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Students in Chatham’s creative writing program are given a supportive setting of faculty and students alike. The faculty take undergraduate work seriously, motivating students to develop their crafts and experiment with their voices. Students who major in creative writing graduate with an understanding of multiple literary genres, of how to revise and refine their creative and academic writing, and of how to get their work in print.
—JESS TURNER ’17
As a Chatham creative writing major, you'll develop and hone your skills through a focused sequence of creative writing courses culminating in a capstone project. Click the button below to explore sample courses and curriculum.
Explore Creative Writing Curriculum : Checkerboard 1 - Courses & Curriculum
Save money and earn two degrees in less time: qualified students from the creative writing program are guaranteed early admission to Chatham's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA) program.
Explore IDP : Checkerboard 2 - Integrated Degree Program (IDP)
Creative writing students are encouraged to present their academic and creative work at professional conferences through (the International English Honor Society) and other organizations. This helps students develop their professional identity as they prepare to move on to employment or graduate work.
Students have interned in many settings, including Upstart Crow Literary, , , , Shaw Galleries, Pittsburgh Downtown Development Association, and Schenley, a digital content consultancy firm.
Students have many opportunities to showcase their work in University publications, peer-reviewed journals and magazines, local events, and contests. Chatham’s BFA students have published in literary journals, magazines, and anthologies, including the following: Ruminate Magazine • Pretty Owl Poetry • Pittsburgh Poetry Review • Rogue Agent • Three Rivers Review • Voices in the Attic • 1932 Quarterly • Pittsburgh Pride Magazine • Cold Creek Review • The Good Men Project • Impossible Archetype Literary Journal • Life in 10 Minutes • The Forge Literary Magazine • Underscore Review • Pennsylvania’s Best Emerging Poets Anthology (Z Publishing) • Honey Bee Review.
Our dedicated and supportive faculty comprises published writers who serve as mentors, instructors, collaborators, and peers. Students also benefit from being in community with Chatham's MFA in Creative Writing students and can take advantage of speakers and events that the program hosts. Click the button below to meet our faculty members.
Meet the Faculty : Checkerboard 6 - Program Faculty
Chatham’s undergraduate literary magazine, , is student-managed, including copy editing, design, and marketing. All Chatham students are welcome to submit poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to the magazine.
Chatham’s Creative Writing Club sponsors readings and events, such as open-mic nights at Rea Coffeehouse. The club welcomes first-year students.
Creative Writing majors are encouraged to study abroad and to explore interests leading to a second major or a minor.
Explore Education Abroad : Checkerboard 9 - Expanding Horizons