MFA Program Components

UAA's MFA program is oriented towards students who have an already well developed voice in their chosen genre.  These are generally experienced writers with a small body of work and are dedicated to becoming writers and living the writing life.

The structure of a low-residency programs requires that students possess self-discipline, initiative and a commitment to the rigors of graduate-level study. Ideally, students should be:

• Able to demonstrate their potential to work at the graduate level;
• Committed to the reading and writing schedules agreed upon by the students and faculty member;
• Willing to explore a world wider than their own experience.
  

MFA Student Learning Outcomes

 
At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Understand the historical context, traditions, and contemporary issues in Form and Theory by situating the content of their own work within their chosen genre;  

• Demonstrate their craft by producing a substantial body of original creative work and by articulating craft elements in their genre; 

• Possess the skills necessary for professional employment in literary fields by planning, organizing, and presenting projects of literary and public value.
  

The Summer Residency

For about 12 days each July, students and faculty gather on the UAA campus for an intensive period of workshops, manuscript critiques, seminars, panels, lectures, and readings. This is also a period of camaraderie and enjoying our community of writers.