The M.F.A. program in creative writing meets the needs of students who want to strike a balance between the development of individual creative talent and the close study of literature and language.
Candidates in the program will find it appropriate training for careers in free-lancing, college-level teaching, editing and publishing, arts administration, and several other areas.
New students will discover the faculty eager to work with them and a community atmosphere extremely supportive of their writing.
Admission RequirementsTo enter the program without deficiency, you must have the equivalent of at least a minor in English--that is, 18 semester credits in literature, writing, and/or linguistics. Students who enter with small deficiencies may be allowed to make them up within their programs.
Deadline for applications: February 1 (to be considered for a Teaching or other Graduate Assistantship).
By the above date, you must submit the following material to the Creative Writing Program in the Department of English:
GRE scores are not required.
Candidates whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL score of at least 550.
MFA Creative Writing Program DirectorProfessor Richard Robbins
Department of English
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-1354
E-mail: richard.robbins@mnsu.edu
Department of English Graduate Programs DirectorIf you do not find answers to your questions on this web page, or if you need more information about Department of English graduate programs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, please contact:
Professor Steve Stoynoff
Director of English Graduate Studies
Department of English
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-5502
E-mail:stephen.stoynoff@mnsu.edu
Program Requirements| Coursework | Credits |
|---|---|
| Writing Workshops |
12
|
| Form and Technique courses |
6
|
| Contemporary Genre courses |
6
|
| Career-Related courses |
6
|
| Research and Publication in Creative Writing |
3
|
| Additional English courses |
11
|
| Thesis |
4
|
Other requirements include a comprehensive exam and a public reading.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 672 | Research and Publication in Creative Writing |
3
|
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 542 | Advanced Prose Nonfiction Writing |
4
|
| ENG 543 | Advanced Fiction Writing |
4
|
| ENG 544 | Advanced Poetry Writing |
4
|
| ENG 594 | English Workshop |
4
|
| ENG 642 | Seminar: Prose Nonfiction Writing |
3
|
| ENG 643 | Seminar: Fiction Writing |
3
|
| ENG 644 | Seminar: Poetry Writing |
3
|
| ENG 649 | Topics in Creative Writing: Autobiography |
3
|
| ENG 649 | Topics in Creative Writing: Screenwriting |
3
|
*These courses may be repeated with new content.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 640 | Form and Technique in Prose |
3
|
| ENG 641 | Form and Technique in Poetry |
3
|
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 545 | Advanced Critical Writing |
4
|
| ENG 574 | Research and Writing Technical Reports |
4
|
| ENG 575 | Editing Technical Publications |
4
|
| ENG 577 | Technical Documentation, Policies, and Procedures |
4
|
| ENG 621 | Introductory Workshop for Teaching Assistants |
1-2
|
| ENG 622 | Workshop for Teaching Assistants |
1-2
|
| ENG 625 | Seminar: Composition Theory |
3
|
| ENG 649 | Topics in Creative Writing: Teaching Creative Writing |
3
|
| ENG 680 | Topics in Computer-Assisted Writing |
3
|
| ENG 687 | Theory and Practice of Translation |
3
|
| ENG 698 | Internship |
1-8
|
*Other courses may be taken with consent of an advisor.
| Course Work | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select 0-11 credits of courses in categories not listed above (such as literature) in consultation with an advisor. |
0-11
|
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 699 | Thesis |
4
|
Course OfferingsThe following courses are offered regularly as part of the creative writing program:
Taught by CW faculty:
Taught by other English faculty:
Each semester, the Department of English offers several other graduate-level courses in linguistics, in film, and in American, British, and World literature. Most of these can be taken as part of your regular program.
Length of ProgramFull-time students will typically complete their coursework and theses in 2-3 years. All graduate requirements for the Master of Fine Arts must be completed within a six-year period.
Graduate AssistantshipsThe Department of English employs about 30 teaching and research assistants at stipends of approximately $9000 over two semesters. Assistants receive full tuition remission for up to 18 credits over the academic year (two semesters). All graduate assistants are required to enroll for a minimum of six credits per semester. Assistants are provided office space and have faculty library privileges.
Teaching Assistants in the Department of English typically teach freshman composition. The TA Director provides a supportive atmosphere where assistants learn composition theory and pedagogy. In addition, assistants are trained in the latest methods of computer-assisted writing instruction. For more information, visit the English Graduate Assistantships web page.
Other assistantships are available from Student Affairs, Learning Center, Memorial Library, and Residential Life offices of the University. For a list of available graduate assistantships, visit the Human Resources Job Posting web page on the College of Graduate Studies web site.
For information about other types of financial assistance, students should write to:
Office of Financial Aid
Minnesota State University, Mankato
109 Wigley Administration Center
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-1185
Web site: http://www.mnsu.edu/campushub
MFA Creative Writing Faculty| Name | Teaching and research specialties | |
|---|---|---|
| Black, Candace | candace.black@mnsu.edu | Poetry, nonfiction |
| Bunkers, Suzanne | suzanne.bunkers@mnsu.edu | Autobiography and memoir |
| Davis, Terry | terry.davis@mnsu.edu | Narrative, screenwriting |
| Joseph, Diana | diana.joseph@mnsu.edu | Fiction |
| Robbins, Richard | richard.robbins@mnsu.edu | Poetry |
| Sheffer, Roger | roger.sheffer@mnsu.edu | Fiction |
| Terrill, Richard | richard.terrill@mnsu.edu | Nonfiction, poetry |
Program ActivitiesThe Good Thunder Reading Series brings emerging and established writers to Minnesota State University, Mankato for one-day residencies, usually seven per year. These visits include manuscript conferences, classroom visits, craft lectures, and public readings. Past guests have included William Stafford, Olga Broumas, Tim O'Brien, Louise Erdrich, Donald Hall, Carolyn Forche, Rick DeMarinis, Jane Smiley, and over 100 others. During Spring Semester, the Eddice B. Barber Visiting Writer Program sponsors an extended, week-long residency by an additional poet or prose writer.
Twice each semester, graduate students in creative writing sponsor the Writers Bloc series of open readings, which gives campus and community writers the opportunity to read their work in a public forum. At various times during the year, graduate students who are nearing completion of their programs will give thesis readings before audiences of faculty, fellow students, and members of the general public.
If you would like to see where MSU creative writers are publishing their work, check out our Kudos page. A complete list of the Department of English faculty publications is forthcoming.
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