Professional Creative Writing

Office: University College Student Support Center
Mail Code: 2211 S. Josephine St., Denver, CO 80208
Phone: 303-871-2291, 800-347-2042
Email: ucolsupport@du.edu  
Web Site: http://www.universitycollege.du.edu

This program empowers aspiring writers to become published authors and, through their work, influence our ongoing cultural conversation. We encourage students to read widely and with professional attention to mastering the craft of their chosen genre. While developing a clear understanding of the literary marketplace, students learn to cultivate their individual identities as writers, create personal brands that forcefully present their writing to the public, and establish connections with the broader community of working writers. Since imaginative writing testifies to truths that would otherwise pass through the world unnoticed or misunderstood, the authors who produce it expand awareness in their readers, and through those readers, enhance the awareness of countless other people. We find this process inspiring, and through this program seek to share that inspiration with all our students.

This program prepares students to:

  • Craft writing with a keen awareness of the limits and opportunities of the writing's genre

  • Cultivate writing routines and habits that support creative productivity

  • Develop a sophisticated knowledge of literary structures and reader expectations

  • Apply professional editing standards to evaluate both published writing and writing for their peers

  • Assess their own writing and learn how to enhance its strengths and eliminate its weaknesses

  • Define their audiences and write in ways that move and entertain them

Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing

The Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing Concentration is designed for aspiring writers whose ambition is to become published authors of memoirs, personal essays, travel writing, and other forms of creative nonfiction. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.

This degree prepares students to:

  • Identify and analyze the basic elements of creative nonfiction as found in the works of master creative nonfiction writers
  • Apply their knowledge of creative nonfiction fundamentals and genres to their own creative work
  • Discover and cultivate personal habits of thought and behavior that sustain their creative efforts
  • Create strategies for developing a professional writing presence designed to cultivate an audience for their work

Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Dramatic Writing

The Professional Dramatic Writing Concentration is designed for aspiring playwrights, screenwriters, and spoken word artists whose ambition is to become published authors of plays, films, and other individual and collaborative forms of professional performance. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.

This degree prepares students to:

  • Identify and analyze the basic elements of drama as found in the works of master playwrights, screenwriters, and spoken word artists
  • Apply their knowledge of drama’s fundamentals and genres to their own creative work
  • Discover and cultivate personal habits of thought and behavior that sustain their creative efforts
  • Create strategies for developing a professional writing presence designed to cultivate an audience for their dramatic works

Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Fiction Writing

The Professional Fiction Writing Concentration is designed for aspiring writers whose ambition is to become published authors of short stories, novels, and collaborative works in particular genres. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.

This degree prepares students to:

  • Identify and analyze the basic elements of fiction as found in the works of master fiction writers
  • Apply their knowledge of fiction fundamentals and genres to their own creative work
  • Discover and cultivate personal habits of thought and behavior that sustain their creative efforts
  • Create strategies for developing a professional writing presence designed to cultivate an audience for their work

Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Poetry Writing

The Professional Poetry Writing Concentration is designed for aspiring poets whose ambition is to become published authors of individual poems and collections of poetry. The coursework helps poets progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.

This degree prepares students to:

  • Identify and analyze the basic elements of poetry as found in the works of master poets
  • Apply their knowledge of poetry fundamentals and genres to their own creative work
  • Discover and cultivate personal habits of thought and behavior that sustain their creative efforts
  • Create strategies for developing a professional writing presence designed to cultivate an audience for their poetry

Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Literary Genres in Book Publishing

This graduate certificate concentrates on fiction and nonfiction—the core genres driving the U.S. publishing industry, valued at over $20 billion. Designed for aspiring publishing professionals, this program combines two unique experiences at the University of Denver (DU) to equip students with comprehensive industry knowledge and skills.
 
First, students complete the Denver Publishing Institute’s (DPI) four-week graduate-level coursework dedicated to helping book lovers launch their publishing careers anywhere in the country. Students are introduced to the process of book publishing—from editing, marketing, and production to the bigger picture of publishing in a constantly changing world. Students engage with leading figures across the publishing spectrum, including small independent trade houses and large global media companies. Students gain a market-focused understanding of publishing and learn to navigate potential internal biases in editorial, marketing, or sales roles.
 
Second, through DU's University College students explore the Professional Creative Writing (PWRI) program’s graduate-level coursework. This component enriches students’ understanding of literary genres by examining compelling works through a creative writing lens and enhancing the skills needed to excel in the publishing field of their choice.
 

Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing

The Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing Certificate is designed for aspiring writers whose ambition is to become published authors of memoirs, personal essays, travel writing, and other forms of creative nonfiction. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work. Students will also gain additional skills and knowledge in professional creative writing through elective coursework.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Dramatic Writing

The Professional Dramatic Writing Certificate is designed for aspiring playwrights, screenwriters, and spoken word artists whose ambition is to become published authors of plays, films, and other individual and collaborative forms of professional performance. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work. Students will also gain additional skills and knowledge in professional creative writing through elective coursework.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Fiction Writing

The Professional Fiction Writing Certificate is designed for aspiring writers whose ambition is to become published authors of short stories, novels, and collaborative works in particular genres. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work. Students will also gain additional skills and knowledge in professional creative writing through elective coursework.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Writing with a Concentration in Professional Poetry Writing

The Professional Poetry Writing Certificate is designed for aspiring poets whose ambition is to become published authors of individual poems and collections of poetry. The coursework helps poets progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work. Students will also gain additional skills and knowledge in professional creative writing through elective coursework.

Specialized Graduate Certificate in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing

The specialized graduate certificate in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing is designed for aspiring writers whose ambition is to become published authors of memoirs, personal essays, travel writing, and other forms of creative nonfiction. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.

Specialized Graduate Certificate in Professional Dramatic Writing

The specialized graduate certificate in Professional Dramatic Writing is designed for aspiring playwrights, screenwriters, and spoken word artists whose ambition is to become published authors of plays, films, and other individual and collaborative forms of professional performance. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work. 

Specialized Graduate Certificate in Professional Fiction Writing

The specialized graduate certificate in Professional Fiction Writing is designed for aspiring writers whose ambition is to become published authors of short stories, novels, and collaborative works in particular genres. The coursework helps writers progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.

Specialized Graduate Certificate in Professional Poetry Writing

The specialized graduate certificate in Professional Poetry Writing is designed for aspiring poets whose ambition is to become published authors of individual poems and collections of poetry. The coursework helps poets progress toward mastering the fundamentals of their craft, understanding the rich tradition of genres and individual masterworks in which that craft is rooted, and creating a personal presence in the creative marketplace to support the largest possible audience for their work.