Requirements
The MFA in Creative Writing and Literary Translation is a 36 credit hour program. It emphasizes literary craft and the integration of creative writing with literary studies. Course requirements include a class in literary theory and criticism, two craft/form classes, three literature electives and four writing workshops. Everyone must take one of the four workshops outside of their genre of focus.
Under the guidance of a faculty adviser, each student develops a thesis in the program's final year: a collection of poetry or fiction, a novel, or a translation of a text.
In addition, everyone will take an MFA exam in their final semester, based on an extensive reading list. We believe that the study of literature enriches and invigorates your own writing.
The chart below explains the basic requirements for each track:
| Creative Writing Track |
Translation Track |
|
| 4 Creative Writing Workshops: English 751, 753, 755, or 757 — i.e., three in your genre of focus, one in another genre. |
4 Creative Writing Workshops:
- 2 Translation Workshops, English 757; and
- 2 CW Workshops: English 751, 753 or 755. |
|
| 1 Literary Theory class: English 636. |
1 Literary Theory class: English 636.
|
|
2 Craft/Form Classes: English 760, 761, 762 and 781 (when it is offered as Theory of Translation). NOTE: both craft classes can be in your genre or one in your genre and one in another genre.
|
2 Craft/Form Classes: English 760, 761, 762 and 781 (when it is offered as Theory of Translation). NOTE: both craft classes can be in your genre or one in your genre and one in another genre.
|
|
Thesis Sequence: English 795 - Thesis Workshop, and English 759 - Advanced Writing Project.
|
Thesis Sequence: English 795 - Thesis Workshop, and English 759 - Advanced Writing Project.
|
|
3 Electives: 600 or 700 level courses, either from the English
Literature MA program, or from participating departments with
departmental approval. NOTE: for those not on the translation track, one elective may be replaced with a translation workshop or translation craft class.
|
3 Electives: 600 or 700 level courses, either from
the English Literature M.A. program, or from participating departments
with departmental approval.
|
Ideally, our program will take two years to complete, with students taking three courses per semester. Taking less than three courses requires permission from the MFA Director. Also with permission is an opportunity unique to our program: an optional third-year for the completion of a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate.
Our courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings (primarily at 6:30pm with occasional electives at 4:30) and it is possible to work in the daytime and take classes at night.
Detailed information on the requirements of our program is available in our MFA Handbook.
Read about the MFA program's translation track in a piece by visiting professor Susan Bernofsky
on the Words Without Borders Blog!
