UC MERCED WRITING STUDIES

Three Ways to Study Writing

Build what career-readiness standards rank most essential — imaginative and critical thinking, research fluency, and persuasive communication — for graduate school and beyond.

THE MAJOR

B.A. in Writing Studies

Research, rhetoric, and craft across academic, professional, and creative writing.

Major requirements

NEW FALL 2026

THE EMPHASIS

Creative Writing

• Workshop poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and special topics
• Connect creative work, editing, and publication
• Extend your creative work and research in a capstone

Emphasis requirements

THE MINOR

Writing Studies Minor

Make Your Mark

Open to any major — real-world writing skills without the full course load.

Just 5 courses total.

Minor requirements