Courses
Our MFA students take a mix of creative-writing workshops in one (or more) of our five genres (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting), plus multi-genre graduate seminars on special topics, and coursework in creative-writing pedagogy and curriculum design.
You are required to complete six 1.5 unit classes and a nine-unit thesis. Typically, students take three courses in each of the first two terms of study and complete the thesis during the next three terms.
In the first year, you will take:
- WRIT 500: Graduate Writing Workshop in both the fall and the spring
- WRIT 501: Special Topics in Advanced Studies in Writing
- WRIT 509: Instructional Skills Preparation
- an elective course, in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and your supervisor
Potential electives include:
- WRIT 590: Directed Studies in Instructional Skills Preparation
- WRIT 591: Directed Studies in Writing
- graduate courses from other departments that support your studies (with permission)
- 300- or 400-level WRIT courses (with permission)
In the summer term between first and second year, you will take:
In the second year, you will take:
- WRIT 501 again in a different topic
- WRIT 598: Major Writing Portfolio in both the fall and spring
You may also choose to take additional elective courses to support your final creative project or your post-graduation goals.