This unique program is built around a series of in-person residencies and online tutorials, both led by Whitworth faculty and creative writing professionals. Residencies run in January and July, allowing students the opportunity to engage in seminars and workshops that explore and develop their craft, their understanding of their genre, and the role of faith in their creative work— all while building community within cohorts and with Whitworth. Students meet with their mentors to develop their reading lists, discuss work in progress, and continue conversations begun in previous sessions. 

Tutorials occur during the fall and spring semesters between residencies and allow for individual guidance as students navigate the literature of their genre and the creation of their own unique work. Students create three packets for mentor review, which include new or revised original work. In addition, packets include annotations from the student’s reading list and a short reflection paper exploring common themes encountered across the semester. The final tutorial of a student’s program will be dedicated to the completion of a manuscript-length thesis of original creative work and a critical introduction of the manuscript as it relates to literary traditions. 

Students apply into one of four genre-based tracks: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Spiritual Writing. New students are accepted at every residency, but the number of students allowed into each track is capped.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university

• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter-graded or 60 semester-graded postsecondary credits

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will articulate their understanding of the relationship(s) among faith, spiritual practice, and art.  

2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships within literary history, literary theory, and the craft of creative writing.  

3. Students will articulate the essential function of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the development of literary histories and how that might pertain to their own creative work.   

4. Students will apply the practices that produce effective creative writing, such as drafting, researching, revising, and preparing for publication.  

5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the conventions and craft elements for the student’s genre(s) of focus.