Program: English
Major: Creative Writing, M.F.A.
Degree: Master of Fine Arts
Department of English
College of Liberal Arts

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Steve Garrison

E-Mail Address: sgarrison@uco.edu

Office Address: TH 312

Phone Number: (405) 974-5847

Website: http://www.uco.edu/la/english/mfa/index.asp

Candidates for the MFA in Creative Writing pursue a program of study that includes sequential writing workshops addressing different phases of the writing process, as well as courses in literature and in editing and marketing. Candidates for the MFA in Creative Writing are required to complete a thesis consisting of a major original creative work.

PROGRAM OF STUDY:

Writing Courses....................................................18 Hours

Two of the following six three-course sequences:

1. CSDY 5123 (Short Story Writing I) - CSDY 5133 (Short Story Writing II) - CSDY 5143 (Short Story Writing III)

2. CSDY 5323 (Novel Writing I) - CSDY 5333 (Novel Writing II) - CSDY 5343 (Novel Writing III)

3. CSDY 5453 (Creative Nonfiction I) - CSDY 5463 (Creative Nonfiction II) - CSDY 5473 (Creative Nonfiction III)

4. CSDY 5543 (Poetry Writing I) - CSDY 5553 (Poetry Writing II) - CSDY 5563 (Poetry Writing III)

5. CSDY 5613 (Playwriting I) - CSDY 5623 (Playwriting II) - CSDY 5633 (Playwriting III)

6. CSDY 5643 (Screenwriting I) - CSDY 5653 (Screenwriting II) - CSDY 5663 (Screenwriting III)

Career Strategy Course...........................................3 Hours

CSDY 5113 (Publication Procedures: Editing and Marketing)

Reading Courses.....................................................6 Hours

Two 5000 level English courses with Advisor's approval

Approved Electives................................................ 3 Hours

Select 3 hours with Advisor's approval

Thesis....................................................................6 Hours

CSDY 5990 (Thesis in CSDY)

 

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED........................................36 Hours

Other Requirements

1. Plan of Study. Each student must file a plan of study with his/her Graduate Program Advisor and the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) by the end of the first semester of graduate work. The plan must be signed and dated by the student and the Graduate Program Advisor before it can be considered official.

2. Advisor Meeting. Meet with Graduate Program Advisor in group or individual advisement session before enrolling in second semester.

3. Academic Standards. Meet the following course work standards: 

a. overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
b. no more than 6 hours of "C."
c. no more than 6 advisor-approved hours from traditional correspondence courses.

4. Thesis. Complete an acceptable thesis and successfully defend it in public. Send 3 paper copies and 1 electronic copy of the thesis to the library, and submit the thesis' title page, original signature page, and abstract page to the JCGS.

5. Final Requirements. Apply for graduation through the JCGS by advertised deadline.