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The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in creative writing at Lakeland is the only writing major like it in the state of Wisconsin. Students completing the B.F.A. dive deeply into the art of writing poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, developing their individual talents in a workshop environment that provides immediate feedback from peers and professors. Creative writing students also experience courses in literature, art, music, and theatre, in order to more fully understand how interconnected are the fine arts. Such a diverse background in the arts serves the students well, by catalyzing their creative inspirations and enriching their written work. A capstone writing project, such as a significant collection of essays or poems or a novella, culminates the creative writing students’ senior year. 

Creative writing students have many opportunities to work with professional writers from outside of campus as well, through Lakeland’s annual Great Lakes Writers Festival in November, the national literary magazines SEEMS and Stoneboat, the annual community book read, and a week-long visiting writer residency each spring. 

The B.F.A. degree in creative writing is a rigorous program for the serious writer. All students are committed to a life of creative writing, and most continue their studies in graduate school, as they prepare for careers as editors, freelance writers, or college professors. 

Students who have successfully completed a B.F.A. in Creative Writing from Lakeland University should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of key terms, histories, forms, and structures from a variety of fields within the fine arts.
• Present work clearly and professionally when writing within different genres.
• Master the conventions of Standard English.
• Use artistic conventions in creative and unique ways.
• Work both independently and within a community of writers.
• Demonstrate work habits necessary for successful careers within the writing profession.
• Apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real-world settings (e.g., internships, The Mirror, Seems, etc.).

Programs

• Creative Writing, B.F.A.

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