A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing is a degree that allows you to be creative in a professional manner and to teach others about your creativity. It is designed to help you develop your critical thinking and argumentation skills while also enhancing your creative writing ability. If you have a genuine interest in the field, then this degree is for you. It also provides you with the opportunity to teach as well as be mentored by experienced academics and professionals.
Why Study at a University That Is Tricky to Get Into
Not all universities are created equal, and certain universities stand out as being more difficult to get into than others. The most selective universities, such as those in Oxford and Cambridge, are rarely accessible to students without the requisite talent or financial support. However, gaining entrance to these universities doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end up earning a degree from there. Many top-notch universities offer highly regarded MFA degrees in creative writing that are just as prestigious as those in Oxford and Cambridge. For instance, the University of Houston regularly accepts applications for its MFA program in Creative Writing, and students have the option of choosing which course they’d like to take up for the next year.
The Difference an MFA Degree in Creative Writing Makes
An MFA degree in Creative writing is different from a Master’s degree in Creative writing in several ways. First, the former requires you to complete a set number of courses while the latter grants you the ability to choose what you’d like to study. For example, you could choose to study British literature or American literature and even make it the basis of your thesis or dissertation. You must also submit a piece of fiction or a non-fiction work in progress for evaluation by a panel of academics and professionals from the field.
What Will You Study in the MFA Program in Creative Writing?
To get an idea of what you’ll study in a typical MFA Creative Writing degree, you’ll first need to select a program. Your decision will depend on what you hope to accomplish with your studies. Are you planning on using your degree to land a job in publishing? Or do you see yourself more as an educator and mentor? Once you’ve completed your program, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of study such as American literature or creative Non-fiction.
What Else Should You Study to Get the Most From Your MFA Degree?
Besides education, you should consider pursuing further studies in business, economics, and even psychology if you wish to use your degree to improve your career prospects. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) can enhance your leadership skills and give you the opportunity to work directly with executives from multinational companies. An Economics degree can offer you the opportunity to study the theory behind managing financial resources, determine the effectiveness of marketing strategies, and estimate the income and expenses of entrepreneurial ventures.
How to Pivot from Bachelor’s to Master’s in Creative Writing
If you’ve decided that an MFA degree in Creative Writing is the right path for you, then you’re probably wondering how you can get there from here. There are several options, but you’ll have to make some concrete decisions as to which one is the best fit for you. Firstly, you can take a direct route by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and then applying for an MFA. Alternatively, you can complete any Master’s degree in a related field such as English Literature, and then apply for an MFA in Creative Writing. If you’ve decided that an MFA is the right choice for you but you’re not quite sure which route to take, then you might want to consider applying for a few different types of Master’s degrees in Creative Writing. This way, you can find the best one that suits your needs.
How to Become a Creative Writing Professor
After earning an MFA degree in Creative Writing, you’ll have the opportunity to become a professor. You may choose to do so at a prestigious university or at a less traditional institution. Regardless of the type of institution you choose, teaching is an excellent way to utilize your degree and to provide additional opportunities for yourself and your professional network. It also allows you to share your love of literature with the next generation of students.