Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The M.F.A. in Creative Writing provides students with a balance between the study of literature and intensive workshop experience. In the final year, students receive support and substantial feedback on a creative thesis.
Our award-winning faculty and alumni have received international recognition for their creative work; distinctions include the Pushcart Prize, the Nebula Award, the Hugo Award, the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, the Gertrude Stein Award, the Kenyon Review Prize. Recent visiting writers include Sherman Alexie, Julia Alvarez, Margaret Atwood, Michael Chabon, Rita Dove, Naruddin Farah, Kent Haruf, Cherrie Moraga, Paul Muldoon, Salman Rushdie, George Saunders, and Natasha Trethewey. Graduate students also run a professional literary journal called Landlocked.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Graduate Admission
To be admitted to any of the department’s graduate degree tracks, a student must have a strong undergraduate record, particularly in the humanities. Creative writing applicants need to submit writing samples that demonstrate an advanced level of writing skills in their respective genres. For complete admission information, see below.
In addition to the application itself, please submit the following supplemental materials:
- A resumé or curriculum vitae.
- A statement of approximately 500 words describing your interests, training, experience (including teaching experience), academic ability, and goals.
- Letters of recommendation from three professors. Recommenders are strongly encouraged to submit their letters electronically. Paper letters must be submitted on the institution's letterhead, in a sealed envelope, addressed directly to the Graduate Director. Letters should, if possible, speak to potential as a teacher, although they should primarily be focused on academic and scholarly ability.
- One transcript or student-generated grade/advising report from each university previously attended. Scanned or electronic copies are acceptable for the application. If you are uncertain what constitutes an appropriate transcript or grade report, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
- M.F.A. candidates must submit approximately thirty total pages of prose (fiction or nonfiction)--multiple stories or a longer piece are acceptable. Poetry writing candidates should submit approximately fifteen pages of poetry. Screen or Playwriting candidates should submit at least one one-act play.
All applicants must submit their graduate application online. All supplemental materials (transcripts, writing samples, letters of recommendation, etc.) may be attached electronically and submitted with the online application. Those who cannot submit supplemental materials electronically may mail them to the department:
The University of Kansas
Department of English
Graduate Applications
1445 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 3001
Lawrence, KS 66045
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Degree Requirements
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing requires a total of 45 credit hours. No more than 6 hours may be taken at the 600 level. 2 courses (6 hours) outside the department may be taken with approval of the director of graduate studies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| ENGL 800 | Methods, Theory, and Professionalism | 3 |
| ENGL 801 | Study and Teaching of Writing | 3 |
| 4 Creative writing workshops (in any combination) | 12 | |
| Fiction Writing III | ||
| Poetry Writing III | ||
| Writers Workshop | ||
| Forms: _____ | ||
| Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop | ||
| 2 courses in non-creative writing English electives | 6 | |
| 2 elective courses | 6 | |
| ENGL 899 | M.A./M.F.A. Thesis | 15 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Thesis Defense
Oral presentation and defense of a thesis to a faculty committee. The thesis will consist of a portfolio of the student’s best work in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, or some combination thereof. The committee must meet the requirements outlined in the Office of Graduate Studies' Master's Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Other English Electives | ||
| ENGL 620 | Renaissance English Literature: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 633 | Milton | 3 |
| ENGL 650 | Romantic Literature: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 655 | Victorian LIterature: ______ | 3 |
| ENGL 690 | Studies in: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 709 | Critical Theory: Problems and Principles: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 725 | Shakespeare: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 730 | Topics in Early Modern Literature: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 750 | British Literature of the19th Century: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 760 | British Literature of the 20th Century: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 774 | Topics in Literatures of Africa and the African Diaspora: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 776 | American Literature to 1900: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 777 | American Literature after 1900: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 780 | Composition Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 880 | Topics in Composition Studies and Rhetoric: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 904 | Seminar in Composition Theory: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 905 | Seminar in the English Language: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 908 | Seminar in Literary Criticism: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 950 | Seminar in 19th Century British Literature: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 970 | Seminar in American Literature: _____ | 3 |
| ENGL 974 | Seminar in Literatures of Africa and the African Diaspora: _____ | 3 |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in their mode of creative expression.
- write clearly and effectively in various modes and contexts.
- understand and apply thematic/aesthetic/stylistic features that are relevant to their primary mode of creative expression.
- situate creative expression effectively in social and cultural contexts.