Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate:
- skills and knowledge of Spanish creative writing practice,
- broad knowledge of the professional field of Spanish creative writing,
- understanding Spanish creative writing as a critical and reflective practice in the context of the history and critical discourse on literature written in Spanish,
- ability to independently complete a publishing-quality creative project in Spanish, and
- knowledge and skills necessary to be effective instructors for 1000-level courses.
The Master of Fine Arts program in Spanish creative writing requires 51 s.h. of graduate credit earned over four semesters in residence at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.75.
Students complete courses in writing, including several workshops and other relevant coursework. They also are required to do a final public reading in the spring semester of their second year. Work toward the degree culminates in a creative thesis. They must enroll in SPAN:6210 Fiction Workshop and SPAN:6220 Poetry Workshop during each year of residence in the program. Groups of 8-12 students read and critique each other's work in these courses.
For more information, visit the Master of Fine Arts in Spanish Creative Writing website.
The M.F.A. with a major in Spanish creative writing requires the following coursework.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| SPAN:6210 | Fiction Workshop (taken twice for 4 s.h. each) | 8 |
| SPAN:6220 | Poetry Workshop (taken twice for 4 s.h. each) | 8 |
| Four graduate-level courses offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese | 12 | |
| Four additional courses offered by the M.F.A. program in Spanish creative writing, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, or related units in consultation with faculty advisor | 12 | |
| 8 s.h. from these: | ||
| SPAN:6241 | Creative Project Development (course may be taken more than once) | 4 |
| SPAN:6280 | Nonfiction Workshop | 4 |
Thesis
Students submit their graduate thesis, a manuscript of substantial length, during their last semester, and must enroll in SPAN:6299 Thesis: Creative Writing. The thesis committee is composed of at least three members: two faculty members in the Spanish creative writing program and a third Department of Spanish and Portuguese faculty member who could be part of the creative writing program, or a faculty member from one of the related units—Center for the Book, the Creative Writing Program (Iowa Writers' Workshop), or the International Writing Program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN:6299 | Thesis: Creative Writing | 3 |
Graduate Study Loads
Maximum course registration for all graduate students is 15 s.h. of graduate-level coursework in fall or spring semesters and 12 s.h. of graduate-level work in summer sessions. Students with one-quarter-time and one-third-time teaching assistantships are permitted to register for the maximum study loads. Students who hold one-half-time assistantships are permitted to register for a maximum of 12 s.h. in fall and spring semesters and 6 s.h. in summer sessions. Students must have approval from the Graduate College to register for additional semester hours.
The minimum course registration is 2 s.h. for all graduate students. Students who fail to register for 36 months must apply for readmission to the Graduate College.
In order to receive full consideration for financial aid, applications to the program should be received from October 1 to January 15.
Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified graduate students. Applications for financial support should be made directly to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Spanish Creative Writing, M.F.A.
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 51 s.h. must be graduate level coursework earned over four semesters in residence; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN:6210 | Fiction Workshop b | 4 |
| SPAN:6220 | Poetry Workshop b | 4 |
| Department elective course c | 3 | |
| Other elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN:6241 | Creative Project Development e | 4 |
| SPAN:6280 | Nonfiction Workshop e | 4 |
| Department elective course c | 3 | |
| Department elective course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN:6210 | Fiction Workshop b | 4 |
| SPAN:6220 | Poetry Workshop b | 4 |
| Department elective course c | 3 | |
| Other elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Public Reading f | ||
| SPAN:6299 | Thesis: Creative Writing | 3 |
| Other elective course d | 3 | |
| Other elective course d | 3 | |
| Final Exam g | ||
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Taken twice for a total of 8 s.h.
- c
- Students must complete four additional courses (at least 12 s.h.) offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- d
- Students must complete four additional courses (at least 12 s.h.) offered by the MFA program in Spanish creative writing, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, or related units in consultation with faculty advisor.
- e
- Complete a total of 8 s.h. from SPAN:6241 and SPAN:6280; both courses are typically offered during spring semesters and SPAN:6241 is repeatable.
- f
- MFA students are required to do a final public reading in the spring semester of their second year.
- g
- Submission of a graduate thesis during the last semester; see the General Catalog and department website for more information.