MFA in Writing — Program Study Options

First and foremost, being a writer means you are a lifelong student of the human condition. That exploration can take many forms—Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Literary Translation—or an exciting engagement in which forms intersect, creating new hybrids, new ways of looking at who we are.

At VCFA, no matter which path you choose, exemplary writers, thinkers, and teachers will accompany you on your journey. And with opportunities to intern with our renowned literary magazine, Hunger Mountain Review, you will gain professional publishing experience. Below are several study options to explore:

STUDY OPTION 1
Explore One Form—Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry or Literary Translation—at the Deepest Level, Expanding Your Creative Vision and Artistry	Imagine: Four semesters fully immersed in the form of your choosing—Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry or Literary Translation—each semester devoted to creating and re-visioning original material, plus immersion in an evolving and customized reading list that directly feeds your artistic vision.
STUDY OPTION 2
Explore Hybrid—A Combination of Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Literary Translation—Expanding Knowledge, Possibilities, Horizons	Imagine: Four semesters immersed in a unique course of study—The first semester focused on a single genre, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Literary Translation. In subsequent semesters—second, third, and fourth—the focus shifts to hybrid writing, combining the genres in inventive ways and working with a variety of experimental forms. (Option-2 students are encouraged to work with those faculty members who specialize in hybrid forms.)
STUDY OPTION 3
Explore Dual Genre—Deeply Expanding Knowledge via Duality	Imagine: Five semesters immersed in two forms of your choosing—Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid or Literary Translation—creating substantial original bodies of work in each form. This dual-form course of study emphasizes creativity and a deeper understanding of the conventions and possibilities of the two forms you choose to explore. (Option-3 students will spend three semesters in one genre, two in another)
STUDY OPTION 4
Explore New Horizons, Crossing Borders into the Uncharted World of Cross-Genre/Cross-Disciplinary Study	Imagine: One to three semesters exploring how Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, or Literary Translation can intersect and be made new by infusing creative writing forms with the art and vision of other VCFA-housed disciplines: Film, Graphic Design, Music Composition, Visual Art, and Writing for Children & Young Adults. (This option is available after the first semester and includes a $1200 cross-discipline advising fee.)