Creative Writing, MFA - Course Requirements

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The Core Curriculum

The low-residency MFA is based on one-on-one mentoring relationships between students and faculty. The program requires limited time on campus (two residency periods each year in January and in June). This allows students to complete their degree from anywhere in the world. This accessibility provides a unique learning environment. However, academic rigor, a focus on an individual’s growth as a writer, as well as an emphasis on completing publishable works remain central to the focus of the program.

Core Curriculum (48 Credits)

  • Craft 1 3
    • Interdisciplinary Practice 1 3
    • Writing Mentorship 1 3
    • Residency 1 3
  • Craft 2 3
    • Interdisciplinary Practice 2 3
    • Writing Mentorship 2 3
    • Residency 2 3
  • Craft 3 3
    • Interdisciplinary Practice 3 3
    • Writing Mentorship 3 3
    • Residency 3 3
    • Writing Mentorship 4 3
    • Creative Thesis 3
    • Residency 4 3
    • Capstone Prep/Presentation 3
  • Total credits: 48
     

*Candidates have five calendar years from the time of enrollment to complete the MFA degree.

ENGL 501 Craft 1 (3 credits)

Genre specific investigation of craft with an emphasis on literary analysis and criticism. The course may also be interdisciplinary.

ENGL 502 Craft 2 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 501

Genre specific investigation of craft with an emphasis on literary analysis and criticism. The course may also be interdisciplinary.

ENGL 503 Craft 3 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 501, 502

Genre specific investigation of craft with an emphasis on literary analysis and criticism. The course may also be interdisciplinary.

ENGL 505 Interdisciplinary Practice 1 (3 credits)

Genre specific and individualized course of interdisciplinary study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work while providing opportunities for community engagement and professionalization.

ENGL 506 Interdisciplinary Practice 2 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 505

Genre specific and individualized course of interdisciplinary study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work while providing opportunities for community engagement and professionalization.

‌ENGL 507 Interdisciplinary Practice 3 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 506

Genre specific and individualized course of interdisciplinary study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work while providing opportunities for community engagement and professionalization.

ENGL 510 Residency 1 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 501, 505, 511

Residency experiences may include workshops, seminars, lectures, panel discussions, individual meetings with mentors, public readings, or other applicable content.

ENGL 511 Writing Mentorship 1 (3 credits)

Genre specific and individualized course of study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work.

ENGL 520 Residency 2 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 502, 506, 521

Residency experiences may include workshops, seminars, lectures, panel discussions, individual meetings with mentors, public readings, or other applicable content.

ENGL 521 Writing Mentorship 2 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 511

Genre specific and individualized course of study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work.

ENGL 530 Residency 3 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 503, 507, 531

Residency experiences may include workshops, seminars, lectures, panel discussions, individual meetings with mentors, public readings, or other applicable content.

ENGL 531 Writing Mentorship 3 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 511, 521

Genre specific and individualized course of study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work.

ENGL 540 Residency 4 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 541

Residency experiences may include workshops, seminars, lectures, panel discussions, individual meetings with mentors, public readings, or other applicable content.

ENGL 541 Writing Mentorship 4 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 511, 521, 531

Genre specific and individualized course of study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting creative work.

ENGL 550 Creative Thesis (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 501, 502 503, 505, 506, 507, 510, 511, 520, 521, 530, 531

Genre specific and individualized course of study that will improve creativity, critical thinking, originality, and skill for crafting a "book-length" work.

ENGL 560 Capstone Prep/ Presentations (3 credits)

Prerequisites: ENGL 501, 502 503, 505, 506, 507, 510, 511, 520, 521, 530, 531

Genre specific and individualized course of study that will result in the composition of an academic, publishable craft essay.