Creative Writing

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing is ideal for those who demand rigorous instruction in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction from an award-winning faculty. With an M.F.A from the University of Idaho, you will be prepared to engage in all aspects of a professional career in the literary arts.

Through course selection and choice of thesis topic, you may specialize in fiction, poetry or creative nonfiction. While you must apply to the M.F.A. program only in one genre, you will be encouraged to “cross-pollinate” by exploring new directions and discovering other genres.

As an M.F.A. student, you will undergo intensive theoretical and practical training in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, editing and publishing. You will form a deep understanding of where your style fits into the continuum of writers of your genre, and you will develop the ability to express with conviction where you would place your work in any of several literary traditions. Candidates for the M.F.A. must complete a thesis, which will take the form of a collection of poetry, short stories, essays, a novel or memoir.

The M.F.A. program – small by design – limits enrollment in graduate workshops to 10-15 students, which allows for an intimate and dynamic learning environment and full access to our nationally recognized faculty.

Prepare for Success

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing draws aspiring writers from around the nation who want the expert instruction and intensive training they need to propel their professional writing career. Some of our students enter the program as published writers, and most have a strong established background in creative writing. To succeed as a student in the program, you must be self-motivated and eager to be challenged, both technically and creatively. You should have an unwavering commitment to the craft and to your growth as a writer.

Your First Year

The three-year, terminal graduate degree program requires a minimum of 54 credits, to include:

• 15 credits in graduate level literature
• 15 credits in graduate level creative writing
• 3 credits in workshops taught by visiting writers
• 3 credits in techniques
• 9 elective courses

Candidates for the M.F.A. must complete a thesis, which will take the form of a collection of poetry, short stories, essays, a novel or memoir. Prose theses require 100 pages minimum while poetry theses require 48 pages minimum.

Students who enter the program with advanced work in creative writing at the undergraduate level will take 500-level courses in English. Those who have not completed an advanced undergraduate course in one of the three major genres (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction) will take advanced undergraduate courses, as advised by the director of creative writing.

What You Can Do

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) will position you for dynamic career opportunities as a:

• Professor
• Editor
• Environmental writer
• Magazine writer
• Novelist
• Poet
• Publisher
• Teacher
• Writing conference/program director
• Public relations specialist
• Journalist

Opportunities

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in English is designed for those who plan to teach creative writing at the college or university level. It will also provide the expected knowledge and credentials for careers in arts administration, editing, publishing, advertising, public relations and related fields.

Our experienced faculty members, who are also practicing writers, can provide guidance about publishing your work, and about teaching or editing opportunities.

Students from our program consistently publish their work in the nation’s leading literary magazines such as the Atlantic Monthly, Poetry, The Georgia Review, Gettysburg Review, Shenandoah, Tin House, Slate.com, Orion, Antioch Review, The Kenyon Review, River Teeth, The Missouri Review, Gulf Coast, Creative Nonfiction and numerous other publications. Likewise, our students have won honors such as the AWP Intro Award, the Pushcart Prize, the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers distinction, and have been runners-up in the Atlantic Monthly creative writing contest.

Current Research

Faculty members have been awarded nationally competitive awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Faculty members of the creative writing program also have received numerous prizes for their poems, short stories, essays, memoirs, novels, poetry collections and editorial works.

Activities

Sigma Tau Delta, Eta Chi Chapter : An honor society for students of English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies. Members host department events, work on a community service project, publish in a literary magazine and attend a national conference.

The O.N.E.S. (Optimistic Nihilists Enological Society): The graduate creative writing students' club. The O.N.E.S. host receptions for visiting writers, sponsor talks by visitors and alums on matters concerning writing, publication, employment, money and wine.

Hands-On Experience

Thesis: Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing candidates will complete a thesis in the form of a collection of poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction or a novel. Each student also will take an oral examination designed to test the student’s ability to discuss his or her creative process, intellectual and creative influences, chosen genre, aesthetic perspective, design and intent.

Teaching Assistantships (T.A.): Paid T.A. positions are available to graduate students in the Department of English. Assistants teach three sections of freshman composition per year under the supervision of the director of writing, with the opportunity to teach a creative writing class in their chosen genre during the third year.

Fugue Literary Journal: A nationally recognized, student-run literary magazine of poems, essays, stories, interviews and artwork. Recent contributors to Fugue include Melanie Rae Thon, Stephen Dunn, Philip Levine, Franz Wright and Terrance Hayes.

Public Readings: Students participate regularly in poetry and fiction public readings on campus and in the surrounding community.

Distinguished Visiting Writers Program: It brings three to five nationally recognized authors to campus each year to provide selected students with intensive instruction in poetry, fiction or nonfiction writing, both in workshop settings and in one-on-one sessions.

Writing Center: A collaborative learning program dedicated to providing one-on-one assistance to student writers. Graduate students may be selected to work as tutors.

Faculty Involvement

Department of English Faculty