• Faculty

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• Course Descriptions

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• Thesis/
  Dissertation Guide

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• MFA in Writing

MFA in Writing

The MFA in Writing is a two-year program of focused instruction for creative writers who are committed to a literary career. The program comprises four 16- week writing seminars and five 10-day, conference-style residency sessions. The seminars and residencies are integrated to help those who need to hone their writing and critical thinking in order to participate competitively in the wider domain of contemporary American letters. In a two-year course of study, the student earns 60 credit hours toward a Masters of Fine Arts degree in one of three genres: fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.

Admission

[NOTE: With the exception of international applicants who must submit a TOEFL score; applicants do not need to submit any standardized test scores such as the GRE. All applicants, however, should include a summary of any pertinent graduate or undergraduate work completed.]

Applicants for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Writing will:

1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should request two official transcripts from each college or university attended to be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies. Hand carried or student submitted credentials are not acceptable.
2. Complete the Graduate online Application form.

3. Send to the MFA program office a portfolio representing the applicant's best current writing (15 pages of poetry, 30-40 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction). In manuscript form, the format should be in 12 pt. typeface, Times or Times New Roman. Poetry should be single-spaced, prose should be double-spaced, pages numbered top right, with the applicant's name at the top left of each page.

4. Send to the MFA program office a two-page statement of the applicant's background in wiriting, goals as a writer, and reasons for wanting to enroll in the program.

NOTE: Portfolios of written work and Statements of Goals submitted as email attachments in .rtf or .doc formats to the MFA office will accelerate the evaluation process.

5. Send three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability to complete such a course of study, ability to work independently, and/or the quality of prior literary achievements. These letters should be on institutional letterhead when appropriate and mailed separately by the recommenders directly to the MFA program office.

For specific information, requirements and current residency dates for the program, please consult the program web site: http://www.unomaha.edu/unmfaw

MFA Program Contact Information:

Mail:

Administrative Director

University of Nebraska MFA in Writing

WFAB 310

6001 Dodge St.

Omaha, NE 68182-0324

Telephone: 402-554-3020

Email: jennalucas@cox.net

Deadlines

Program enrollment is small and selective. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will be considered on a year-round basis, but within the following cycles:

Application deadline for acceptance into the Winter residency and Spring semester is September 15.

Application deadline for acceptance into the Summer residency and Fall semester is March 15.

Applicants admitted to the Program must register for one residency session (3 credit hours) prior to the beginning of the session and one distance writing seminar (12 credit hours) during the residency session for each semester.

Applicants not admitted into the program may reapply with new manuscript material after one year.

Residencies

Dates of Residency

Seminars