| Admission | Application Deadline | Requirements | Approved Courses |
(Low-Residency)
253.535.7221
mfa@plu.edu
Douglas Oakman, PhD, Dean, Division of Humanities
Stanley S. Rubin, PhD, Program Director
Judith Kitchen, MFA, Assistant Program Director
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.
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.
Applicants for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing will:
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.
There are limitations on the numbers of students accepted into the MFA program and concentrations each year. Applicants accepted into the program are required to make a non-refundable advance tuition payment to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within two weeks of their acceptance date.
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.
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)
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 - eight mailings. Second year - five mailings plus field experience. Third year - six mailings, critical paper, plus thesis. (Four to eight semester hours per year, total of 24 semester hours required for graduation)
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)
Special pre-graduation session leading to awarding of degree. Zero credit hours. Required.
To view Creative Writing Approved Courses