MFA in Creative Writing
A Center for Literary Arts and Publishing Practice
Concentrations
Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Banner Code: LA-MFA-CW
The MFA in creative writing is a three-year residency program offering tracks in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students in the program are members of a literary community that includes Watershed Lit: Center for Literary Engagement and Publishing Practice, a student-organized program of readings, two journals, and a Visiting Writers series. Resident faculty members include recipients of prestigious writing awards such as the Guggenheim Foundation, the Yale Series of Younger Poets, the Lannan Foundation, the Whiting Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, among others.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the MFA in creative writing, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 48
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
Literature
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Literature | ||
| Select two to four of the following courses in consultation with an advisor 1 | 6-12 | |
| Graduate Literature Survey | ||
| Topics in Literary and Cultural Studies | ||
| Selected Topics, Movements, or Genres of Literature in English | ||
| Proseminar in Fiction | ||
| Proseminar in Poetry | ||
|
Other applicable ENGH courses with advisor approval
|
||
| Craft Seminars | ||
| Six to twelve credits of | 6-12 | |
| Craft Seminars 2 | ||
| Other Genre | 3 | |
| Workshop | 1 | |
| Visiting Writers | ||
| Total Credits | 16-28 | |
- 1
-
ENGH 798 Directed Reading and Research may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
- 2
-
This course may be repeated for credit.
Concentration in Fiction (FIC)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 566 | Forms of Fiction | 3 |
| ENGH 683 | Proseminar in Fiction | 3 |
| Writing Workshops | 9 | |
| Fiction Writing Workshop | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Fiction Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration in Nonfiction Writing (NFW)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 506 | Research for Narrative Writing 1 | 3 |
| ENGH 565 | Forms of Nonfiction | 3 |
| Writing Workshops | 9 | |
| Nonfiction Writing Workshop | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
-
Students should enroll the first semester it is offered after they enter the program.
Concentration in Poetry (POE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 564 | Form of Poetry | 3 |
| ENGH 684 | Proseminar in Poetry | 3 |
| Writing Workshops | 9 | |
| Poetry Writing Workshop | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Poetry Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Poetry Exam
Students in poetry must pass a written MFA exam based on the authors they have chosen. The authors are selected in collaboration with the writing faculty any time after completing 12 credits of course work and before completing 32 credits. The exam must be completed at least one semester before the student registers for the final 3 credits of thesis.
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select up to 12 credits from electives in consultation with the writing program faculty 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
-
The number of electives will vary according to the number of literature courses and workshops that students take.
Thesis
ENGH 798 Directed Reading and Research may not be used as thesis preparation. Students who want to register for thesis credits in the summer need the permission of the thesis committee.
Students should be aware of the university policies governing theses. They must follow the thesis enrollment policy and once enrolled in ENGH 799 Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment. These policies are specified in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |