Program Overview

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Introduction to the Creative Writing MFA Program

The University of WisconsinMadison offers a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing, with concentrations in fiction and poetry. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the craft of creative writing, as well as the opportunity to develop their skills as writers and teachers.

Admissions

The MFA program in Creative Writing has an "alternating genre" admissions policy, where fiction writers are admitted in even-numbered years and poets in odd-numbered years. This allows for a 2-to-1 student/teacher ratio and enables instructors to focus on one group of students for the two-year instructional period.

• Fall Deadline: December 15
• Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's Minimum Requirements for Admission policy.
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Admission Process

Students who have earned a BA or equivalent degree may apply for admission to the MFA program in fiction or poetry. The application process involves submitting all materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, writing sample, CV, and application fee, online in PDF format by the deadline.

Funding

The Graduate School provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help students afford graduate study may include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. The Creative Writing MFA program also offers teaching opportunities and funding information on its website.

Program Requirements

The MFA program requires a minimum of 42 credits, with at least 30 credits of residence credit and 27 credits of graduate-level coursework. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and receive no grade lower than an AB in any creative writing course.

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 42 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 27 credits
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required
• Other Grade Requirements: Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and receive no grade lower than an AB in any creative writing course.
• Assessments and Examinations: MFA candidates must submit a publishable written thesis in the genre in which they were admitted (fiction or poetry).
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.

Required Courses

The program requires students to take workshops in their primary genre (fiction or poetry) in the first, second, and third semesters. Students must also complete a pedagogy course, a thesis, and electives.

• Writing Workshops: 9 credits
  • ENGL 781: Graduate Fiction Workshop (Fiction Genre)
  • ENGL 782: Graduate Poetry Workshop (Poetry Genre)
• Pedagogy: 3 credits
  • ENGL 783: Creative Writing Pedagogy Seminar (Both Fiction and Poetry Genres)
• Thesis: 15 credits
  • ENGL 785: MFA Thesis
• Electives: 15 credits

Policies

The MFA program has several policies in place, including those related to prior coursework, probation, advisor/committee, credits per term allowed, time limits, and grievances and appeals.

Prior Coursework

Students may transfer no more than 12 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions, with program approval. No credits from a UWMadison or other institution's undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer.

Probation

The MFA advisor will review student academic performance and conduct to determine if students are making satisfactory progress toward the degree. If a student's academic performance and/or conduct has not been satisfactory, the MFA advisor may place the student on probation or dismiss the student from the program.

Professional Development

The Graduate School offers professional development resources to help students build skills, thrive academically, and launch their careers. The Creative Writing MFA program also provides training in the instruction of creative writing and access to professional development resources.

Learning Outcomes

The MFA program in Creative Writing has several learning outcomes, including:

1. Develop the creative and technical skills necessary to conceive, execute, and revise original literary work in a student's chosen genre (fiction or poetry).
2. Demonstrate sensitivity to language and style on both the artistic and technical levels.
3. Develop the critical, analytical, and editing skills necessary to evaluate literary works in progress.
4. Develop the ability to read literary works not only for their social, historical, intellectual, formal, and interpretive value but for their capacity to inspire and generate new work.
5. Develop through study and practice the pedagogical skills necessary to teach creative writing courses to undergraduate students.
6. Demonstrate understanding of professional and pedagogical practices and opportunities within and related to the field of creative writing.
7. Recognize and apply principles of ethical conduct with respect to one's work.
8. Engage with local communities of creative writers.