Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing / 2006-07 PLU Catalog

Application Deadline

Requirements

Courses

(Low-Residency)

Douglas Oakman, PhD, Dean, Division of Humanities
Stanley S. Rubin, PhD, Program Director
Judith Kitchen, MFA, Assistant Program Director

Purpose

An innovative process-oriented program in the fields of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction intended for independent adults who wish to develop and pursue careers as writers. The program offers a substantial range of on- and off-campus experiences, including the mentorship of nationally known writers and editors. The three-year course of study is collaboratively structured to fit the student's own needs and experience. It is designed to be well suited to a lifestyle of professional and/or family responsibilities. Participants will attend four intensive 10-day Summer Residencies consisting of workshops, lectures, and mini-courses and will design a personal course of study with a chosen mentor for the following academic year. The program includes three years of one-on-one work with mentors in chosen genres. The emphasis will be on the creative process in all its phases, as well as on critical understanding. By the time of graduation, students will be expected to have produced a collection of work in one or more genres of a quality worthy of publication.

Prerequisites

Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional certification. For students with backgrounds in fields other than English or writing, further study of literature may be required.

Admission

Applicants for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing will:

Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent professional certification (Students who already have an MA in writing or literature may be allowed to complete the program in two years and three residencies.)
Send a portfolio representing your best work (15 pages of poetry, 30-40 pages of prose)
Send a one-page review of a book you have recently read
Send a two-page statement of your background in writing, your reasons for wanting to enroll in the program, and what you hope to accomplish
Send two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to complete such a course of study, your ability to work independently, and/or your character and achievement
Upon acceptance, furnish a transcript of undergraduate work

Application Deadline

Program enrollment is small and selective. Prospective participants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applicants will be considered on a year-round basis, with the following cycle:

Early Admission - November 30 (Decision by January 30)
Regular Admission - February 15 (Decision by April 15)
Late Admission - There will be ongoing consideration of applicants for any remaining places. When all places have been filled, subsequent applicants will be considered for admission to the next year's class. Selected applicants may be offered admission to the earlier year residency as non-matriculated workshop participants.

Application Fee: $40.00 (nonrefundable)

Program Requirements

Successful completion of three years of creative mentorship, four summer residencies, a successful off-campus field experience, and submission of an acceptable thesis consisting of a critical paper as well as an original portfolio of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry (work may be in more than one genre). The critical paper should arise from the areas of study and will usually be completed during the third year. It should serve as the basis for a class to be taught by the graduating student during the final residency. Each thesis will be read bytwo faculty members and the director. Graduating students will also give a public reading from their work.

MFA Degree Requirements: (36 semester hours)

Course Offerings

MFA Summer Residency

An intensive ten-day residency during which students attend workshops, lectures, mini-courses in writing and design an independent course of study with a mentor for the upcoming year. Workshop - 18 hours. Topics in Genre/Craft - 20 hours. Faculty will include distinguished writers, editors and literary agents. (Three credits per residency, 12 semester hours required for graduation)

MFA Writing Mentorship

One-on-one correspondence with a professional mentor in a genre or genres of choice. Each student spends approximately 15 hours per week on creative and critical writing. At the completion of the program, the students will produce a critical paper plus a book-length thesis. First year - 8 mailings. Second year - 5 mailings plus field experience. Third year - 6 mailings, critical paper, plus thesis. (Four to eight semester hours per year, total of 24 semester hours required for graduation)

Field Experience

An outside experience to introduce students to varied aspects of the writing life, to ongoing opportunities for community service and professional development, to voices and approaches other than those of our faculty, to an independent writing life. May include residencies at arts colonies and summer workshops, study abroad, community service projects, teaching or appropriate internships. (100 hours. Required for graduation)

Graduation Residency

Special pre-graduation session leading to awarding of degree. Zero credit hours. Required.

Course Offerings - Creative Writing (ENGL)

ENGL 504: Summer Residency #1

16 hours of required workshops. 20 additional hours of lectures and mini-courses (topics in genre/topics in craft), readings. Design an independent course of study with a mentor for the upcoming year. (4)

ENGL 505: Summer Residency #2

Teaching a class based on critical paper or outside experience. Public reading from creative thesis. Participation in workshops and classes. Graduation. (0)

ENGL 511: Writing Mentorship I

One-on-one correspondence with a professional mentor in a genre or genres of choice. Approximately 15 hours of work per week on creative and critical writing. 8 mailings. Emphasis on original work. 24 required texts with approximately 40 pages of critical writing. (4 credits fall, 4 credits spring)

ENGL 512: Writing Mentorship II

One-on-one correspondence with a professional mentor in a genre or genres of choice. Approximately 15 hours of work per week on creative and critical writing. 5 mailings. Continued emphasis on original work. 15 required texts with approximately 25 pages of critical writing. Implementation of a field experience (approximately 100 hours) to be set up in collaboration with the Director of the program, who will act as advisor on the project. (4 credits fall, 4 credits spring)

ENGL 513: Writing Mentorship III

One-on-one correspondence with a professional mentor in a genre or genres of choice. Approximately 15 hours of work per week on creative and critical writing. 3 mailings. Emphasis on critical paper (20-40 pages). (4)

ENGL 599: Thesis

One-on-one correspondence with a professional mentor in a genre of genres of choice. 3 mailings. Emphasis on organization of creative thesis (book-length manuscript), final revision, planning for public presentation (class or lecture). (4)

2006-07 PLU Catalog