Aspiring writers may major in creative writing as undergraduates or pursue an MFA in Writing in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry at the School of the Arts. The study of English and Comparative Literature flourishes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Teachers College features a specialization in English education. The Institute for Comparative Literature and Society promotes a global perspective in the study of literature, culture, and their social context at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In addition, literary events on campus are accessible to all. The Creative Writing Lecture Series at the School of the Arts brings a diverse and brilliant roster of writers to Columbia for original talks on literary craft. Nonfiction Dialogues is a student-initiated series featuring interviews with distinguished nonfiction writers about their work and careers.