Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Fairfax, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for International student | Domestic student is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Introduction
If Creative Writing Is Your Passion, Find Your People at Mason's BFA Program
Join a community of writers committed to sharpening their craft—and yours—in one of the country's only undergraduate BFA programs in creative writing nationwide. The BFA is structured to give students ample opportunity to learn to write and think creatively while also developing vocational writing skills, skills that are desperately needed in the workplace. Study with award-winning faculty who you will work to develop your literary art and help chart your journey toward sustaining a vibrant writerly life.
Choose from three concentrations—fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction—but gain exposure to and learn from all three genres. In this specially designed curriculum, you will
- Hone your creativity and your critical thinking skills—both desperately needed in today’s workplace.
- Learn about literary magazines and the editing process while working on nationally known journals, books, and websites.
- Take advantage of Mason’s proximity to Washington, D.C., for internships, job opportunities, and cultural experiences.
It is important that students in a fine arts program learn from accomplished literary artists who are not only actively publishing but who are dedicated to the art of teaching. BFA students are fortunate to learn from some of the very best creative writers in Mason's literary arts community.
By choosing Mason, you will not only be able to network with accomplished faculty, but you will have opportunities to engage in publishing practice and literary citizenship. Our program supports several associated efforts: a nationally prominent literary festival (Fall for the Book), a literary imprint (Stillhouse Press), a highly regarded online journal (Poetry Daily), a center for international writers (Cheuse Center), an annual writers’ conference (New Leaves), and two acclaimed literary journals (phoebe and So to Speak).
BFA students also get engaged with all sorts of unique projects, such as Julija Pivo's examination of narratives of Lithuanian immigrant women after the Cold War, which garnered support from Mason's Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). And graduates go on to work in a variety of fields that call upon their abilities as effective communicators and compelling storytellers.
Program Outcome
- Students will demonstrate a broad understanding of forms and elements of craft used by published writers and apply that knowledge to their own work.
- Students will synthesize creative written work, critical analyses, artist statements, and professional queries into a dynamic final portfolio.
- Students will develop an individual writing practice that includes creation/revision as well as an ability to comment on peers' work critically and productively.
- Students will gain knowledge of various career paths available to them as well as of the publishing landscape.
- Students will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of and proficiency in the chosen genre.
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students will complete 21 credits of BFA core requirements, 12 credits from one of 3 concentrations, and 12 credits in English department requirements. 300-level courses in English and linguistics teach the foundational principles for a field of study, include courses of broad scope, and provide an introduction to a genre, literary period, or methodology. 400-level courses in English and linguistics provide an in-depth approach to a field of study, a single genre, literary period, or methodology. They include special topics classes and English honors classes. Some 400-level courses require ENGH 305 Dimensions of Writing and Literature as a prerequisite.
Students should consult with an English department advisor to learn ways in which the Mason Core requirements can also satisfy college-level requirements or the BFA.
Core Courses in the Major
- ENGH 301 The Fields of English 3
- ENGH 305 Dimensions of Writing and Literature 3
- ENGH 377 Digital Creative Writing 3
- ENGH 396 Introduction to Creative Writing (Mason Core) 3
- ENGH 495 Capstone and Thesis (Mason Core) 3
Total Credits 15
English Department Requirements
Literature before 1800
Select one course from the following: 3
- ENGH 320 Literature of the Middle Ages
- ENGH 321 English Poetry and Prose of the 16th Century
- ENGH 322 Shakespeare
- ENGH 323 Shakespeare: Special Topics
- ENGH 324 English Renaissance Drama
- ENGH 325 English Poetry and Prose of the 17th Century
- ENGH 330 Augustan Age: 1660-1745
- ENGH 331 Age of Sensibility: 1745-1800
- ENGH 332 Restoration and 18th Century Drama
- ENGH 333 British Novel of the 18th Century
- ENGH 340 Early American Literature
- ENGH 421 Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Literature
- ENGH 422 Chaucer
- ENGH 428 Milton
Total Credits 3
Literature before 1915
Select one course from the following: 3
- ENGH 334 British Poetry of the Romantic Period
- ENGH 335 Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period
- ENGH 336 British Novel of the 19th Century
- ENGH 341 Literature of the American Renaissance
- ENGH 342 Post-Civil War American Literature, 1865-1920
- ENGH 343 Development of the American Novel to 1914
- ENGH 348 Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865
- ENGH 349 African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903
- ENGH 360 Continental Fiction, 1770-1880
- ENGH 361 Continental Fiction, 1880-1950
- A second course from literature before 1800 list above
Total Credits 3
Minority, Folkloric, or Popular Literary and Cultural Traditions
Select one course from the following: 3
- ENGH 310 Topics: Women and Literature
- ENGH 315 Folklore and Folklife (Mason Core)
- ENGH 319 Popular Culture
- ENGH 348 Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865
- ENGH 349 African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903
- ENGH 350 African American Literature Through 1946
- ENGH 351 Contemporary African American Literature
- ENGH 352 Topics in Ethnic American Literature
- ENGH 362 Global Voices (Mason Core)
- ENGH 366 The Idea of a World Literature (Mason Core)
- ENGH 367 World Literatures in English
- ENGH 412 Topics in Folklore Studies
- ENGH 414 Folklore and the Supernatural
- ENGH 415 Folk Arts and Folk Artists
- ENGH 416 Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore
- ENGH 417 RS: Topics in Folklore Research (Mason Core)
- ENGH 419 Topics in Popular Literature
- ENGH 451 Science Fiction
- ENGH 452 Critical Study of Children's Literature
- ENGH 484 RS: Writing Ethnography (Mason Core)
Total Credits 3
Writing or Literature Electives
Select one course from the following: 3
Additional Writing Courses
- ENGH 388 Professional and Technical Writing
- ENGH 402 Honors Independent Study
- ENGH 459 Internship
- ENGH 484 RS: Writing Ethnography (Mason Core)
- ENGH 492 Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop
- ENGH 493 Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction
- ENGH 494 Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop
- ENGH 497 Topics in Creative Writing
- ENGH 499 Independent Study
- ENGH 505 Document Design
Courses in Contemporary Literature
- ENGH 315 Folklore and Folklife (Mason Core)
- ENGH 319 Popular Culture
- ENGH 337 British Poetry after 1900
- ENGH 338 British Novel after 1900
- ENGH 339 British and Irish Drama after 1900
- ENGH 344 Development of the American Novel since 1914
- ENGH 345 American Drama of the 20th Century
- ENGH 346 American Poetry of the 20th Century
- ENGH 351 Contemporary African American Literature
- ENGH 368 Modern Drama
- ENGH 412 Topics in Folklore Studies
- ENGH 414 Folklore and the Supernatural
- ENGH 415 Folk Arts and Folk Artists
- ENGH 419 Topics in Popular Literature
- ENGH 451 Science Fiction
- ENGH 452 Critical Study of Children's Literature
- ENGH 453 Topics in Fiction
- ENGH 454 Topics in Poetry
- ENGH 455 Topics in Drama
- ENGH 456 Topics in Literary Nonfiction (for fiction and poetry concentrators only)
Course in Writing for other Arts
- AVT 395 Writing for Artists
- THR 380 Playwriting I
- THR 381 Playwriting II
- THR 382 Screenplay Workshop
- THR 480 Advanced Playwriting
Total Credits 3
Required Workshop Courses
The workshops are in the two areas outside of the chosen concentration. The remaining workshop is included as part of the concentration requirements.
Select 6 credits from the following: 6
- ENGH 397 Poetry Writing
- ENGH 398 Fiction Writing
- ENGH 399 Creative Nonfiction Writing
Total Credits 6
Concentrations in the Major
Students must complete one of the following concentrations.
- Concentration in Fiction (FIC)
- Concentration in Nonfiction (NFIC)
- Concentration in Poetry (POE)
Concentration in Fiction (FIC)
- ENGH 398 Fiction Writing 3
- ENGH 392 Forms of Fiction 3
- ENGH 355 Recent American Fiction 3
- ENGH 492 Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop 3
Total Credits 12
Concentration in Nonfiction (NFIC)
- ENGH 399 Creative Nonfiction Writing 3
- ENGH 393 Forms of Nonfiction 3
- ENGH 456 Topics in Literary Nonfiction 3
- ENGH 493 Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction 3
Total Credits 12
Concentration in Poetry (POE)
- ENGH 397 Poetry Writing 3
- ENGH 391 Forms of Poetry 3
- ENGH 356 Recent American Poetry 3
- ENGH 494 Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop 3
Total Credits 12
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in creative writing may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ENGH 305 Dimensions of Writing and Literature.
Upper-Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
College Level Requirements for the BA Degree
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements
- Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
- Oral Communication 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
- Arts 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 7
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
- Western Civilization/World History 3
Integration Requirements
- Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
- Writing-Intensive 3
- Synthesis/Capstone 3
Total Credits 40
Admissions
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English Language Requirements
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