Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Creative Writing, and thank you for visiting our pages.Here you will find information on our courses offerings, literary magazines, events, student and alumni accomplishments, and faculty bios. Whether you are looking to take an elective or more advanced course of study in creative writing, you’ve come to the right place.
Looking for an undergraduate introductory creative writing course? Consider beginning with ENGL 3351, Creative Writing I, where you will have the opportunity to write in multiple genres. Many students obtaining an English literature degree opt to take the Creative Writing track. We also offer a Certificate in Creative Writing for any major, and students may choose from course offerings in English and Spanish. The Gallery Literary Magazine course provides opportunities for students to edit and produce the magazine, and our department also produces riverSedge, a national literary magazine edited by MFA faculty, students, and graduates. We also host readings and events throughout the year with visiting writers, student readings, and faculty presentations.
Interested in applying to the MFA in Creative Writing Program? The MFA is a 48-hour, terminal degree-granting program where you can write a book-length manuscript with critical introduction under the mentorship of your thesis committee chair after you take several workshop, form and theory, literature, and other courses (see our degree plan). Our program offers courses in English and Spanish and students may choose to write their thesis projects in either language or both. The department’s faculty and affiliate faculty can help guide you in writing your book-length work.
We encourage MFA students to take courses and electives that align with their artistic goals and scholarly interests. As only two examples, with a little advance planning, students may seek to obtain a graduate certificate in Mexican American Studies and/or Gender and Women’s Studies at the same time that they pursue the MFA in Creative Writing. This allows interested students the opportunity to engage critically with these intersecting fields of study as they write their work in the program, including their thesis project. For more information on these certificates, please visit their webpages and discuss your plans with the MFA program adviser.
Our faculty, students, and alumni are engaged in multiple literary communities—local, national, and international. Please take a look at our alumni and student accomplishments pages on our website and follow us on Facebook. Reach out if you have ideas for collaboration or would like more information on any of our events or programs.
Sincerely,
Emmy Pérez
Chair
Location: ELABS 125
Email: emmy.perez@utrgv.edu