Creative Writing, B.F.A.

What You’ll Learn 

During the Creative Writing B.F.A. program at Vermont State, you’ll develop in three distinct areas that combine to give you a great foundation for many career directions. 

• As a creative writer: You’ll practice the craft in a number of genres with the support and mentorship of experienced faculty who will help you hone your style. By the time you graduate, you will have created a nearly book-length manuscript in your genre of choice. 
• As a reader: You’ll grow in your ability to analyze, interpret, savor, and explain literature. Your study of theory and close reading of texts will broaden and sharpen your thinking in any context. 
• As a professional: You’ll gain experience with the basic elements of production and publishing, including using the modern tools of digital media. You will understand how to make a living as a writer or editor in areas like journalism, marketing, and publishing. 

Outside the Classroom, In the Community 

As a student in the program, you’ll get to share your writing and engage in the production and publishing process through: 

• The Green Mountains Review: This award-winning literary magazine publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, literary essays, interviews, and book reviews by both well-known writers and promising newcomers. In one of your required courses, you’ll work with fellow students over the course of a semester to produce an issue of the journal. This means that, before you even graduate, you will have your name on the masthead of a journal cited as one of the top literary magazines in New England. 
• Pamplemousse: Choose to work on our undergraduate student literary journal and learn to do everything from writing and editing work for publication to soliciting submissions and meeting publication deadlines. Pamplemousse publishes high-quality, forward-thinking, innovative, and well-crafted writing in many genres and styles. 

Internships: Gain industry experience, forge career connections, and enhance your skills for the job market during a summer internship placement.

Special Facilities

• The perfect setting:​ Fuel your inspiration and find creative solitude in the picturesque mountains, forests, and valleys of Vermont.  
• Digital labs: Take your creativity into the 21st century. Get access to computer labs where you’ll find iMacs equipped with Adobe Creative Suite and other digital media tools.