Creative Writing and Publishing

Overview

The CWP program helps students explore their creative passions while building in-demand content creation skills. Through hands-on learning, practical experience, and opportunities for publication, graduates leave with a professional portfolio ready to impress employers and clients. The diverse curriculum encompasses courses in various areas, including design, screenwriting, novel writing, poetry, copyediting, and multimedia storytelling, offering something for every aspiring creator.

• Uncompromisingly Christian: Complete 20+ Bible units or pursue a Bible minor to integrate faith into your studies.
• Prime Location: Situated just 30 miles from most major Los Angeles studios, offering unparalleled access to top internships and career opportunities.
• Student-Driven Platforms: Contribute to our student-curated newspaper, The Mane, and gain hands-on experience in journalism and publishing.
• Creative Projects: Develop diverse works such as graphic novels, short films, and feature-length productions, all of which can be showcased in your professional portfolio.
• Global Opportunities: Broaden your horizons with study-abroad programs in Israel, Italy, and over 10 GO! locations worldwide.
• Financial Support: Eligible for all undergraduate scholarships and financial aid.

Through this program, students gain the skills, experience, and confidence to turn your creative vision into a meaningful career.

Communication Core Courses

Total Units Required: 15

• C472 Rhetorical Criticism
• C220 News Media Literacy
• Choose one of the following:
  • C371 Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
  • C391 Intercultural Communication (3 units)
• Choose one of the following:
  • C254 Journal and Autobiographical Writing (3 units)
  • C261 Introduction to Journalism (3 units)
  • C321 Screenwriting I (3 units)
  • C351 Creative Writing (3 units)
• Choose one of the following:
  • C382 Persuasion (3 units)
  • C481 Argumentation & Debate (3 units)

Creative Writing & Publishing Emphasis Courses

Total Units Required: 48

Select eleven courses from the following list:

• C121 Fundamentals of Drawing and Design (3 units)
• C122 Social Media and Communication (3 units)
• C132 Podcast Studio (3 units)
• C138 Photojournalism (3 units)
• C142 Photoshop (3 units)
• C201 Digital Photography (3 units)
• C231 Digital Video Editing I (3 units)
• C234 Travel Writing (Directed Study) (3 units)
• C254 Journal and Autobiographical Writing* (3 units)
• C261 Introduction to Journalism* (3 units)
• C304 Advanced Photography (3 units)
• C308 Entrepreneurship for Creatives (3 units)
• C320 Newspaper Workshop (3 units)
• C321 Screenwriting I* (3 units)
• C331 Freelance: Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age (3 units)
• C338 Multimedia Storytelling (3 units)
• C341 Magazine Writing (3 units)
• C351 Creative Writing* (3 units)
• C352 Editing I: Principles of Copyediting (3 units)
• C368 Fundamentals of Advertising Copywriting (3 units)
• C372 Science Fiction Writing (3 units)
• C373 Graphic Design I (3 units)
• C378 Fantasy Fiction Writing (3 units)
• C398 Content Streaming Workshop (3 units)
• C404 Graphic Design II (3 units)
• C430 Honors Internship (1-9 units)
• C432 Sports Journalism (3 units)
• C441 Poetry Writing (3 units)
• C448 Rhetoric of Fantasy Literature (3 units)
• C452 Editing II: Advanced Copyediting (3 units)
• C459 Novel Writing (Directed Study) (3 units; instructor approval required)
• C462 Creative Writing II (3 units)
• C471 Writing for Publication (3 units)
• C482 The Graphic Novel (3 units)
• C492 In-Depth Reporting (3 units)

Additional Elective Options (maximum of 3 units applicable):

• CS288W Web Design (3 units)
• E299c Studies in Anime (3 units)
• E333 Drama as Literature (3 units)
• E334 The Short Story (3 units)
• E336 Poetry and Poetics (3 units)
• E348 Genre Studies: Detective Fiction (3 units)
• E499r Gothic: The Art of Fear (3 units)
• TH201 Introduction to Acting (3 units)
• TH300 Theatre Arts (3 units)
• TH310 Theatre Production (3 units)

Capstone Requirement:

• C499 CWP Senior Capstone

*Note: Courses marked with an asterisk do not count as electives if used to fulfill core requirements.

Online Program

The B.A. in Creative Writing & Publishing is also offered in the 8-week, 100% online format.

Minor in Biblical Studies

To earn a minor in Biblical Studies, students must complete a total of 24 Bible Units. The coursework includes:

• B101, B102: Old Testament Survey I & II (6 units)
• B121: Essentials of Christian Thought (3 units)
• B201, B202: New Testament Survey I & II (6 units)
• BTH321, BTH322: Christian Theology I & II (6 units)
• Bible Elective: Choose one elective course (3 units)

This program provides a comprehensive foundation in Biblical knowledge and Christian theology.

Graduation Requirements

Please refer to the degree checklist for complete details. This example checklist is from the 2025-26 academic catalog.

SCRIPTURE SET (21 units)*

• B101,2 Old Testament Survey I, II
• B121 Essentials of Christian Thought
• B201,2 New Testament Survey I, II
• BTH321,2 Christian Theology I, II

WORLDVIEW AND SKILLS SET (40 Units)**

• C100 Spoken Communication
• E110 English Composition
• ECN200 Essentials of Economics & Society
• H211,2 Essentials of World History I, II
• H230 Essentials of U.S. History
• Literature Elective
• Literature Survey
• LS150 Essentials of Biology (or GS150 Essentials of Geology) + Lab
• MA240 Critical Thinking & Quantitative Analysis
• MU190 Essentials of Music & Art
• P311 Essentials of Philosophy
• POL220 U.S. Government

**Depending on the student’s major, specific G.E. requirements allow for substitutions. 

*Students transferring with ≥ 61 total units may need to satisfy fewer than 7 Bible G.E. courses as evaluated and confirmed by the Registrar’s Office before starting the student’s first undergraduate semester. All other students must satisfy all 7 Bible G.E.

• Complete a minimum of 121 semester units of credit.
• Complete a minimum of 40 semester units in upper division courses. Includes 300 & 400 level courses.
• Satisfy all General Education requirements.
• Complete the required curriculum for the chosen major’s field(s) of study.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 (cumulative) in all TMU Courses. Some majors have different GPA requirements.
• Complete a minimum of 32 semester units at TMU, not including Directed Studies coursework.
• A maximum of 12 units can be transferred to complete degree requirements after the last 12 units taken at TMU.

Program Learning Outcomes

This emphasis offers a course of study for students interested in the various aspects of print and electronic publication content creation, including writing, publishing, editing, photography, and graphic design.

1. Effectively incorporate a biblical worldview in writing as appropriate for the situation.
2. Write effectively in several forms and genres, including short stories, essays, memoirs, and features.
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of photography (portrait and journalistic), and photo editing for the purpose of producing print and digital documents.
4. Demonstrate basic proficiency in textual editing for elements of story, style, grammar, tone, and institutional appropriateness.