Creative Writing MFA - Fairleigh Dicki

Tuition Fee

Start Date

Medium of studying

Duration

Program Facts

Program Details

Degree

Masters

Major

Creative Writing

Area of study

Arts

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

The low-residency MFA in Creative Writing offers flexible, personalized instruction in five disciplines: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Writing for Children and Young Adults, and Literary Translation. Students work closely with published authors as mentors and complete a thesis project in their chosen genre. The program prepares graduates for careers in writing, teaching, editing, publishing, and literary translation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a low-residency program in which students work closely with published authors who serve as their mentors and teachers. The degree is offered in five disciplines: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Writing for Children and Young Adults, and Literary Translation. Students are accepted into the discipline in which they expect to study and graduate. The program offers both a 60-credit single concentration MFA degree and an 88-credit dual concentration MFA degree. Alumni may return for a certificate in a secondary genre.

Objectives:

To provide students with the opportunity to develop their creative writing skills in a supportive and challenging environment
To help students develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to analyze and discuss literature
To prepare students for a career in writing or teaching

Outline:

Program Structure:

The program is arranged into modules (remote classes) and residencies (in-person classes).
Students take two 8-week modules every fall and spring semester.
New students must begin the program with a residency and take two modules in their first semester.
After that, the program is highly flexible.

Course Modules:

In both the single-genre and dual-genre degrees, students must complete six course modules in their primary genre (including the Thesis module), one module in Craft as the fifth in their program, and one module in an elective in which students work in a genre other than their main concentration.
Students taking a dual genre go on to take 4 more modules in their secondary genre, along with one additional residency.

Module Descriptions:

Fiction:

The Fiction Writing modules focus on the development of students' writing skills in the genre of fiction.
Students will read and analyze fiction, write original fiction, and participate in workshops.
The final module in Fiction Writing is the Thesis Module, which emphasizes compiling and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of stories, a novella, or part of a novel.

Poetry:

The Poetry Writing modules focus on the development of students' writing skills in the genre of poetry.
Students will read and analyze poetry, write original poetry, and participate in workshops.
The final module in Poetry Writing is the Thesis Module, which emphasizes compiling and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of poems.

Creative Nonfiction:

The Creative Nonfiction Writing modules focus on the development of students' writing skills in the genre of creative nonfiction.
Students will read and analyze creative nonfiction, write original creative nonfiction, and participate in workshops.
The final module in Creative Nonfiction Writing is the Thesis Module, which emphasizes compiling and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of essays or part of a full-length memoir.

Writing for Young Adults:

The Writing for Young Adults modules focus on the development of students' writing skills in the genre of writing for young adults.
Students will read and analyze writing for young adults, write original writing for young adults, and participate in workshops.
The final module in Writing for Young Adults is the Thesis Module, which emphasizes compiling and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of stories or part of a full-length novella or novel.

Literary Translation:

The Literary Translation modules focus on the development of students' writing skills in the genre of literary translation.
Students will read and analyze literary translations, write original literary translations, and participate in workshops.
The final module in Literary Translation is the Thesis Module, which emphasizes compiling and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of translations (stories or poems or essays), or part of a full-length translation (a novella, novel, or memoir).

Craft Module:

The Craft module is designed to help students develop their understanding of the craft of writing.
Students will read and analyze texts, write essays on craft, and participate in workshops.

Elective Module:

Students must complete one elective module in a genre other than their main genre.
Students can choose the genre for their elective module.

Thesis Module:

The Thesis Module is the culminating project for the MFA program.
Students will work with their mentor to develop and complete a thesis project in their chosen genre.
The thesis project may be a collection of poems, stories, essays, a novella, or part of a novel or memoir.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a faculty of published authors and experienced teachers.
Students will have the opportunity to work closely with their mentors and to participate in workshops with other students.
The program offers a variety of unique approaches to teaching writing, including:
One-on-one mentoring
Online workshops
Residencies
Guest lectures

Careers:

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including:
Writing
Teaching
Editing
Publishing
Literary translation