MFA in Creative Writing General Information
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The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Western State College of Colorado supports and celebrates aspiring writers who wish to reach and connect with larger audiences. Taught by esteemed faculty members with years of experience as successful, currently publishing writers, the program aspires to help each student develop their art and become, not only great writers, but great writers who get published.
Students enrolled within the low residency MFA program engage in four semesters of online coursework and three summer face-time residencies that include a combination of master classes, individual projects, and regular discussion with faculty mentors. The program includes two-week, on-campus residencies during three consecutive summers, and a capstone thesis. The degree requires 60 total credit hours, a combination of residencies, individual projects, and workshops.
The Master's candidate earns a degree in one of three tracks:
In the first and second summer residencies, candidates will also take one credit each summer of CRWR 600 learning or updating online tools mastery, attending faculty and student readings, and meeting with non-residency mentors. Third-summer candidates will earn one credit attending and participating in critiques and readings for cohorts attending their first and second summers.
Non-Residency Mentoring Component
This component of each MFA concentration pairs a student one-on-one with writing faculty mentors. Students can expect to spend a minimum of 25-30 hours per week to complete writing assignments, for which mentors will provide weekly feedback using online tools. Students will also participate in threaded synchronous and asynchronous online voice and discussion boards during each term with other students and mentors. Students will earn 12 credits each semester for this work (six credits for each mentored topic).
