Creative Writing, MFA Course of Study

Writing Workshop

The core of the Program is the writing workshop, which provides an opportunity for student writers to work with established writers to develop their own voice, material, and style. Workshop leaders—permanent faculty alternating with Visiting Writers —are dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism. First- and second-year students work together in the workshop so that over two years students develop a close community and also encounter a variety of worldviews and literary aesthetics. Each workshop is paired with a writing tutorial, during which the students meet one-on-one with workshop facilitators to discuss works in progress and receive individually-tailored craft lessons and reading assignments. 

Craft Seminars

Each student is required to take two craft seminars in their chosen genre. Taught by the MFA in Creative Writing faculty, the craft seminars cover a range of aesthetic and thematic issues that inform contemporary work in the genre.

Contemporary Literature Courses

These graduate-level courses in the contemporary literature of each genre allow students to gain further knowledge of the form in which they work as well as familiarity with current artists in the field. MFA students are expected to demonstrate the ability to use library resources, information technology, and research strategies. To this end, all Contemporary Literature courses will have a research component designed to build student's deep reading and critical thinking skills. 

Writer in the World

Over the course of the year, students will attend a year-long series of readings, craft talks and master classes led by writers, editors and agents. In addition to sharing their own work and scholarship, the speakers will address topics relevant to the three genres of the MFA Program, as well as discuss what it means to be a “writer in the world”—one who balances a creative writing life with the demands of the profession. Sample topics include applying to residencies, publishing, book proposals, poetry publishing, publicity, community, professional options after the MFA, and other topics determined in collaboration with the students.

MFA Degree Requirements

The Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program requires 44 units to graduate, but students may take up to 48 units during their two years in the Program.

Required Courses

• 2 Writer in the World (Fall of Year 1 and Year 2)
• 4 Writing Workshops 
• 4 Workshop Tutorials
• Contemporary Nonfiction/ or Fiction/ or Poetry*
• 2 Craft Seminars in Creative Nonfiction/ or Fiction/ or Poetry
• 1 Electives
• 2 Thesis (Fall and Spring of Year 2)