COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts (MA) program in Writing is a two-year degree that combines advanced coursework with the development of a substantial major writing portfolio. Students are required to complete 9 units of coursework alongside a 9-unit writing project, which serves as the central focus of the program. The writing portfolio is expected to be a significant body of publishable work and may take the form of a poetry collection, short story collection, novel, memoir, biography, travel writing, essays, or a screenplay or stage play prepared for production. The program begins with foundational training in instructional skill preparation, ensuring students develop both creative and pedagogical abilities. Students then select from a range of advanced workshops and special topics courses, including poetry, fiction, playwriting, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and multi-genre writing, allowing them to specialize in their chosen form while also exploring other genres. In addition, students complete elective work through directed studies in writing or instructional skills preparation, providing further flexibility to tailor the degree to individual goals. The program emphasizes sustained creative practice, peer critique, and professional development in writing. The major writing portfolio (WRIT 598) is the capstone of the degree and represents the culmination of the student’s creative development, demonstrating readiness for publication or professional literary work.