Creative Writing Emphasis

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Creative Writing Emphasis


The Creative Writing Emphasis offers a range of coursework in several genres and modes of writing. In addition to strongfiction and poetry workshops, the Emphasis offers innovative classes including The Novella, Prose Poetry, The Memoir, Constraint Based Writing, Playwriting, and more. Students may also work with Faculty in other departments, including Film and Theatre. The innovative SYNTEXT program just being launched will offer students opportunities to involve their writing in local communities and landscapes, and work for social justice in various ways.

Degree Requirements:

Ten courses are required for the M.A. in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis.
You also must pass the M.A. Comprehensive Exam.
  • Courses are 500- and 600-level.
  • 500 courses may also have advanced undergraduates and cap at 25.
  • 600 courses are for graduate students only seminars and cap at 15.
  • At least four courses for the M.A. must be 600-level classes.

You must take:
  • Contemporary Critical Theory (1)
  • Major Writer / Seminar in a Genre or Literary Period (1)
  • Creative Writing Seminars (3-4)
  • Literature and Theory Electives (2-3)
  • Creative Thesis (1)
  • Critical Methodology (1)*

The normal time it takes to get the degree is two years.

* This course must be taken in the first semester of study.


Core Faculty: Creative Writing


Stuart Ching, Assistant Director, Liberal Studies, Ph.D., Nebraska
English Education, Ethnic Literatures, Creative Writing

Chuck Rosenthal, Ph.D., Utah
Contemporary Fiction, Critical Theory, American Intellectual History, Creative Writing (Fiction)

Gail Wronsky, Ph.D.,Utah
Contemporary Poetry and Drama, Women's Writing, Creative Writing (Poetry and Drama)

Kelly Younger, Director, Honors Program, Ph.D., University College, Dublin (Playwriting)