Writing workshops (English 780 & 781) are the cornerstone of the MFA experience. Topics and structure vary. Students are encouraged to take workshops with different faculty in order to gain a variety of perspectives on their work and to give basis for selecting one’s thesis committee. Typically, these credits are comprised of four workshops in genre (6 credits each) and one out-of-genre workshop (3 credits).

Workshop Placement: Students indicate their first and second choice of workshop each semester. Every effort is made to place students in their first choice for workshop, but this is not always possible. These factors are considered in workshop placement:

• Student need for the workshop to fulfill degree requirements (i.e., those who have already satisfied workshop requirements get a lower priority than those with a more pressing need for the workshop, e.g., a shorter window in which to fulfill the requirement.)
• Previous workshops taken with instructor. (MFA candidates who’ve already taken a workshop with a certain instructor get lower priority than those who haven’t.)

​​​​​​​Independent Studies: While independent studies should not be relied upon, students may request to work with faculty members independently or in small groups to pursue a course of study that fulfills a literature requirement. It’s important to note that faculty availability for such arrangements may be limited. All arrangements for independent studies must be made with the sponsoring faculty member. Typically, faculty will not approve independent studies that replicate offered courses such as workshops or 891 seminars. Per Graduate School policy, only 12 credits of Independent Study can be counted towards the degree.

Students typically enroll for thesis credits during their 3^rd year. These credits are designed to give students time for writing. These credits can be used to fulfill full-time status, or for other requirements in consultation with the thesis chair. A maximum of 6 thesis credits may be counted towards the MFA degree. Credits may be taken all at once or split up by semester (ie. 3 in the Fall, 3 in the Spring).

The remaining 18 credits can include graduate coursework in other departments or programs. Some examples include, but are not limited to: literary history and aesthetics, interdisciplinary studies, translation, publishing, arts administration, and the practice of teaching.

Teaching Practicums, Applied Literary Arts, and Independent Study credits are counted toward Individualized Study.

Students may also pursue graduate certificates in individualized concentrations. Please see Certificate Program Guidelines for more information.

Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities the University and the Five Colleges offer and to explore and propose internships that further their art or their professional identity. The Program supports unique opportunities for writers to participate in accredited Applied Literary Arts internships with literary journals and presses, community arts projects, local schools, libraries, and other organizations.

Receiving Graduate Credit for Five College or Undergraduate UMass courses: Courses taken within the English Department must be 500-level or above to meet the graduate requirement. UMass classes outside of the English Department must be 400-level and above. Academic classes throughout the University and the Five College system are open to MFA students. Though the colleges in the Five College system do not have graduate programs, it is possible to receive graduate credit for them. This is done by working out an arrangement with the professor to do additional work in order to bring the course up to a graduate level. Approval from the professor and the MFA Director is required prior to enrolling. Contact the MFA Program Coordinator with any questions about taking a Five College or UMass undergraduate course for graduate credit.