Creative Writing

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Student holding an open book reviewing highlighted text

We live in a world of language. Maybe you want to write a novel, become a poet, compose a memoir, or produce digital content. Sharpen your writing skills by practicing your craft and developing an eye for artistic expression.

Career Outlook: Writers and Authors

Written communication is essential to all industries. Writers and authors develop content for diverse audiences and deliver it through a variety of platforms. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects demand for writing work to grow 9% by 2030. The median annual salary for writers and authors in 2021 was $69,510. While many writers are self-employed, others work at news agencies, tech companies, and in the entertainment industry.

A.A. Program Overview

Find and amplify your voice through the power of creative writing. In this program, you'll foster relationships with other artistic and literary thinkers through small classes and writing workshops. Coursework introduces you to foundational writing concepts — such as voice and diction — and lets you explore the craft of writing through literature.

The program capstone gives you an opportunity to share your work with a live audience prior to graduation.

Amanda Lynn Brockner, FLCC alumna, 2022.

"I learned a lot about myself as a writer and gained the confidence that I needed to move forward. The workshops are amazing because you're not limited to working in your genre. You get a different experience with each professor, too. The program was really the start to my own writing community."

— Amanda Lynn Brockner, '22

Collaborative Writing Workshops

Master a range of writing techniques by completing four distinct workshops. You'll engage in meaningful dialogue and revisions of your work, and experience what it's like to be part of a community of writers. Workshop courses include a general introduction to creative writing, along with a focus on poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Our Creative Writing Degree is Available 100% Online

In addition to completing this degree in-person, our creative writing program is also available 100% online. For creative writing students, this involves courses that you can complete on your own time and scheduled workshops that allow you to collaborate with other students in real-time. Learn more about FLCC online learning.

Join Our Creative Writing Club

Dead Poets Society is a student-led club for those who are drawn to poetry, fiction, and other forms of expression. The club works closely with the Creative Writing program to host a number of literary events and activities throughout the year — including public readings, author visits, film nights, and producing a 'zine.

Edit and Produce a Literary Journal

Learn how to manage submissions, communicate with authors, and edit manuscripts for publication by working on FLCC's literary journal, isotrope.

Design and produce a literary journal from the ground up while introducing readers to new authors and their creative visions. A journal of this caliber is rare among community colleges and provides you with a unique hands-on learning experience.

isotrope features poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and visual arts. The journal showcases emerging talent from around the world.

Read the Latest Issue

Current issue, The Laker magazine

A.A. Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this degree program, students will have the ability to:

  • Develop ideas, drafts, and polished work within multiple literary genres.
  • Critique, revise, edit, and complete original creative works. Analyze and reflect upon one's writing process, including aesthetic choices, experiential intent, and revision strategies. Examine one's contribution to projects associated with gathering, evaluating, and promoting College's literary journal.
  • Use effective, emotive oral presentation skills in order to publicly read one's original work.
  • Use multiple social media formats in order to develop copy, including promotional material for the College's literary journal.

Seamless Transfer Opportunities

FLCC has transfer articulation agreements with various four-year schools in the region. These partnerships allow you to transfer into a bachelor's program with full junior standing. For creative writing, these colleges include:

  • Excelsior College
  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • SUNY Oswego

These schools offer bachelor's degrees in creative writing or English with a focus in creative writing:

  • Canisius College
  • Ithaca College
  • SUNY Binghamton
  • SUNY Brockport
  • SUNY Geneseo
  • SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Potsdam
  • SUNY Purchase
  • Syracuse University
  • University at Buffalo

Four-Year Career Pathways

Employers need good writers. Many journalists, lawyers, teachers, and marketing professionals have creative writing backgrounds. Prepare to enter the job market with the skills and creativity needed for success.

Creative writing graduates are well qualified to transfer into a bachelor's program or pursue careers and internships in a variety of fields, including:

  • Advertising
  • Content Creation
  • Editing
  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • Publishing

Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

Earn a quality education at an affordable rate. With our low cost-per-credit and general scholarship opportunities, you can maximize your potential with minimal debt. 80% of students are awarded scholarships or financial aid that help with the cost of college.

Faculty

The Creative Writing faculty bring a wide range of artistic expertise to the classroom. Full-time faculty hold master's degrees in English or MFAs. You'll learn from accomplished poets, novelists, and essayists who write everything from true-crime drama to young adult fiction. Each faculty member has a distinct approach to the craft of writing, which will introduce you to a variety of valuable methods and techniques.

Career Coach

Explore Your Career Options

Map out a path toward your future career, and discover opportunities related to this area of study.

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Jon Palzer

"To study creative writing is to immerse oneself deeply in what are arguably our greatest human gifts - language and imagination! They define our experiences and open our senses to the significance of our existence."