The English major with Creative Writing emphasis aims at giving students intensive practice in writing and criticism in various genres in a workshop format; for general writing careers or for prospective candidates for the MFA in Creative Writing.

A minimum of 34 s/hrs are required: 14 s/hrs of coursework in creative writing from among the following: ENGL 266 Writing Fiction & Poetry (prerequisite for all creative writing courses); Advanced Fiction Writing; Advanced Poetry Writing; Playwriting; and Creative Writing Workshop (poetry, fiction, drama, or nonfiction). Literature and language requirements include: ENGL 110 Literary Interpretation (prerequisite for all courses); British Literature I or II and American Literature I or II; Studies in Verse, Studies in the Novel, or Studies in Drama; and an English language.

Graduate Program Director

The MFA in Creative Writing is a program for students who wish to become professional writers of poetry, fiction, drama, or nonfiction, and qualifies them to teach the craft at the college or university level.

The program requires 42 s/hrs of courses in writing workshops, literature, and literary theory, and an MFA project of 6 s/hrs. Workshops (12-18 s/hrs) provide for much independent work, individual instruction, and practical experience in criticism and rewriting, as well as the challenge and inspiration of working with and for one's peers. The successful MFA candidate should develop research and critical skills and a sound background in literature. Therefore, candidates take forms courses in poetry, fiction, drama, or nonfiction; 6-8 s/hrs in literature; and courses in various cognate fields. Capping the program is the MFA Project (6 s/hrs), an original book-length work of fiction, poetry, drama, or nonfiction, including a public reading or performance to be approved by the candidate's advisory committee.

WMU's PhD program is designed to meet the needs of future scholars and writers, particularly those who intend to teach at undergraduate institutions. The program requires all candidates to have broad knowledge of English and American literature, acquaintance with nontraditional literature, practical and/or theoretical background in the teaching of English (including the teaching of creative writing), and a specialization in a single area (which can be creative writing). Candidates entering with an MA are credited with 30 to 36 s/hrs depending on their degrees; those entering with an MFA may be credited with as many as 45 s/hrs in some circumstances.

In order to enrich their creative process, writers are encouraged to work in more than one genre, and the content of MFA projects and dissertations frequently reflects this approach. Whatever their specialization, all candidates will receive essential experience in research, teaching, and writing in the profession, and will develop the breadth required of teachers in relatively small English departments.

WMU hosts the Third Coast Writers' Conference in the spring with participating writers from all over the Midwest and nationally known writers serving as workshop faculty, panelists, and featured readers. Under the general guidance of the writing faculty, graduate (and, occasionally, undergraduate) students serve as the editorial and production staff of Third Coast, WMU's national literary journal. Graduate students may also have the opportunity to pro-vide editorial and other assistance in the production of books in Western's award-winning New Issues Poetry and Prose Series, under the general editorship of writing faculty member and series founder Herbert Scott. Students may compete, in separate categories for graduates and undergraduates, for annual departmental awards in fiction, poetry, playwriting, and nonfic?tion; they are also eligible for other departmental awards that recognize general achievement in academics and/or creative writing. Playwriting students are also eligible to compete for production at area theaters.

Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, a mid-sized, diverse, traditionally liberal city with a lively arts scene, a vital downtown, and strong music and theatrical venues. Within and around the city are numerous lakes and parks, and the unique beaches of Lake Michigan's eastern coast are an hour's drive through farmland, vineyards, and apple orchards.

Graduate Program Director

The MFA in Creative Writing is a program for students who wish to become professional writers of poetry, fiction, drama, or nonfiction, and qualifies them to teach the craft at the college or university level.

The program requires 42 s/hrs of courses in writing workshops, literature, and literary theory, and an MFA project of 6 s/hrs. Workshops (12-18 s/hrs) provide for much independent work, individual instruction, and practical experience in criticism and rewriting, as well as the challenge and inspiration of working with and for one's peers. The successful MFA candidate should develop research and critical skills and a sound background in literature. Therefore, candidates take forms courses in poetry, fiction, drama, or nonfiction; 6-8 s/hrs in literature; and courses in various cognate fields. Capping the program is the MFA Project (6 s/hrs), an original book-length work of fiction, poetry, drama, or nonfiction, including a public reading or performance to be approved by the candidate's advisory committee.

WMU's PhD program is designed to meet the needs of future scholars and writers, particularly those who intend to teach at undergraduate institutions. The program requires all candidates to have broad knowledge of English and American literature, acquaintance with nontraditional literature, practical and/or theoretical background in the teaching of English (including the teaching of creative writing), and a specialization in a single area (which can be creative writing). Candidates entering with an MA are credited with 30 to 36 s/hrs depending on their degrees; those entering with an MFA may be credited with as many as 45 s/hrs in some circumstances.

In order to enrich their creative process, writers are encouraged to work in more than one genre, and the content of MFA projects and dissertations frequently reflects this approach. Whatever their specialization, all candidates will receive essential experience in research, teaching, and writing in the profession, and will develop the breadth required of teachers in relatively small English departments.

WMU hosts the Third Coast Writers' Conference in the spring with participating writers from all over the Midwest and nationally known writers serving as workshop faculty, panelists, and featured readers. Under the general guidance of the writing faculty, graduate (and, occasionally, undergraduate) students serve as the editorial and production staff of Third Coast, WMU's national literary journal. Graduate students may also have the opportunity to pro-vide editorial and other assistance in the production of books in Western's award-winning New Issues Poetry and Prose Series, under the general editorship of writing faculty member and series founder Herbert Scott. Students may compete, in separate categories for graduates and undergraduates, for annual departmental awards in fiction, poetry, playwriting, and nonfic?tion; they are also eligible for other departmental awards that recognize general achievement in academics and/or creative writing. Playwriting students are also eligible to compete for production at area theaters.

Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, a mid-sized, diverse, traditionally liberal city with a lively arts scene, a vital downtown, and strong music and theatrical venues. Within and around the city are numerous lakes and parks, and the unique beaches of Lake Michigan's eastern coast are an hour's drive through farmland, vineyards, and apple orchards.