The W MFA
in Creative Writing

Short Residency

Short Residency classes are 1-hour classes in experiential, hands-on subjects,, which might involve theatre, music, performance poetry, storytelling, etc., They may also may be scheduled to coincide with campus events, such as the Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium or off-campus events like the AWP Conference.New students are encouraged, to attend the Eudora Welty Writers' Symposium residency as an orientation to the program, campus, and Columbus.

Full Residency

Full residency classes are 2-hour classes that include mixed-genre workshop sessions; seminars on the profession of creative writing such as publishing, pedagogy, and craft talks; and evening readings and social events. The Full Residency will also provide time for face-to-face mentoring and thesis defenses. Full Residencies are usually scheduled in late May, lasting 9-10 days from Memorial Day weekend until the following weekend.

Workshops

Since workshop courses focus on writing, a students' primary work will be creating a portfolio in the genre of the workshop. Other assignments , such as readings in the genre and an analytical essay, may also be included. Synchronous workshop discussion of student writing will be a main component of the class. Workshops are offered in Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Playwriting, New Media, and Translation. Professional Writing is a workshop focused on revision and submissions.

Forms & Literature

Forms courses focus on exploring the craft of writing through reading. The main assignments will be analytical essays focusing on the craft elements of the assigned readings.

Literature courses will also focus on reading in a genre or period, and will focus more on literary interpretation and scholarship.

Thesis

Each student will write a thesis at the completion of their MFA degree. The thesis class consists of 6 hours, which may be done in one or two semesters. A thesis is a book-length project, typically in one genre, though mixed genre theses may be allowed with the approval of the thesis committee.

Besides the final written manuscript, each thesis project will include a public performance, a craft essay or introduction, and a thesis defense.

Collaboration

Playwrights and other writers interested in drama now also have opportunities to work with The W's Low-Residency MFA in Theatre Education. Theatre Ed students take part in our drama classes, and our students may take some theatre practicum classes. In addition, our playwrights have had their play scripts produced as stage readings and full productions. Opportunities are being explored for collaboration at the theatre residency as well.