Are you looking to expand your creative writing skills and are looking for a new way to study after graduating with an undergraduate degree? Then you’re in luck because that’s exactly what we’re talking about today. Unlike what you might believe, there is more than one way to study creative writing after your undergrad, in the form of a master’s degree and a graduate certificate.
But what do these things both mean, and which is the right option for you? Keep reading to find out all about your options!
What’s a creative writing master’s degree?
A master’s degree is a natural stepping stone from the undergraduate degree, extending your time in an academic institution by one or two years while you earn a higher qualification. Master’s require less time than undergraduate degrees, but they still cost a lot of money and might not be suitable for everyone depending on what financial aid is available for this type of degree.
There are a number of reasons why you might want to study creative writing for another two years, including:
- You want more time to perfect and hone your skills, as well as learning from industry professionals before getting out into the real world on your own
- You studied a different topic at undergraduate level and now want to explore the world of writing
Some people want to spend two years specialising in creative writing, but others worry that it’ll be too strenuous to juggle with the rest of their lives. Luckily, there are other options than the master’s degree.
What’s a creative writing graduate certificate?
A creative writing graduate certificate is similar to the master’s degree, but it’s much more specialised in one subject because of the shorter timeframe. Most creative writing graduate certificate courses will take around six months to complete, depending on whether you go part-time or full-time. The cost is also much lower, so it’s a good option for people with less financial aid.
A graduate certificate requires you to only complete three to five graduate level courses as opposed to the nine to twelve that a master’s degree requires. Here are a few examples of the graduate courses that you can choose from:
- Fiction writing
- Non-fiction writing
- Performance writing
- Writing for an audience
- Editing and publishing
Because of the short study time, most graduate certificates can be completed part-time. This is great for people who need to work alongside studying or who want to work on their writing alongside their studies.
Key differences between a master’s degree and a graduate certificate
There are a few key differences between the creative writing master’s degree and the graduate certificate, and these might help sway your decision for which one to go for. Let’s look at a few of these now:
- The required number of courses
Graduate certificates require substantially fewer course credits than master’s degrees, so they might be best for students who have less time to dedicate to their studies or who need to work alongside getting their qualifications. It’s also a cheaper course, which might be an incentive for some students. It will depend on the institution you’re applying for, but most graduate certificates require at least three courses while master’s programs require between 10 and 12.
- The degree of specialisation you’re hoping to obtain
A master’s degree is better designed to give you a wider range of knowledge across your chosen subject, while many use graduate certificates to hone in on a narrower specialist subject. This is because you have less time to learn all the information you can in your chosen field, so trying to broaden your knowledge too much can force you to only learn surface-level information. For example, you can earn a master’s degree in creative writing or a graduate degree in screenplay writing.
- The overall cost and your financial aid options
Graduate certificates almost always cost less than master’s degrees because you need to take fewer courses and spend less time in the institution. However, most master’s degrees qualify for financial help so you can get all or most of your finances covered by loans or grants. You might not be eligible for the same financial aid for graduate certificates, although most people can rely on private loans and employer assistance if they can’t cover the cost on their own.
Final thoughts
Both graduate certificates and master’s degrees are excellent options if you want to study creative writing. A graduate certificate is a shorter alternative to an extensive master’s degree, so it’s great for people who might not have as much time to focus on their studies. The graduate certificate is also cheaper, but it won’t offer as broad of a spectrum on the subject. The master’s degree will allow you to take more classes so you can garner a broader area of expertise.
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