The literary arts graduate program offers courses in fiction, poetry, and electronic writing. (The M.F.A in Playwriting is offered by Theatre and Performance Studies.) Students take eight courses, half in writing and half in elective studies, over a two-year period to ensure maximum time for writing. In general, students take workshops with two and sometimes three different faculty writers in their respective genres. Students often select electives such as workshops that focus on literary translation or on special topics (e.g., screen writing or narrative strategies), but may also take studio and performing arts courses, and classes from all academic fields. A creative thesis is submitted in the final semester. The program numbers approximately thirty students in any given academic year.

Additional resources: Playwriting seminar room/laboratory; literary arts seminar room; Clerestory magazine; contemporary writers series; International Writers Project; writers in residence program; Geri Braman Hill Lectures; Weston, Hawkes, Assatly, and Harper Prizes in Literary Arts; John Hay Library's Harris Collection of American Poetry and Plays.

Completion requirements: M.F.A.: Three courses in creative writing workshops, four graduate-level electives, and a thesis.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Admission requirements: Writing sample required (must be in one genre). The writing sample is the most important part of the application.

GRE General: Not required

GRE Subject: Not required

Financial aid: The program seeks to provide a financial aid package in the first year of study covering tuition, health fee and health insurance, and provides a small stipend. In year two, those students who are in good standing and are appropriate for the classroom are offered a two-semester teaching assistantship, which covers tuition, health fee and health insurance, and provides a stipend.

Application deadline: December 15