MFA students are accelerated only after they have submitted proof of a book publication or a dramatic production that has been approved by faculty and the Chair or Associate Programs Director and which stands in place of the creative thesis. For acceleration requirements, see the Naslund-Mann Student Handbook.

After successfully participating in the ENG-632 or equivalent residency course, and after approval of the student’s application for acceleration, students begin Extended Accelerated Advanced Independent Writing and Reading: Emphasizing the Research Project and Graduation Lecture-1.

The student and assigned mentor create an Independent Study Plan, which includes extensive assignments and the research project, original creative writing, and an individualized reading list to be completed during ENG-674 and ENG-675, the second part of the extended advanced independent study; also, under the guidance of the ENG- 674/675 mentor, the student prepares a Graduation Lecture to be presented at Graduation Residency and any other needed requirements for the MFA degree.

The research project may be an extended critical essay on literature; or a research project on the history, practices, or trends in publishing and/or editing; a research project that includes a grant proposal to fund a project for an existing literary arts organization; or a pedagogical study in the teaching of creative writing. Other research projects that concern the profession of writing may also be suggested for approval.

During the independent study, students submit packets to the mentor, at scheduled intervals, containing a specified amount of material that includes new and revised work. The mentor replies to each student packet on an individual basis, providing critique and instruction to the student in a written or recorded response. Students

submit other assignments throughout the course, including evaluations and an updated student curriculum vitae,

Students taking this course to fulfill the requirements of the Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing must complete the long research project option to study the pedagogy of creative writing.

Students enrolled in this course may choose to add a travel option which allows them to engage in writing, reading, and research that emphasizes the literature of the international destination.

Accelerated MFA students graduate with a total of 50 credits.

Prerequisite courses: ENG-632 or equivalent and permission of the Chair or Associate Programs Director