Creative Writing (0478)

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• Graduate
• Master of Fine Arts
• Arts & Letters
• English

• Overview
• Program Admission
• Program Requirements

Overview

The MFA program provides students pursuing vocations in creative writing the opportunity to acquire the background and knowledge required to be leading citizens of what Vachel Lindsay calls the “Republic of Letters.” The program prepares students for lives as writers of novels, short fiction, creative nonfiction, scripts, and poetry and related pursuits such as teaching, literary editing and publishing.  In addition to intensive creative writing, students will complete four classes in a secondary concentration as part of the MFA. Students can select a concentration in literature, composition/rhetoric, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), or pedagogy. 

in order to give them additional options for employment after graduation. In total, the three-year residential program consists of 48 credit hours of graduate course work, culminating in the completion of a publishable creative thesis in fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, or creative nonfiction.  

To apply for a funded graduate assistantship, download and submit the application on the department's program webpage: https://www.wku.edu/english/mfacw/index.php.

Concentration(s)

• Composition and Rhetoric (ENCR)
• Literature (ENLI)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ENTL)
• Pedagogy (ENPG)

Program Admission

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• A twenty-page creative writing sample consisting of work in at least one of the following genres: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting. The spacing and formatting of the writing sample should fit conventions of the selected genre.
• A statement of purpose consisting of one or two single-spaced pages describing the applicant’s background and interest in creative writing and how the WKU MFA program could help with the applicant’s literary pursuits.
• A curriculum vita or resumé, with a minimum of three references listed.
• Although not required, undergraduate creative writing courses are highly recommended. 
• Optional: Students who are interested in applying for one of our funded graduate assistantships must download and submit the GA application along with the required application materials. The completed GA application must include a one-page statement addressing interests, skills, or experiences that make them highly qualified for a graduate assistantship position of teaching introductory college writing classes. The link to the GA application form is found on the department's program website: https://www.wku.edu/english/mfacw/index.php.
• Applicants for whom English is their second language must score a minimum of 26 on the TOEFL Speaking and Writing sections for admission and 28 on the Speaking and Writing sections to be considered for the Graduate Assistantship. Equivalent scores on the IELTS of 6 and 7, respectively, are also accepted. Duolingo scores are not accepted.

Program Requirements (48 hours)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
ENG 507	Introduction to Creative Writing Studies	3
ENG 510	Graduate Rhetoric and Writing	3
ENG 512	Reading as a Writer	3
ENG 501	Graduate Writing Workshop	9
or ENG 403G	Writing Memoir and Autobiography
or ENG 474G	Advanced Poetry Writing
or ENG 475G	Advanced Fiction Workshop
ENG 515	Internship	3
ENG 599	Thesis Research and Writing	6
Electives 1
Literature course		3
Select 6 additional hours		6
Any ENG 400G level, ENG 500 level, GWS 630 or other advisor approved elective
Select a concentration		12
Total Hours		48

¹

Students may take the six hours of elective courses from any of the concentration courses so long as they have not counted them as part of the core or secondary concentration. In order to earn TESOL certification as a secondary concentration, students must complete one TESOL course as one of their free electives.

Composition & Rhetoric Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select 12 hours from the following:		12
ENG 401G	Advanced Composition
ENG 402G	Editing and Publishing
ENG 410G	Composition Theory and Practice in Writing Instruction
ENG 412G	Theories of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing
ENG 415G	Writing and Technology
ENG 506	Introduction to Professional & Technical Writing
ENG 510	Graduate Rhetoric and Writing
ENG 597	Special Topics in English
ENG 598	Advanced Directed Study
ENG 549	Special Topics in Professional & Technical Writing
Total Hours		12

Literature Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select 12 hours from the following:		12
ENG 430G	19th Century American Literature
ENG 457G	British Literature since 1900
ENG 460G	Literary Theory and Criticism
ENG 468G	Early Modern English Literature
ENG 481G	Chaucer
ENG 482G	Shakespeare
ENG 484G	British Romanticism
ENG 486G	The Eighteenth Century
ENG 487G	Dante's Divine Comedy and its Influences
ENG 488G	Victorian Literature & Culture
ENG 489G	The British Novel
ENG 490G	American Novel
ENG 493G	American Poetry
ENG 495G	Southern Literature
ENG 497G	Women's Literature
ENG 504	Studies in American Literature
ENG 514	Studies in British Literature
ENG 524	Studies in World Literature
ENG 534	Studies in Genre
ENG 586	Seminar in British Writers
ENG 596	Seminar in American Writers
ENG 597	Special Topics in English
ENG 598	Advanced Directed Study
Total Hours		12

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select 12 hours from the following:		12
ENG 407G	Linguistic Analysis
ENG 408G	Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics
ENG 471G	TESL Practicum
ENG 565	Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language
ENG 566	Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language
ENG 598	Advanced Directed Study
Total Hours		12

Pedagogy Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select 12 hours of the following:		12
ENG 410G	Composition Theory and Practice in Writing Instruction
ENG 510	Graduate Rhetoric and Writing
ENG 516	Literature and Pedagogy
ENG 565	Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language
ENG 597	Special Topics in English (when pedagogically-focused)
ENG 598	Advanced Directed Study (when pedagogically-focused)
GWS 630	Feminist Pedagogies
ID 560	Instructional Design Foundations (requires advisor approval)
Total Hours		12

Cost

Please consult the current tuition rates as posted on the WKU Graduate School Tuition page.

Funding

Our program awards 5 competitive graduate assistantships each year. Our graduate assistantship provides a three-year apprenticeship that prepares our graduates to teach at the collegiate level and provides both a monthly stipend and substantial, but not full, tuition support.

During the first year, GAs serve as embedded tutors within our ENG 100E/105 courses and assist in the Writing Center, receiving mentorship from the instructors of record, the Colonnade Coordinator, and the Writing Center Director. During years 2 and 3, most GAs independently instruct 2 course sections of ENG 100, Introduction to College Writing. Some GAs are chosen to do administrative work. Dependent upon departmental needs, exceptional GAs may also be offered the opportunity to teach ENG 200, Introduction to Literature, or ENG 203, Introduction to Creative Writing.

GAs are classified as Kentucky residents for tuition and fee purposes.

Applicants must download and complete the Graduate Assistant application located here.

Applicants must meet the requirements of both the Graduate School and the Department of English to be considered for admission.

Graduate School Application Requirements

• Applicants must complete the online graduate application and pay a non-refundable application fee. 
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted to the Graduate School.
• Transcripts must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
• International students may need to demonstrate English proficiency through standardized tests like TOEFL or IELTS. 

M.F.A. in Creative Writing Application Requirements

• Applicants should have completed a minimum of four undergraduate English courses beyond general education requirements.
• At least two of the courses should be upper-level English courses. Undergraduate creative writing courses are highly recommended to establish basic skills.          
• All upper-level English courses should have a grade of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). If you have a GPA below 3.0 and would like to appeal for admission, please contact the Graduate Program Advisor.
• No GRE scores are required.
• Applicants for which English is their second language must score a minimum of 26 on the TOEFL Speaking and Writing sections for admission and 28 on the Speaking and Writing sections to be considered for the Graduate Assistantship. Equivalent scores on the IELTS of 6 and 7, respectively, are also accepted. Duolingo scores are not accepted.

M.F.A. in Creative Writing Application Required Materials

• Applicants must submit a one- to two-page letter of application that explains the appeal of the MFA program at WKU and how this degree is expected to contribute to your goals as a writer and scholar. Applicants should include contact information for three references who can support your application to the program.
• Applicants should submit a sample of original creative work, which should be comprised of one of the following:
  • up to 20 pages of prose fiction;
  • 10-15 pages of poetry;
  • up to 25 pages of screenwriting (e., a short screenplay, multiple short screenplays, the beginning of a feature-length screenplay, or the beginning of a TV pilot teleplay);
  • alternatively, up to 20 pages of a blend of any of the above genres (e.g., prose fiction and poetry) could also be considered.
• Currently, we are not accepting applicants for the creative nonfiction track.
• Applications are due each year by February 1^st.

M.F.A. in Creative Writing Graduate Assistant Application Process

• Applicants must download and complete the Graduate Assistant application located here.
• Applicants must submit a one- to two-page letter of application that explains their qualifications and experiences which make them exceptional candidates for the Graduate Assistantship.
• Applicants must send the completed application and letter to the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Trini Stickle, at stickle@wku.edu, by February 1^st.
• Applicants must also request two letters of recommendation be sent directly to the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Trini Stickle, at stickle@wku.edu, by February 1^st.

For all inquiries, contact Dr. Nancy W. Dinan, M.F.A. Director, at nancy.dinan@wku.edu, or Dr. Trini Stickle, Graduate Program Advisor, at trini.stickle@wku.edu. 

Reading Series

Each semester, the M.F.A at WKU hosts reading events to allow students to learn from and mingle with distinguished writers and scholars. These events are open to the public, and the semester’s schedule is available on the English Department's Calendar. 

 

Post M.F. A. Fully Funded PhD Programs in Creative Writing (U.S.)

University of Southern California (USC) – PhD in Creative Writing & Literature

• All admitted students receive full tuition remission, year-round health and dental benefits, and a stipend.
• USC PhD CW

University of Houston – PhD in Literature and Creative Writing

• Offers a 5-year teaching assistantship with a starting stipend of $20,104 for 9 months. Additionally, students receive fellowships and 50% coverage of medical insurance.
• UH PhD CW

Florida State University – PhD in English (Creative Writing)

• Provides full funding to all admitted students, including tuition remission and a stipend.
• FSU PhD CW

University of Illinois at Chicago – PhD in English with Creative Dissertation

• Fully funded program with a 2/1 teaching load.
• UI-Chicago PhD CW

University of Nebraska–Lincoln – PhD in English (Creative Writing)

• Offers full funding through teaching assistantships, including tuition remission and a stipend.
• UN-L PhD CW

University of Cincinnati – PhD in Creative Writing and Literature

• Most students are funded by teaching assistantships, with opportunities for editorial work and fellowships. Fifth-year support is generally available.
• College of Arts and Sciences

Texas Tech University – PhD in English (Creative Writing)

• All admitted students receive full funding through teaching assistantships.
• TTU CW PhD

University of Tennessee, Knoxville – PhD in English with Creative Writing Dissertation

• Fully funded program providing extensive hands-on experience within the English Department.
• UT English Dept.

University of Utah – PhD in English (Creative Writing)

• All admitted students are fully funded, with a 2/1 teaching load.
• UU PhD CW

University of Denver – PhD in Literary Studies

• Fully funded for the first three years with a Graduate Teaching Assistantship covering tuition, health insurance, and a stipend for the academic year.
• UD PhD LS

Additional programs can be found at New Pages Graduate Creative Writing Programs or through the AWP Guide to Writing Programs (AWP account required to view).

 

Small Presses Offering Opportunities to MFA Students

Howling Bird Press (Augsburg University)

• Affiliation: Augsburg University's MFA in Creative Writing program
• Opportunities: MFA students can enroll in a publishing concentration, gaining hands-on experience in editing, production, and marketing.
• Genres: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting
• Website: Howling Bird Press Augsburg University

Stillhouse Press (George Mason University)

• Affiliation: George Mason University
• Opportunities: Run by students and alumni, offering practical experience in publishing.
• Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry
• Website: Stillhouse Press

Susquehanna University Press

• Affiliation: Susquehanna University
• Opportunities: Operates as a university publisher and undergraduate learning lab, involving students in various aspects of publishing.
• Genres: Literary fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry
• Website: Susquehanna University Press

 Alice James Books

• Affiliation: Independent; formerly affiliated with the University of Maine at Farmington
• Opportunities: Offers internships and emphasizes publishing emerging poets.
• Genres: Poetry
• Website: Alice James Books

CavanKerry Press

• Affiliation: Independent; member of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)
• Opportunities: Publishes emerging and mid-career poets; seeks manuscripts from a broad range of writers.
• Genres: Poetry, nonfiction
• Website: CavanKerry Press

Mayapple Press

• Affiliation: Independent; member of CLMP and the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
• Opportunities: Focuses on works that straddle conventional categories, including those by emerging writers.
• Genres: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction
• Website: Mayapple Press

Coffee House Press

• Affiliation: Independent; based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Opportunities: Publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, often by emerging voices.
• Genres: Literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry
• Website: Coffee House Press

See also Poets & Writers Small Presses Database, which allows filtering by genre, submission period, and other criteria.

And, Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) regularly posts calls for submissions, including opportunities suitable for MFA students.

 

Internship

Students are encouraged to pursue internships that are of particular professional and scholarly interest.

The list below serves only to demonstrate individual examples and the range of possibilities.

• The Byrdcliffe Artists in Residence in Woodstock, NY
• Sarabande Books
• Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, in Louisville, KY 

 

Literary Journals and Anthologies
The Baltimore Review

• Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
• Details: Accepts up to three poems or prose pieces up to 5,000 words. No submission fee; offers payment upon publication.
• Submit: Baltimore Review Submissions

Cool Beans Lit

• Genres: Short Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Visual Art, Photography
• Details: Seeks fresh content that stokes the senses for their Summer 2025 issue.
• Submit: Cool Beans Lit Submissions CLMP

Black Warrior Review

• Affiliation: University of Alabama
• Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Comics, Art
• Details: One of the oldest graduate student-run literary journals in the U.S., known for publishing both emerging and established writers.
• Website: Black Warrior Review

The Missouri Review

• Affiliation: University of Missouri
• Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
• Details: Publishes quarterly and hosts the annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize with substantial awards.
• Website: The Missouri Review

Permafrost

• Affiliation: University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, Visual Art
• Details: The northernmost literary journal in the U.S., staffed by MFA students, featuring a mix of emerging and established voices.
• Website: Permafrost Magazine

Welter

• Affiliation: University of Baltimore
• Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction
• Details: Graduate student-run publication accepting international submissions, with a new print issue released every spring.
• Website: Welter Magazine

Clarion

• Affiliation: Boston University
• Genres: Poetry, Prose, Reviews, Interviews
• Details: Publishes annually and is open to submissions from all writers, regardless of university affiliation.
• Website: Clarion Magazine

Hunger Mountain

• Affiliation: Vermont College of Fine Arts
• Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Young Adult, Children's Writing, Visual Art
• Reading Period: May 1 to October 1
• Details: Publishes both online and in print, showcasing a diverse range of voices and genres.
• Website: Hunger Mountain

 

Anthologies Currently Seeking Submissions

The World We See: Women Poets on Neurodivergence

• Publisher: TRP: The University Press of SHSU
• Genres: Poetry
• Details: Focuses on women and non-binary poets exploring themes related to neurodivergence, including ADHD and Autism.
• Submit: Submission Details

Exposed Bone Vol. III

• Publisher: Exposed Bone Publishing, LLC
• Genres: Uncanny Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
• Details: Seeks work that challenges expectations and pushes boundaries, encouraging the sly, weird, and charming.
• Submit: Submission Details

Constellate: Student Anthology Vol. II

• Affiliation: Old Dominion University
• Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
• Details: Aims to publish creative writing pieces from students, including memoirs and other nonfiction works.
• Submit: Constellate Submission Info Old Dominion University

Additional Resources for Submission Opportunities

• Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP): Regularly updated calls for submissions from literary magazines and presses.
  • CLMP Calls for Submissions
• NewPages: Comprehensive guide to current and upcoming submission opportunities, including contests and anthologies.
  • NewPages Calls for Submissions
• Poets & Writers: Extensive database of literary magazines, including submission guidelines and reading periods.
  • Poets & Writers Literary Magazines

Fiction

Poetry

Screenwriting

 

M.F.A. Graduate’s Theses are publicly available on WKU’s digital commons. Applicants and current students are encouraged to access them as samples for their future projects. A few publications may not be available due to embargo. 

WKU English Graduate School Forms and Templates (Faculty and Students Only)

• GA Application (Submissions Due Feb 1)
• ENG 200 Teaching Application
• ENG 203 Teaching Application
• Department of English Photo/Video Release Form
• Thesis Forms
• The Graduate School Thesis/Dissertation Committee Selection Form
• How to Format Your Thesis
• Steps to the MFA Thesis & Timeline
• Successful Defense Signature Page
• Critical Reflective Essay Guidelines
• WKU Copyright Permission Form
• M.F.A. Graduate’s Theses (2017-2023): Approved student theses are available on WKU’s digital commons. Applicants and current students are encouraged to access them as samples for their future projects. Publications may not be available due to embargo.

Readings on M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Graduate Studies, and Professionalism

• How to Write a Persuasive Cover Letter
• How to Write a Personal Statement
• The Ins and Outs of First Year at Graduate School
• Why M.F.A. Is Worth The Time And Investment
• What is Professionalism?