Nov 30, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Creative Writing [M.A.]


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The MA Program in Creative Writing promotes innovation, experimentation and collaboration across artistic fields and cultural practices. The MA emphasizes the importance of aesthetic risk and social application while offering opportunities for writers to explore multiple arts and mixed genres, sound and performance, digital technologies, and new media, as well as community-based and collaborative projects, innovative curating and alternative publishing.

Program Admission


Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • A personal statement discussing the ambitions of your creative work and reasons for pursuing graduate studies in a program that focuses on interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to writing.
  • A portfolio of 15 pages of your strongest writing and, if available, intermedia work such as sound/text, image/text, performance, and works in digital media. Instructions for submitting the portfolio are included in the graduate application. If you have problems submitting the portfolio, you may submit to the English Language and Literature Department c/o Creative Writing Coordinator.
  • 2-3 letters of recommendation (optional, although strongly encouraged)

Department Information


English Language & Literature | Joseph Csicsila, Ph.D., Department Head | 612 Pray-Harrold, 734.487.4220, jcsicsila@emich.edu

Eric Acton, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator | 612S Pray-Harrold, 734.487.7952, eacton1@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Rob Halpern, Ph.D., Program Coordinator, 734.487.4220,​ rhalpern@emich.edu

Christine Hume, Ph.D., 734.487.4220, chume@emich.edu

Carla Harryman, Ph.D., 734.487.4220,​ charryma@emich.edu

Matt Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., 734.487.0399, mkirkpa1@emich.edu

Degree Requirements: 30 hours


The M.A. in Creative Writing requires 30 hours of course work to be distributed among required courses, restricted elective courses and cognate courses as follows:

Elective Courses: 12 hours


Literature Courses: 6 hours

Select from among the graduate level literature courses in consultation with an advisor.

Cognate Courses: 6 hours

Six hours selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator. Courses from any area of contemporary studies — art, foreign language literature, music, history, philosophy, etc.

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