If you live to write, if writing is your all-consuming passion, the General Writing emphasis may be for you. You’ll take courses in a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting and screenwriting.

Or maybe you’re more concerned with making a living as a writer? If so, the Professional Writing emphasis focuses on applied areas of study such as nonfiction/journalism, screenwriting, technical writing, and writing for multimedia.

Either way, you’ll receive top-level instruction and be part of a program that features a visiting writers series, student readings, writing-based internships, and a capstone course.

The Certificate in Creative Writing requires a total of 18 units. Students must take two core courses (6 units), then 4 courses (12 units) from their selected track--the General Emphasis or the Professional Writing Emphasis--with the possibility of substituting one of those courses from a list of recommended electives.

For more information contact: Program Director, Joshua Escobar: jmescobar2@pipeline.sbcc.edu

The Courses

The Certificate in Creative Writing requires a total of 18 units. Students must currently take both core courses (6 units); then 4 courses from their selected track--Creative Writing Emphasis or Professional Writing Emphasis (12 units), with the possibility of substituting one of those courses from the elective list (3 units). Each emphasis has a list of recommended electives.

Certificate of Completion in Creative Writing (18 units)

Core Courses (6 units)

ENG 110: Composition and Reading, 3 Units OR

ENG 110HR: Composition and Reading, Honors, 3 Units

ENG 270: Introduction to Creative Writing, 3 Units

Plus select one of the following emphases:

I. General Emphasis: Choose 12 units from:

ENG 271P: Creative Writing: Poetry and Experimental Forms, 3 Units

ENG 271F: Creative Writing: Fiction, 3 Units

ENG 271NF/JOURN 271: Creative Writing: Nonfiction, 3 Units

ENG 271D: Creative Writing: Drama and Screenplays, 3 Units

Note: Students may substitute two of the courses from the list of electives below for two of these four General emphasis courses.

II. Professional Writing Emphasis: Choose 12 units from:

ENG 173/FILMST 173: Introduction to Screenwriting, 3 Units

ENG 271NF/JOURN 271: Creative Writing: Nonfiction, 3 Units

CIS 181/ENG 181: Technical and Professional Writing, 3 Units

JOURN 101: Reporting/Writing I, 3 Units

Note: Students may substitute two of the courses from the list of electives below for two of these four Professional Writing emphasis courses.

Overall List of Electives

ENG 221: Survey of British Literature, 3 Units

ENG 221GB: Survey of British Literature, 3 Units

ENG 222: Survey of British Literature, 3 Units

ENG 222GB: Survey of British Literature, 3 Units

ENG 225: American Literature, 3 Units

ENG 226: American Literature, 3 Units

ENG 226HR: American Literature, Honors, 3 Units

ENG 231: World Literature, 3 Units

ENG 232: World Literature, 3 Units

ENG 236: Sacred Literature, 3 Units

ENG 237: Sacred Literature, 3 Units

*+ENG 240: Contemporary Fiction, 3 Units

*+ENG 241: Contemporary Women Writers, 3 Units

*+ENG 242: Contemporary Dramatic Literature, 3 Units

*ENG 251: Introduction to Poetry, 3 Units

+ENG 261: Literature and Film, 3 Units

ENG 262: Shakespeare, 3 Units

FILMST 174: Screenwriting II, 3 Units

*Recommended Electives for General Emphasis

+Recommended Electives for Professional Writing Emphasis