Program Overview

Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing (M.F.A.)

Program Overview

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a graduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the craft of writing. The program is tailored to help students develop their skills in creative writing, critical thinking, and literary analysis.

M.F.A. Degree Requirements

• The program requires 44 semester hours to complete.
• The degree requirements include:
  • M.F.A. Summer Residency: an intensive ten-day residency where students attend workshops, lectures, and mini-courses in writing and design an independent course of study with a mentor.
  • M.F.A. Writing Mentorship: one-on-one correspondence with a professional mentor in a genre or genres of choice, where students spend approximately 15 hours per week on creative and critical writing.
  • Field Experience: an outside experience that introduces students to varied aspects of the writing life, including community service and professional development.
  • Graduation Residency: a special pre-graduation session leading to the awarding of the degree.

Graduate Courses

• ENGL 504: Summer Residency I
• ENGL 505: Summer Residency II
• ENGL 506: Summer Residency III
• ENGL 507: Summer Residency IV
• ENGL 511: Writing Mentorship I
• ENGL 512: Writing Mentorship II
• ENGL 513: Writing Mentorship III
• ENGL 591: Independent Study
• ENGL 595: Internship
• ENGL 598: Non-thesis Research Project
• ENGL 599: Thesis

Program Structure

The program is designed to be completed in three years, with students participating in summer residencies, writing mentorships, and field experiences. The program culminates in a graduation residency, where students publicly present their creative thesis.

Thesis Requirements

• The thesis is a book-length manuscript that demonstrates the student's mastery of the craft of writing.
• Students work one-on-one with a professional mentor to develop and revise their thesis.
• The thesis is presented publicly during the graduation residency.