Douglas Said:

What should I do in college to become a creative writing teacher?

We Answered:

Well, it depends at what level you want to teach. If you want to teach high school (I live in Virginia) you need at least a masters in English a B.A. in education.

If you want to teach College at an undergraduate level, you would need at least an MFA. But so many graduatess from MFA program look to teach that usually you need an edge if you want a permanent position (not an adjunct position). It'd be best to have a B.A. In Education or English, an M.A. In an English field, and a MFA in creative writing. Usually what happens is that while you're an MFA candidate, the college offers a few of them a Teaching Assistant Position (sometimes just a tutoring position). This means you get to teach one or two "intro level" classes while you take classes to get your MFA. Usually strong candidates get those positions. If you are lucky, when you finish your MFA the university has a open position, you can apply for it. The reason you need more than just creative writing for this, is that undergrads take creative writing as an elective, or at most a concentration, Associate professors are expected to also teach, composition, literature, and synthesis classes, along with maybe one or two creative writing classes. The bulk of the work is teaching composition.

If you want to teach at a MFA Program (graduate level) degrees won't help you as much as publication. Here most of your teaching load will be leading workshops, sduying scene construction, and mostly creative writing topics. The thing is that most universities employ writers in residence to teach these classes. These are writers, like TC Boyle, Richard Bausch, Junot Diaz, etc. They attract students mostly because of their body of published work. You'll need to have published at least a few books to teach at this level. Education is not as important as publication record, but you'd be expected to have both. I've seen times where a professor has not published much and teaches at a graduate level, but usually this is because they helped start the program and they have been with the college or university a long time. At a graduate level most of what you teach is creative writing. Some people get a PhD in creative writing, but again, it's publication that gets you the job.

You can find information at the AWP (Association of Writing Programs)
I hope this helps.

Nicholas Said:

Help in deciding a profession when my main interests are creative writing, psychology, teaching, art and Engli?

We Answered:

It may seem more glamorous to be a Professor than a teacher at say high school, but grade level teachers have better job security. As a professor, each year your class size fluctuates, and sometimes the class sizes are entirely too small. They may attempt to garnish your wages or let you go, and you must find work on your own.

Unless you teach a core subject, it's important to be practical. In order to become a Professor you have to write papers etc, much like a master paper. Good thesis papers become harder and harder to write in many cases.

I wouldn't suggest journalism at all. If you're sensitive, I wouldn't suggest being a psychiatrist or psychologist in practice, but perhaps a research psychologist that deals with the science behind the treatment rather than the personal treatment itself.

My advice: it sounds like you want to be a teacher. Really, it isn't difficult, and you can start now! You can tutor during college and be a student teacher as you attend. They teach you everything, including the psychology behind different learning techniques and how to handle yourself and different types of teaching. You will find yourself along the way. There will always be a few bad students, won't there? But you will have support and grow as you realize what teaching is really about.

I wanted to be a teacher several years ago, and in a way, I regret that I didn't go with it. Instead I stayed with arts and I paint all day long. Art is always something you can do, and on the side. Art doesn't have to take over your life. You could be an English teacher that likes to paint. It doesn't matter, just do what you love.