Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Overview

Manhattanville's 36-credit Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing brings students into a dynamic literary community of writers from all walks of life. Courses are scheduled in the evenings to meet the needs of working adults. The program can be completed in two years, though students may attend part-time and work at their own pace, beginning in either the fall or spring semester, or with Summer Writers' Week, held annually at the end of June.

Our MFA Program aims to develop writers who can participate effectively in professional, academic and community settings, while raising their own literary capacities to their highest potential. Our students learn and hone their craft in a challenging, nurturing environment that fosters community and personal growth.

We believe that taking a minimally structured approach to a post-graduate writing curriculum ensures a more well-rounded, prepared, and versatile writer. Our students are welcome to explore and study all genres, to enter workshops and independent studies of their choosing, and ultimately to select the genre that fits best for their thesis project. This approach ensures surprising and rewarding results.

Manhattanville's unique non-tracked MFA curriculum assures flexibility. Students participate in workshops each semester, working in a single genre or across genres with gifted teachers and mentors who are also award-winning authors. The program curriculum is comprised of three required courses and regular workshops.

Beyond these required courses, MFA students select electives that fit their immediate interests and long-term goals. Course offerings include Summer Writers' Week and Fall Writers' Weekend, and a variety of craft-based courses, called 'Topics' classes, that change each semester. Recent Topics classes have focused on The Novel, Episodic Screenwriting, and Formal Experimentation. Each of these courses earn three credits toward the MFA degree. All graduate writing courses are given a 5000-level ENW designation. Course descriptions can be found in the courses section of this catalog.

Program Director

Iain Haley Pollock, 914.323.7211, iain.pollock@mville.edu