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Creative Writing - Bachelor of Fine Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BFA Second Language 1013-5BFA Second Language 1023-5BFA Second Language 1033-5
Required WR Course4BFA Fine & Performing Arts4Required WR Course4
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits12-14

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BFA Second Language 2013-5BFA Second Language 2023-5BFA Second Language 2033-5
BFA Fine & Performing Arts4BFA Social Science/Science3-4BFA Science/Math3-4
Required WR Course4General Elective4BFA Social Science/ Science3-4
Total Fall Credits15-17Total Winter Credits14-17Total Spring Credits12-17

Second Year Milestone: Apply to BFA program.

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
ENG Historical Literacy4ENG Upper Division Elective4ENG Historical Literacy4
WR Genre Elective4WR Genre Elective4WR Genre Elective4
WR Upper Division Elective4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4WR Upper Division Elective4
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits15-16Total Spring Credits16

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6WR Upper Division Elective4WR Upper Division Elective4
WR Genre Elective4ENG Upper Division Elective4ENG Upper Division Elective4
ENG 326 or 327 or 4284General Elective4General Elective4
  General Elective4General Elective3
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits15

Fourth Year Milestones: Apply to graduate for Spring term. Submit Senior Writing Portfolio.

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • Required WR Course: Select from WR 212, 213, 214.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required. Meet with assigned advisor regarding Sophomore Inquiry and Race & Ethnic Studies requirements.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • General Elective: Strongly recommend using elective slots to complete minor requirements.
  • ENG Historical Literacy: Consult department website for list.
  • WR Genre Elective and WR Upper Division Elective: Must include at least 8 credits at 400 level.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Creative Writing

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