EDUCATION

Demand booming on college campuses for creative writing

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This April 5, 2017, self-made photo provided by Gil Moreno shows Moreno in Summit, N.J. Colleges across the United States are seeing a boom in demand for courses on creative writing, to accommodate interest that has been attributed to the rise of social media and a flourishing culture of self-expression. Moreno, 46, an undergraduate at Montclair State, enrolled in creative writing years after completing another bachelor's degree in business management. He said he hopes to become a writer, and even if he can't do it professionally, he'll keep it up on the side. (Gil Moreno via AP) (The Associated Press)

This Oct. 25, 2016 photo provided by Sunday Swett shows Erica Wachs on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Conn. Colleges across the United States are seeing a boom in demand for courses on creative writing, to accommodate interest that has been attributed to the rise of social media and a flourishing culture of self-expression. Wachs, a junior, junior specializing in creative writing, arrived at Yale thinking she would study either English or global affairs. She found her first writing classes, which included sessions with writers discussing their craft, to be exciting. Wachs now plans a career writing for the entertainment industry. (Sunday Swett via AP) (The Associated Press)

Colleges across the United States are seeing a boom in demand for courses on creative writing.

Schools are adding writing programs to accommodate interest that has been attributed to the rise of social media and a flourishing culture of self-expression.

The Association of Writers & Writing Programs says the number of schools offering bachelor's degrees in creative writing has risen from three in 1975 to 733 today.

While some want to become professional writers, others hope to find work in fields such as public relations, advertising or something completely unrelated. Instructors say some students see their focus on writing as a way to understand themselves, make use of a liberal education and enrich their lives.