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masters of fine arts in writing graduate program.

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 must:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Complete the Graduate online Application form and application fees.
  • Submit one official transcript each from college or university attended to be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies. Hand carried or student submitted credentials are not acceptable.
  • Statement of purpose, a one- to two-page single-spaced self-assessment of your background in writing, reasons for wanting to enter the MFA program, and your goals as a writer. See below for formatting requirements.
  • Writing Sample, a manuscript representing your best work in the genre track (poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction) for which you are applying: 15 pages of poetry, 30-40 pages of fiction or nonfiction. See below for formatting requirements.
  • Three letters of recommendations - Please provide the names and email addresses for your recommenders. (A Request form will be emailed to recommenders by UNO when you submit your online application.)
    • NOTE: Your self-assessment statement and your manuscript sample must be submitted in your online application in .pdf format. If you are unable to submit your materials in .pdf format or have questions regarding the content of your submissions, please contact Jenna Lucas.   Manuscript format should be in 12 pt. typeface with 1" margins.  Poetry may be single-spaced, prose should be double-spaced, pages numbered top right, applicant's last name at top left of each page.  Material in genres other than the one in which you are applying will not be read.

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
6001 Dodge St. WFAB 310
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 August 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

Residencies are conference style sessions (10 days) consisting of a combination of workshops on student writing, craft and theory classes, individual conferences with mentoring faculty, and performance readings. All students are required to take a minimum of 20 hours of a combination of these events, and to meet with their mentoring faculty member to design a course of study for the semester.

Dates of Residency

Seminars

Seminars are semester-long (16 weeks) supervised distance studies in writing during which the student corresponds regularly with a faculty mentor on the work which was proposed during the preceding residency session individual conferences. At least four times a semester, the student must submit creative and critical writing to the faculty mentor. The mentor will respond with revisions, suggestions for further readings, and discussion. Additionally, students will have the opportunity, through a seminar web site, to participate in online craft discussions with other students in their seminar group. Seminars are comprised of a maximum of 5 students each.

Further information on the MFA in Writing may be obtained by contacting:

Administrative Director
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge St. WFAB 310
Omaha, NE 68182-0324
402-554-3020
Email: jennalucas@cox.net

OR

Office of Graduate Studies
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Eppley Administration Building 203
Omaha, NE 68182-0209
402-554-2341
Email: graduate@unomaha.edu

last updated: 11/9/2011 at 4:11am