Program Overview
The MFA in Creative Writing is a low-residency program in which students work closely with published authors who serve as their mentors and teachers. The program is arranged into modules and residencies (10 days of study on location at FDU’s Madison, New Jersey campus or at FDU’s Wroxton, England campus). During the two 10-day residencies held each year, students participate in workshops; they meet with their mentors, visiting writers, and fellow students; and they attend a variety of other literary events. During the rest of the school year, each student works one-on-one with his or her mentor, and also participates in online workshops.
The MFA degree is offered in five disciplines—Poetry, Fiction, Young Adult and Children’s Literature, Creative Nonfiction, and Literary Translation. Students are accepted into the discipline in which they expect to study. Academic work is completed during the writing modules and the residencies. Four writing modules, each 8 weeks long, are offered each academic year, two in the spring and two in the fall. Each module is directed by a faculty mentor. In addition to producing their own original creative and critical work, students are expected to actively participate in online writing workshops during each module. Students are expected to devote approximately 25 hours a week to their writing and other academic work for the program.
Student work is evaluated on a pass-fail system.
MODULES
Students must complete six modules in their genre (including the thesis module) and one module in Craft. The remaining module is an elective in which students work in another genre.
The modules run consecutively during the semester after each residency. The modules require a measure of independence on the student’s part and a disciplined writing schedule. In each module, the student will create and revise work under the guidance of a faculty member. Generally, work in any module consists of: 1) creative work submitted at three points each module; 2) active, thoughtful, constructive contributions to the online workshop; and 3) two Close Readings/Reviews of relevant texts. Mentors respond to creative work within a week of submission. Other work may be required according to the wishes of the mentor. At the end of the module, the mentor will prepare a Final Assessment, evaluating each student’s work and progress.
Fiction
Students concentrating in fiction writing must complete six 8-week modules in the genre.
The final (sixth) module in Fiction Writing is the Thesis Module that emphasizes revising and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of stories, a novella, or part of a novel. Students concentrating in other genres may elect to enroll in Fiction Writing for their one elective module.
As scheduled by the mentor, students must write two short stories or one story and a substantial revision, or equivalent novel chapters during each module.
Poetry
Students concentrating in poetry writing must complete six 8-week modules in the genre.
The final (sixth) module in Poetry Writing is the Thesis Module that emphasizes revising and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of poems. Students concentrating in other genres may elect to enroll in Poetry Writing for their one elective module.
Creative Non-Fiction
Students concentrating in Creative Nonfiction must complete six 8-week modules in the genre.
The final (sixth) module in Creative Nonfiction Writing is the Thesis Module that emphasizes revising and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of essays or part of a full-length memoir. Students concentrating in other genres may elect to enroll in Creative Nonfiction for their one elective module.
Young Adult and Children’s Literature
Students concentrating in Young Adult and Children’s Literature must complete six 8-week modules in the genre.
The final (sixth) module in Young Adult and Children’s Literature is the Thesis Module that emphasizes revising and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of stories or part of a full-length novella or novel. Students concentrating in other genres may elect to enroll in Young Adult and Children’s Literature for their one elective module.
Literary Translation
Students concentrating in Literary Translation must complete five 8-week modules in the genre and two electives, one in Poetry and one in prose (Fiction or Creative NonFiction).
The final (sixth) module in Literary Translation is the Thesis Module that emphasizes revising and polishing material to be submitted for the MFA thesis—a collection of translations (stories or poems or essays), or part of a full-length translation (a novella, novel, or memoir). Students concentrating in other genres may elect to enroll in Literary Translation for their one elective module.
Craft Module
Students must complete the module in Craft for their genre of concentration, usually during the fifth module of their work in the MFA program.
Working closely with a mentor, the student will research and write an essay devoted to Craft. The Essay on Craft must include: 1) a clear presentation of a central idea (or a sufficient articulation of a specific domain of exploration), fluent and correct syntax, and a coherent organization; 2) logical thinking grounded in close readings of the texts; and 3) textual substantiation for the ideas put forth. The Essay on Craft should be (approximately) between 3,500 and 5,000 words. The mentor must approve the topic and approach, but the Essay on Craft may be an academic essay, a personal reflection on texts, a profile of an author that includes close readings, or it may take another form, so long as it meets the above requirements and the mentor approves. Although the Craft module does not contain our traditional peer-oriented workshops, there will be opportunities for students to share drafts and discuss ideas at the residency and online.
ThesisThe thesis should reflect a culmination of all the work the student has completed during the program, and as such, it should represent the student’s best possible writing. The thesis may be comprised of poems, short stories, essays, a novella, the beginning portion of a novel, or the beginning portion of a memoir. The length should be approximately 25,000 words for prose. For poetry, the thesis should include approximately 375 lines. The thesis must be in the student’s declared genre. During the Thesis module, the thesis is written and revised by working closely with a mentor. Each thesis will undergo a formal evaluation and critique by the thesis mentor and second reader. |