Graduate Program
MASTER OF ARTS
Concentration in Creative Writing
The M.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing
allows the graduate student to focus on the writing of fiction,
poetry and/or creative non-fiction and to prepare a creative
thesis, in addition to receiving graduate-level training in literature
and literary criticism. Graduate creative writing courses combine
workshop situations with one-on-one instruction and enable students
to work closely with practicing professionals.
The creative writing faculty consists of poets Constance Hunting
(The Myth of Horizon: The Shape of Memory) and Jennifer Moxley
(Imagination Verses; The Sense Record), and fiction writers Welch
D. Everman (Orion; The Harry and Sylvia Stories) and Elaine Ford
(Ivory Bright; Monkey Bay; Life Designs). Literature faculty
who are also published creative writers include Tony Brinkley,
Benjamin Friedlander, Burton Hatlen and Kenneth Norris.
Along with their course work, students have the opportunity
to give public readings on campus and to contribute editorial
assistance to a number of campus publications, including Stolen
Island Review and the publications of the National
Poetry Foundation.
Concentration Requirements
- Normally 30 credit hours of graduate courses (up to 39 in
some cases)
- Teaching Assistants must take ENG 693 Teaching College
Composition
- Six credit hours of creative writing (normally ENG 505 Creative
Writing Workshop)
- Six
credit hours of ENG 699 Thesis
- Five or six (15-18 credit hours) other
graduate courses in literature
- May
take up to six credit hours at the undergraduate 400 level, if pre-approved
by advisory committee in program of study
Admission Requirements
Applicants normally are expected to have at least a 3.0 grade-point
average in English from an accredited institution and a verbal
score of 600 or more on the Graduate Record Examination. The
GRE Subject Test in Literature in English is recommended but
not required. Candidates who did not major in English as undergraduates
are considered for admission, but may be required to complete
up to 39 hours for the degree, depending on the level of the
preparation or GRE Subject Test score. Applicants should submit
a 10-20 page writing sample of literary analysis. those wishing
to be considered for Teaching Assistantships should also include
a statement about their philosophy of teaching and their teaching
experience, if any. Intermediate proficiency in a second language
is a requirement for admission that may, at the discretion of
the admissions committee, be completed within the first year
of study.
Degree Requirements
The M.A. in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing
is a 30-hour degree. Students take 12-15 hours in creative writing
courses and 15-18 hours in other courses. All students write
a thesis, consisting of a novel or collection of short stories
or poems together with a critical introduction. Graduate Teaching
Assistants in the department are also required to take ENG 693:
Teaching College Composition during their first semester of teaching.
A six-hour comprehensive written examination, graded "Pass" or "Fail," is
required of all M.A. candidates. Based on the department's M.A.
Reading List, the written examination is offered twice each year,
in spring and fall. All candidates do a one-hour defense of their
thesis.
For financial aid information, please click here.
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