M.F.A. in Creative Writing Online
The program is offered through UTEP Online.
Overview
The Bilingual Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing is designed as an artist’s degree that stresses the performance aspect of the discipline. The objectives of the program are to prepare students to be practicing writers and to be teachers of creative writing and contemporary literature. Upon completion, students will have a thorough understanding of form and theory and an advanced background in literature. In addition, upon completion, students will have a book-length manuscript.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Transcripts according to the requirements of the Graduate School.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A writing sample in the genre of emphasis: eight to 10 poems; 20 pages of prose, play-writing, essay, or screenplay.
- A statement of purpose.
The bilingual aspect of this program refers to the coexistence of Spanish and English in the classroom and does not require students to speak both languages. Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are not required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the Graduate School website for required scores.
The admission factors will be reviewed holistically to assess the potential of the applicant. The successful applicant would typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher that demonstrates focus on academics in a field that requires critical thinking and creativity, a writing sample in the genre of emphasis that illustrates the applicant's ability and potential, a personal statement that demonstrates maturity and commitment to a career related to creative writing as well as willingness to interact with diverse cultural backgrounds, and three letters of recommendation from supporting faculty or advisors who can serve as judges of the applicant's competence and commitment.
Degree Plan Options
The final project will consist of a book-length manuscript of original fiction or poetry, play, essay collection, translation, or screenplay, accompanied by a critical preface. Each candidate is required to submit a Work-In-Progress Plan at the end of CRW 5321 Narrative Theory and Poetics, prior to enrolling in any studio class. The final project will be prepared under the direction of a project advisor who will evaluate the final version.
Degree Plan
Required Credits: 36
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MFA in Creative Writing (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Gateway Course: | ||
| CRW 5321 | Narrative Theory and Poetics | 3 |
| Workshops | ||
| Select nine hours from the following; courses may be repeated for credit. | 9 | |
| Writing Children's Literature | ||
| Advanced Fiction Writing | ||
| Advanced Poetry Writing | ||
| Var Topics in Creative Writing | ||
| Literary Translation | ||
| Writing the Novel | ||
| Advanced Screenwriting | ||
| Advanced Creative Non-Fiction | ||
| Ten Prob. for Fiction Writer | ||
| Craft Courses | ||
| Select nine hours from the following; courses may be repeated for credit. | 9 | |
| Forms & Techniques of Fiction | ||
| Forms & Techniques of Poetry | ||
CRW 5375 | (Writing Coming and Visual Culture) | |
| Writing About Popular Music | ||
| Rewriting America since 1960s | ||
| The Politics of Narration | ||
| Kafka and the Art of Fiction | ||
| Physics of Creative Writing | ||
| Studies in Form | ||
CRW 5383 | (History of the Short Story Form) | |
| The Literary Marketplace | ||
CRW 5385 | (Forms in the Contemporary Short Story) | |
| Minding Fiction | ||
| Contemp. Latin American Novel | ||
| Storytelling-Film & Literature | ||
| High Modernism in Latin Americ | ||
| Studio Courses | ||
| Complete 9 hours. Courses may be repeated for credit. | 9 | |
| Prose Studio | ||
| Poetry Studio | ||
| Elective: | ||
| Select 3 hours of graduate-level courses taken from any department with an advisor's approval. | 3 | |
| Final Project | ||
| CRW 5397 | Capstone Course | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |