MFA in Creative Writing

I. General Information

The MFA degree offers an intensive program of writing in small, core workshops and seminars taught by established writers. Students engage in close readings and critiques of their work, and in seminars in which the focus may be a formal element, regional tradition, historical period, the works of a seminal writer or two, or a literary movement. The degree requirements are integrated with the MA in English curriculum so that students work with a highly accomplished faculty in literature, critical theory, and rhetoric and composition. The degree emphasizes faculty mentorship throughout each student's coursework and thesis completion. Consistent with PSU's mandate to serve our city's cultural and professional needs, engagement in Portland's vibrant local community of writers is central to our students' movement from academic to creative careers.

MFA students work in a selected genre: fiction, nonfiction or poetry. Prospective students must apply specifically to the genre in which they wish to work. Core workshops are taken in the student’s primary genre, but writing electives may allow students to explore other genres. Students of fiction and nonfiction may work in long or short form and the thesis may be a collection of short pieces or a full-length work. Many students come to the Creative Writing program with a background in English literature, writing or journalism, but this is not required. The program can be completed in two years of full-time coursework; however, many students take additional courses or attend part-time, and they have a maximum of five years to complete the degree.

II. Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MFA in Creative Writing must provide satisfactory evidence of preparedness to undertake advanced work, which would include a BA or BS degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The application deadline is January 18. Applicants must submit the following:

• A Departmental application form indicating which genre they will focus on: fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
• One transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.
• A 3.25 GPA in undergraduate work.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A two-to-three-page, 1.5 spaced personal introduction describing the applicant's background as a writer, goals, and interest in this particular program.
• A manuscript in the applicant's primary genre, which should be typed, double-spaced, and the pages numbered. Poetry manuscripts may be single-spaced. Previously published, single-authored work will be accepted but should be photocopied, not bound. Manuscripts should demonstrate mastery of basic craft and literary promise, and should represent your best work regardless of whether or not it has been published. Applicants should submit work in the genre to which they are applying.
• In poetry: 12-15 pages, as in manuscript form.
• In fiction: 20-30 pages, double spaced and numbered as in manuscript form.
• In nonfiction: 20-30 pages of magazine articles or creative nonfiction, double-spaced and numbered as in manuscript form.
• A stamped, self-addressed notification postcard.

Please note: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission to the MFA in Creative Writing.

III. Course of Study

MFA students will complete 48 credit hours of coursework, with 36 credits in writing and 12 in English literature. They must also complete a creative thesis of high literary merit, pass a written examination based on the thesis and an advisor-approved list of 30-40 texts, and pass an oral examination in defense of the written examination and creative thesis. The MFA curriculum consists of three core workshops: WR 521 (Fiction), 522 (Poetry), and 523 (Nonfiction); two writing seminars; one course in pre-1900 literature; two electives in literature (one of which may be in critical theory or rhetoric and composition); two writing electives; and eight credits of work on the thesis. The MFA core workshops are restricted to MFA students in the strand, except with rare exceptions.

The requirements for the MFA degree are:

• The completion of a creative thesis of high literary merit;
• a written examination, based on the thesis and an advisor-approved list of 30-40 texts studied during graduate coursework, in which students will be asked to address specific questions of literary history, theory, craft, and technique;
• an oral examination in defense of the written examination and creative thesis;
• 48 credit hours of coursework (courses are 4 credit hours per quarter/term), comprised of the following:

Core Workshops: 12 credits
Students are required to take the Core Workshop three times in their chosen genre. Students may take the Core Workshop a total of four times for credit.

• WR 521 MFA Fiction Core Workshop
• WR 522 MFA Poetry Core Workshop
• WR 523 MFA Nonfiction Core Workshop

Writing Seminars: 8 credits
Students can choose from the following or other similar discrete-numbered courses in their genre as approved by their adviser.

• WR 507 Seminar* (Topics will include: Fundamentals of Fiction, Forms (Poetry), Techniques in the Novel, The Longer Poem, Description, Writing Postmodern Fiction, Writing Hypertext Fiction, Reading for Writers, Research for Writers; Technique in the Short Story.)
• WR 516 Screenwriting
• WR 528 Advanced News Writing
• WR 556 Forms of Nonfiction
• WR 557 Personal Essay Writing
• WR 558 Magazine Writing
• WR 559 Writing the Memoir

Pre-1900 Literature: 4 credits
Students can choose one course from the following or other similar discrete-numbered courses as approved by their adviser.

• ENG 507 Seminar**
• Eng 517 Middle English
• Eng 532, 533, 534 Old English
• Eng 526 Advanced Topics in Medieval Literature
• Eng 530 Advanced Topics in Sixteenth Century Literature
• Eng 540 Advanced Topics in Seventeenth Century Literature
• Eng 541 Advanced Topics in Renaissance Literature and Culture
• Eng 543 British Women Writers I
• Eng 545 American Women Writers 19th Century
• Eng 550 Advanced Topics in Eighteenth Century Literature
• Eng 548 Advanced Topics in Romanticism
• Eng 560 Advanced Topics in American Literature to 1800
• Eng 561 Advanced Topics in American Literature to 1900
• Eng 575 Advanced Topics in Victorian Literature

The following courses, can, with advisor approval, meet this requirement:

• Eng 547 Major Forces in Literature
• Eng 548 Major Figures in Literature
• Eng 549 Advanced Topics in Cultural Studies
• Eng 567 Advanced Topics in American Literature and Culture

Electives in Literature, Critical Theory, and Rhetoric and Composition: 8 credits
Two courses chosen from any of the courses listed above, or any other graduate courses in literature, either ENG or FLL, at the 500 level (one may be in critical theory, or rhetoric and composition).

Writing Electives: 8 credits
At least 8 credits of a seminar or workshop in poetry, nonfiction, or fiction chosen from the list below, or other similar discrete numbered courses as approved by adviser.

• WR 507 Seminar (can be taken twice for credit)
• WR 510 Selected Topics in Writing
• WR 512 Advanced Fiction Writing
• WR 516 Screenwriting
• WR 520 Writing: Process and Response
• WR 528 Advanced Newswriting
• WR 513 Fiction Writing
• WR 514 Poetry Writing
• WR 515 Poetry Writing II
• WR 552 Writing About Lives
• WR 553 Writing About Places
• WR 554 Writing About Events
• WR 555 Writing About Ideas
• WR 556 Forms of Nonfiction
• WR 557 Personal Essay Writing
• WR 558 Magazine Writing
• WR 559 Writing the Memoir

Thesis: 8 credits

• WR 503 Thesis

Notes:
All courses listed, aside from Thesis, are 4 credit hours per term.
*WR 507 Seminar can be taken twice for credit.
**ENG 507 can be taken up to three times. With adviser approval, it may fill the pre-1900 requirement or genre requirement.

Back to Top