Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing
Admissions | Resources & Support | Faculty | Curriculum & Requirements | Courses
APPLY HERE (and see application directions at the bottom of this page)
The Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing welcomes aspiring part-time writers who seek guidance that is friendly, rigorous, professionally useful, and intellectually challenging, with the flexibility of remote community. The Advanced Certificate is a sixteen credit-hour concentration available upon successful application to degree-seeking students who have been admitted to any Stony Brook University graduate program, as well as to non-degree seeking students who meet the requirements outlined by the Graduate School. It is designed for working adults who have completed a BA and who are interested in master’s level instruction.
Our Goals
Like The Lichtenstein Center MFA Program, the Advanced Certificate recognizes that
there are many reasons to study writing—from self-satisfaction to dissemination of
information. Our goal is to identify what each student needs in terms of writing instruction
while helping students build a writing practice, establish revision practices, and
getting written work out in the world in the form of short story submissions. Courses
are taught by a full-time and part-time faculty of award-winning writers, all of whom
have been widely published and who have received numerous accolades in their writing
careers.
Admissions
Students who are eligible to apply include those enrolled in a graduate degree-granting
program at Stony Brook University and students who have a bachelor’s degree from an
accredited college or university who meet the admissions criteria.
For applicants already admitted to the University, admission involves completing a “Permission to Enroll in a Secondary Certificate” form. Students also need to submit a statement of purpose and a writing sample (details below). Students are required to have an earned bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4-point scale. The following must be submitted as part of the application to the Advanced Creative Writing Certificate:
- A 1-2 page statement discussing the student’s reasons for graduate study (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins)
- A writing sample consisting of 12-15 pages of fictional prose (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins)
Non-Matriculated and Transfer Status
Non-matriculated students and students transferring from other Stony Brook Graduate
degree programs may petition to transfer a limited number of credits to the Advanced
Certificate. More information on transfer policies is available at https://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/graduatebulletin/current/admissions/transfer-credit/index.php
Timeline
All Advanced Certificate requirements must be completed within three (3) years from
the semester date of admission as a matriculated student. If the certificate program
is taken in collaboration with a graduate degree program, then the student has five
years for completion of the certificate.
Advising
Students in the Advanced Certificate program are advised on course selection by the
Associate Director.
Resources and Support Programs
The Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing is housed in the Creative Writing program
of The Lichtenstein Center. Certificate students will be able to access the same support
services as part-time matriculated MFA students. Resources may include a limited number
of partially subsidized one-time admission awards.
Faculty
Courses are taught by full-time core faculty, joined by a part-time faculty of distinguished
visiting writers whose teaching and lecturing assignments will rotate among the fall
and spring sessions. These distinguished visitors will provide creative breadth to
the writing program, offering coverage in areas of writing that are essential in contemporary
society.
Curriculum
The Advanced Certificate is a sixteen credit hour concentration available upon successful
application to degree-seeking students who have been admitted to any Stony Brook University
graduate program as well as non-degree seeking students who meet all the requirements
outlined by the Graduate School. The following are the specific requirements and course
descriptions.
Three or more of the following writing workshops or topics courses (16 Credits):
CWL 500: Introduction to Creative Writing, 4 credits
CWL 510: Forms of Fiction, 4 credits
CWL 565: Special Topics in Writing, 4 credits
CWL 570: Advanced Writing Workshop, 4 credits
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Application Instructions (please follow these once you're in the Slate application system, as these directions are specific to our application)
Once you’ve created a new account in Slate, select Start New Application.
From the dropdown menu select 2025 Graduate Application
Read instructions carefully and be sure to allow popups
Fill in the Personal Background information
Admission Information
Select Certificate from the Intended Degree dropdown menu
Select Creative Writing and Literature Certificate Program from the Intended Program dropdown menu
Select your intended term of entry (e.g., Fall 2025)
Department Specifics
Please attach a doc that includes a writing sample consisting of 12-15 pages of fictional prose (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) If the requirements listed on the application appear differently, please disregard those guidelines and follow these instead!
Fill in the Additional Information section
Please add your educational institutions and degrees under Academic History
We do not need Test Scores. Click continue.
The graduate school requires Three Recommendations. These can be from anyone who can speak to your creative writing and/or educational background. They do not need to be from creative writing professors or published authors.
Statement of Purpose
Please attach a doc that includes a 1-2 page statement discussing your reasons for graduate study (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins). If the requirements listed on the application appear differently, please disregard those guidelines and follow these instead!
Questions? Please email cwgrad@stonybrook.edu.