SIUE Introduces MFA in Creative Writing for 2018

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is introducing a master's of fine arts in creative writing beginning fall 2018. The MFA in creative writing is offered by the Department of English Language and Literature in SIUE's College of Arts and Sciences.

A terminal degree for poets and fiction writers, the master's of fine arts qualifies students for careers in academia and writing-related fields. Unlike most programs in the country, the MFA at SIUE includes a service-learning component that encourages experiential learning.

Joel Hardman, PhD, chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, is extremely enthusiastic about the new program. "We are excited to be offering a new program with faculty who are committed to mentoring the next generation of creative writers through service learning," he said. "The MFA exemplifies the best of what we do - helping students see the connections between their writing lives and their responsibilities to the world around them."

During the second year, students will engage in the "Writer in the World" sequence, which allows them to study community-based pedagogies and then partner with a local organization and enrich the community with a service program of their own devising. This sequence will better prepare students for meaningful employment in or outside of academia, and help students sustain a rich writing life beyond graduation.

The new MFA provides flexibility in its elective and literature offerings, permitting students to pursue other interests, including literary publishing, creative writing pedagogy and contemporary literature. Students will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable editing skills by working with Sou'wester, one of the oldest continually published literary magazines in the country.

Prospective students may begin to apply now. Applications close Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. For more information, contact Professor Geoff Schmidt at geschmi@siue.edu.

Central to SIUE's exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences has 19 departments and 85 areas of study. More than 300 full-time faculty/instructors deliver classes to more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty help students explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.

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