The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is for students with advanced abilities in the writing of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and hybrid forms. This nationally-ranked program offers a balance of intimate and intensive writing workshops with courses in literature, form and technique, and related electives. Coursework culminates in a book-length collection of short stories/poems /essays or a novel or memoir, as well as a comprehensive portfolio.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  1. Develop and refine their unique writing voices, producing high quality literary work in their chosen genre.
  2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of personal aesthetics as well as the models and cultural sources on which they are based.
  3. Utilize effective approaches for creating exemplary creative works using techniques appropriate to chosen genre.
  4. Critically analyze the conventions and approaches to their chosen genre, and hybrid forms. .
  5. Appraise and locate their own work within literary and cultural contexts.
  6. Develop constructive workshop practices and demonstrate the ability to read closely and respond critically and respectfully to peer writing.
  7. Demonstrate advanced comprehension of revision strategies including the synthesis of advice and critiques from professors and peer writers.

Effective Spring 2018

Select one course from the following:3
E 513A
Form and Technique in Modern Literature: Fiction
E 513B
Form and Technique in Modern Literature: Poetry
E 513C
Form and Technique in Modern Literature: Essay
Select 12 credits (4 courses) in any one genre from the following:12
E 640A
Graduate Writing Workshop: Fiction
E 640B
Graduate Writing Workshop: Poetry
E 640C
Graduate Writing Workshop: Essay
E 699Thesis12
Additional credits in E 500- or E 600-level courses 118-20
One course outside English Department, 300-level or above 21-3
Program Total Credits:48

A minimum of 48 credits are required to complete this program.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • Students are required to submit a portfolio with writing, sample papers, and annotated bibliography at the end of their program.  

  • A minimum of 32 credits applied to an MFA degree must be earned at CSU. Of these, at least 21 must be earned after admission to the program. 

  • Graduate courses taken at CSU prior to admission to the Graduate School can be applied to an MFA degree if the grade earned is B or higher.  

  • At least 16 credits earned at CSU and applied to an MFA degree must be English courses at the 500-level or higher; of these credits, at least 12 must be in “regular” courses. English courses considered to be other than “regular” include E 607B, E 684, E 687,  E 695, E 699, and any  courses graded pass/fail.

  • Courses transferred from an MFA program must have a grade of B or higher and must have a CSU equivalent at the 500-level or higher. Credits used to fulfill requirements for previously earned degrees are not accepted.  

  • Up to three credits of coursework for an MFA degree can come from CSU programs outside the English department at the 300-level or higher. Students can take two additional courses outside the department, but these courses must be 500-level or higher. 

  • Graduate students may register for any number of internship credits, but a total of only six credits of E 607B, E 684, and E 687 (combined) will count toward graduation.  

  • A maximum of two credits of E 695 can count toward an MFA degree.   

  • With the exception of specified courses, all courses taken in the English department and applied to an MFA degree must be taken at the 500-level or above. 

1

This must include one course (3 credits) of a Pre-Twentieth-Century Literature class with approval of advisor. 

2

This requirement may be waived for students whose undergraduate degree is in another major.

For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

NOTE:  Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.

Forms are available online.

Step Due Date
1. Application for admission (online) Six months before first registration
2. Diagnostic examination when required Before first registration
3. Appointment of advisor Before first registration
4. Selection of graduate committee Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) Two terms prior to final examination
7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) Within two working days after results are known
8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) When change is made
9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee
11. Final examination Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website.
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
15. Graduation Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website