Saint Louis University's minor in creative and professional writing offers students an opportunity to gain experience in many different kinds of writing, from poetry and fiction to journalism and public relations. Students who complete the minor will strengthen their ability to compete in the many professional settings that demand extensive writing.
Leadership
Keli Jackson, M.A., Department of Communication
Devin Johnston, Ph.D., Department of English
Curriculum Overview
Though English and communication majors frequently seek the creative and professional writing minor as an additional credential, students from any discipline may pursue it.
This six-course, interdisciplinary program invites students to draw upon classes in both English and communication to gain practical training in writing poetry, fiction, essays, journalism and screenplays.
Minoring in creative and professional writing helps students develop and mature as writers by providing extensive practice in both creative and professional forms of writing.
Internships and Careers
Several internship possibilities are available to students minoring in creative and professional writing at SLU, including opportunities in journalism, advertising and public relations.
Graduates who have minored in creative and professional writing at SLU have found careers in journalism, copy editing, public relations, advertising and teaching. It can also prepare students for graduate study in creative writing or journalism.
The creative and professional writing minor requires 18 credits of writing courses: nine credits from English and nine credits from communication. 4000-level writing courses in the English department may count both for the minor and as electives for the English major or minor.
Only one 3000-level course may count for both the minor and the English major or minor, as long as the student has already completed the 3000-level literature course required for the College of Arts and Sciences core.
Course List
Code |
Title |
Credits |
| The Writer as Reader | |
| Writing Literacy Narratives | |
| Creative Writing: Poetry | |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | |
| Creative Writing: Non-Fiction | |
| Creative Writing: Poetry and Translation | |
| Topics in Creative Writing | |
| Business and Professional Writing | |
| New Media Writing | |
| The Craft of Poetry | |
| The Craft of Fiction | |
| The Craft of Drama | |
| The Craft of Time in Fiction | |
| Advanced Independent Study | |
CMM 2100 | Journalism: News Writing | 3 |
or CMM 2120 | Message Design |
| Feature Writing | |
| Media Scriptwriting | |
| Editorial and Opinion Writing | |
| Writing for Public Relations | |
| Copywriting | |
| Editing | |
Continuation Standards
All English courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to count for English minor requirements and for the student to continue in the minor.