MFA candidates are funded through a range of appointments including Teaching Associate, Teaching Assistant, and Research Assistant positions; fellowships; and paid internships. As of Fall 2020, all full-time candidates are funded at a level sufficient to bring a waiver of tuition and most fees. In addition, the MFA Program offers several smaller fellowships and awards each year.
Teaching & Research Appointments
The University Writing Program, which oversees undergraduate composition courses, appoints more MFA candidates than any other single office. Incoming and current candidates may apply for appointments which carry a 3-section per year teaching load and are renewable for up to three years. Salary is approximately $23,050 per year and includes tuition credit.
Undergraduate creative writing sections, offered through the English Department, are typically awarded to MFA candidates in their second or third years in the program. Current candidates may apply for single-semester appointments in the late fall for the following year. Salary is approximately $11,525 and includes tuition credit.
Candidates also pursue teaching and research positions in other departments on campus including, recently, the Center for Teaching, Film Studies, University News Office, and the College of Natural Sciences.
Fellowships
Incoming candidates are considered for MFA Fellowships in addition to their Teaching Appointments. Fellowship recipients are chosen by the MFA Admissions Committee and are notified directly.
Internships & Awards
Through the Juniper Summer Writing Institute, MFA candidates may apply to serve as creative writing instructors for the Institute for Young Writers, earning academic credit and stipends.
The Juniper Initiative sponsors multiple internships bringing applied literary arts credit and stipends for work pertaining to programs including the Juniper Summer Writing Institute and Juniper Literary Festival
Other internships may bring credit and/or stipends available with a range of organizations through the Applied Literary Arts Program.
In addition, each year candidates may enter a range of competitions bringing cash awards and/or publication.