program description

the master of arts in creative writing is a two-year program with a focus on developing a writing practice as well as preparing students to teach creative writing. the master of fine arts is a three-year program and is considered the terminal degree in creative writing. the program may benefit in particular teachers who want to increase their range and earning potential with a master's degree and/or individuals who want to teach creative writing at private schools, community venues, labs, and salons. as part of the ma in cw, students can choose to study the teaching of composition, and receive a certificate, a skill that translates into any level of teaching and various subjects that include writing.

the m.a. degree, like the m.f.a., provides students with the inspiration and guidance of a faculty of professional writers in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer. the curriculum emphasizes the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry. the degree combines an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes as well as courses that expose students to a wide range of writers and community service learning opportunities. the creative writing courses reflects a commitment to a variety of styles, subjects, and approaches, recognizing the complexity and breadth of contemporary writing. graduates of the m.a. program are instructed in literary analysis and develop their craft to constructively critique their own work and that of others. as a culminating experience, the student submits a thesis of creative work in their chosen genre.

in addition to the workshop and process courses, students in the m.a. in creative writing elect one of two teaching pathways. the pathway leading to an emphasis in teaching creative writing includes a rigorous course in the pedagogy and philosophy of teaching creative writing (c w 860); a teaching practicum course (c w 859), in which the student gains in-class undergraduate teaching experience as a graduate instructional aide while continuing their study of pedagogy with a seasoned faculty member and a group of peers; and, projects in teaching creative writing (c w 785), a course that allows students to deepen their teaching experience as a graduate instructional aide under faculty supervision. this teaching curriculum makes our m.a. unique within the nation of creative writing graduate degrees. the pathway leading to the teaching of composition allows students to earn the english composition certificate, offered by the english department, by electing to take four courses (12 units) in english composition. students on this path would earn an m.a. in creative writing along with the english composition certificate.