Q&A Creative Writing Department
Questions from prospective students about Creative Writing and responses from Professor Chris Feliciano Arnold.
[Prospective Student]: Would you recommend getting a BA in Creative Writing?
Prof. Chris Arnold: Both the B.A. in Creative Writing and the minor in Creative Writing are excellent academic paths that take advantage of so much of the small liberal arts community that SMC has to offer.
In the Creative Writing program, we take the approach that the skills we teach—imagination, linguistic skill, communication and collaboration—will be valuable to you as an artist, and on the job market, for decades to come, regardless of what changes happen in technology or the economy. We're focused on teaching timeless skills that will help you grow as an artist and writer—and as a person.
Are there any minors that pair well with the BA in Creative Writing?
SMC offers a variety of dynamic majors that pair well with Creative Writing in the context of a double major. Students are encouraged to pursue double majors in any other field that ignites their passions and curiosity, ranging from Media Production and Anthropology to Performance Arts or even STEM fields. Creative Writing majors also pair well with minors in Digital Studies or English—or even a Professional Writing Certificate.
Where do most graduates of this program go/do after Saint Mary's? Any popular trends at all?
Many of our graduates seek careers in the literary arts or publishing, but our major also includes a Professional Skills & Expertise strand that prepares people for other fields in the creative arts like advertising, content marketing, non-profit writing and professional writing. More recently, we've introduced a program that allows students to seek a teaching credential alongside their B.A., so students are now also pursuing careers in education. Lastly, each year we have at least a couple B.A.s in Creative Writing who pursue graduate school in Creative Writing or related fields in the humanities.
What makes this program unique and special compared to others?
Great question. First and foremost, a focused B.A. in Creative Writing is relatively uncommon in the humanities. Most schools offer Creative Writing within their English Department, but we take the approach that Creative Writing is its own discipline, distinct from literary analysis, and distinct from the English literary tradition. This is particularly important for students who are coming from backgrounds, or who have interest in, traditions beyond the Western canon and English literary tradition.
Another offering that sets us apart is that each year, we invite Distinguished Visiting Writers to join our faculty and campus literary community, teaching our undergraduate and graduate students, as well as give readings and craft talks. These are award-winning writers who are writing some of the most interesting books in the literary landscape, and we bring them in to give students an inside look at the literary life, as well as insight into the publication process.
What do students most enjoy about this program/what are the main takeaways?
What students enjoy most is the sense of literary community on campus, the close mentorship from faculty, and the ability to get hands-on experience through literary internships, as well as our on campus magazines, riverrun and The Foundationalist.
If you're local to the Bay Area, keep an eye out on our events calendar for the upcoming Spring 2025 Visiting Writers Series! The best way to get to know our community is by coming to visit with us in person. For a closer look at our Creative Writing community, follow us on Instagram @smcmfa.
