Program Overview

Overview

The Creative Writing and Literature program at Stony Brook Southampton emphasizes creative work in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. However, the program also extends its emphasis beyond the familiar categories of creative expression to treat all forms of writing as equally relevant to understanding and mastering a world constructed out of words. Students are free to take workshops in all genres, in the belief that writing outside the lines informs their primary areas of interest.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• A portfolio of the applicant's writing, made in conjunction with a review of the candidate's entire academic career, and letters of recommendation.
• The portfolio may include works in any written form, including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, scripting, or other genres.
• Results from the Graduate Record Examination are encouraged, but not required.

Degree Requirements

• The MFA in Writing and Literature degree requires 40 credits of coursework and a six-credit thesis for a total of 46 credits.

Required Introduction to the M.F.A. Program (4 credits)

• CWL 500 - Introduction to Graduate Writing 3-4 credits

Six of the following writing workshops (24 credits)

• Students select six writing workshops from the following:
  • CWL 510 - Forms of Fiction 3-4 credits
  • CWL 520 - Forms of Poetry 3-4 credits
  • CWL 530 - Forms of Scriptwriting 3-4 credits
  • CWL 535 - Writing in Multiple Genres 3-4 credits
  • CWL 540 - Forms of Creative Nonfiction 3-4 credits
  • CWL 550 - Forms of Professional and Scientific Writing 3-4 credits
  • CWL 570 - Advanced Writing Workshop 3-4 credits
  • CWL 575 - Writers Conference 1-6 credits

Two or more of the following special topic writing and literature seminars (8 Credits)

• CWL 560 - Topics in Literature for Writers 3-4 credits
• CWL 565 - Special Topics in Writing 3-4 credits
• CWL 588 - Independent Study 1-6 credits

One or more of the following practicums (4 credits)

• CWL 580 - Practicum in Arts Administration 1-4 Credits
• CWL 581 - Practicum in Teaching Writing 1-4 credits
• CWL 582 - Practicum in Publishing and Editing 1-4 credits

MFA Thesis (6 credits)

• CWL 599 - Thesis 1-9 credits