Creative Writing (AFA)

60 Credits

The Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree in Creative Writing is designed for the student who has selected Creative Writing as a career option and intends to transfer to a fine arts baccalaureate program (BA or BFA) in Creative Writing at a four-year institution.

The AFA degree combines creative writing coursework in several genres with the study of literature. Students who complete this course of study and meet the admission requirements to their selected institution may be eligible to apply for admission with junior standing.

Admission to the Program

1. A student may indicate interest in admission to the AFA in Creative Writing major by declaring a “Pre-AFA in Creative Writing” major.
2. To be admitted into the program, students must:
   1. Complete ENGC 1101 with a grade of C or higher - Transferring into their Normandale transcript CLEP exams, or other proof of having met the Goal 1 English requirement.
   2. Submit an application to the Director of the AFA in Creative Writing program, either hard copy or online at submittable.com, with the following materials included:
   • Current contact information
   • A 10-page writing sample (either one document or a combination of documents) that shows evidence of college level writing skills in organization, revision, editing, and proofreading.

Required Courses

Incorporate the following Required Courses into the General Education/MnTC or other degree requirement sections below.

ENGL 2151

American Literature 2

4 cr

Complete 12 credits from the following six courses:

ENGW 1111	Introduction to Creative Writing	3 cr
ENGW 2112	Poetry Writing	3 cr
ENGW 2113	Fiction Writing	3 cr
ENGW 2114	Play and Screen Writing	3 cr
ENGW 2115	Memoir/Non-Fiction Writing	3 cr
ENGW 2900	Topics in Creative Writing	3 cr

Complete one of the following two courses:

ENGL 2130	African American Literature	3 cr
ENGL 2133	Native American Literature	3 cr

Complete additional ENGL course numbered over 2100 (3 Credits)

ENGW 2800	AFA Capstone	3 cr

General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) – 40 Credits

*See MnTC Curriculum for specific course options

Goal 1: Communication – 2 Courses

ENGC 1101	College Writing	4 cr
COMM 1100	Introduction to Communication	3 cr
	Or
COMM 1101	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3 cr
	Or
COMM 1111	Interpersonal Communication	3 cr
	Or
COMM 1121	Small Group Communication	3 cr

Goal 2: Critical Thinking

(Met by completion of all 40 credits of the MnTC)

Goal 3: Natural Sciences – 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments; at least one must include a lab)

Course #1 _______________

Course #2 _______________

Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning – 1 Course

Course __________________

Goal 5: History and Social/Behavioral Sciences – 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments)

Course #1 _______________

Course #2 _______________

Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments)

Course #1 – met by taking required ENGW course

Course #2 – met by taking required ENGL course

Goal 7: Human Diversity – 1 Course

Course – met by taking required ENGL course

Goal 8: Global Perspective – 1 Course

Course _______________

Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility – 1 Course

Course - met by taking ENGL 2151

Goal 10: People and The Environment – 1 Course

Course __________________

Other Degree Requirements – 20 Credits

Elective credits – additional course(s) numbered 1000 and above, if needed to complete the 60 credit requirement

• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for college-level coursework (courses numbered 1000 and above) completed at Normandale.
• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the MnTC.
• Earn a minimum of 15 college-level credits at Normandale.

Coursework in this degree program satisfies the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).