Program Details
Typically achieved over two years, the MFA degree involves:
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Full participation in five residency periods documented with residency reviews, including any credits—up to 16—accepted for transfer from other institutions, and the successful completion of four semester projects with the minimum accumulation of 68 graduate credit hours documented through semester assessments and submitted revised work
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Work with no fewer than three faculty advisors during the student’s tenure in the program
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Broad reading in literature and contemporary letters documented with a cumulative bibliography of approximately 80 entries, at least 40 of which are annotated
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The ability to write clear prose and to articulate cogent response to work by other writers documented with 20-30 reading commentaries
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A clearly written, substantial, critical essay concentrating on the creative works of one or more published authors
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A creative manuscript of high-quality poetry, fiction or nonfiction, consisting of 30-50 pages of poetry or 70-120 pages of prose
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Objective discussion of the creative manuscript by faculty and peers in a thesis review
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A graduate presentation consisting of a critical introduction and reading from the student’s thesis during the final residency
Curricular Overview
First and Second Semester
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Residency review
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Creative work in one’s genre (or, during the second semester, in a second genre if approved by the Admissions Board)
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A bibliography of approximately 20 works
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Reading commentaries on 10-15 works
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Written midterm and semester assessments
Essay Semester
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Residency review
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Creative work in one’s genre
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An annotated bibliography of at least 20 works
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A critical essay on work by published authors
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Written midterm and semester assessments
Thesis Semester
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Residency review
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Creative work to complete the final thesis manuscript
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An annotated bibliography of at least 20 works
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A comprehensive, standard bibliography of all works read during matriculation
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Preparation of a presentation to be given during the final residency
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Preparation of a 15-minute reading of original work to be given during the final residency
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Preparation for the thesis review that takes place during the final residency
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Submission of the complete thesis, when approved, to the program archive
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Written midterm and semester assessments
Fifth Residency
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Thesis review
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Graduate presentation
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Graduate reading
Program Learning Outcomes
All Pacific students, in all programs across the University, are inspired by a guiding mission to “Think, Care, Create and Pursue Justice in our World.” These concepts—Think, Care, Create, Pursue Justice—have been shaped into five categories of broadly shared Institutional Learning Outcomes.
Taking these Institutional Learning Outcomes as our guide, and using the University mission’s concepts as an organization principle, the MFA in Writing works toward these core Program Learning Outcomes.
Upon completion of the program, degree recipients will demonstrate mastery-level rhetorical skill and imaginative originality in creative works. Specifically, students will be able to:
THINK
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Summarize, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate texts throughout the program in workshop commentary, reading commentaries, bibliographic annotations, and the critical essay.
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Articulate how a piece of literary art employs elements such as diction, syntax, sound and rhythm, metaphor, imagery, architecture, tone of voice, point of view, narrative voice, dialogue, setting, scene, aspects of the writer’s imagination, free association, transitions and leaps, logic and illogic, titles, what sews a work together, and what is most individual about a work.
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Collect applicable information about the world of magazine and book publishing from agents, publishers, marketing representatives, faculty members, and alumni who are already publishing.
CARE
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Find and establish a diverse community of writing partners with whom they may continue their literary conversations long after they graduate, taking suggestions and inspirations from one another, sometimes writing in concert.
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Constructively apply student and faculty comments and criticism to their writing, revision, and editing, and adapt and apply these lessons to the work of others.
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Provide detailed, well-supported peer critiques and suggestions for revisions in workshops and thesis review committees.
CREATE
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Demonstrate mastery-level rhetorical skill and imaginative originality in creative works, and write for a variety of audiences.
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Discover imaginative connections between and among ideas rooted in originality of language, style, theme, structure and subject matter.
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Demonstrate greater proficiency in the writing of fiction, nonfiction, and/or poetry through effective uses of elements of prose such as point of view, voice, plot, setting, imagery, scene, and dialogue and/or effective uses of elements of poetry such as rhythm, metrics, detail, voice, tone, imagery, and structure.
PURSUE JUSTICE
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Read widely across cultures and internationally and explore the expressions of the human condition in diverse world views.
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Recognize how their own cultural biases inform their responses to work by writers with other worldviews, both within our community and in the wider world of literature.
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When writing across difference, demonstrate a well-informed understanding of their own assumptions and the culture they are describing, including its history, values, beliefs, and practices.
Admission
The Master of Fine Arts in Writing program welcomes students who have demonstrated talent, commitment to the writing process, an openness to critique, and a dedication to individual voice and vision.
Qualified applicants should hold an undergraduate degree or be close to completing one at the time of application. Admission is based primarily on the quality and promise exhibited in the application manuscript and personal essay. Applicants should address their ability to participate productively and supportively in a writing community and to sustain commitment through extended independent work periods during the guided study.
https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/admissions/application-procedure-forms
Policies
Assessment
Assessment occurs at midterm and semester end. For both assessments, the student and advisor each write a narrative analysis addressing the following:
- The student’s semester performance and progress toward completion of the program
- The number and merit of the student-advisor exchanges, as well as the effectiveness of assignments
- Expectations and tentative plans for the coming semester as discussed with the advisor
The midterm assessments are advisory only, used by the MFA program for counseling purposes when necessary, and do not become part of the student’s permanent record. In addition, students are invited to contact the MFA director during the semester if they have concerns about their work and exchanges, especially if they anticipate problems meeting a due date. In most cases, minor adjustments to due dates can be arranged in conversation between the student and advisor..
Assessments completed by the student and advisor at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters become part of the student’s official record and the narrative transcript is used to assign credit (the MFA program does not use grades). Students receive a hard copy letter of credit/no credit and a copy of their narrative transcript prior to the next residency.
*Addendum added 10/08/24
Award of Semester Credit
Semester credit is granted only in 15-hour units and requires documentation by way of the semester study plan, residency review, midterm and final semester assessments, semester bibliography, analytical and creative work, and a log of exchanges. These semester assignments require a minimum time commitment of 20-25 hours of study per week. After the faculty advisor has evaluated the student’s semester work and has recommended credit in the Narrative Transcript, the MFA program reviews the student’s semester portfolio. If all is in order, the program awards credit. Prior to the next residency, the student is advised of the award of credit in a letter from the director. Comments and counsel for the student regarding the upcoming semester may be included.
Students who attend only a portion of the residency or who participate in the residency but fail to complete all semester work will receive no credit.
Students who complete semester requirements but whose analytical or creative work does not meet program expectations may be granted credit even though the work falls short of the criteria for the granting of the degree. Decisions about the awarding of credit are made between the final due date for receipt of semester project evaluations and the next residency, as are decisions regarding whether or not a student will continue on in the program.
A student whose analytical or creative work does not demonstrate the competency to advance to the next semester may enroll in up to one extra semester or take a leave of absence to develop the necessary skills. If the revised manuscripts from this additional semester of work are not successful, as determined by the Admissions Board, the student will be dismissed from the program.
Due Dates and Extensions
Students are responsible for turning in required work by the assigned due dates and recording their exchanges with their advisors in a log. All semester work must be satisfactorily completed by the end of the semester to receive credit. Students who fail to meet due dates with their advisors or the MFA office and who fail to make other arrangements for completing work lose their right to further exchanges and to credit for that semester. In such cases, students may be required to take an additional semester to complete the unfinished work and earn the required credit toward the degree.
In exceptional circumstances, a student may petition the MFA Academic Board for an extension of due dates to earn semester credit. For details, see below under Incomplete Grade.
Academic Standing, Probation and Dismissal
Students receive ongoing assessment throughout the residency and the guided study. While most excel in the program, those students who find they are unable to complete their work or who have other academic concerns should contact the MFA director or their advisor immediately to discuss a plan of action. This might include a Petition for Exception to MFA Policy, an accommodation arranged through the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation Services, or other options. A student who fails to complete the degree requirements as outlined in the MFA Handbook or whose work does not demonstrate graduate-level competency is not permitted to progress in the curriculum. Student status and attending action plans are identified and described below.
Acceptable and In Good Standing
The student demonstrates all of the following:
- Satisfactory progress in completing assignments and meeting deadlines
- Satisfactory progress in the development of analytical and creative writing skills
- Adherence to University and MFA rules or procedures
- Appropriate professional/ethical conduct and attitudes
Notice of Concern
A student may receive a “notice of concern” if an advisor, faculty or staff member expresses concerns about the student’s performance in any of the areas defined above. A notice of concern is designed to bring the student’s attention to an issue (e.g., failing academic performance; missed deadlines; inadequate or problematic communication with MFA advisors, faculty members, and/or program staff) so that the student may address and improve the performance in the area of concern and thus avoid receiving an academic warning or losing their acceptable academic standing. The MFA director sends a notice of concern to a student via email and/or the letter of credit. This notice may include an action plan for remediation. Students who receive two notices of concern within a semester and do not improve their performance will receive an academic warning.
Academic Warning and Suspension
A student who receives an official academic warning is no longer a student in good standing and must address the issue(s) to the satisfaction of the advisor, staff member, and/or director within two weeks of receiving notification. The academic warning includes a plan of action for any one of the following:
- Failure to meet deadlines and/or failure to contact advisor or MFA staff within three days of missed deadlines
- Incomplete work
- Insufficient progress in analytical or creative writing skills
- Failure to comply with University or MFA program rules or procedures and/or unprofessional/unethical behavior
A student who does not address the issue(s) within two weeks of receiving the academic warning, or who receives additional notices of concern or academic warnings for other issues, will be suspended from the program for the rest of the semester and receive no credit.
Academic Probation
A student who receives an academic warning and/or who is suspended from the MFA program will be placed on academic probation and will be given one semester to regain good academic standing. A student on probation must have an approved plan for addressing one or more of the following:
- Repeated failure to meet deadlines and/or failure to contact advisor or MFA staff within three days of missed deadlines
- Incomplete work
- Insufficient progress in analytical or creative writing skills
- Failure to meet the terms of an action plan designed as the result of an academic warning
- Lack of compliance with University or MFA program rules or procedures and/or unprofessional/unethical conduct at a level of greater magnitude than that considered to warrant a warning
A second semester of unacceptable performance will result in academic dismissal from the program.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the program for any one of the following:
- Failure to meet deadlines and/or failure to contact advisor or MFA staff within three days of missed deadlines for more than one semester
- Incomplete work for more than one semester
- Insufficient progress in analytical or creative writing skills for more than one semester
- Academic probation for more than one semester at any time in the program
- Failure to meet the terms of an action plan designed as the result of an academic probation
- Flagrant or intentional violations of the University or MFA program rules and procedures and/or inappropriate, unprofessional/unethical or illegal conduct
Students who have been dismissed may reapply to the program after a period of absence, depending on the circumstances of dismissal. Decisions on student status are determined by members of the MFA faculty and/or Admissions Board. Students may appeal status decisions within 10 days of notification of the original action to the MFA Board of Directors, which includes the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Accreditation and Awarding of the Degree
Pacific University and the Master of Fine Arts in Writing program are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Master of Fine Arts degree is granted by the Pacific University President and the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the Academic Board of the MFA in Writing program and the approval of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Auditing Students
Alumni, current students, and applicants accepted into the MFA program may choose the option to audit an MFA semester at the discretion of the program and as space allows. Students who request this option typically attend a residency and adapt their semester study plan to focus entirely on their creative manuscript, although faculty will encourage students to include some readings in their semester work. While auditing students enroll in, pay for, and participate in MFA residencies and guided study, they are not required to complete assignments or turn in a portfolio at the end of the semester. Students must declare the audit option before the end of the add-drop period; once the audit option has been declared the course cannot revert back to the graded option.
Students who audit receive no credits and this is reflected on a transcript as ‘AU’ instead of a grade. Course auditing is not applied toward degree requirements even if the student returns to the program in the future as a degree-seeking student.
Non-Degree-Seeking Students
Alumni, current students, and applicants accepted into the MFA program may choose the option to study as non-degree-seeking students at the discretion of the program and as space allows.
Earning Credit As a Non-Degree Seeking Student
Non-degree seeking students may earn 15 credits for each full semester (residency and guided study). These students must complete all academic requirements as outlined in the MFA Handbook and Pacific catalog. While the non-degree seeking student may earn credit, it does not apply to the MFA degree until the student is enrolled as a matriculated, degree-seeking student. Students switching from non-degree seeking to degree seeking must have approval from the Admissions Board.
Transfer Credit
Request for transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. No more than 15 credits can be transferred.
Credit Load
Students must register for 15 credits for each semester. Part-time enrollment is not allowed.
Honors
The MFA program does not award graduation honors.
Grading System
All courses are graded Pass/No Pass.
Add/Drop/Withdrawal Schedule
Students may add or drop through the second week of the semester. After this time and through the 65% mark of the semester (approximately three months into the semester), students may withdraw and receive a W grade on the transcript. After this point, students not completing the course will earn a No Pass grade.
Readmission Policy/Process
Students who leave the program before earning the degree may be able to apply for readmission if their situations have changed. See the Program Director for more information.
Time Limits to Complete Degree
It is generally expected that all degree requirements will be completed within three years, although exceptions can be granted by the Program Director.
Incomplete Grade
In exceptional circumstances, a student may petition the MFA Academic Board for an extension of due dates to earn semester credit. In this case, the student would need to complete the Student Petition for Exception to MFA Policy/Incomplete Grade and submit it to the program director, who will offer a recommendation to the MFA Board. The MFA Board will review the petition and either approve or deny it. Students may petition to earn credit only when a portion of semester coursework has been completed satisfactorily and health or other emergency reasons prevent the student from finishing all requirements by the established due dates. The petition should detail the circumstances that led to the request as well as dates and plans for completing the semester work. The advisor and the student should agree upon a timeline for the completion of all work, with the following limitations:
- Fall semester Incompletes must be completed by the following April 15 to earn credit.
- Spring semester Incompletes must be completed by the following November 15 to earn credit.
If the agreed-upon course work is not completed in the period allotted and an extension has not been granted, no credit will be given for the semester. Please note that extensions on due dates may incur additional fees, jeopardize credit, or delay decisions about advancement toward the degree.
