About the Program
English Department
Ketchum Hall 213
(716) 878-5416
https://english.buffalostate.edu/
The Writing B.A. degree program offers students an opportunity to combine the study and practice of the craft of writing with the study of literature, theater, television and communication arts. The writing degree program allows for the development of skills in creative writing, professional writing, technical writing, journalistic writing, and literary writing. Students can take courses from a variety of disciplines to fulfill their requirements. The program is intended for students interested in the advanced study and practice of writing. All matriculated students who are in good academic standing may enroll in this program, including incoming students.
Admission Requirements
Any matriculated student in good academic standing may declare this program.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. demonstrate the ability to produce effective, final texts in multiple genres
2. demonstrate an ability to Interpret advanced theoretical approaches to understanding the principles and practices of writing in genres of their specialization
3. demonstrate knowledge of related theoretical movements in rhetoric and literature in original writing
4. demonstrate a knowledge of the publishing industry and professional writing world
5. will participate in professional writing activities
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)
English Major Requirements (42 credit hours)
Required Courses (12 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
ENG190 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG201 THE CRAFT OF WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG410 COMPOSITION AND RHETORICAL THEORY | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG491 SENIOR SEMINAR FOR WRITING MAJORS | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG201 should be taken soon after completion of freshman composition requirement or within first year of transfer to English Department. Serves a prerequisite for some upper-division writing courses.
Electives in Writing (15 credit hours)
Complete at least 5 of the following Courses:
ENG170 INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG171 PORTRAIT MAGAZINE EDITING AND PRODUCTION | 1 - Credit Hours
ENG245 WRITING ABOUT THE ARTS | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG247 NATURE WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG266 WRITING THE PERSONAL ESSAY, MEMOIR, AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG300 WRITING FOR THE PROFESSIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG302 TECHNICAL WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG305 CREATIVE WRITING: NARRATIVE | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG306 CREATIVE WRITING: POETRY | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG325 CREATIVE NON-FICTION | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG327 EDITING AND PUBLISHING ELM LEAVES JOURNAL | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG340 PLAYWRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG402 ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING: NARRATIVE | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG403 ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING: POETRY | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG409 WRITING GRANTS AND PROPOSALS | 3 - Credit Hours
COM303 WRITING FOR PRINT AND ONLINE JOURNALISM | 3 - Credit Hours
COM304 WRITING FOR BROADCAST (TV, RADIO, FILM) | 3 - Credit Hours
COM308 PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
COM325 FEATURE WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
COM390 SPECIAL TOPICS: JOURNALISTIC WRITING | 3 - Credit Hours
THA470 STORY BUILDING - EXPLORING COMMUNITY, CONFLICT AND IDENTITY THROUGH STORY | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
24 credits must be upper-division
Additional Elective Courses (15 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Select five literature, linguistics, rhetoric, and film courses offered by the Communication, English, Modern and Classical Languages, and Theater Departments; at least two courses must be upper-division.
All College Electives (45 credit hours)
Completion requirement
120 Total Credit Hours