Online MFA in Writing: Creative Nonfiction Concentration
Advance Your Creative Career
Fast Facts
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As you’re making your decision about pursuing an online degree, you are likely to have questions. From program information to details about the application process, we’re here to help you find the answers you need.
Transform Your Talent for Writing into a Career
In the Creative Nonfiction MFA program from Lindenwood University, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills through workshops and craft classes designed to advance your development as a professional writer. Our small classes help you grow in a supportive environment while learning from published writers. While some MFA coursework can be taken on-campus if preferred, there is no residency requirement for our fully online students.
Career Outlook: Profit from Your Creativity
The field of professional writing allows you to transform your creative ideas into realities. By choosing the online Creative Nonfiction MFA, you’ll build the skills necessary to produce creative literature and contribute to engaging journalism.
With the online Creative Nonfiction MFA in Writing program from Lindenwood University, you’ll explore the limits of nonfiction literature and learn to apply your creativity to your work in this genre. When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills necessary to turn your passion for literature and storytelling into a successful career.
Writer
$63,200/year
Writers create literary content to either be published by media companies or in the form of novels, textbooks, children’s books and more. Many of these professionals are employed by marketing and media companies, while others are self-employed.
Reporter
$46,270/year
Reporters conduct research, host interviews, and investigate breaking news stories to develop engaging media to share with the public. These professionals often conduct their research outside of the office and may produce literary, visual, or audio content.
Curriculum: Skills to Enhance Your Talent
As a student of the online MFA in Writing program, you will customize your curriculum by selecting 48 credit hours of courses in your interests and foundational area of emphasis. Course options for the Creative Nonfiction MFA program include instruction on narrative journalism, advanced creative writing, classic foundational literature, and more. In addition, a graduate thesis course is required.
Course Spotlight: IMF 55200 Creative Nonfiction Craft Foundations
This course is an in-depth study of foundational craft elements for writing literary creative nonfiction. Elements include essay structure for traditional narrative and lyric essays; techniques for development of self as character and effective description; use of dialogue and summary; and inclusion of light learning and research. Includes theory and application through writing exercises. This course is highly recommended for students declaring a Creative Nonfiction emphasis for the MFA in Writing degree.
Course Spotlight: IMF 56200 Classic Foundational Literature: Creative Nonfiction
This course is an intensive survey and analysis of foundational classic literary creative nonfiction and its authors, including the study of literary criticism. Authors studied will include masters of memoir and the literary personal essay who have contributed important work to the history of the form, such as McCarthy, Hemingway, Conroy, and Thurber. This course is highly recommended for students declaring a Creative Nonfiction emphasis for the MFA in Writing degree.
Concentrations
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call (855) 941-0568.
A fine arts degree focuses on a specific visual or performing art, such as writing, painting, music, or graphic design. It is profession-based and concentrates less on the liberal arts than a typical master’s program.
You may transfer up to 9 credits to this program. Your credits must be applicable to the program’s curriculum, be from a regionally accredited college or university, and meet minimum GPA requirements.
With an MFA in Writing, you can seek a few roles. One obvious outcome is a career as a writer. However, you can specialize in technical or grant writing or even become an editor. You may also be able to pursue different roles within the publishing or online media industry, or teach college creative writing, composition, and literature classes.
Sources:
Career and salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.