12 credit hours

After successfully participating in the ENG642 residency, students begin ENG643 Advanced Independent Writing and Reading: Emphasizing the Creative Thesis Collection. The student and assigned mentor create an Independent Study Plan, which includes five extensive assignments of original creative writing culminating in the completion of the creative thesis, and an individualized reading list. In addition to the work on the creative thesis, the plan also includes new writing to help establish a transition to the writing life after the MFA is awarded to the student. During the independent study, students in every genre submit five packets to their mentors, at scheduled intervals, containing a cover letter and a specified amount of material that includes new and revised work. The mentor replies to each student’s packet on an individual basis. Students submit midsession and end-of-independent-study evaluations, and a cumulative bibliography of books and scripts read.