Program Overview

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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

The Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts offers the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. This program is designed for advanced poets and fiction writers, providing three years of fully-funded support and community in Oxford, Mississippi, a city renowned for its literary heritage.

About the Program

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing accepts four poets and four fiction writers each year, boasting a 3:1 professor-student ratio. Admitted students work closely with distinguished faculty in intimate and intensive workshops, literature, form, and craft courses, and a thesis year that culminates with a finished, polished manuscript.

Program Details

• Degree: M.F.A. in Creative Writing
• Emphases: N/A
• Required Credit Hours: 42
• Program Type: Master's Program
• Program Location: Oxford
• School: College of Liberal Arts
• Duration: 3 years

Curriculum

Students in the M.F.A. in Creative Writing complete 42 credit hours, including:

• Eng 600: Intro to Graduate Study
• One of the following:
  • Eng 679: Form, Craft and Influence - Poetry
  • Eng 683: Form, Craft and Influence - Fiction
• 9 credit hours in 700-level literature courses (3 credit hours of literature before 1800 and 3 after)
• Eng electives to bring total to 36 credit hours, with at least 12 credit hours in creative writing workshops Students may take up to 6 credit hours in related disciplines and/or directed readings. Writing instructors are required to take Eng 617: Teaching College English.

Financial Support

The Department of English offers incoming students Teaching Assistantships. Students with a graduate assistantship funded by the Department of English receive:

• a scholarship that covers some or all of the tuition and non-residency fee, if applicable, for regular semesters
• subsidized health insurance Additional funding and scholarship opportunities are available.

Application Process

The application process for the MFA in Creative Writing has two stages:

• Stage One (October 1-December 15): Evaluation based solely on the merits of the writing.
• Stage Two (February 15-April 15): Official application to the UM Graduate School for selected applicants.

Thesis and Oral Defense

Students pass a written exam and create an M.F.A. thesis, which is a book-length manuscript of either poetry or prose. An oral defense before the committee is the final stage before the student is recommended for the degree.

Department of English

The Department of English is committed to providing a supportive and stimulating environment for creative writing students. The faculty includes award-winning writers and scholars who are dedicated to helping students hone their craft.

Creative Writing Student Experience

The program offers a range of opportunities for students to develop their writing skills, including workshops, literature courses, and one-on-one mentoring. Students also have the chance to engage with the vibrant literary community in Oxford, Mississippi.