Program Description
The Creative Writing MFA offers a workshop-intensive program in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, emphasizing the art and craft of literary writing and concentrating on the student’s written work.
The MFA program emphasizes the study of craft and published writing alongside the closely analyzed production of original work by students. Opportunities for professional development as writers, teachers, and editors abound. Our prolific, dedicated faculty members have won numerous prestigious awards for their work and have served as officers in the Associated Writing Programs (AWP) and other national organizations. The MFA program in Creative Writing offers workshop courses in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, emphasizing the art and craft of literary writing and concentrating on the student’s written work.
Curriculum
The minimum total hours required for the Creative Writing MFA is 36 credit hours, including a minimum of nine required credit hours of graduate writing workshop classes. Each candidate will write a book-length creative thesis. There is no nonthesis option in Creative Writing.
Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Prerequisites and Co-requisites
Students are required to have a proficiency in American and British Literature as reflected by completing at least one survey course in each field. Students with baccalaureate degrees in subjects other than English whose transcripts do not clearly indicate successful completion of such courses will be required to complete survey courses in British and American literature as co-requisites before the thesis defense. The particular courses that satisfy these co-requisites are selected in consultation with the MFA program director.
Required Courses—15 Credit Hours
Core—9 Credit Hours
While the student is expected to concentrate their workshop study in their chief genre, multi-genre proficiency is encouraged. Additional credit hours beyond the required 9 credit hours in workshops that include their chief genre are recommended to assist the student in developing better writing and publication skills.
- CRW 6025 - Advanced Graduate Writing Workshop 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6920 - Fiction Workshop 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6921 - Multi-Genre Workshop 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6922 - Novel Workshop 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6923 - Nonfiction Workshop 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6924 - Poetry Workshop 3 Credit Hours
Specialization—6 Credit Hours
The student will complete two of the following courses:
- LIT 6039 - Studies in Contemporary Poetry 3 Credit Hours
- LIT 6097 - Studies in Contemporary Fiction 3 Credit Hours
- LIT 6076 - Studies in Contemporary Nonfiction 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 5130 - Form and Theory in Creative Writing 3 Credit Hours
Elective Courses—15 Credit Hours
Restricted Electives—6 Credit Hours
- CRW 6720 - Professional Development in Creative Writing 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6721 - Literary Journal Editing 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6976 - Scholarship and Publication Models 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6806C - Teaching Creative Writing 3 Credit Hours (Required for teaching assistants who wish to be considered for teaching Creative Writing courses in our undergraduate program.)
- CRW 5938 - Special Topics Seminar 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 5948C - Creative Writing Service Learning 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6946 - Internship 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 6025 - Advanced Graduate Writing Workshop 3 Credit Hours *
- *CRW 6920, CRW 6921, CRW 6922, CRW 6923, CRW 6924 may substitute for CRW 6025
Unrestricted Electives—6 Credit Hours
- CRW 5130 - Form and Theory in Creative Writing 3 Credit Hours
- LIT 6216 - Issues in Literary Study 3 Credit Hours
- LIT 6936 - Studies in Literary, Cultural, and Textual Theory 3 Credit Hours
- ENC 5705 - Approaches to Teaching College Composition 3 Credit Hours
- LIT 6276 - Teaching College Literature 3 Credit Hours
Additional Electives—3 Credit Hours
Thesis—6 Credit Hours
- CRW 6971 Thesis 3 Credit Hours
The candidate will complete a book-length manuscript of publishable quality, written and revised in CRW 6971 Thesis, that meets both departmental and university requirements for the thesis.
Practicum and Internship
Although a practicum or an internship is not required, they are encouraged to better prepare the student for their profession. These courses fulfill the 6-hour requirement in restricted electives and are listed in that category.
- CRW 6946 Internship
- The Florida Review Internship 3 Credit Hours
- The Cypress Dome Internship 3 Credit Hours
- Other Approved Internship 3 Credit Hours
- CRW 5948C - Creative Writing Service Learning 3 Credit Hours
Independent Learning
The creative thesis, a book-length manuscript of original creative work, is the independent learning experience.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably from current or former teachers).
- Statement of background and goals. In the first sentence of your statement, please specify the primary genre of study (fiction, poetry, or literary nonfiction). If you were not an English major, we recommend you include a list (5-7 titles) of recently read contemporary books in the genre in which you are applying.
- Résumé or CV.
- A portfolio of fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. The portfolio must be in English and in the applicant’s primary genre (up to 15 pages of poetry, 30 pages of fiction, or 30 pages of literary nonfiction). This manuscript is the most important element of a candidate’s application. It will be evaluated by a committee of creative writing faculty to assess the candidate’s readiness for graduate study. The committee’s decision is based upon its qualitative assessment for the manuscript’s competence in standard English and originality, and the author’s demonstrated potential to succeed in the profession of creative writing.
- At least one survey course in both English and American literature at the university level (may be taken while in graduate residence).
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
More detailed information about each of these program application requirements can be found on the Program’s Website.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant’s career/academic goals, and the applicant’s potential for completing the degree.
Application Deadlines
| Creative Writing MFA | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 1 | Jan 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 1 | Jan 1 |
| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
