M.F.A. in Creative Writing
Building on emerging excellence in creative writing, the M.F.A. student should work toward increased sophistication in his/her art. Correspondingly, the M.F.A. student should have training in literary history and the intellectual and artistic debates that inform current literature. The M.F.A. constitutes solid preparation for creative publication, expert teaching in creative writing and literature, leadership in communications for business, education and arts organizations, or entrance into a Ph.D. program in literature and creative writing.
Minimum requirements for admission
- B.A.
- 3.0 g.p.a. in undergraduate studies
- One foreign language (Student can complete this requirement while in residence.)
- GRE general test
Application Materials
Students should submit the following materials to the University of Houston’s Office of Admissions:
- The on-line application
- All academic transcripts
- The GRE general test score
The following materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies in the Department of English:
- Three letters of recommendation
- The student’s statement of intent
- A 15-25 page critical writing sample
The creative writing sample consists of:
- 10 pages of poetry or 20-25 pages of fiction
- The fiction manuscript should be double-spaced on numbered, single-sided pages
- The poetry manuscript can be single-spaced and formatted as desired
- The creative manuscript should be stapled, but neither bound nor presented in a folder or notebook
Requirements of the degree
- 36 hours of coursework
- Foreign language. Students must demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language.
- 6 hrs. M.F.A. thesis
Distribution of coursework
- 15 hours. in creative writing, including 9 hours in the primary genre, 3 hours of Master Workshop, and 3 hours of Poetic Forms and Techniques for poetry students, Fiction Forms and Techniques for fiction students, or Nonfiction Forms and Techniques for nonfiction students. Students are strongly encouraged to take the course in Forms and Techniques early in the M.F.A. program.
- 3 hours of Writers on Literature
- 12 hours in English or American literature or other literary studies (Students should divide their courses between early and later literatures. Early British literature is defined as British literature before 1800 and early American literature is defined as American literature before 1865.)
- 6 hours of elective courses (literature or other literary studies, workshop in the primary genre, workshop in a crossover genre, Writers on Literature, or coursework in another department that complements the student’s program)
