Writing B.A.
Application Guidelines
There are two main components of your application: the statement of purpose and a portfolio of your work. The completed application should be submitted to the English Department Chair, and it will be reviewed by the English Department’s Writing Committee.
Statement of Purpose: A 300-word statement of purpose explaining how the degree program will help meet your personal, academic, and professional goals. Writing samples totaling 10 to 15 pages, including work in two of the following 4 genres: (a) creative writing, (b) professional writing, (c) journalism, (d) creative non-fiction. “Creative writing” could include fiction, poetry, screenwriting or playwriting. “Professional writing” could include public relations writing, grant writing, professional web copy, or formal essays. And “creative non-fiction” could include autobiography/memoir and the personal essay. We encourage the submission of literary work. Please select what you consider your best representative work. Samples should reflect a student’s ability to write well in more than one area. Please attach a cover sheet for each of the two samples that includes your name, the title of your work, and a genre name that best describes the writing sample, such as creative writing, professional writing, journalism, and creative non-fiction. Evaluation Criteria Include: Submission of complete, two part application. Quality and comprehensiveness of Statement of Purpose Quality of writing for each of two writing samples, in the student’s chosen genres (grasp of genre, control of technical aspects of writing within genre, consistency of voice, tone, imagery, use of language for effect). General writing mechanics (spelling, grammar, etc) The complete application, including Writing Samples and the Statement of Purpose must be submitted to the English Department Office. Application are accepted on a rolling basis. Please address your completed application to:
English Department
Attn: Writing Committee
Buffalo State College
Ketchum Hall 326
1300 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, N. Y. 14222
About the Program
The writing B.A. degree program offers students an opportunity to combine the study and practice of the craft of writing with the study of literature, theater, television and communication arts. The writing degree program allows for the development of skills in creative writing, journalistic writing, literacy writing, and/or professional writing. Students can take courses from a variety of disciplines to fulfill their requirements. The program is intended for students interested in the advanced study and practice of writing.
Admissions Requirements
Admission Requirements: Transfer or uncommitted students must have a minimum GPA in all previous college credits of 2.5, must complete the College Basic Writing requirement, and must submit a portfolio of work to be considered for acceptance into the major.
Program Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Requirements 39–66 cr
Total Required Credits in English .42 cr
(24 credits must be upper-division)
A. Required Courses (12 cr)
1. Eng 190 Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
(Must be taken immediately after completion of freshman composition requirement or within first year of transfer to English Department.)
2. ENG 201 The Craft of Writing
(Should be taken soon after completion of freshman composition requirement or within first year of transfer to English Department. Serves a prerequisite for upper-division writing courses.)
3. ENG 410 Composition and Rhetorical Theory
4. ENG 490W Senior Seminar
B. Electives in Writing (15 cr)
Select five courses from the following areas: Students may choose to concentrate their studies in one
primary area or may select freely from across the options.
Creative Writing
ENG 305 Creative Writing: Narrative
ENG 306 Creative Writing: Poetry
ENG 402 Advanced Creative Writing: Narrative
ENG 403 Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry
THA 470 Ensemble Theater
Professional Writing
ENG 245 Writing about the Arts
ENG 300W Writing for the Professions
COM 308 Public Relations Writing
TFA 304 Writing for Television and Film Arts
Journalism
COM 303 Writing for News Publication
COM 325 Feature and Magazine Article Writing
COM 309 Journalistic Writing
Literary Genres
ENG 247 Nature Writing
ENG 266 The Personal Essay
ENG 320 Autobiography/Memoir
ENG 325 Creative Nonfiction
C. Electives in Literature, Linguistics, or Film (15 cr)
Select five literature, linguistics, and film courses offered by the Communication, English, Modern and Classical Languages, and Theater Departments; at least two courses must be upper-division.
All College Electives .12–39 credits
Total Required Credits 120 credits