Completion of at least 45 hours of English, and Film and Theatre courses.
Fifteen hours of 6000-level course work in creative writing workshops, at least 12 of which will be in the thesis genre area. These required courses are: for fiction writing English 6161; for poetry writing, English 6163; for nonfiction, English 6154; for playwriting, ENGL 6200.
Three hours in a craft seminar in their genre. These required courses are: for fiction writing, English 6945; for poetry writing, English 6943; for nonfiction writing, English 6940; for playwriting, English 6946.
Any additional craft courses will count as electives.
Three hours in English 6154 (Nonfiction Writing). For students whose genre is nonfiction writing, a workshop in a genre other than nonfiction is required in place of the three hours in English 6154 required of students in the other genres.
Nine hours in background literature courses. Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction writing students will be required to take this in the literature of their genre.
Playwriting students must also take background courses in the literature of their genre, with the exception that up to six hours of this requirement may be taken in techniques courses in the Film and Theatre Arts Department.
A grade of B or better in all required course work.
Nine hours of electives. Chosen in consultation with the Director of Creative Writing, these elective hours will be expected to conform to a cohesive program of study.
An overall GPA of 3.0 in elective courses.
A creative thesis for which the student may receive six hours of preparation credit. The creative writing thesis will be prepared under the supervision of a committee approved by the Graduate School. The committee will ordinarily consist of three members of the graduate faculties of the departments of English and Film and Theatre. The thesis director and at least one other member must teach in the student's genre area.
A comprehensive exam in the student's genre area that will be prepared, administered, and graded by the thesis committee. It will concern itself with the literature of the student's genre area.
Students who hold master’s degrees from other UNO programs may apply for admission, but upon acceptance they must meet all requirements for the M.F.A. degree listed above. However, only 9 hours from prior master’s courses can count toward completion of the MFA, and all 15 required workshop hours must be conducted at UNO.
