Creative Writing

You must complete at least 36 hours, including nine hours of writing workshops. Near the end of the degree program, you will write and orally defend a book-length creative thesis. There is no prescribed path through the MFA program and no courses that are considered prerequisite.  You are encouraged to work with the MFA Program Director to plan a path that works for you and is consistent with course availability.

NOTE: Fifty percent of your Program of Study must be courses at the 6000-level.

1. Required Creative Writing Workshops — 9 Semester Hours
   The Creative Writing Workshop is the backbone experience of the MFA in Creative Writing Program.  In workshops, you will read and critique the works of your peers and engage in in-depth discussion about the art, craft, and conventions of contemporary literary arts.
   • CRW 5020 Graduate Writing Workshop (3 hours) May be repeated for credit.
   • CRW 6025 Advanced Graduate Writing Workshop (3 hours) May be repeated for credit.

   NOTE:  Students who wish to take a graduate workshop (CRW 5020 or CRW 6025) in a genre other than the one they applied in must have the permission of the instructor. In some cases, the instructor may require that you take an advanced undergraduate workshop prior to a graduate workshop in that genre.

2. Restricted Creative Writing Electives — 6 Semester Hours
   Your Restricted Creative Writing Electives give you the opportunity to explore other aspects of "The Writing Life" including Service Learning, Editorial Internships, and Teaching Creative Writing.  You can also choose to take additional workshops or courses in Form and Theory.
   • CRW 5020 Graduate Writing Workshop (3 hours) May be repeated for credit
   • CRW 5130 Form and Theory of Creative Writing (3 hours) – alternating genres
   • CRW 6XXX Teaching Creative Writing (3 hours)
   • CRW 5937 Special Topics Seminar
   • CRW XXXX Service Learning
   • CRW 6025 Advanced Graduate Writing Workshop (3 hours) May be repeated for credit
   • Graduate Internships with Florida Review.  May be repeated for credit
3. Literature Courses — 6 Semester Hours
   A professional writer should also be a skillful, discerning reader. These courses, typically taught by members of the MFA faculty, are studies in the form, function, design and shape of the literary genres.
   • LIT 6XXX Studies in Contemporary Poetry (3 hours)
   • LIT 6XXX Studies in Contemporary Fiction (3 hours)
   • LIT 6XXX Studies in Contemporary Nonfiction (3 hours)
4. Literature Electives - 6 Semester Hours
   A writer understands his/her place in a larger historical context. The following literature courses, typically taught by Literature Faculty, focus on literary criticism and theory.
   • LIT 6009 Literary Genres (3 hours) – alternating genres
   • LIT 6105 World Literature (3 hours)
   • LIT 6246 Major Authors (3 hours)
   • LIT 6365 Movements in Literature (3 hours)
5. Electives — 3 Semester Hours
6. Thesis — 6 Semester Hours
• CRW 6971 Thesis (6 hours)
You may not register for thesis hours until you have completed 18 credit hours in your program of study. See the MFA Program Director for exceptions.
The candidate will complete a book-length manuscript (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or full-length screenplay) of publishable quality, written and revised in CRW 6971 Thesis.  The thesis manuscript will meet both departmental and university requirements.
There is no non-thesis option in the MFA in Creative Writing Program.
7. Other Requirements
   If your undergraduate degree is in an area of study other than English, or if you lack one year of undergraduate study in a foreign language, the MFA Program Director may require you to take additional courses that will not be part of your program of study, including graduate surveys in American and British Literature (or equivalent) and/or one year of foreign language study (or equivalent). One of the survey courses, however, can fulfill your elective requirement. See the MFA Manual for more information.

NOTE: If you are interested in teaching ENC 1101 and ENC 1102, you must take ENC 5705 Theory and Practice in Composition. This course is most often offered in the spring term and it is recommended you take this course in your first 18 hours of study.

For current program requirements please see the Graduate Catalog