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Nurturing Creative Writers

Students who are passionate about creative writing can develop their interests through hands-on workshop classes and literary seminars at Point Park University.

At our Downtown Pittsburgh campus, undergraduates can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing or a creative writing minor working in a variety of genres including:

  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Poetry
Pictured are Point Park creative writing majors at a master class on campus.

Courses & Topics

You will receive a well-rounded education through our core curriculum and classes in the creative writing major.

Some of the courses in our Bachelor of Arts program include:

  • Author: Zadie Smith
  • The Brontes
  • Haunted America
  • Feminist Fairytales
  • LGBTQ Literature and Culture
  • Mad Science and Literature
  • 21st Century Poetry
  • Reading Race and Shakespeare

Faculty bring industry experience and expertise to the classroom.

The faculty in the Department of Literary Arts have extensive expertise in a wide range of disciplines including American and British literature, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, linguistics, women's studies, composition, public speaking and more.

Meet the faculty
Pictured is Sarah Perrier, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Literary Arts.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Sarah Perrier, Ph.D.
  • Author of two collections of poetry, Nothing Fatal and Just One of Those Things
  • Research interests include creative writing, contemporary American poetry, poetics and contemporary fiction
  • Recent course offerings include poetry workshops, 21st Century Poets and Major Authors: Sylvia Plath

Hands-On Writing Experience for the Real World

We offers students in our creative writing program rich opportunities for practical experience. In addition to craft-oriented workshops, we host a literary artists club and regularly welcome nationally-known authors to lecture and work with our writing students.

Students in our creative writing major:

  • Analyze important works in the genres they study;
  • Define the most important elements of genres they study;
  • Apply their understanding of creative genres by writing their own creative works;
  • Refine their voices as writers; and
  • Prepare to pursue an M.F.A. degree or a career in the arts or other profession.

Careers in Creative Writing

With a bachelor's degree in creative writing and English, you will have the option to pursue various career opportunities, such as:

  • Writer
  • Freelancer
  • Communications professional
  • Publisher
  • Journalist

Student & Alumni Success

Learn about the hands-on experiences our students are gaining and where our graduates have gone on to build their careers.

More profiles
Pictured is creative writing student Mary Moses. | Photo by Sydney Patton
Student Profile
Mary Moses '19
"The workload may be heavy sometimes, but it all pays off in the end. Find what you love and follow the journey. Chances are, it will lead you somewhere unexpected."
Pictured is creative writing alumna Julianna Bagwell.
Alumni Profile
Julianna Bagwell '13
"Point Park provided me with amazing classes and mentors. During my three years at the school, I took a multitude of workshops that gave me the opportunity to share and critique creative work with my peers and professors.A"

News & Features

Literary Work of Point Park Students and Recent Grads Published Locally and Nationally
Friday, November 2, 2018 From Storyburgh to Pink Panther Magazine, a variety of local and national publications have published the creative nonfiction and literary journalism work of seven Point Park University students and graduates. 
Creative Writing Alumni Launch Literary Magazine Spotlighting Science Fiction and Pop Culture
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Point Park University creative writing alumni Josh Hrala ‘12, Andie Fullmer '14 and Patrick Morris ‘14 founded The Arcanist, a web-based literary magazine focused on genre-based flash fiction and in-depth looks into pop culture’s biggest stories.
Undergraduate Students Encourage Social and Political Change Through Symposium Presentations
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Point Park University students presented their academic work as a vehicle for social and political change at the Ninth Annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Symposium hosted by the Department of Literary Arts and led by Associate Professor Kirstin Hanley, Ph.D., and Senior Capstone students Alexa Kennedy, Kidde Kokole, Azurai Phillips and Emma Torell.