COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Fine Arts in Writing at the University of New Hampshire is a 48-credit graduate program that allows students to specialize in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry while developing advanced creative, analytical, and professional writing skills through workshops, theory courses, electives, and a final thesis. Across all genres, students are required to complete four intensive writing workshops in their primary area of study, a form and theory course focused on the craft and structure of their genre, five elective courses, and an original creative thesis. There is no foreign language requirement, allowing students to focus entirely on creative and literary development. In the Fiction genre, students complete four sections of ENGL 901 Advanced Writing of Fiction and take ENGL 807 Fiction: Form and Technique to study narrative craft, literary structure, and storytelling methods. In the Nonfiction genre, students complete workshops selected from ENGL 804 Advanced Nonfiction Writing and ENGL 812 Writing the Creative Nonfiction Book, along with ENGL 808 Nonfiction: Form and Technique, which explores the structure and craft of nonfiction writing. In the Poetry genre, students complete four sections of ENGL 805 Advanced Poetry Workshop and take ENGL 809 Poetry: Form and Technique, focusing on poetic craft, language, and literary form. Students in all concentrations choose five electives from a wide selection of creative writing and English courses, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, research methods for creative writers, special studies in creative writing, and ENGL 910 Practicum in Teaching College Composition, which provides teaching experience and pedagogical training. The program concludes with ENGL 899 Master of Fine Arts in Writing Thesis, an 8-credit capstone project in which students produce a substantial original creative manuscript under faculty supervision. This thesis may consist of a novel excerpt, poetry collection, memoir, essay collection, or another major creative work depending on the student’s concentration. Overall, the curriculum combines intensive workshop practice, literary theory, interdisciplinary study, mentorship, and professional development to prepare students for careers in writing, publishing, teaching, editing, and other creative and literary professions while also helping them develop a polished and original body of creative work.