Creative Writing (MFA)
Overview
The MFA in Creative Writing is a 48-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:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- 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 Advisment
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 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.
Program Requirements
Creative Writing Studio Workshop Courses - 15 Hours
Choose five from the following:
All ENGL Creative Writing Studio Workshop courses can be taken up to four times. Most students will enroll in 2-4 workshops of the same genre during the course of their MFA program.
Readings Seminars - 9 Hours
Choose three from the following:
| ENGL 6335 | Special Topics in Form and Theory of Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 6336 | Form and Theory of Short Fiction | 3 |
| ENGL 6337 | Form and Theory of Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENGL 6338 | Form and Theory of Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 6339 | Form and Theory of The Novel | 3 |
| ENGL 6341 | Form and Theory - Screenwriting | 3 |
| ENGL 6342 | Form and Theory - Graphic Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 6344 | Special Topics in Writing Literary Genres | 3 |
ENGL Readings Seminars can be taken up to 3 times.
Professional Development - 3 Hours
Choose one from the following:
| ENGL 6334 | Introduction to the Profession of Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 6351 | Teaching Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 6325 | Studies in Composition Techniques | 3 |
Literature Seminars - 9 Hours
Required:
| ENGL 6353 | Critical Engagement Readings for Writers | 3 |
Choose two from the following:
A student who has already satisfied the Readings Seminars requirement may use any additional Readings seminars courses to satisfy Literature requirements: any of ENGL 6335, ENGL 6336, ENGL 6337, ENGL 6338, ENGL 6339, ENGL 6341, ENGL 6342, and ENGL 6344 are applicable.
Free Electives - 6 Hours
Choose any two master level course at UTRGV.
It is recommended to discuss elective choices with the advisor to select courses that will promote the success of the student’s thesis project.
Thesis - 6 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 48