Writing, MFA
48 credit hours
The Master of Fine Arts in Writing focuses on the study and practice of the craft of creative writing. We offer craft classes, literature classes, and writing workshops in small class settings. Coursework can be taken fully online, or through on-campus clusters, or through a combination of both delivery methods.
Admission to the MFA in Writing program is based on a creative writing sample and a statement of purpose. Both items should be emailed to the MFA program director by the following deadlines: May 1 for summer quarter, August 1 for fall quarter, November 1 for winter quarter, and February 1 for spring quarter. The writing sample should be 7-10 pages of creative writing (fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction). The statement of purpose should describe why the applicant would like to pursue the MFA degree and the role writing has played in his or her life. The program seeks students who clearly demonstrate strong writing skills, an understanding of the craft of literary creative writing, and a willingness to continue growing as a writer. Students must also meet all university admissions requirements. For identification purposes, fully online students must submit a color copy of a photo ID or an official GRE score. For score reporting, the Lindenwood University code is 6367.
The MFA in Writing is a 48-credit-hour degree program. The graduate thesis, in which students produce a creative thesis of 70-100 pages in the student's genre(s) of choice, is required for the final three credit hours of the program. Students select the remainder of their coursework (as nine-credit-hour on-campus clusters and/or three-credit-hour online classes) from the MFA in Writing curriculum. There are no prerequisite classes; the classes may be taken in any order and from any genre. Students have the option to declare an emphasis in one of three areas: fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. An emphasis requires a minimum of 27 credit hours of coursework in the emphasis area, including at least one foundational course from the list below for the declared genre; the three-credit-hour thesis must focus primarily on the emphasis genre. Emphasis students may choose any IMF course numbers for their remaining 18 credit hours. Students work with an advisor to ensure proper emphasis coursework is completed. MFA classes may be offered online, on-campus, or both.
Foundational Courses for Emphases
Students pursuing an emphasis must select at least one class from the list below for the declared genre:
Fiction Emphasis Foundational Options:
| IMF 55100 | Fiction Craft Foundations | 3 |
| IMF 56100 | Classic Foundational Literature: Fiction | 3 |
| IMF 58100 | Contemporary Foundational Literature: Fiction | 3 |
Poetry Emphasis Foundational Options:
| IMF 55300 | Poetry Craft Foundations | 3 |
| IMF 56300 | Classic Foundational Literature: Poetry | 3 |
| IMF 58300 | Contemporary Foundational Literature: Poetry | 3 |
Creative Nonfiction Emphasis Foundational Options:
| IMF 55200 | Creative Nonfiction Craft Foundations | 3 |
| IMF 56200 | Classic Foundational Literature: Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| IMF 58200 | Contemporary Foundational Literature: Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
MFA in Writing Curriculum
On-Campus and Online Options
Course List
Required Final Course
Graduate Thesis
Optional Extension