The M.F.A. program in creative writing meets the needs of students who want to strike a balance between the development of individual creative talent and the close study of literature and language.

Candidates in the program will find it appropriate training for careers in free-lancing, college-level teaching, editing and publishing, arts administration, and several other areas.

New students will discover the faculty eager to work with them and a community atmosphere extremely supportive of their writing.

Length of Program

Full-time students will typically complete their coursework and theses in 2-3 years. All graduate requirements for the Master of Fine Arts must be completed within a six-year period.

Admission Information

See this page.

Program Activities

Visiting Writers

The Good Thunder Reading Series brings emerging and established writers to Minnesota State University, Mankato for one-day residencies, usually seven per year. These visits include manuscript conferences, classroom visits, craft lectures, and public readings. Past guests have included William Stafford, Olga Broumas, Tim O'Brien, Louise Erdrich, Donald Hall, Carolyn Forche, Rick DeMarinis, Jane Smiley, and over 100 others. During Spring Semester, the Eddice B. Barber Visiting Writer Program sponsors an extended, week-long residency by an additional poet or prose writer.

Community Readings

Each month during the semester, graduate students in creative writing sponsor the Writers Bloc series of open readings, which gives campus and community writers the opportunity to read their work in a public forum. At various times during the year, graduate students who are nearing completion of their programs will give thesis readings before audiences of faculty, fellow students, and members of the general public.

Student/Faculty Publications

If you would like to see where MSU creative writers are publishing their work, see the resources page, the kudos page, and each faculty member's web site.

MFA Creative Writing Program Director

Professor Richard Robbins
Department of English
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone: (507) 389-1354
E-mail: richard.robbins@mnsu.edu

Department of English Graduate Programs Director

If you do not find answers to your questions on this web page, or if you need more information about Department of English graduate programs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, please contact:

Professor Nancy Drescher
Director of English Graduate Studies
Department of English
Minnesota State University, Mankato
230 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN  56001
Telephone: (507) 389-5504
E-mail:nancy.drescher@mnsu.edu