The MFA degree requires 42 units (the equivalent of 14 three-unit classes), at least four semesters in residence, and the completion of an acceptable thesis project.
Course/Thesis Requirements
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Four Creative Writing workshops in Fiction (604), Poetry (609), or Creative Nonfiction (501). At least three must be in your genre; one out-of-genre workshop may also be counted toward this requirement.*
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Four Creative Writing Craft Seminars (596H), including at least one outside your genre. We offer 596H seminars in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Topics vary every semester.*
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At least three Electives: Electives may include coursework in the English Department or in other departments, additional workshops outside primary genre, additional ENGL 596H seminars, the CW Pedagogy Preceptorship (required for all students teaching CW workshops for the first time), internships (up to 6 units), and Writing Program preceptorship credits (up to 4 units for Writing Program GTAs). Courses outside English require CW Program Director approval.
- MFA Colloquium, required for all MFA students every semester, is a one-credit, pass/fail course that meets on select Fridays during the semester. This course houses MFA orientation and logistical discussions, conversations with visiting writers and editors, and discussions around professional development.
Thesis Requirement:
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One Thesis Manuscript Independent Study (ENGL 909) taken during the student’s final semester (3 credits).
*Because of changes to the size of our cohort and of our faculty, we will make exceptions to these requirements (especially in regard to the number of workshops in your genre). Please see the Program Director if you have questions.
The Grad College requires that at least half of the credits needed to complete the degree must be fulfilled by classes for which the student receives a letter grade, instead of classes (such as independent studies, internships, studio) that are Pass/Fail. Please be mindful of these classes