Program of Study - 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:

ENGL 6334	Introduction to the Profession of Creative Writing	3
ENGL 6351	Teaching Creative Writing	3
ENGL 6325	Studies in Composition Techniques	3

Workshop Courses (12 Credits)

Chosen from the following:

ENGL 6343	Literary Translation Workshop	3
ENGL 6344	Special Topics in Writing Literary Genres	3
ENGL 6345	Fiction Workshop	3
ENGL 6346	Creative Nonfiction Workshop	3
ENGL 6347	Poetry Workshop	3
ENGL 6348	Playwriting Workshop	3
ENGL 6349	Screenwriting Workshop	3
ENGL 6350	Graphic Literature Workshop	3
ENGL 6352	Special Topics Workshop in Creative Writing	3

Or

Up to 6 hours chosen from the following:

SPAN 6330	Spanish Creative Writing: Short Story	3
SPAN 6331	Spanish Creative Writing: Poetry	3
SPAN 6332	Spanish Creative Writing: Playwriting	3
SPAN 6333	Special Studies in Creative Writing	3
TRSP 6343/SPAN 6343	Translation Workshop - English to Spanish	3
	Or
SPAN 6343/TRSP 6343	Translation Workshop - English to Spanish	3
TRSP 6347/SPAN 6347	Translation Technologies	3
	Or
SPAN 6347/TRSP 6347	Translation Technologies	3

Form and Theory Seminars (6 Credits)

Chosen from the following:

ENGL 6335	Special Topics in Form and Theory of Creative Writing	3
ENGL 6336	Form and Theory ? Short Fiction	3
ENGL 6337	Form and Theory ? Non Fiction	3
ENGL 6338	Form and Theory ? Poetry	3
ENGL 6339	Form and Theory ? The Novel	3
ENGL 6340	Form and Theory ? Playwriting	3
ENGL 6341	Form and Theory ? Screenwriting	3
ENGL 6342	Form and Theory ? Graphic Literature	3

Literature Seminars (9 Credits)

Required:

ENGL 6353

Diversity Writing and Reading

3

Choose 6 hours from the following:

ENGL 6301	Studies in Literary Theory	3
ENGL 6303	Studies in Genre	3
ENGL 6304	Studies in British Literature	3
ENGL 6305	Studies in American Literature	3
ENGL 6308	Studies in Mexican American Literature	3
ENGL 6310	Studies in Ethnic Literature	3
ENGL 6311	Studies in Gender and Literature	3
ENGL 6316	Special Topics in Literature	3

Or

Up to 6 hours chosen from the following:

SPAN 6320	Latin American Prose	3
SPAN 6321	Latin American Poetry and Drama	3
SPAN 6323	Spanish Peninsular Poetry and Drama	3
SPAN 6326	Transatlantic Literatures	3
SPAN 6327	Special Studies in Latin American Literature	3
SPAN 6328	Special Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature	3
SPAN 6352	AP Latin American Prose	3
SPAN 6353	AP Latin American Poetry and Drama	3

Free Electives (6 Credits)

Chosen in conjunction with an advisor

Capstone Requirement

Thesis (6 Credits)

ENGL 7310	Thesis I	3
ENGL 7311	Thesis II	3

Total Credit Hours: 42