The concentration in creative writing is designed for English majors who desire to gain experience and skills in writing fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Students have opportunities to interact not only with a nationally recognized faculty but also with distinguished visiting writers brought to campus by the UAB Writers' Series. Outstanding students also have opportunities to read and publish their work and to compete for awards. The Department is home to both Birmingham Poetry Review and PMS poemmemoirstory, and many English majors are involved with the UAB literary journal Aura.

Requirements

Beginning Fall 2010, the English department is offering a new set of requirements for graduation. The result is that there are two catalogs in effect and thus two sets of graduation requirements: the "old" catalog (2009-2010) and the "new" catalog (2010-2011). Students who declared as English majors before Fall 2010 are governed by the terms of  the “old” catalog unless they notify the Arts & Sciences Academic Advisors that they wish to switch from old to new.  Both catalogs offer equally viable routes to graduation. Current students may choose to remain under the old catalog or elect to switch to the new one, depending on their preferences and on how each catalog will affect their progress toward degree.

'Old' catalog (2009-2010):

To earn a major in English with a concentration in creative writing under the 2009-2010 catalog, a student must complete a total of at least 42 credit hours in addition to EH101 and 102 and other UAB core requirements. These hours should include:

• EH 205;
• Two courses (6 hours) from EH 221, 222, 223, 224;
• EH 301;
• One course (3 hours) from EH 305-306, 307-308, 309-310;
• EH 365 or EH 366;
• Two courses (6 hours) from EH 405-406, 407-408, 409-410, 417-418;
• One additional course (3 hours) at the 300-level or 400-level in creative writing;
• EH 476;
• One course (3 hours) in non-Shakespearean British literature produced before 1660
• One course (3 hours) at the 400-level in British literature produced after 1660;
• One course (3 hours) at the 400-level in American literature;
• One course (3 hours) in the study of English as a language at the 400-level OR two courses (6 hours) in linguistics at the 200 or 300 levels, increasing the total number of hours required for the concentration to 45.

In order to enroll in a workshop at the 400 level, a student must have taken at least one workshop in that genre at the 300 level or receive permission of the instructor. When courses have two numbers, they may be taken twice for credit by using each course number only once.

For a complete listing of which EH courses count toward each of the above categories, see the 2009 catalog. Students majoring in English must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirement, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. A single course may not count toward more than one departmental requirement.

"New" catalog (2010-2011):

To earn a major in English with a concentration in creative writing under the 2010-2011 catalog, a student must complete a total of at least 42 credit hours in addition to EH101 and 102 and other UAB core requirements. These hours should include:

• A two-course literary survey sequence (6 hours) in World (EH 217 and 218), British (EH 221 and 222), or American (EH 223 and 224) Literature
• EH 301
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in African, African-American, or African-Diasporic literature
• One 300- or 400 level courses (3 hours) in literature produced before 1700
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in literature produced 1700-1900
• One 300- or 400 level course (3 hours) in literature produced post-1900
• One 300-or 400-level course (3 hours) in the study of English as a language
• One course (3 hours) in EH 305-306, EH 307-308, or EH 309-310
• Two courses (6 hours) in EH 405-406, EH 407-408, EH 409-410
• One course (3 hours) in EH 205, EH 305-306, EH 307-308, EH 309-310, EH 405-406, EH 407-408, or EH 409-410
• One course (3 hours) in EH 415, EH 417, EH 418 and EH 492 when approved
• One Capstone course (3 hours): EH 411 (Capstone Internship), EH 495 (Capstone Honors Thesis) or EH 496 (Capstone seminar)

In order to enroll in a workshop at the 400 level, a student must have taken at least one workshop in that genre at the 300 level or receive permission of the instructor. When courses have two numbers, they may be taken twice for credit by using each course number only once.

For a complete listing of which EH courses count toward each of the above categories, see the 2010-2011 catalog. Students majoring in English must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirement, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. A single course may not count toward more than one departmental requirement. Also, at least 21 semester hours in English must be at the 400 level.

If You Have Questions:

• Academic Advisors for the College of Arts and Sciences can guide you toward your degree in English; their offices are located in Heritage Hall 510, and their phone number is (205) 975-0097.
• For course offerings, check the online class schedules.
• For other questions, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Creative Writing, Humanities Building 205, (205) 934-8573, or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Undergraduate Studies, Humanities Building 207-G, (205) 934-8570.