LIU's M.F.A. in Creative Writing prepares students to both be professional writers in the world and to be visionary literary citizens. Situated in the heart of Brooklyn, LIU’s MFA in Creative Writing is an innovative creative writing program centered on world literature, multi-genre education, and publishing. Our applied MFA prepares students for careers in creative writing, academia, translation, and publishing. During their two-year residential program, students have the opportunity to study poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and translation, and thus receive a robust multi-genre education.
In our MFA’s publishing courses, students study directly with professionals at the heart of the publishing industry. During the course of their study, students learn about commercial, independent, and academic publishing with frequent guest literary agents, editors, and leaders from seminal national and international literary arts organizations. We also focus on the performative aspects of the writing industry including audiobooks, public performances and speaking, and adaptations. Students learn about the intersection between book publishing and popular and new media. Students also gain vital publishing industry experience through literary internships centered in New York City and through the practicum of editing LIU’s flagship literary journals.
For those students looking to pursue a doctorate degree in Creative Writing, Comparative Literature, World Literature, Translation, or within area studies post-graduation, our program’s curriculum provides an integral education in world literature and translation. The program will be premiering a number of global workshop initiatives including the Overseas Writers’ Workshop in the near future with opportunities for students to immerse themselves in world literatures in various countries.
In addition, matriculating and non-matriculating students are welcome to earn a Certificate in Translation or post-MFA Certificate in Manuscript Preparation.
A five-year BA/MFA track is also available to students seeking a combined undergraduate and graduate education in creative writing, translation, and publishing.
For more information about the MFA and other opportunities on publishing and translation, contact the Co-Director of the MFA in Creative Writing and Director of the George Polk School of Communications Robin Hemley at robin.hemley@liu.edu
Program Curriculum
Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
Process and Technique Courses |
||
ENG 502 |
POLK Professional Series (required, bi-weekly throughout the year) |
3 |
ENG 503 |
Theory of Writing and Craft Criticism (required) |
3 |
ENG 504 |
History of Genre(s) (required) |
3 |
WRI 530 |
Preparing for Publication (elective) |
3 |
WRI 535 |
Literary Forms from World Literature |
3 |
Writing Workshops |
||
Genre-Specific Workshops: WRI 520, 523, 524, 525, 526 |
||
ENG 520 |
Nonfiction Writing Workshop |
3 |
ENG 523 |
Fiction Writing Workshop |
3 |
ENG 524 |
Poetry Writing Workshop |
3 |
ENG 525 |
Playwriting Workshop |
3 |
ENG 526 |
Screenwriting Workshop |
3 |
ENG 527 |
Revision Workshop (required) |
3 |
ENG 528 |
Crossing Genres Workshop (required) |
3 |
ENG 529 |
Publishing and Media Workshop (required) |
1-3 |
ENG 531 |
Translation Workshop (elective, required for students pursuing a Translation Certificate) |
3 |
Practica |
||
A selection of these courses will be offered each semester, and students should take at least two Practica courses during their MFA. |
||
WRI 519 |
Literary Arts Practicum (required; 3 credits/semester; 2 semesters required) |
3 |
WRI 521 |
Writing in Place (elective) |
1-3 |
WRI 522 |
Food Writing (elective) |
1-3 |
WRI 705 |
Internship and Independent Study (elective) |
1-3 |
Thesis |
||
WRI 708 |
Thesis (required) |
3 |
Additional Course Offerings |
||
WRI 700 |
Pedagogy for Creative Writers (elective) |
1-3 |
Certificate in Manuscript Preparation |
||
Students who have already earned an MFA degree or who have satisfied the 36-credit requirement for the MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing are welcome to take the Certificate in Manuscript Preparation. The 15-credit coursework will be decided upon in consultation with the Directors of the MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing program. Possible classes might include the following: |
||
WRI 519 |
Literary Arts Practicum (required) |
3 |
WRI 527 |
Revision Workshop |
3 |
ENG 529 |
Publishing and Media Workshop (repeatable) |
1-3 |
WRI 530 |
Preparing for Publication |
3 |
WRI 705 |
Internship and Independent Study (elective) |
1-3 |
Certificate in Translation |
||
In order to earn a Certificate in Translation, MFA students would have to complete the following courses during their studies. Non-MFA students can also apply to earn a Certificate in Translation from LIU Brooklyn. |
||
WRI 531 |
Translation Workshop (elective, required for students pursuing a Translation Certificate) |
3 |
WRI 532 |
Translation Theory and Methodology (elective) |
3 |
WRI 533 |
Independent Study in Literary Translation (elective) |
3 |
Credits |
||
Total Major Requirements |
30 |
|
Total Elective Credits |
6 |
|
Total Credit Requirement |
36 |
|