Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Creative Writing M.F.A.English Language & Literature
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of English, 111 Pillsbury Hall,310 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-6366; fax: 612-624-8228)
Email:
creawrit@umn.edu
Website: http://cla.umn.edu/creative-writing
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
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.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
The program does not require a graduate degree for admission.
Special Application Requirements:
The MFA in Creative Writing does not require undergraduate work in English literature or an undergraduate degree in literature. Students come from a variety of educational backgrounds and life experiences. Applicants should be aware, however, that graduate coursework in literature and/or language is required once admitted to the program.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
42
major credits and
3
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: The capstone project is a publishable thesis manuscript of poetry, fiction, or literary nonfiction. The final exam is an oral defense of the thesis manuscript and literary essay.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 2 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Literature/Language Electives (10 credits)
Select coursework from the following in consultation with the advisor. At least 3 credits must be from ENGL courses. Other courses can be applied to this requirement with advisor and director of graduate studies approval.
ENGL 5020 - Studies in Narrative
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5040 - Theories of Film
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5090 - Readings in Special Subjects
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ENGL 5110 - Medieval Literatures and Cultures: Intro to Medieval Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5121 - Readings in Early Modern Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5140 - Readings in 18th Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5150 - Readings in 19th-Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5170 - Readings in 20th-Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5300 - Readings in American Minority Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5501 - Origins of Cultural Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5510 - Readings in Criticism and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5593 - The African-American Novel
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5701 - Great River Review
(4.0 cr)
ENGL 5790 - Topics in Rhetoric, Composition, and Language
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5805 - Writing for Publication
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5992 - Directed Readings, Study, or Research
(1.0-3.0 cr)
ENGL 8090 - Seminar in Special Subjects
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8110 - Seminar: Medieval Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8120 - Seminar in Early Modern Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8140 - Seminar in 18th Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8150 - Seminar in Shakespeare
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8170 - Seminar in 19th-Century British Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8180 - Seminar in 20th-Century British Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8190 - Seminar in 20th-Century Anglophone Literatures and Cultures
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8200 - Seminar in American Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8290 - Topics, Figures, and Themes in American Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8300 - Seminar in American Minority Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8600 - Seminar in Language, Rhetoric, Literacy, and Composition
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8610 - Seminar in Language and Discourse Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGW 5130 - Topics in Graduate Creative Writing
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5310 - Reading as Writers
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5701 - Great River Review
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5993 - Directed Study in Writing
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ENGW 8110 - Seminar: Writing of Fiction
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 8120 - Seminar: Writing of Poetry
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 8130 - Seminar: Writing of Literary Nonfiction
(4.0 cr)
MFA Creative Thesis (4 credits)
Take ENGW 8990 in consultation with the advisor.
ENGW 8990 - MFA Creative Thesis
(2.0-8.0 cr)
Creative Writing Electives (4 credits)
Select 4 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor:
ENGW 5102 - Graduate Fiction Writing
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5104 - Graduate Poetry Writing
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5106 - Graduate Literary Nonfiction Writing
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5130 - Topics in Graduate Creative Writing
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5310 - Reading as Writers
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5606W - Literary Aspects of Journalism
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
ENGW 5701 - Great River Review
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 5993 - Directed Study in Writing
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ENGW 8110 - Seminar: Writing of Fiction
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 8120 - Seminar: Writing of Poetry
(4.0 cr)
ENGW 8130 - Seminar: Writing of Literary Nonfiction
(4.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (3 credits)
Select at least 3 credits outside the English department in consultation with the advisor.
Genres
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3110/EngL 5110 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3300/EngL 3300H/EngL 5300 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5401/CSDS 5401/CSCL 5401/En |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3593/Afro 5593/EngL 3593/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 4701/ 5701/EngW 5701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 45.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 4701/ 5701/EngW 5701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 -8.0 [max 48.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngW 5606W/Jour 5606W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 4701/ 5701/EngW 5701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |