Creative Writing
Certificate of Achievement (C): Professional Writing Emphasis English, Composition and Literature · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
There are two emphases in earning the Creative Writing Certificate.
- The General Writing emphasis will enhance students’ abilities as creative writers and help them market and publish their work.
- The Professional Writing emphasis focuses on applied areas of study, such as screenwriting, technical writing, journalism and non-fiction.
The Certificate in Creative Writing requires a total of 18 units. Students must take both core courses (6 units), then 4 courses from their selected track–Creative Writing Emphasis or Professional Writing Emphasis (12 units), with the possibility of substituting two of those courses from the elective list (see below). Each emphasis has a list of recommended electives. During the semester that a student receives the Creative Writing Certificate, she or he should present a public reading of no less than twenty minutes as arranged with an English Department faculty member who regularly teaches creative writing courses.
Requirements
Certificate of Achievement Requirements
Complete all Major Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement with a C or better or Pass in each course. Candidates for a Certificate of Achievement are required to complete at least 20% of the major requirements through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| orENGL C1000H | Academic Reading and Writing - Honors | |
| ENG 270 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| Complete the following four courses (students may substitute two of the courses from the list of electives below for two of these four Professional Writing Emphasis courses): | 12-14 | |
| ENG 173/FS 173 | Screenwriting I | |
| ENG 181/CIS 181 | Technical And Professional Writing | |
| ENG 271NF/JOUR 271NF | Creative Writing: Non-fiction | |
| JOUR 101 | Reporting/Writing I | |
| Total Units | 19.00-21.00 | |
List of Electives
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 221 | Survey of British Literature: 800-1798 | 3-4 |
| orENG 221H | Survey of British Literature 800-1798, Honors | |
| ENG 222 | Survey of British Literature: 1798-Present | 3-4 |
| orENG 222H | Survey of British Literature: 1798-Present, Honors | |
| ENG 225 | American Literature: Pre-Colonization to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG 226 | American Literature: 1865-present | 3-4 |
| orENG 226H | American Literature, Honors | |
| ENG 231 | World Literature: Ancient Times to 16th Century | 3 |
| ENG 232 | World Literature: 17th Century to Present | 3 |
| ENG 240 | Contemporary Fiction 1 | 3 |
| ENG 241 | Contemporary Women Writers 1 | 3 |
| ENG 242 | Contemporary Dramatic Literature 1 | 3 |
| ENG 251 | Introduction To Poetry | 3 |
| ENG 261 | Literature And Film 1 | 3 |
| ENG 262 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| FS 174 | Screenwriting II | 3 |
- Recommended Electives for Professional Writing Emphasis.
Learning Outcomes
- Distinguish key elements of the four genres--fiction, drama, creative non-fiction and poetry and incorporate key elements of each genre in their own work.
- Evaluate both student and professional writers' mastery of key elements of the four genres using criteria established by the course texts and by instructor during class lecture and discussions.
- Synthesize critical appraisals of original drafts and incorporate that critical feedback into subsequent revisions of an original short fiction, drama, creative non-fiction, and poetry.
- Participate actively in class by supporting the workshop environment through reading, class discussion, and peer feedback.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.