Creative Writing M.F.A.

The creative writing program in the Department of English offers the master of fine arts (MFA) degree for students committed to pursuing the writing life. This three-year degree provides advanced, graduate-level coursework in writing, language, and literature, as well as study in a related field. The third year of the program focuses on the final development of a book-length manuscript suitable for publication. At the heart of the program are writing workshops in poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction, and courses in the "Reading as Writers" and "Topics in Advanced Writing" series, which enable writers to explore a variety of issues relating to contemporary themes in American and world literature. The program encourages experimentation across genres, fostering the discovery of new and varied forms for a developing voice. Students also have the opportunity to work editorially on "Great River Review," the graduate literary magazine.