News Bachelor's Degree Approved for SOU

(Ashland, Ore.) —Students attending Southern Oregon University have long had the option of pursuing a minor or concentration in creative writing. Beginning this fall, creative writing will be a major course of study as well, after the Higher Education Coordinating Commission approved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree at SOU during its August meeting.
The creative writing minor and concentration had previously been within the Department of English and Writing, but a recent academic restructuring at SOU placed creative writing as part of a newly created creative arts program under the purview of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University. “This restructuring provided the perfect opportunity to expand the role of creative writing within the University and offer students a vibrant, interdisciplinary experience that explores contemporary creative writing practice and theory,” according to Dr. Susan Walsh, SOU’s provost and vice president of academic and student affairs. “We feel strongly that this program will contribute to our region’s identity as an arts-based, culturally inclusive location.”
Based on recent polling and expressed interest by students, program faculty and administration are confident that more than 40 students will enter the program this fall. “Through an increased presence and active outreach and promotion, we anticipate that the program will attract a great deal of increased interest over the next few years,” Dr. Walsh said. “We expect the enrollment numbers to continue to increase over the next five years by 10-15 students per year.”
The creative writing minor and concentration will remain available to students who wish to pursue their interest in creative writing while majoring in another field of study.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.