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Topic: M.F.A Creative Non-Fiction?
| Author | Message |
| joyeuxnoelle | Posted – 1/9/2006 2:18:01 AM | show profile | email poster Does anyone out there have an M.F.A in Creative Non-Fiction? It's something I'm considering myself. I'm trying decide between this and j-school. Can anyone give me an idea of what the course work is like? Please mention where your degree is from and any other universities with strong programs. Thanks. |
| writingGirl | Posted – 1/9/2006 7:03:03 AM | show profile I did my MFA in creative nonfiction at Columbia. If I were you, I would go to J-school. I don't have the research / interviewing skills that you need to write freelance articles etc. I do have a book published with a major publisher but it is a memoir. Now I am trying to make the transition to writing feature articles and am struggling with the basic skills required to do so. Coursework consisted of English-like classes and workshops where we commented on character development, scenes, etc. It was much more artsy than j-school would be. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 1/9/2006 9:20:35 AM | show profile You may not want to hear this, but all these skills can be learned without getting an overpriced master's degree. The MFA programs are good if you want the time to write a memoir and get feedback in a workshop environment. However, you don't need to enter an MFA program to do that. ------ Metaphors be with you. |
| globetrotter78 | Posted – 1/9/2006 9:47:04 AM | show profile I would say only do it if you want to teach...otherwise I agree with the other posts. |
| activeverb | Posted – 1/9/2006 10:55:41 AM | show profile As a practical matters, these kinds of masters degrees aren't too valuable in the workplace. I know plenty of people who make livings as freelance writers and none of them have master's degrees. <<Does anyone out there have an M.F.A in Creative Non-Fiction? It's something I'm considering myself. I'm trying decide between this and j-school. Can anyone give me an idea of what the course work is like? Please mention where your degree is from and any other universities with strong programs. Thanks.<< |
| writingGirl | Posted – 1/9/2006 12:21:50 PM | show profile While I do agree somewhat with the other posters, I will say that you make FABULOUS connections at Columbia (which, unfortunately, I did not take advantage of), so you may want to consider that (most of the people I graduated with have done very well in the industry). I do think going to a no-name school or an okay school for an MFA is a complete waste of time, unless you want to teach. (And I think writing makes you a better writer, not an MFA.) With all that said, an MFA was great for me. I do not regret my decision as all, even considering the cost of it, although I am sure some of my classmates would disagree. And I don't teach, nor do I have any desire to. |
| clairezulkey | Posted – 1/9/2006 4:38:40 PM | show profile | email poster I'm getting my MA at Northwestern University in Creative Writing focusing on nonfiction. I'm too pooped to go into its plus and minuses here but email me off the board if you like if you want to hear about my experiences. I'm glad I'm doing it. ------ Editor of MBToolBox |
