Every Stonecoast graduate holds an MFA in Creative Writing, with individual experiences weighted toward one of these five concentrations:
- Creative Nonfiction
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Popular Fiction
- Scriptwriting
Professional writers often publish in multiple genres, which is why Stonecoast (unlike most MFA programs) encourages cross-genre exploration. Expect academic rigor and the freedom to experiment, push boundaries, and grow as an artist.
In every concentration, students will create hundreds of pages of new writing, receive personalized feedback from faculty mentors, and learn how to develop careers in publishing and teaching.
Prior to graduation, every student will:
- Participate in 8 workshops, honing craft, developing a critical eye, and fostering connections with other students.
- Engage in 16 or more craft seminars. These classes are led by Stonecoast faculty and distinguished guests.
- Learn to read like a writer, thanks to 20 or more annotations of creative works and craft texts.
- Explore a facet of your writing passion. The Third Semester Project Essay is an 18-25-page critical essay that focuses on an issue or experience related to literary craft or literary theory.
- Share your learning with our commmunity during a one-hour presentation, to be delivered during the graduation residency.
- Produce an 80-130 page thesis manuscript, in close consultation with your faculty mentor.
- Give a public reading from your thesis work.
- Develop the habits, processes, and friendships that will sustain your writing life.
We would love to tell you more about our Stonecoast MFA community. Contact us with your questions. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, learn more about program requirements or apply now.