Creative Writing (MFA)

CIP Code

23.1302.00

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:

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 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:

Course	Course Name
ENGL 6343	Literary Translation Workshop
ENGL 6344	Special Topics in Writing Literary Genres
ENGL 6345	Fiction Workshop
ENGL 6346	Creative Nonfiction Workshop
ENGL 6347	Poetry Workshop
ENGL 6349	Screenwriting Workshop
ENGL 6350	Graphic Literature Workshop
SPAN 6330	Spanish Creative Writing: Short Story
SPAN 6331	Spanish Creative Writing: Poetry
SPAN 6332	Spanish Creative Writing: Playwriting
SPAN 6333	Special Studies in Creative Writing
ENGL 6352	Special Topics Workshop in Creative Writing
TRSP 6343	Translation Workshop - English to Spanish
TRSP 6347	Translation Technologies

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:

Course	Course Name
ENGL 6335	Special Topics in Form and Theory of Creative Writing
ENGL 6336	Form and Theory of Short Fiction
ENGL 6337	Form and Theory of Nonfiction
ENGL 6338	Form and Theory of Poetry
ENGL 6339	Form and Theory of The Novel
ENGL 6341	Form and Theory - Screenwriting
ENGL 6342	Form and Theory - Graphic Literature
ENGL 6344	Special Topics in Writing Literary Genres

ENGL Readings Seminars can be taken up to 3 times.

Professional Development - 3 Hours

Choose one from the following:

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

Literature Seminars - 9 Hours

Required:

Course	Course Name
ENGL 6353	Critical Engagement Readings for Writers

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.

Course	Course Name
ENGL 6300	Introduction to Literary Studies
ENGL 6301	Studies in Literary Theory
ENGL 6302	Studies in Literary History
ENGL 6303	Studies in Genre
ENGL 6304	Studies in British Literature
ENGL 6305	Studies in American Literature
ENGL 6306	Studies in Comparative Literature
ENGL 6308	Studies in Mexican American Literature
ENGL 6310	Studies in Ethnic Literature
ENGL 6311	Studies in Gender and Literature
ENGL 6312	Studies in Single Author
ENGL 6313	Studies in Post-Colonial Studies
ENGL 6315	Studies in Cultural Studies
ENGL 6316	Special Topics in Literature
ENGL 6335	Special Topics in Form and Theory of Creative Writing
ENGL 6336	Form and Theory of Short Fiction
ENGL 6337	Form and Theory of Nonfiction
ENGL 6338	Form and Theory of Poetry
ENGL 6339	Form and Theory of The Novel
ENGL 6341	Form and Theory - Screenwriting
ENGL 6342	Form and Theory - Graphic Literature
ENGL 6344	Special Topics in Writing Literary Genres
ENGL 6355	Literature for Secondary School Teachers
ENGL 6356	Children's Literature
ENGL 6357	Young Adult Literature
SPAN 6320	Latin American Prose
SPAN 6321	Latin American Poetry and Drama
SPAN 6322	Spanish Peninsular Prose
SPAN 6323	Spanish Peninsular Poetry and Drama
SPAN 6325	Women Writers in HispanicLiteratures
SPAN 6327	Special Studies in Latin American Literature
SPAN 6328	Special Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature
SPAN 6352	AP Latin American Prose
SPAN 6353	AP Latin American Poetry and Drama

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

Course	Course Name
ENGL 7310	Thesis I
ENGL 7311	Thesis II

Total Credit Hours: 48