Creative Writing

The Creative Writing Program at Binghamton University is designed to foster in its students a powerful, disciplined and skilled creativity cultivated in a supportive environment. Through its dedicated faculty, students are introduced to all facets of their art — its traditions and masters, its pleasures and responsibilities, its materials and practices.

Students in the creative writing program at Binghamton University learn critical thinking and reading in a creative context. For students who are strong writers and interested in writing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, the chance to be part of a community of writers while working with our internationally recognized faculty is not just an opportunity to prepare for a career in a wide array of artistic and professional fields, it also develops an understanding of one's own voice and its place within the vital continuum of literature. Faculty currently teaching in the Creative Writing Program include: Tina Chang, Jaimee Wriston Colbert, Thomas Glave, Leslie Heywood, Liz Rosenberg, Joe Weil, and Alexi Zentner.

At the undergraduate level, our program offers a BA in English with a specialization in creative writing. The areas of study include poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoir and children's literature. The program relies on writing workshops and the study of literature to encourage the development of the students as writers.

At the graduate level, our program offers both an MA and PhD in English with a specialization in creative writing. MA students take courses in literature and writing and produce a creative thesis. PhD students take courses in literature and writing, complete the same field exams as literature students and produce creative work for their dissertations.

The Binghamton Center for Writers

The Binghamton Center for Writers is a State University of New York Organized Research Center associated with our Creative Writing Program. While academic courses are handled through the English Department, the Center for Writers cultivates an active community of writers through extracurricular offerings such as the Distinguished Writers series, Binghamton Poetry Project, Harpur Palate, Common Ground student reading series, Creative Writing Mentorship Program, Social Networks, faculty and alumni readings, student awards for creative writers, and other opportunities.

Contact and Location

CW program inquiries can be directed to Suzanne Richardson, Assistant to the Director of Creative Writing: sricha18@binghamton.edu

Undergraduate CW registration inquiries can be directed to Donna Berg, Undergraduate Administrative Assistant: dmberg@binghamton.edu

Graduate CW registration inquiries can be directed to Toni Roberts, Graduate Administrative Assistant: troberts@binghamton.edu

Love creative writing? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

* indicates required