Classes + Course Requirements

Whether you major or double-major in creative writing, you will have over 50 courses to choose from to meet your requirements. Visit the online course catalog for a full list of electives and courses.

Those in the Creative Writing Program are required to complete four writing workshops and five literature classes.

“The faculty are astonishing. They are very committed to their practices and also to developing students’ practices.”

Crista Siglin (’15 Creative Writing & Painting)

Lecturers:

Kenan Orhan

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Paul and Linda DeBruce Hall

Enter the two-story light-filled atrium of the new Paul and Linda Bruce Hall through a portal adorned with quotes by famous art historians, writers, and artists. You’ll take classes in smart classrooms, each with a view of garden gathering spaces. It’s the perfect environment for learning, studying, and collaborating.

Career Paths + Career Outcomes

Creative Writing Program graduates work as Authors, Journalists, Book Critics, Scriptwriters, Story Editors, Publicity Managers, Social Media Specialists, Reporters, Poets, Communication Directors, and Playwriters.

KCAI's Professional Practice Center will help you prepare for your career.

Sprung Formal and Compendium

Practice real-world editing and publishing skills through KCAI’s award-winning literary magazine Sprung Formal, and a compilation of writing and artwork in The Compendium.

Get professional experience interning in Kansas City and Paris

  • BkMk Press at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is an award-winning literary press that publishes an average of six titles a year and sponsors two annual publication awards for the best-submitted book-length manuscript. KCAI students interning at BkMk Press work with the Managing Editor on every aspect of the publishing process, from editing to designing book covers.
  • New Letters on the Air is the radio companion to the literary magazine New Letters and airs weekly conversations with contemporary writers. Interns work on all aspects of producing the show, from writing press releases to researching writers visiting the area.
  • Shakespeare & Co. in Paris was first opened in 1919 by Sylvia Beach, who is responsible for fostering and publishing work by Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and Ford Madox Ford. Students have the chance to intern at the bookstore and take a Travel Writing class as part of KCAI’s Paris Study Abroad Program.

Creative Writing Alumni

Creative Writing Program alumni work in a variety of fields and many earn advanced degrees at some of the country's top MFA programs.

Paige Edson Paige Edson ('19 Creative Writing & Painting)
Madelyn Girard Madelyn Girard ('22 Creative Writing & Printmaking)
unnamed Beeh Becvar ('18 Creative Writing & Filmmaking)
MinimalSummerFruit-Esther-Kontny Esther Leech Kontny (’17 Creative Writing & Photography)
shethewriter+web+banner+Copy+(1) Ayah Abdul-Rauf (’17 Creative Writing & Filmmaking)