The Rutgers University-Newark Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in creative writing program is a 36-credit, studio/research program. The program focuses strongly on 12 credits of writing workshops in a declared genre--fiction, poetry, or nonfiction (one workshop, with permission of the department, may be cross-genre)--and requires 6 thesis credits in which students work one-on-one with their mentor professors on a creative thesis to be completed in their final semester. We also require 18 credits of graduate courses in literature, or in elective courses that directly inform or relate to the subject matter of the student's creative thesis. Students may choose seven courses from a diverse and exciting list of graduate courses taught by important scholars. One course (3 credits) will be a crafts course in the student's genre of specialization. Two courses (6 credits) will comprise a chosen electives concentration; students can choose either literature/book arts; cultural, political, ethnic studies; or performance/media studies. Note: Applicants who have completed English master of arts (M.A.) degrees may transfer up to 12 credits (grades of B or above) with permission of the department. The M.F.A. is the terminal degree in creative writing, which allows graduates to teach at the university level, and the Rutgers-Newark M.F.A. offers students the essential advantage of substantial coursework in literature. Please see https://sasn.rutgers.edu/academics-admissions/graduate-programs/mfa-creative-writing for further information. See the section on English for information about the M.A. programs in English and American literature.
M.F.A. students are expected to attend the Writers at Newark Reading Series, which brings a full roster of nationally prominent writers to our reading venue at the Paul Robeson Campus Center. Readings are on Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., approximately once a month. The series is co-sponsored by the M.F.A. program, Paul Robeson Gallery, the Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience, and the Essex County Local Arts Grant.
Students entering the M.F.A. program at Rutgers University-Newark may complete the program in four to six semesters, as follows:
- 12 credits of intensive seminar writing workshops in a specific genre (3 credits may be cross-genre, with departmental permission)
- 6 thesis credits in a specific genre (including 4 credits of mentored Thesis in Conference)
- 18 credits of literature courses (seven courses, 3 credits each) (including 6 credits of a chosen electives concentration)
Configuration
| M.F.A. Total Credits
| Lit. Credits
| Workshop
| Thesis Credits
| 2-yr.
program
| 36
| 18
| 12
| 6 (3 in Conf.)
| Semester 1
|
| 6
| 3
|
| Semester 2
|
| 6
| 3
|
| Semester 3
|
| 3 (3 in Elec.
Concen.)
| 3
| 3 (Thesis Ind. Study)
| Semester 4
|
| 3 (Elec. Concen.)
| 3
| 3 (Thesis in Conf.)
|
Configuration
| M.F.A. Total Credits
| Lit. Credits
| Workshop
| Thesis Credits
| 3-year program
| 36
| 18
| 12
| 6 (3 in Conf.)
| Semester 1
|
| 3
| 3
|
| Semester 2
|
| 3
| 3
|
| Semester 3
|
| 3
| 3
|
| Semester 4
|
| 3
| 3
|
| Semester 5
|
| 3 (3 in Elec. Concen.)
|
| 3 (Thesis Ind. Study)
| Semester 6
|
| 3 (Elec. Concen.)
|
| 3 (Thesis in Conf.)
|
|
Programs, Faculty, and Courses 
