COURSE CURRICULUM

The MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing at DePaul University is designed to help students develop their writing skills while completing major creative works such as novels, memoirs, poetry collections, or short story compilations. The program encourages students to explore multiple genres and refine their unique voice under the mentorship of experienced authors and poets. This guidance helps students strengthen their storytelling abilities and produce high-quality, original work that reflects both creativity and technical skill.In addition to creative development, the program offers practical courses that prepare students for careers beyond writing. These include subjects such as copyediting, book publicity, book design, teaching creative writing, and teaching English. This combination of creative and professional training allows students to pursue careers in publishing, editing, or education. Students also have the option to earn graduate certificates in areas like Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or Teaching English in Two-Year Colleges, further expanding their career opportunities.A key requirement of the program is the completion of a master’s thesis of publishable quality, which serves as a major final project and a strong addition to a professional portfolio. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, offering classes during weekday evenings at the Lincoln Park Campus or online, making it suitable for students with other commitments. It can be completed in as little as two years, providing an efficient pathway to developing both creative expertise and professional skills in writing and publishing.