Master of Arts in Creative Writing
Program Overview
Master of Arts in Creative Writing
The Master of Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year program with a focus on developing a writing practice as well as preparing students to teach creative writing. The program may benefit teachers who want to increase their range and earning potential with a Master's degree and/or individuals who want to teach creative writing at private schools, community venues, labs, and salons.
Overview
The M.A. degree provides students with the inspiration and guidance of a faculty of professional writers in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer. The curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Creative Writing requires a minimum of 30 units. The program includes:
- Writing Courses (3-6 units)
- Advanced Short Story Writing
- Developing the Novel
- Novel Writing
- Workshop in Creative Nonfiction
- Workshop in Poetry
- Workshop in Playwriting
- Special Topic Creative Process (3-6 units)
- Seminar in the Creative Process
- Contemporary World Poetry
- Process (3-6 units)
- The Business of Creative Writing
- Directed Writing for Graduate Students
- Writers on Writing
- Playwright's Theatre Workshop
- Fourteen Hills Literary Magazine
- Poetry Center Workshop
- Craft of Translation
- Community Projects in Literature
- Independent Study
- Guided Electives (9-12 units)
- Graduate Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing
- Practicum in Teaching
- Teaching Creative Writing
- Introduction to Composition Theory
- Pedagogical Grammar for Composition
- Seminar in Teaching Integrated Reading and Writing
- Course Design in Composition and Post-Secondary Reading
- Culminating Experience (3 units)
- Written M.A. Creative Project
Admission to the Program
Students interested in this program must submit a meaningful sample of their writing, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Applicants from graduate creative writing programs at other colleges or universities may transfer six units to the M.A. program.
Program Learning Outcomes
The program has four learning outcomes:
- Creative Work: Students will produce a publishable written creative work that demonstrates individual and universal vision and a high level of craft skills.
- Professional Preparation: Students will demonstrate professional level skills in fields related to literature and/or creative writing.
- Literature: Students will read, discuss, analyze, and learn to teach the work of a broad range of writers from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
- Craft Elements: Students will write and revise creative nonfiction, fiction, plays, and/or poetry using the elements of craft as well as analyze and discuss craft elements in their peers' creative work.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
The program has a written English proficiency requirement, which includes a statement of purpose and writing sample scored 8.0 or higher on a scale of one to ten based on fluency and precision of expression, ability to embody and illustrate ideas creatively, and appropriateness of the applicant's interests, life experiences, and goals to the program.