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. 

    Speaker standing at a podium with UAA logo on it

    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.