Application to join the Creative Writing Honors Program will open in Fall 2026.
To be eligible to participate in the Creative Writing Honors Program in English:
- GPA of 3.5 in English (ENL) courses by the end of Spring quarter 2026.
- Passed at least one creative writing workshop course at UCD (for example: ENL 100F, 100NF, 100P, or 46)
Application:
Your application to the Honors Program will consist of a statement of purpose and a writing sample in your chosen genre. We will admit you to the program based on these materials. Please submit:
- A well-written, interesting statement of purpose that tells us who you are as a writer and what you wish to do with your thesis. Statement of purpose should be 1-2 pages long.
- Submit your best work, in the genre you wish to practice, in your writing sample. Your writing sample should be 10 pages double spaced, 12 point font, 1” margins.
Coursework:
In Winter 2027 you’ll take English 195H, an independent study.
English 195H is a tutorial style course, which matches you with a Senate Faculty member. Sometimes you meet one on one; sometimes you meet in a group with that advisor. We encourage students to take a Creative Writing Advanced course that is also granted admission via application.
Creative Writing Advanced Courses:
ENL 100FA, ENL 100PA, ENL 100NA
The Department of English is planning to offer Creative Writing Advanced courses Winter 2027, and Spring 2027.
Finding an Advisor:
In Fall 2026, you will be assigned a Faculty Advisor. This faculty member will be your official instructor for English 195H, and the mentor for your thesis project. To register for ENL 195H, you need to email Brandy to get the CRN at the time of registration for the quarter in which you wish to take the class.
The Thesis:
The Honors Thesis is a creative work that reflects each student's development as a writer. The completed thesis should be at least 35 pages in length, and might include a critical or reflective introduction. As a course, English 195H has no scheduled class meetings; instead each student is required to schedule regular meetings with his or her faculty advisor during the term that the thesis is completed. Students should plan to meet at least six times the course of a ten week quarter, and should plan to treat 195H like a class, with at least the same time commitment as an upper-division course in English. Most of this time will be spent independently, writing your project. The thesis should be completed to the faculty advisor's satisfaction at the conclusion of the quarter in which 195H is taken. Students receive four units of credit for working on their creative thesis projects under the direction of the faculty advisor.
Submitting for Prizes:
A prize is awarded at the end of Spring Quarter for the Best Honors Creative Writing Honors Project. Students are encouraged, but not required, to complete their thesis in Fall or Winter quarters, however, this is also at the discretion of your faculty advisor.
Who to talk to:
CW Honors Director, Professor Zinzi Clemmons: [email protected]
Undergraduate Advisor: [email protected]
*Graduation with “honors” requires that a student meet the appropriate grade point requirement described in the General Catalog for all UC courses completed. Students who meet the grade point requirement for graduation with honors, and who complete a Departmental Honors Program, may be recommended by their departments for graduation with high honors or highest honors on the basis of an evaluation of their academic achievements in the major and in the honors project in particular.