David Hicks, Ph. D., Program Director
Bonnie Culver, Ph.D. and J. Michael Lennon, Ph. D., Program Co-Founders
Master of Arts in Creative Writing (low residency or weekender version)
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (low residency)
Accreditation
In October 2004, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Middle States Association of Schools and Universities approved the Wilkes proposal for the M.A. program. The University graduated its first class in June 2006. In September 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved the addition of the Master of Fine Arts to the graduate creative writing degree offerings at Wilkes University.
Admission
Students will be accepted into the Master of Arts in Creative Writing based almost entirely upon the application essay and creative writing sample. Students applying to this program should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; however, students without a bachelor's degree may apply. (Such applicants must provide a very strong writing sample and writing history.) No GREs are required. Applicants must submit the following for consideration:
- Completed Application.
- $35 non-refundable application fee.
- Official transcript of all college work, undergraduate and graduate.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Creative writing sample.(a 15-25 page writing sample from any genre or genres of published/unpublished work that best demonstrates your creative ability)
- Essay response...A 3-10 page response to the following questions:
- Where are you with regard to your writing and how did you get here?
- Why Wilkes? What do you hope to accomplish in our program?
- What will you do with your program accomplishments following graduation?
Students may enter the program in either the winter (early January) or summer (late June) residency. Project terms (in the form of 15-week semesters) begin following each residency and continue for at least four months. Students selecting the "Weekender" version of the MA will receive online instruction over two weekends following each residency instead of attending the weeklong residencies in January and June.. Weekender study is allowed in lieu of the winter residency without question, but for the summer residency, in-person attendance is expected.
Students interested in the Master of Fine Arts must first complete the Master of Arts
in Creative Writing. Students in the existing M.A. may apply for admission into the
M.F.A. no earlier than the last term of the M.A.
To be accepted into the M.F.A., students must have a 3.5 in every M.A. course, write
a letter of interest to the Program Director, and be approved by the CW faculty to
continue into the M.F.A. Once in the program, students must maintain the 3.5 GPA and earn a 3.5 or better in every course to remain in the program.
Transfer Credits
Students who have earned credits from another accredited graduate program in creative writing, or who have published extensively in a particular genre, may apply for 3-9 transfer credits into the Wilkes program. In addition, Wilkes M.A. alums can transfer in 12 credits if they wish to earn a second MA in a different genre, leaving them with 18 credits to earn for that second Master's degree. An applicant with a master's degree in Creative Writing at an accredited university and/or book publications/produced work with reputable publishers/producers may petition for a direct admission into our MFA program (requiring 30 total credits).
Degree Requirements
(30 credit hour minimum)
The Master of Arts in Creative Writing is a 30-credit, low-residency program in seven tracks, one of which will appear on the graduate's M.A. diploma: fiction / poetry / screenwriting / playwriting / creative nonfiction / publishing / spoken word.
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (49 credit hours minimum = 30 credits MA course + 19 credits MFA courses). There is no Weekender option for the MFA courses.
BA/MA ("4+1")
Undergraduates at partner institutions hoping to attend a graduate program in creative writing after graduation may "double count" 9 credits of undergraduate and graduate instruction as a way of saving one semester's tuition in the Wilkes MA program. Qualified students would take CW 501R, the introductory residency, in person, followed by any two of the following online Foundations courses during their senior year: CW 502: Writing Fiction; CW 503: Writing Poetry; CW 504: Writing Screenplays; CW 505: Writing Plays; CW 506: Writing Nonfiction (3 credits each). Upon completion of these courses the undergraduate may apply for admission into the Wilkes graduate program with one semester's worth of transfer credit. Such students must meet all the same requirements as all other applicants in terms of demonstrated talent, ability, and dedication.Using the BA/MA (4+1) option, students will be able to complete the M.A. in a single year and the MFA (if qualfied) in two years. Contact the program administrators at 570-458-4547 for further information
Term = Weeklong Residency Followed by Semester Study
All graduate creative writing programs include two components, Residencies and Project Semesters — which are outlined below. Specific credit requirements for the degree and certificate follow this discussion.
- Residencies are week-long on-campus courses that include workshops, faculty lectures, readings, performances, class discussions, and panel discussions as well as student readings. This is a time to plan project work and meet with instructors and the program director. The following courses are residencies: CW-501R, CW-510R, CW-516R, and the capstone, CW-525R. Minimum required: 4, including capstone. The M.F.A. requires one additional residency - CW-616R - and one two-day workshop CW-650. Residencies are held the first full week of January and the third week of June each year.
- Weekender option: Students may opt to complete any of the winter MA residencies by receiving online instruction for two weekends immediately following the residency and responding to videorecorded panels and readings from the residency. Weekender students must notify the program administrators at least one month in advance of the residency of their intentions to attend the Weekender sessions in lieu of the residency. Weekender attendance is allowed without explantion every winter residency, but students must appeal to the director for permission to attend Weekender classes as a substitute for the summer residency
- Semesters are four-month periods spent writing and reading, beginning with foundation courses in two genre areas and ending with the thesis semester. The following courses are project courses: CW-502, CW-503, CW-504, CW-505, CW-506, CW-512, CW-514, and [[CW- 520]]. Minimum foundations courses: 2; Minimum project terms: 3. All of these courses are delivered online. The Master of Fine Arts requires the following additional online courses - CW-612, CW-614, and CW-620.
Requirements for the MA in Creative Writing
3 terms (three 3-credit residencies followed by three 6-credit semesters), typically
completed in 18 months = 27 credits
1 final ("capstone") residency featuring a presentation of the graduate's thesis = 3 credits
Thesis Requirements
To satisfy the Masters of Arts in Creative Writing thesis requirement:
Students graduating with a Master of Arts in Creative Writing will produce and present a full-length text and support materials that demonstrate the mastery of requisite standards, processes, and procedures for bringing that project into its appropriate public venue.The diploma will also specify which area of study the student pursued and include the following options: poetry, spoken word, fiction, screenwriting, playwriting, creative nonfiction, and publishing.
Capstone Requirements
The Master of Arts in Creative Writing Capstone is where students have a chance to demonstrate their full mastery of their major area that meet all of the student learning outcomes listed above. All Master of Arts creative projects, no matter which track, will be evaluated by an outside reader who is an industry expert--an experienced NYC editor, literary agent, publisher, producer, or director. A unique quality of the Wilkes M.A. is how that work comes together in the final capstone, a public presentation of their work during the final residency.. All capstones, no matter which area the graduate selects, must have both a written and spoken component and must also meet specified graduation criteria.
The following are the area-specific requirements for the Master of Arts in Creative Writing capstone:
Poetry
During the final residency (CW 525R) poets will present a formal reading from their finished poetry chapbook or poetry collection. The formal reading will be limited to ten minutes followed by a Q & A from faculty, mentors, and other students. Some or all work must be recited.)
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- THESIS (24-50 pages, chapbook; 50+ pages., collection)
- A query letter (1-2 pages)
- Writing Self-Analysis Essay, including Writing Life Plan
- Artist's statement (1 page.)
- Final annotated bibliography of all readings leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520.
Fiction
During the final residency (CW 525), fiction writers will present a formal reading from their manuscript, which will be either a novel or short story collection. The formal reading will be limited to ten minutes, followed by a Q & A from faculty, mentors, and other students.
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- THESIS- (Novella, novel, or short story collection- 120 page minimum)
- A query letter (1-2 pages)
- Writing Self-Analysis Essay, including Writing Life Plan
- Jacket blurb (bio) (1 page.)
- Final annotated bibliography of all readings leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520.
Plays
Playwrights will work before their capstone residency with an assigned director to cast and to prepare the play for a formal staged reading that will be held during the residency or off-campus at a designated theater. Experienced actors, appropriate to the work, will be utilized. Playwrights will be prepared to answer questions about their work and processes, following the staged reading.
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- THESIS-(Full-length play, collected one-acts, or performance piece 80+ pages)
- A query letter (1-2 pages.)
- Playwright's bio (1 page.)
- Writing Self-Analysis Essay, including Writing Life Plan
- Play synopsis (1-2 pages.)
- Final annotated bibliography of all readings leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520.
Screenplays
Screenwriters will work with their writer mentors in the pre-residency to prepare their script for a table reading during their final residency (CW 525R). Readers will include actors, cohort members, and other available readers. Screenwriters must be prepared to present a "pitch" to a film producer, agent, or director before the reading and to answer process questions, following the table reading.
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- THESIS-(Full-length screenplay, collected feature shorts, 80+ pages.)
- The "pitch"
- A query letter (1-2 pages.)
- Writing Self-Analysis Essay, including Writing Life Plan
- Screenplay treatment (2-4 pages.)
- Final annotated bibliography of all readings leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520.
Creative Nonfiction
During the final residency (CW 525R), creative nonfiction writers will present a formal reading from their completed full-length manuscript, which will be either a memoir or essay collection. The formal reading will be limited to ten minutes, followed a Q & A from faculty, mentors, and other students.
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- THESIS-(Full-length manuscript or collection of short works)
- A query letter (1-2 pages.)
- Writing Self-Analysis Essay, including Writing Life Plan
- Back flap copy (bio) (1 page.)
- Final annotated bibliography of all readings leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520.
Publishing
During the final residency (CW 525R), students in the publishing track will present their new e-zine, small press, journal as if they are actually launching this new company. These students will make a formal presentation to a panel of publishers, editors, and agents. Additionally, they will create materials that will be included in a M.A. book fair.
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- The first creative work to be launched by the student’s new company
- The portfolio of work leading to the student’s decisions:
- Business plan, vision/mission statement, etc.
- Marketing materials for launch
- Self-analysis essay, including the Writing Life Plan
- Final annotated bibliography of all readings, interviews leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520.
Spoken Word
During the final residency (CW 525R), students in the Spoken Word track will present a ten-minute live performance of their work, followed by a Q&A.
THESIS/Support materials will include:
- THESIS (either 25-50 page transcript of their performance pieces or a one-hour Youtube video of their performances.
- A short (three minutes max) video to serve as a "query" for a Spoken Word organization or contest.
- Writing Self-Analysis Essay, including Writing Life Plan
- Artist's statement (1 page.)
- Final annotated bibliography/videography of all readings leading to the thesis project, from CW 512-520
Learning Outcomes
Craft
Demonstrating the mastery of one's major area of study through the practice of writing in various forms, including the demonstrable and the proven ability to employ the generic elements (e.g. setting, point of view, rhythm and meter), and to critique one's own work and that of others honestly and vigorously.
Most creative writing programs spend most of their assigned time in workshops emphasize craft. The Wilkes program also spends a great deal of time on studying how a text "works," whether it be a classic model, students' work, or a peer's draft. To become a better writer, students must learn how to objectively analyze and critique a wide range of texts in their areas of study.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe the breadth and depth of knowledge of the historical context and tradition of the range of forms, conventions, and styles within their selected major and minor areas.
- Demonstrate competency in the technology of their major genre area.
- Demonstrate mastery of the industry-specific formatting and presentation of creative work by genre.
Community
Through the week-long residencies and online writing classes (in which students use our online learning system to dialogue with one another), students will bond with the other students in their cohort, with their faculty, and with the program administrators, creating their own writing community within three or five semesters together. Together they will build a thorough understanding of the discipline, habits, and support mechanisms required for continued sustenance for the writing life.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of and discriminate between the archetypal models of writerly lives as they build a writing life plan of their own design.
- Articulate the strengths and address the weaknesses of the work of their peers, as well as their own work and their writing process.
- Articulate the ways in which the student will be able to create and sustain the writing life (the writing life plan).
Career
Studying the multiple and appropriate pathways in which one's creative work becomes public, including knowing the research methods, business practices, and genre-specific conventions that writers need to obtain notice of and appreciation for their work.
This program strand addresses the business, economic, and genre-specific opportunities for your work. Faculty panels from each genre will introduce this idea to students in the first residency. As students move through the program, the faculty and their mentors will work with students to understand both the business practices and the appropriate pathway for their work.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Understand the legal and ethical standards and the practical issues of their profession, and demonstrate that knowledge through the residencies and portfolio work of the program.
- Speak and write to people in professional venues of their area in a confident manner.
- Be able to articulate, both in writing and orally, their own creative work, using genre-specific tools.
MA Degree Requirements | 30 credits
First Residency
|
CW 501R |
Foundations of Creative Writing /1st Residency |
Total credits: 3 |
The First Residency (a combination of workshops, craft lessons, panels, and readings) is followed by the First Project Semester: Students select any two of the following foundation courses, delivered online by faculty from each genre.
Students should choose the genre in which they expect to write their thesis along with a second genre of their chioice. Those who expect to enter the publishing track may select from any two of the five foundations courses.
|
CW 502 |
Writing Fiction |
3 |
|
CW 503 |
Writing Poetry |
3 |
|
CW 504 |
Writing Screenplays |
3 |
|
CW 505 |
Writing Plays |
3 |
|
CW 506 |
Writing Creative Nonfiction |
3 |
|
|
|
Total Credits: 6 |
Second Residency
|
CW 510R |
Planning the Writing Life |
Total credits: 3 |
Prior to this residency, students will select which track they are pursuing and be assigned a mentor in that genre. They will then meet with their mentors during the residency to form a study plan for the upcoming semester.
The Second Residency is followed by the Second Project Semester: Students will be registered in two of the courses listed below according to their chosen area of study: CW 512, a reading-intensive course, and CW 514, a writing-intensive course:
|
CW 512F |
Genre and Context in Fiction |
3 |
|
Genre and Context in Poetry or Spoken Word |
3 |
|
|
CW 512S |
Genre and Context in Screenwriting |
3 |
|
CW 512L |
Genre and Context in Playwriting |
3 |
|
CW 512N |
Genre and Context in Nonfiction |
3 |
|
CW 512U |
Genre and Context in Publishing |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
CW 514F |
Genre and Context in Fiction |
3 |
|
CW 514P |
Genre and Context in Poetry or Spoken Word |
3 |
|
CW 514S |
Genre and Context in Screenwriting |
3 |
|
CW 514L |
Genre and Context in Playwriting |
3 |
|
CW 514N |
Genre and Context in Nonfiction |
3 |
|
CW 514U |
Genre and Context in Publishing |
3 |
|
|
|
Total Credits: 6 |
Third Residency
|
CW 516R |
Final Project/Thesis Plan Residency Course |
Total Credits: 3 |
Third Project Semester: FINAL WRITING TERM—STUDENTS SELECT COURSE BY AREA OF STUDY (6 credit courses):
|
CW 520 F |
Final Project / Fiction Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 P |
Final Project / Poetry Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 S |
Final Project / Screenwriting Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 L |
Final Project / Playwriting Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 N |
Final Project / Nonfiction Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 U |
Final Project / Publishing Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 D |
Final Project / Documentary Film Thesis |
6 |
|
CW 520 D |
Final Project / Documentary Film Thesis |
6 |
|
|
|
Total Credits: 6 |
Fourth Residency
Master of Arts in Creative Writing
|
CW 525R |
Masters Capstone |
Total Credits: 3 |
All students present capstone projects by area of study
|
|
Total Credits for Master of Arts |
30 |
Optional CW 530. Continuous registration (one - six credits) optional course used to complete capstone coursework.
Creative Writing
CW-501. R. Foundations of Creative Writing
Orientation to the program; lessons in five genres; craft lessons; alumni panels; faculty panels; workshops; readings.
CW-502. Writing Fiction
This is an intermediate course in writing fiction. Students will study, explore, and practice the process, form, and discipline of writing fiction. Students will write and analyze a variety of short fiction samples that demonstrates their understanding of basic fiction elements, point of view, and narrative style.
CW-503. Writing Poetry
This is an intermediate course in writing poetry. Students will study, explore, and practice the process, form, and discipline of writing poetry. Students will write and analyze a variety of poems that demonstrate their understanding of basic poetic elements, diverse forms, and poetic style.
CW-504. Writing Screenplays
This is an intermediate course in writing screenplays. Students will study, explore, and practice the process, form, and discipline of writing screenplays. Students will write and analyze a variety of scenes that demonstrate your understanding of basic film design, diverse forms, and cinematic styles.
CW-505. Writing Plays
An intermediate level course in writing plays. Students will explore, study and practice the process, forms, and discipline of writing all forms of stage plays. Students will write and analyze a variety of scenes and short plays that demonstrate their understanding of the basic stage elements, theatrical conversations, and dramatic forms.
CW-506. Writing Creative Non-Fiction
This is an intermediate level course in writing creative nonfiction. Students will explore, study and practice the process, forms, and discipline of writing all forms of creative nonfiction. Students will write and analyze a variety of short creative nonfiction samples that demonstrate their understanding of basic narrative elements, point of view, factual research, and narrative prose styles.
CW-510. R. Planning the Writing Life
Students create project outlines and writing proposals for drafting new work in the major field of study area. Courses in research methods; lessons in craft, community, and career; intro to oral interpretation for writers; lectures and required readings; meetings with faculty mentors.
CW-512. Genre and Context
CW 512F. Genre and Context in Fiction
Students will read, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed upon fiction
reading list with a mentor writer. Individually the student will write responses to
each assigned text and complete an annotated bibliography (of the reading list approved
by the writer mentor).
CW 512P. Genre and Context in Poetry
Students will read, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed upon poetry
reading list with a mentor writer. Individually the student will write responses to
each assigned text and complete an annotated bibliography (of the reading list approved
by the writer mentor).
CW 512S. Genre and Context in Screenwriting
Students will read and view, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed
upon film reading list with a mentor writer. Individually the student will write responses
to each assigned text and complete an annotated bibliography (of the reading list
approved by the writer mentor).
CW 512L. Genre and Context in Playwriting
Students will read and view, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed
upon playwriting reading list with a mentor writer. Individually the student will
write responses to each assigned text and complete an annotated bibliography (of the
reading list approved by the writer mentor).
CW 512N. Genre and Context in Nonfiction.
Students will read, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed upon nonfiction
reading list with a mentor writer. Individually the student will write responses to
each assigned text and complete an annotated bibliography (of the reading list approved
by the writer mentor).
CW 512U. Genre and Context in Publishing.
Students will research, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed upon
publishing house list with a mentor editor/publisher. Individually the student will
write responses to each assigned company and complete an annotated bibliography (of
the list approved by the writer mentor).
CW 512D. Genre and Context in Making Documentary Films
Students will read and view, analyze, critique, and discuss in-depth their agreed
upon documentary film reading/viewing list with a mentor filmmaker. Individually the
student will write responses to each assigned text and complete an annotated bibliography
(of the reading list approved by the mentor).
CW-514. Drafting Project
CW 514F. Drafting Project in Fiction
Students will complete a draft of a new work in fiction that may include a novel,
story collection, linked story collection, or novella. All proposed projects must
be approved by the writer mentor and program director.
CW 514P. Drafting Project in Poetry
Students will complete a draft of a new work in poetry that may include a chapbook,
collection, or novel in verse. All proposed projects must be approved by the writer
mentor and program director.
CW 514S. Drafting Project in Screenwriting
Students will complete a draft of a new work in screenwriting that may include many
of various feature-length film genres. All proposed projects must be approved by
the writer mentor and program director.
CW 514L. Drafting Project in Playwriting
Students will complete a draft of a new work in playwriting that may include a full-length
play, an extended one-act, or a collection of one-act plays. All proposed projects
must be approved by the writer mentor and program director.
CW 514N. Drafting Project in Nonfiction
Students will complete a draft of a new work in nonfiction that may include a collection
of essays, memoir, biography, or another related nonfiction form. All proposed projects
must be approved by the writer mentor and program director.
CW 514U. Drafting Project in Publishing
Students will complete a draft of an overall business plan, mission, goals statements,
and creative strategy to build their own publishing company, journal, or other approved
publishing project. All proposed projects must be approved by the mentor and program
director.
CW 514D. Drafting Project in Making Documentary Films
Students will complete the research, writing, and preliminary filming for a documentary
film project. All proposed projects must be approved by the mentor and program director.
CW-516. R. Project/Thesis Plan
Students in CW 516 will participate in a workshop prior to the residency, to get feedback on their writing in CW 514. They will attend the Capstone readings, craft lessons, a workshop on “The Long Form” and an Oral Interpretation class, as well as preparing for, and (at the end of the week participating in) a “pitch” session with agents and editors to help them to narrow the focus of their thesis project.
CW-520. Final Project
CW 520F. Final Project/Fiction Thesis
CW 520P. Final Project/Poetry Thesis
CW 520S. Final Project/Screenwriting Thesis
CW 520L. Final Project/Playwriting Thesis
CW 520N. Final Project/Nonfiction Thesis
CW 520U. Final Project/Publishing Thesis
Students will revise, polish, and prepare their final M.A. project for review by an outside evaluator who will be an agent, producer, publisher, or editor, depending upon the course project. All proposed projects must be approved by the mentor and program director.
CW-525. R. Masters Capstone
The final presentation and public reading of each M.A. students' completed writing project. Each work will receive a written critique and final reading by an agent, editor, producer, or director. This residency week will include several seminars and workshops aimed at moving the individual project towards its appropriate public venue.
CW-530. Continuous Registration
This course allows students to continually register where needed for further revision in preparation of their final project. Students must continually register until revisions are complete or they complete the required capstone.
CW-612. Literary Analysis
Reading and analyzing full-length works in one genre, and writing an extensive graduate
essay (25-50 pages) that demonstrates the student's understanding of the history,
tradition, various forms, and diverse styles of contemporary literature in one area
of study-fiction, creative nonfiction, film, drama, or poetry--focusing on a particular
theme or craft element. Reading list will be provided by the faculty and students'
essays' approach must be approved by faculty mentor and
the Program Director. Must follow MFA format, include an annotated bibliography.
Students present a formal 15-minute presentation at the subsequent residency to complete
this course.
CW-614. Revision Term
Students will have the opportunity to continue to work with a faculty mentor to revise their creative thesis and prepare it for publication/production OR begin a new project, built upon the strengths of the Master of Arts thesis.
CW-616. R. Writing in Education/Publishing
Students will be required to make a formal paper presentation during this residency to complete CW 612. Students will complete work generated by team-taught modules to prepare them for either a teaching or publishing internship. They will meet with peers, mentoring faculty and create and deliver mini-lesson plans for proposed courses or a study plan in publishing. Such work must be drawn upon the best practices of the pedagogy of teaching creative writing or working in publishing in a variety of settings. Students will continue to sharpen their own oral and writing skills as they build an acceptable syllabus, course materials/internship goals for an internship and sample lessons/work plan by week's end. By week's end, students will have an internship experience and internship supervisor assigned to them.
CW-620. Writing in Education/Publishing Internship
Students will be required to teach creative writing in one or several various educational venues OR complete an internship with a magazine, small press, literary agency or other writing organization. Students will document their work through student portfolios and will be supervised by a faculty mentor. In whatever experience students select, they must demonstrate student contact hours of no fewer than 40 hours per term for teaching and 20 hours per week for publishing/writing organization internships. Students will present a final analysis of their teaching or publishing experience in writing and orally at term's end.
CW-630. Continuous Registration
This course allows students to continually register where needed for further revision in preparation of their final project. Students must continually register until revisions are complete or they complete the required capstone.