MFA Degree Structure

UAA's Creative Writing & Literary Arts MFA program always begins in with the summer semester and requires nine courses (45 credits) over a three-year period. Each course is five credits and one course per semester is considered a full-load. It is estimated that the student's academic work will amount to 15-20 hours of work weekly.

Students are required to attend the entire duration of three Residencies. At the fourth Residency, students are only expected to attend on the day they deliver their colloquium.

• MFA Schedule

  First Year

  Summer
  Fall
  Spring

  Second Year

  Summer
  Fall
  Spring

  Third Year

  Summer
  Fall
  Spring

  Fourth Year

  Final Summer

   

  Total Credits 

  Course Title

  The Graduate Writer's Workshop 
  Studies in Form & Theory
  Studies in Form & Theory
  

  Course Title

  The Graduate Writer's Workshop 
  Thesis
  Thesis

  Course Title

  The Graduate Writer's Workshop 
  Thesis
  Thesis

  Course Title

  Thesis Defense and Colloquium

  Credits

  5.0
  5.0
  5.0

  Credits

  5.0
  5.0
  5.0

  Credits

  5.0
  5.0
  5.0

  Credits

  0.0

   

  45.0

• Literary Practicum

  We want students to use their talents in a way that engages the world beyond the written page.  In the spring semester of their second year, students undertake their Literary Practicum.  The Practicum offers students practical experience in writing, publishing, teaching, arts administration, or any pursuit that encourages creativity and initiative. 

  

  Possible projects could include:

  • working on literary magazines;
  • attending or presenting at literary writing conferences;
  • collaborating with other artists or scholars on projects;
  • producing or editing a publication;
  • teaching writing workshops or courses;
  • developing curricula for classroom use;
  • undertaking extensive research projects related to their creative work.

  The practicum is flexible enough to allow students to parcel the five credit requirement among different options, including attendance at the annual Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference held in Homer, Alaska each June.

• MFA Handbook
  For more detailed information about how the MFA is structured, please review the MFA Handbook.
• Catalog Information
  Catalog Information

  Admission to this program is currently suspended. Contact the College of Arts and Sciences for more information.

For information on your thesis, graduation, graduate forms, and more, please visit the Graduate School website.