Graduate Studies – Ph.D., Yale University;

JOHN J. ODDO, Associate Professor of English – Ph.D., Kent State University;

SILVIA PESSOA, Associate Teaching Professor, Liberal & Social Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University;

CAMILLE RANKINE, Assistant Professor of English – M.F.A., Columbia University;

DUDLEY REYNOLDS, Teaching Professor, Liberal & Social Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar – Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington;

ANDREEA DECIU RITIVOI, William S. Dietrich Professor of English, Department Head – Ph.D., University of Minnesota;

KAREN SCHNAKENBERG, Teaching Professor Emerita of English – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University;

LAUREN SHAPIRO, Associate Professor of English – M.F.A., Iowa Writers' Workshop;

DAVID R. SHUMWAY, Professor of English, Director of Literary and Cultural Studies Program – Ph.D., Indiana University;

KRISTINA STRAUB, Professor Emerita of English – Ph.D., Emory University;

CHRISTOPHER WARREN, Professor of English and Associate Department Head with a Courtesy Appointment in History – D. Phil., University of Oxford;

MARIAM WASSIF, Assistant Professor of English – Ph.D., Cornell University;

DANIELLE WETZEL, Teaching Professor; Director of Writing & Communication Program – Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University;

JEFFREY WILLIAMS, Professor of English – Ph.D., Stony Brook University;

STEPHEN WITTEK, Associate Professor of English – Ph.D., McGill University;

JOANNA WOLFE, Teaching Professor of English – Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin;

JAMES WYNN, Associate Professor of English, Director of Rhetoric Program – Ph.D., University of Maryland;

Special Faculty

KEELY AUSTIN

MARIO CASTAGNARO, Special Faculty

ANDREW GORDON

MEGAN HEISE

ALAN HOUSER

CHRISTOPHER MAGGIO

KORRYN MOZISEK

JULIE PAL-AGRAWAL

JULIA SALEHZADEH

BRIAN STASZEL

ISABELLE STROLLO

STEVE TWEDT

RALPH VITUCCIO, Assistant Teaching Professor in the Entertainment Technology Center

Visiting Faculty

KOEL BANERJEE, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow of English – Ph.D., University of Minnesota;

JANINE CARLOCK, Visiting Lecturer, Writing & Communication

BARBARA GEORGE

JEFFREY HINKELMAN, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Film & Visual Media Program

ALAN KOHLER, Lecturer, Writing & Communication

PETER ZARAGOZA MAYSHLE, Lecturer, Writing & Communication

COURTNEY NOVOSAT, Lecturer, Writing & Communication

JEREMY ROSSELOT-MERRITT, Lecturer, Writing & Communication

REBECCA WIGGINTON, Lecturer, Writing & Communication

HEIDI WRIGHT, Senior Lecturer, Writing & Communication – Course Lead, ENG 76-100,

JUNGWAN YOON, Lecturer, Writing & Communication

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Creative Writing at Carnegie Mellon University

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Creative Writing Degrees Available at Carnegie Mellon

• Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing

Carnegie Mellon Creative Writing Rankings

Ranked at #3 in College Factual's most recent rankings , Carnegie Mellon is in the top 1% of the country for creative writing students pursuing a bachelor's degree. It is also ranked #2 in Pennsylvania .

During the 2020-2021 academic year, Carnegie Mellon University handed out 18 bachelor's degrees in creative writing. This is an increase of 13% over the previous year when 16 degrees were handed out.

Creative Writing Student Diversity at Carnegie Mellon

Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the creative writing majors at Carnegie Mellon University.

Carnegie Mellon Creative Writing Bachelor’s Program

During the 2020-2021 academic year, 18 creative writing majors earned their bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon. Of these graduates, 22% were men and 78% were women.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor's in creative writing.

Majors Similar to Creative Writing

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Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Leveraging human psychology to thwart cyber attacks, students cultivate respectful conversation skills in course, new department name highlights areas of focus, faculty spotlight: manasvini singh, welcome to the dietrich college of humanities and social sciences, what sets the humanities and social sciences at carnegie mellon university apart.

From creative writing to statistics and data science, behavioral economics to social and political history, Dietrich College is home to 11 humanities and social sciences departments, programs and institutes. Our world-class faculty and students work across disciplines to investigate and solve real-world problems.

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Graduate Programs

Dramatic writing, combining playwriting, screenwriting, and writing for television, the dramatic writing mfa at carnegie mellon university school of drama prepares you for a career in the entertainment industry..

This is a rigorous graduate program with a substantial workload. It fosters the courage to fail and try again; the integrity and flexibility needed for a collaborative practice; and curiosity, because curious people make better things. It is for the writer who revises relentlessly and the leader who is inventing the theater of a better nation. Students are encouraged to pursue their professional careers while enrolled in the MFA program, supported by initiatives that provide access to new play development and production opportunities in the field. Graduate students workshop their plays in collaboration with other artists and teach undergraduate courses in playwriting and screenwriting. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Script Competition awards $35,000 each year to current CMU writers for original screenplays and TV pilots. Alumni have access to an established framework of professional connections. Guest faculty are a vital presence in the program. Recent guests have included Mojisola Adebayo, Mando Alvarado, Clare Barron, Sheila Callaghan, Eisa Davis, Jessica Dickey, Aleshea Harris, Onalee Hunter Hughes, Aurorae Khoo, Carlos Murillo, Jiehae Park, Cori Thomas, Mfoniso Udofia, and Josh Wilder. We are committed to an inclusive theater that resists bigotry and oppression. Our community is one of bold artists and bold citizens.

For more than two decades, the Shubert Foundation has underwritten Dramatic Writing scholarships at Carnegie Mellon University. The program has longstanding ties to Pittsburgh’s City Theatre, which is devoted to the production and commissioning of new plays. There are many possibilities for collaboration with the new-media initiatives taking place across Carnegie Mellon University, which is recognized as a world leader in arts and technology. DOWNLOAD Dramatic Writing Curriculum .

Opportunities

Dramatic Writing MFA candidates compete in the Sloan Script Competition. The program is one of only six leading institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which awards $35,000 in total prize money annually to two students within the Dramatic Writing program. Students in the program are encouraged to pursue professional and academic play development opportunities while enrolled in the MFA program. Current and recent students have been recognized by the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwright Competition; Theater Masters; the WomanWorks residency at the University of Tulsa; the Mid-America Theatre Conference; the Great Plains Theatre Conference; the Last Frontier Theatre Conference; Cinequest Film Festival Short Screenwriting Contest; and been invited to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival's national conference to receive the Lorraine Hansberry Award, the John Cauble Award, the Mark Twain Prize, and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award. Plays by current and recent students have been published by Samuel French, Vintage Books, Routledge, and Applause Books.

Unique Platforms

All School of Drama students have to opportunities to participate in the following:

DANCE/LIGHT Dance/Light is a performance opportunity for students across all disciplines to collaborate in the creation of original dance and movement pieces. PLAYGROUND A Festival of Independent Student Work: Playground is the annual School of Drama three-day performance festival showcasing independent, student-produced work across multiple disciplines. VISITING ARTISTS PROGRAM The Visiting Artists Program brings distinguished national and international guests on to campus to work with students across all disciplines. SHOWCASE The School of Drama Showcase presentations in New York and Los Angeles are designed to give all graduating students from all disciplines the opportunity to meet with and present work to leading arts and entertainment professionals. When conditions warrant, this Showcase may be augmented by virtual online networking events.

The program is one of only six leading institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which awards $35,000 in total prize money annually to two students within the Dramatic Writing program.

Dramatic Writing Curriculum

Melissa Martin

News & Alumni

Your Future

The Dramatic Writing Option prepares writers to enter the highly competitive field of professional writing, where the expectation is that they will be able to move with assurance and flexibility between writing for the stage, film and television. A focus on the realities of living as a professional writer is one of the distinguishing characteristics of this program. The School of Drama is interested in producing writers who will ultimately see their work produced.

Recent alumni include Liza Birkenmeier (DR. RIDE'S AMERICAN BEACH HOUSE), Gillian Beth Durkee (EST/Youngblood), Leviticus Jelks (Humanitas LA Play Festival, Playwrights Union), Lauren Wimmer (Ars Nova ANT Fest, Playwright's Center), Isabella D'Esposito (Playwrights Realm Fellow), Dan Giles (THE SECOND MAN at NYTW Next Door), Joshua Harmon (BAD JEWS, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, SKINTIGHT), Mora V. Harris (SPACE GIRL), Daniel Hirsch (Tête à Tête opera festival, London), Whitney Rowland (PlayPenn), and Jordan Barsky (Law & Order SVU). Other alumni are writing for television, film, and new media, touring plays for Seder tables and punk rock clubs, and making wild puppet extravaganzas.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Script Competition for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama is one of six institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which presents $35,000 in prizes annually to current students in the Dramatic Writing program at CMU for their original screenplays or television pilots. The competition encourages the MFA candidates to write scripts that will further the public understanding of science and technology. The Sloan Foundation's goal is to see the resulting scriptsinto commercial production at major studios and networks. To that end, it maintains development programs with the Tribeca, Sundance, and Hamptons film festivals.

More Graduate Programs

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Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.

Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be directed to the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX .

Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.

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Expanding Creative Horizons

How a cmu scholarship opened doors for an aspiring graphic novelist.

Zeja Z. Copes wears many hats — researcher, artist, writer, leader and thriving CMU scholar.

“My time here at CMU has pushed me forward as a critical thinker in ways I couldn’t have expected,” she says.

Zeja received the Ethel Murdock Kirk and Mary F. Murdock (A 1921) Scholarship, which paved the way for her to study  art  and  creative writing  at CMU. Without this support, Zeja says Carnegie Mellon would have been out of reach for her family.

“It’s hard to put into words just how important this scholarship has been to me,” Zeja says.

This year, Zeja also received a summer undergraduate research apprenticeship from CMU’s  Undergraduate Research Office . The program provided course credit for her to write and illustrate an original fantasy graphic novel set during the Cold War.

“Working on this project allowed me to bridge my art and creative writing practices,” she says. “My research advisor, Jeff Hinkelman, is an excellent resource and has granted me a lot of freedom and autonomy over the course of this project.”

Beyond her research project, Zeja has been expanding her creative horizons at CMU by studying art history for the first time and discovering a new love of oil painting.

Zeja takes her education one step further by engaging with programs that support other students, shaping their experience at CMU. She serves as a member of the Basic Needs Working Group, which established the  CMU Pantry  and is improving emergency aid practices at the university.

She’ll also be a mentor this fall for  Tartan Scholars , a new program that empowers high-achieving first-year students from low-income backgrounds to excel at CMU.

“I wish I’d had a program like this as a freshman transitioning to college,” she says. “I’m deeply excited to connect with incoming students and share my experience with them so they can be successful here, too.”

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Previous MFA Theses

• KiltHub (Carnegie Mellon) This link opens in a new window Provided by the University Libraries, KiltHub is the comprehensive institutional repository and research collaboration platform for research data and scholarly outputs produced by members of Carnegie Mellon University and their collaborators. To view MFA theses, search for "Master of Fine Arts (MFA)" and filter by item type=thesis.

Research Methods

Research and Writing

SAGE Campus

Sage Campus provides access to a growing collection of online courses on introductory skills and research methods including critical thinking, data literacy, research design, R and Python, statistical methods and more. NOTE: You must create an account using your CMU email address. If you are an instructor, please contact Sarah Young to upgrade your account in order to manage student cohorts.

• Conduct a Literature Review "This course guides you through the entire process of preparing a literature review, selecting and analyzing existing literature, and structuring and writing a quality literature review. Most importantly, the course develops skills in using evidence to create and present an engaging and critical argument."
• Research Question "This course equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to form and articulate a clear and concise research question that’s relevant, interesting and fundamentally researchable."
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• Last Updated: Feb 9, 2024 3:02 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.cmu.edu/art_MFA

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Alumni Spotlights

Dan Albergotti

Dan Albergotti is the author of The Boatloads (BOA Editions, 2008), selected by Edward Hirsch as the winner of the 2007 […]

Steve Almond

Steve Almond is the author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and […]

M.C. Armstrong

M.C. Armstrong is the author of The Mysteries of Haditha, published in 2020 by Potomac Books. The Brooklyn Rail called The Mysteries of […]

Julianna Baggott

Critically acclaimed, bestselling author Julianna Baggott has published more than twenty books under her own name as well as pen […]

Julie Barbour

Julie Brooks Barbour received an MFA in Creative Writing from UNC Greensboro. She is a recipient of an Artist Enrichment Grant from […]

Lynne Barrett

Lynne Barrett is the award-winning author of the story collections The Secret Names of Women, The Land of Go, and, most recently, Magpies. She […]

Mark Beaver

Mark Beaver is the author of the memoir Suburban Gospel. His prose has appeared in numerous journals and magazines, including Gulf Coast, […]

David Blair

David Blair grew up in Pittsburgh. He is the author of three books of poetry, Ascension Days, which was chosen by Thomas […]

Elly Bookman

Elly Bookman’s poems have appeared in The New Yorker, The American Poetry Review, The Georgia Review, The Florida Review, and […]

Jamey Bradbury

Jamey Bradbury is the author of The Wild Inside, forthcoming from William Morrow, March 20, 2018. The Wild Inside, her first novel, will […]

Kathryn Byer

Kathryn Stripling Byer was raised on a farm in Southwest Georgia, where the material for much of her first poetry […]

Cathy Carr is the author of 365 Days to Alaska. A former copy editor, library clerk, and technical writer, she […]

Kelly Cherry

Kelly Cherry has published over twenty books of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, nine chapbooks, and translations of two classical plays. […]

Gretchen Comba

Gretchen Comba is the author of The Stillness of the Picture. Her fiction has appeared in a number of journals, including Alaska […]

Maggie Cooper

MAGGIE COOPER is an agent at Aevitas Creative Management, a full-service literary agency, home to more than thirty agents in five […]

Leigh Anne Couch

LEIGH ANNE COUCH, formerly at Duke University Press and the Sewanee Review, is a freelance editor of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, […]

Paul Crenshaw

Paul Crenshaw  is the author of the essay collections This One Will Hurt You and This We’ll Defend. His work has also appeared […]

Logen Cure is a queer poet and professor. She curates Inner Moonlight, a monthly podcast reading series for The Wild […]

Steve Cushman

Steve Cushman earned his MA from Hollins University and MFA from UNC Greensboro. He has published four works of fiction, […]

Quinn Dalton

Quinn Dalton was born in South Carolina, moved to Ohio for high school and college at Kent State, then came […]

Angela Davis-Gardner

Angela Davis-Gardner is the author of the internationally acclaimed novels Felice, Forms of Shelter, and Plum Wine, which was inspired by the time […]

Shawn Delgado

Shawn Delgado is the author of the chapbook, A Sky Half-Dismantled (Jeanne Duval Editions). His work is appears or is forthcoming from Connotation […]

Kathleen Driskell

Award-winning poet and teacher Kathleen Driskell is Professor of Creative Writing and serves as the Associate Program Director of Spalding […]

Camille Dungy

Camille T. Dungy is the author of four collections of poetry: Trophic Cascade (Wesleyan UP, 2017), Smith Blue (Southern Illinois UP, 2011), Suck on the Marrow (Red […]

Anna Elkins

Anna Elkins is the author of the poetry collection, Hope of Stones. A traveling poet and painter, she earned a […]

Ansel Elkins

Ansel Elkins’s debut collection of poetry, Blue Yodel, was selected by Carl Phillips as the winner of the 2014 Yale Series […]

Claudia Emerson

Claudia Emerson published six poetry collections with LSU Press, including Late Wife, Secure the Shadow, and The Opposite House. A professor of […]

Kathy Flann

Kathy Flann is the author of the short story collection, Smoky Ordinary, winner of the Serena McDonald Kennedy Award, Get […]

Kerri French

Kerri French is the author of Every Room in the Body, winner of the 2016 Moon City Poetry Award. Her poetry […]

Julie Funderburk

Julie Funderburk is the author The Door That Always Opens (Louisiana State University Press). She is the recipient of a North Carolina […]

Elizabeth Gentry

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CMU and Partners Lead Creativity, Empathy and AI National Summit

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Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with Virginia Tech, Penn State University, Rhode Island School of Design and the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru) will host Creativity, Empathy and AI: A National Summit on the Human-AI Creative Partnership (opens in new window) on April 11-12 in Washington, D.C. Bringing together arts educators, arts practitioners, researchers, technologists, policymakers, funders and industry experts from across the United States, attendees will address the promise of AI as it relates to creative fields through conversations with representatives from the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and other leaders.

Daragh Byrne, (opens in new window) an associate teaching professor in CMU’s School of Architecture, said the summit brings together universities, industry partners and policymakers to align on institutional priorities, challenges, and needs, how arts and AI is valued in industry and the funding landscape.

“The idea is to build a national network around this discussion with no one institution leading, Byrne said. “We want to really move from conversations about immediate responses to longer term field making and agenda setting.” 

The first day of the summit will act as a conversation between people who work directly in AI and those who are actively engaged in art. It will include sessions on visual arts and design, performing arts and music, and creative writing.  Annie Hui-Hsin Hsieh (opens in new window) , an assistant teaching professor in CMU’s  School of Music (opens in new window) will be one of the opening speakers. Other delegates from CMU include  Golan Levin (opens in new window) , a professor of art in the  School of Art (opens in new window) ,  Jenn Joy Wilson (opens in new window) , the associate dean for research for the  College of Fine Arts (opens in new window) , and  Vernelle A. A. Noel (opens in new window) , an assistant professor in the  School of Architecture (opens in new window) . 

“It’s a moment for everyone to connect across their institutions, have important conversations, raise visibility, understand the landscape, the efforts, the individual challenges and opportunities that they see,” Byrne said. 

Day two of the summit focuses on policy and will be held at the National Academy of Sciences.

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Undergraduate Overview

Art, unlike any other academic pursuit, challenges you to re-examine deeply-held beliefs, find uncertainty amidst rigid rules, and see the world in completely new ways. At Carnegie Mellon School of Art, we believe that your curiosity, artistic vision, and creativity can help shape a new and better world.

We are committed to helping you find your voice through a strong foundation in critical studies and media exploration, peer and faculty review, and independent 24-hour studios in your junior and senior years to support your dedicated art practice.

BFA S tudent Experience

School of Art students are both intellectually and artistically curious. The BFA curriculum integrates both highly conceptual and theoretical study and hands-on studio courses, fully acknowledging that neither concept nor media can be presented independently of the other.

Foundations

From your very first course in the School of Art, expect to be challenged by new materials and new ideas, and to allow yourself to explore the boundaries of art-making. As a first-year student, a suite of Foundations classes will give you a strong basis in technical skill and conceptual thought in order to prepare you for self-driven intermediate and advanced electives.

First-Year Seminar provides a structured approach to acclimating to art school, introduction to Pittsburgh’s established and grassroots arts organizations, and opportunities to build lifelong, supportive relationships with your artist-peers. A series of medium-specific classes — encompassing 2D, 3D, and digital media — will introduce you to the many tools and approaches to artmaking. A Critical Studies course will introduce you to key theoretical ideas guiding contemporary art today, and a transdisciplinary studio course will challenge you to experiment broadly and expand your conceptual notions of artmaking.

• Learn more about the foundation courses

At the end of the foundation courses, a  formal sophomore review  with three professors will help you to chart your path forward as you more deeply develop your artistic vision.

Concentrations & A dvanced Study

Beginning your sophomore year, our curriculum gives you the freedom to choose a concentration or to forge your own hybrid path. We offer a wide range of advanced courses in the following areas:

• Drawing, Painting, Print Media & Photography
• Sculpture, Installation & Site-Work
• Electronic & Time-Based Media
• Social Practice

In addition, you will augment your studio work with advanced  Critical Studies  and  Professional Development   courses created specifically for art students.

All students have access to a wealth of  facilities  and cutting-edge emerging technologies. All juniors and seniors also have independent 24-hour studios.

S enior Capstone

During your senior year, you will create an ambitious project culminating in a professional Senior Exhibition at the  Miller Institute for Contemporary Art  and a printed catalog. Learn more about the  Capstone experience .

S tudy Outside the School of Art

We believe that your interests outside of art are essential for your artistic practice. Art studio courses make up over 60% of your study, rounded out by academic courses. As a leading research university, Carnegie Mellon offers courses across many academic disciplines. Whether you are interested in gender theory, robotics, scientific research, sustainable design, business, creative writing, or virtually any other area, you will find a class at CMU that will inform and transform your art.

S chool Community

At CMU, you will join a diverse and tight-knit community of  200 undergraduates  from across the United States and around the world. With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, each of our students receives one-on-one mentorship from our  faculty , comprised of nationally and internationally accomplished artists. Outside the classroom, join our  campus community  with hundreds of student organizations and activities, or connect with the city of Pittsburgh, named in the Top 20 Most Vibrant Arts Communities in America.

S tudent Resources & Opportunities

To further complement your BFA study and explore your interests, the School of Art, College of Fine Arts, and wider university provide additional opportunities such as dedicated spaces to collaborate with students in other schools, academic minors focused on marketable career skills, project funding and grants, affinity groups, visiting contemporary artists, and more. Learn more about  student resources .

Career Services

School of Art alumni go on to have  successful careers as studio artists , as well as careers in animation, gaming, media, emerging technology, and other creative fields. Whichever path you choose, the School of Art provides support through professional development courses, career panels and networking, and individual mentorship. In addition, the university’s  Career & Professional Development Center  offers a wealth of resources to help students find and land prestigious internships and jobs. 

A dmissions

We seek ambitious, self-motivated students who are eager to explore new ideas, learn new mediums, and develop their own unique voices. Our students are driven by their insatiable intellectual and artistic curiosity and their belief in the power of art to help shape society.

Learn more about how to apply and receive portfolio tips here . 

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