ChooseWhy Choose This Program?

Why Study Creative Writing at Goucher?


Goucher has one of the most established undergraduate programs in creative writing in the nation. The program has produced a rich array of authors, editors, performers, teachers, nonprofit managers, and civic leaders. Creative writing concentrators in the English Program must take courses in British and American literature, textual analysis, and critical theory along with core creative writing courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more. Upon graduation, successful creative writing concentrators and minors can expect to become well rounded thinkers and writers who have the tools to gain publication.

LearnWhat Will You Learn?

What Will You Learn?


At Goucher, we see ourselves as a community of writers who value learning, self-expression, and diversity. Members of our writing community support one another even as we recognize our differences, and we hope that all members of our community will develop the creativity, innovation, and inherent joy that is the art of writing, by learning to engage ourselves critically as readers, thinkers, and writers. More information can be found at https://blogs.goucher.edu/creativewriting/.

Goucher’s Creative Writing Program is distinct from its Academic Writing Program and its M.F.A. in Nonfiction Program.

DoWhat Will You Do?

What Will You Do?


Goucher’s Kratz Center for Creative Writing complements the Creative Writing Program. The center brings nationally recognized authors like ROBERT STONE, ANN PATCHETT, and EDWARD P. JONES to Goucher College for lectures, readings, and semester-long residencies. These authors work closely with students within the Creative Writing Program to provide a stimulating intellectual and creative environment in which the highest quality of writing is encouraged. The Kratz Center functions cooperatively with the undergraduate creative writing program, enhancing and expanding the curriculum with distinguished visiting guest writers and new course offerings.

Course Curriculum

Creative Writing Minor Writing Courses

Creative Writing is also available as a major within the Professional and Creative Writing program.

Faculty

Program Contact

Lana Oweidat, Department Chair

Full-Time and Half-Time Faculty

Edgar Kunz, Assistant Professor: Creative Writing

Sarah Pinsker, Kratz Writer-In-Residence

Madison Smartt Bell, Professor of English: Creative Writing

Walker Smith, Assistant Professor: Composition & Rhetoric, religious rhetoric, queer theory, rhetorical genre studies, professional and technical communication 

Elizabeth Spires, Professor of English: Creative Writing

Charlee Sterling, Assistant Professor: Composition & Rhetoric, American Literature, comics, pop culture and multimodailty, storytelling

Bill U’Ren, Assistant Professor: Fiction Writing and Screenwriting

Part-Time Faculty

Sylvia Jones, Adjunct Professor: Creative Writing (poetry, memoir, flash fiction), African American Lit, post modernism, translation, experimental, conceptualism

Katherine Moulton, Lecturer: Creative Writing

Madeleine Mysko, Adjunct Professor: Academic and Creative Writing

Opportunities & Internships

Internships


Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.

Student Employment


Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.

Major & Career Exploration


Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.

Job Search


A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.

Graduate & Professional School


Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program


Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.

Kratz Center for Creative Writing

A premier academic program, the Kratz Center for Creative Writing is proud to produce talented and distinguished writers. The Kratz Center offers students many valuable opportunities, like the Fall Visiting Authors Series and its Spring Writer-in-Residence Series, during which nationally and internationally recognized authors come to campus to work closely with students. Additionally, the Blueprint Reading Series introduces students to young authors, who share their perspectives on publishing today. The center also offers annual Summer Writing Fellowships to select students at Goucher and hosts an array of master classes and symposia each semester. To learn more about Goucher’s distinguished Kratz Center, numerous student fellowship opportunities, and mentoring by award-winning authors, please visit the Kratz Center for Creative Writing website.

Alumni SpotlightChevron iconLaura Tims '14

Chevron icon

Laura Tims '14


“I decided that I wanted to be a writer when I was pretty young. I never really had any backup plan.”

Read My Story