Spanish Creative Writing, MFA
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
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 courses numbered 1000–1999.
The Master of Fine Arts program in Spanish creative writing requires 48 s.h. of graduate credit earned over four semesters in residence at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a UI cumulative grade-point average 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 MFA in Spanish creative writing requires the following coursework.
Required Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Workshops | ||
| All of these (16 s.h.): | ||
| SPAN:6210 | Fiction Workshop (taken twice for 4 s.h. each) | 8 |
| SPAN:6220 | Poetry Workshop (taken twice for 4 s.h. each) | 8 |
| Additional Workshops | ||
| 12 s.h. from these: | ||
| SPAN:6235 | Film Script/Theater Workshop | 4 |
| SPAN:6241 | Creative Project Development | 4 |
| SPAN:6251 | Workshop on Editing a Literary e-Journal | 4 |
| SPAN:6280 | Nonfiction Workshop | 4 |
| SPAN:6290 | Topics in Spanish Creative Writing | 4 |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| All of these (15 s.h.): | ||
| Three courses offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese | 9 | |
| Two courses offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, or related areas in consultation with faculty advisor | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Both of these (5 s.h.): | ||
| SPAN:6299 | Thesis: Creative Writing (taken in third semester) | 2 |
| SPAN:6299 | Thesis: Creative Writing (taken in fourth semester) | 3 |
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 a related area—Center for the Book, the Creative Writing Program (Iowa Writers' Workshop), or the International Writing Program.
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 coursework 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 three consecutive academic sessions (including the spring, summer, and fall sessions but excluding the winter session) must apply for readmission to the Graduate College. See the Graduate College's Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
In order to receive full consideration for financial aid, applications to the program should be received from Oct. 1 to Jan. 15.
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, MFA
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 48 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 c | 3 | |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| Department elective c | 3 | |
| Department elective c | 3 | |
| Department elective c | 3 | |
| Workshop elective d | 4 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN:6210 | Fiction Workshop b | 4 |
| SPAN:6220 | Poetry Workshop b | 4 |
| SPAN:6299 | Thesis: Creative Writing | 2 |
| Workshop elective d | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN:6299 | Thesis: Creative Writing | 3 |
| Department elective c | 3 | |
| Workshop elective d | 4 | |
| Public Reading e | ||
| Exam: Master's Final Exam f | ||
| Hours | 10 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 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 15 s.h. of additional elective coursework including three courses (9 s.h.) offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and two courses (6 s.h.) offered by either the Department of Spanish and Portuguese or related units in consultation with faculty advisor.
- d
- Students must complete 12 s.h. of additional workshop courses. See the General Catalog for a list of approved courses.
- e
- MFA students are required to do a final public reading in the spring semester of their second year.
- f
- Submission of a graduate thesis during the last semester. See the General Catalog and department website for more information.