Program Overview

MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING

The Arkansas Writer’s MFA Workshop is a writing-intensive studio program in Creative Writing that uniquely prepares graduates for careers in writing pedagogy and publishing.

Program Description

The program provides graduate students the opportunity to concentrate on the study, practice, and teaching of Creative Writing in a highly focused writing environment facilitated by writers for writers. At 45 hours, this program will ensure that graduates build multi-genre backgrounds in the popular discipline of Creative Writing through workshops, forms courses, topics courses, a wide variety of electives, and specialized teaching and editing practicums.

Program Structure

• The program admits 5 to 8 students annually, with a total population of under 25 students.
• Students complete a thesis project.
• Students earn practical, hands-on experience by serving on the editorial staff of the online national literary magazine.
• Students have the opportunity to pursue internships with local arts organizations and non-profits as well as with the nationally recognized literary magazine the Oxford American.
• A unique course in “The MFA Experience” helps students to maximize their time in the program as they develop as writers and artists.

Career Outcomes

Students who have graduated from the program since 2015 have published in national venues such as The Rumpus , The Butter , The Washington Post , and many others. Four have published or are publishing books of poetry. One has published a novel. They have worked as university teachers, in libraries, as editors, and in local and national advertising agencies.

Scholarships and Assistantships

• Two publishing assistantships are offered, one with the award-winning national magazine the Oxford American , and one with the online magazine.
• The Porter Fund Scholarship, a $4000 yearly scholarship, is offered to one student.
• Graduate assistantships for teaching undergraduate writing classes are available.
• Graduate assistants work in the Center for Writing & Communication, in Sponsored Programs, or the Graduate School, among others.