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MFA Program

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Creative Writing is a 48-hour studio/academic course of study designed to advance and develop students’ intellectual and artistic abilities. The University of Alabama MFA Program has long been considered among the best in the nation, renowned for its robust visiting writers series, for its spirit of experimentation and flexibility (students may take workshops in any genre), and for housing the award-winning Black Warrior Review, which is edited and run entirely by graduate students. Students work closely with resident faculty and also take workshops and have manuscript consultations with visiting writers.

Program Format & Curriculum

Incoming students gather on the steps of the English Building
Incoming students gather on the steps of the English Building

In addition to genre-based writing workshops, MFA students study literature, take a broad range of forms classes, and can choose courses from across the University. Working closely with a faculty mentor, students in their final year complete and defend a thesis—typically (but by no means limited to) a book-length manuscript.

The program can be completed in three years, but all students are guaranteed support for a fourth; many take advantage of this option in order to have a year of intensive focus on the thesis project and to gain additional teaching experience (a minimum of two years in residence is required).

In sum, the MFA is designed for maximum flexibility to allow students to pursue diverse interests and develop naturally as they grow as writers.

Learn more about required courses and general degree requirements in the UA Graduate Catalog.

Opportunities

In addition to the Black Warrior Review, Alabama offers MFA students many opportunities to gain professional experience. Students can work as Writing Center tutors, research assistants, and program assistants, and after the first year, everyone teaches. UA offers MFAs a greater number of courses available to teach than most programs: in addition to composition, graduate assistants can go on to teach any number of literature classes and creative writing (both our multi-genre intro course and intermediate courses in their specialty).

Also check out the Prison Arts Program, English Graduate Organization (EGO), and the MFA Reading Series.

More Information

Follow these links for information on how to apply and the financial assistance opportunities offered by the English department and the Graduate School.