A&M-Victoria bachelor level creative writing program named best in state
The creative writing program at Texas A&M University-Victoria has been ranked first in the state by ArtDaily, an internet art newspaper that focuses on industry reporting, global art news and cultural stories.
"We are honored by this distinction and look forward to building on this success," said Dolores Guerrero, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. "This achievement wouldn't be possible without the dedication of our faculty and the hard work and creativity of our students, and we look forward to continuing to inspire and empower our students."
The guide compared 12 institutions in Texas offering a bachelor’s level program in creative writing, whether as a major, concentration or formal specialization. It excluded graduate-level programs, certificates and minors.
The ranking evaluated five features applicants can assess before enrolling: writing depth, workshop progression, genre choice, work beyond a class grade and degree flexibility.
Despite the program’s small size, the college actually sees it as an opportunity for its students to work more closely with faculty members, said Anthony Madrid, associate professor of English and creative writing.
Within the program, instructors support writers with a wide range of interests and styles to help them develop their work without requiring them to imitate a particular kind of writing, Madrid said. That support can include detailed feedback on drafts, including line edits, as well as guidance on how to submit work to literary publications.
The program requires 30 credit hours of creative writing courses, along with 12 credit hours of workshops covering a variety of genres.
Faculty members within the program put heavy emphasis on helping students pursue publications through established venues, Madrid said. There have been numerous students who have continued on to graduate study, such as a former student who went on to be accepted to the University of Iowa’s MFA program, one of the best creative programs in the country, he said.
“We have a small program, with a small number of faculty, but students get what I like to call a boutique experience here,” Madrid said. “The people students are bound to work with at A&M-Victoria are passionate, devoted teachers ready to make students better to go and do great work in the world.”
For more information on the creative writing program, please visit: https://www.tamuv.edu/liberal-arts-social-sciences/undergraduate-degrees/creative-writing/
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.