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Creative Writing (MFA)

Purpose

The MFA in Creative Writing is a 42-hour program of advanced study and practice of literary craft. This studio/research program provides aspiring writers with the ongoing support and challenge of a workshop environment, along with individualized guidance by faculty members who are published authors themselves. The objective of this degree program is to prepare students for careers as writers, teachers at the college or university level, editors, literary translators, and other related professional careers. The program provides further training in the art of contemporary literary writing and publishing, the artistic inspiration of other writers as peers and mentors, and a deepened understanding and appreciation of literary traditions, including those of the Rio Grande Valley and elsewhere. The program's small workshop sizes concentrate student energies, promote success, and encourage a sense of community.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in creative writing, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. Three  letters  of  recommendation  from  professional  or  academic sources.
  4. Personal  statement  detailing  professional  goals  and  reasons  for pursuing the graduate degree.
  5. Submission of a portfolio of creative work

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

The choice of courses to satisfy the requirements will be determined in consultation between the student and a designated advisor in the genre concentration chosen by the student (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction screenwriting, play writing, or literary translation).

Each student must complete a creative thesis consisting of a significant body of creative work in addition to a critical introduction which places that work in the context of a literary tradition. The thesis will be formally defended before the student’s thesis committee.

Required Courses (3 Credits)

Chosen from the following:

CourseCourse Name
ENGL 6334Introduction to the Profession of Creative Writing
ENGL 6351Teaching Creative Writing
ENGL 6325Studies in Composition Techniques

Workshop Courses (12 Credits)

Chosen from the following:

CourseCourse Name
ENGL 6343Literary Translation Workshop
ENGL 6344Special Topics in Writing Literary Genres
ENGL 6345Fiction Workshop
ENGL 6346Creative Nonfiction Workshop
ENGL 6347Poetry Workshop
ENGL 6348Playwriting Workshop
ENGL 6349Screenwriting Workshop
ENGL 6350Graphic Literature Workshop
ENGL 6352Special Topics Workshop in Creative Writing

Or

Up to 6 hours chosen from the following:

CourseCourse Name
SPAN 6330Spanish Creative Writing: Short Story
SPAN 6331Spanish Creative Writing: Poetry
SPAN 6332Spanish Creative Writing: Playwriting
SPAN 6333Special Studies in Creative Writing
 
TRSP 6343/SPAN 6343Translation Workshop - English to Spanish
Or
SPAN 6343/TRSP 6343Translation Workshop - English to Spanish
 
TRSP 6347/SPAN 6347Translation Technologies
Or
SPAN 6347/TRSP 6347Translation Technologies

Form and Theory Seminars (6 Credits)

Chosen from the following:

CourseCourse Name
ENGL 6335Special Topics in Form and Theory of Creative Writing
ENGL 6336Form and Theory ? Short Fiction
ENGL 6337Form and Theory ? Non Fiction
ENGL 6338Form and Theory ? Poetry
ENGL 6339Form and Theory ? The Novel
ENGL 6340Form and Theory - Playwriting
ENGL 6341Form and Theory - Screenwriting
ENGL 6342Form and Theory - Graphic Literature

Literature Seminars (9 Credits)

Required:

CourseCourse Name
ENGL 6353Diversity Writing and Reading

Choose 6 hours from the following:

CourseCourse Name
ENGL 6301Studies in Literary Theory
ENGL 6303Studies in Genre
ENGL 6304Studies in British Literature
ENGL 6305Studies in American Literature
ENGL 6308Studies in Mexican American Literature
ENGL 6310Studies in Ethnic Literature
ENGL 6311Studies in Gender and Literature
ENGL 6316Special Topics in Literature

Or

Up to 6 hours chosen from the following:

CourseCourse Name
SPAN 6320Latin American Prose
SPAN 6321Latin American Poetry and Drama
SPAN 6323Spanish Peninsular Poetry and Drama
SPAN 6326Transatlantic Literatures
SPAN 6327Special Studies in Latin American Literature
SPAN 6328Special Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature
SPAN 6352AP Latin American Prose
SPAN 6353AP Latin American Poetry and Drama

Free Electives (6 Credits)

Chosen in conjunction with an advisor

Capstone Requirement

Thesis (6 Credits)

CourseCourse Name
ENGL 7310Thesis I
ENGL 7311Thesis II

Total Credit Hours: 42