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2011-2012 University Catalog
Creative Writing, MFA
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Banner Code: LA-MFA-CW
Web: creativewriting.gmu.edu
The master of fine arts in creative writing has three concentrations: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Students should apply to only one concentration, although a student turned down by one concentration may subsequently apply to another or to that same concentration in a subsequent year.
Students interested in taking individual courses or in applying in the future to the MFA program are welcome to apply to take classes as non degree students; such enrollments are allowed only with the instructor’s permission. Students already admitted as non degree students who are interested in taking a specific creative writing course should submit a brief letter of introduction and a writing sample to the professor at least one week before the start of classes. Students who are not already admitted as non degree students first need to apply for non degree status. Students who have been denied admission to the MFA program may not take courses as non degree students.
This program of study is offered by the Department of English .
For policies governing all master’s degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog. |
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission chapter of this catalog. For information specific to the MFA in creative writing, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site. Reduction of Credit
With the approval of the MFA faculty, the program director, and the dean, the number of credits required for an MFA may be reduced by a maximum of 20 credits on the basis of graduate course work before admission. Two to four courses (6 to 12 credits) in literature
Students should choose courses in consultation with an advisor. ENGH 798 may not be used to fulfill this requirement. One Concentration (12 to 15 credits)
▲Concentration in Fiction (FIC)
Students in this concentration complete 12 credits. One course (3 credits) in the form
Writing workshops (9 credits)
▲Concentration in Nonfiction Writing (NFW)
Students in this concentration complete 15 credits. One required course (3 credits)
Students should enroll the first semester it is offered after they enter the program. One course (3 credits) in the form
Writing workshops (9 credits)
▲Concentration in Poetry (POE)
Students in this concentration complete 15 credits. One course (3 credits) in the form
Writing workshops (9 credits)
At least one course (3 credits) in another genre (fiction or nonfiction)
This requirement may be filled by a section of ENGH 608 in another genre. Elective courses (up to 15 credits)
Electives should be chosen in consultation with the writing program faculty. The number of electives will vary according to the number of literature courses and workshops that students take. Craft Seminars (6 to 12 credits)
This course can be repeated for credit. Exam
Students in poetry must pass a written MFA exam based on the authors they have chosen. The authors are selected in collaboration with the writing faculty any time after completing 12 credits of course work and before completing 32 credits. The exam must be completed at least one semester before the student registers for the final 3 credits of thesis.
Students in fiction and nonfiction writing must pass an MFA exam or complete an MFA project. Students who elect to take the MFA exam select, after the completion of 18 credits and with the approval of their faculty advisors, a list of authors and an area of emphasis (for example, the European novel). Project
Students in fiction and nonfiction writing must pass an MFA exam or complete an MFA project. Students who elect to complete an MFA project (such as editing an anthology) must carry out the project under the direction of a faculty member and may register for ENGH 798 to fulfill this requirement. The project must be completed at least one semester before the student registers for the final 3 credits of thesis. Thesis (6 credits)
ENGH 798 may not be used as thesis preparation. Students who want to register for thesis credits in the summer need the permission of the thesis committee.
Students should be aware of the university policies governing theses. They must follow the thesis enrollment policy and once enrolled in ENGH 799, maintain continuous enrollment. These policies are specified in the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog. |
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