Exploring the University of Central Florida's Creative Writing Programs

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a variety of creative writing programs designed to cultivate students' passion for language and storytelling. From undergraduate minors to a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, UCF provides a comprehensive range of options for aspiring writers. This article explores the details of these programs, highlighting their curriculum, admission requirements, and opportunities for students.

Undergraduate Programs

English B.A. with a Creative Writing Track

The Bachelor of Arts in English at UCF offers a creative writing track that introduces students to fiction, poetry, and non-fiction prose. This track focuses on both the appreciation of existing texts and the production of original works in these three genres. The coursework emphasizes the craft of creative writing through the study of theory and the close analysis of one's own practice.

The English B.A. program also offers tracks in literature and technical communication. The literature track helps students develop the ability to read discerningly, think critically, and write clearly. It encompasses the study of literature in its historical, cultural, and theoretical contexts. The technical communication track prepares students to meet the communication needs of the business and scientific community, teaching them to apply the principles of written, spoken, and visual communication using state-of-the-art software and hardware.

Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog. Students must earn at least a "C" (2.0) in each required course. Co-op or internship credit cannot be used in the major without prior approval from the department. The Departmental Residency Requirement consists of at least 15 semester hours of regularly scheduled 3000-4000 level courses taken from the UCF English Department. Courses designated in the General Education Program and Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours.

Creative Writing Minor

For undergraduates who wish to focus specifically on creative writing, UCF offers a Creative Writing minor. This minor is designed for aspiring writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, providing them with a focused curriculum to hone their skills in these genres.

Read also: Enhance Your Writing Skills

Other Related Minors

In addition to the Creative Writing minor, UCF offers several other minors that can complement a student's interest in language and writing. These include:

Florida Studies: An interdisciplinary minor that offers students a general background of the history, literature, politics, art, culture, and environment of Florida.
Linguistics: The scientific study of language at every level, from sounds and gestures on up to words, sentences, meaning, and how language changes over time.
Literature: Designed for students interested in learning to think critically about texts and develop clear writing skills.
Medieval and Renaissance Studies: Students in the Minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies immerse themselves in the art, history, literature, world languages, and philosophy of these unique eras of world history.
Technical Communication: Designed for students interested in learning writing and communication skills that can be applied to technical and scientific careers.

Online Option

The English (B.A.) - Creative Writing program may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees. Through UCF Online’s creative writing courses, students will become expert communicators with a deep appreciation of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction prose. This program will guide students through an understanding of rhetoric, communication, and literary structure within an array of texts.

Graduate Program: MFA in Creative Writing

The MFA in Creative Writing at UCF is a two-year program (36 credits) that provides a supportive and vibrant community for writers. The program emphasizes the art and craft of creative writing and concentrates on the student's written work. The program encourages hybrid and experimental forms. Each candidate will write a book-length creative thesis. There is no nonthesis option in Creative Writing.

Curriculum

The innovative curriculum includes courses in professional development, workshops, editing and publishing, and a variety of craft-focused courses. The program offers specializations in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and hybrid forms. Students are encouraged to experiment and push boundaries in their work. The minimum total hours required for the Creative Writing MFA is 36 credit hours, including a minimum of nine required credit hours of graduate writing workshop classes.

Admission Requirements

To apply for the MFA program, prospective students must meet the minimum UCF graduate admissions criteria. For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. However, meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee program admission. The application deadline is January 1.

Read also: US Creative Writing Scholarships

The application package should include the following:

Three Letters of Recommendation: Preferably from current or former teachers. The letters should testify to your ability to complete a graduate program. It is helpful if the recommender has an advanced degree, and at least one of the letters should be from a professor who knows your work from undergraduate.
A Statement of Professional, Academic/Creative Background, and Commitment to Community: This statement should be 300-1000 words. In the first sentence, you must identify the genre in which you are applying-fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or hybrid form. In discussing your professional and creative goals, show us your passion for writing, your interest in specific styles or subjects, why you intend to pursue graduate study at UCF, and what you hope to achieve in the program.
A Portfolio (Writing Sample): Of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work. Please note that hybrid work is different than applying in two separate genres. The program encourages hybrid forms, literary genre fiction, and experimental/new forms. The expectation is that you will concentrate your studies in the genre/form in which you applied. Your portfolio must be in English and in your chief genre (up to 15 pages of poetry, 30 pages of fiction, or 30 pages of creative nonfiction). This manuscript is the most important element of your application. It will be evaluated by a committee of creative writing faculty to assess your readiness for graduate study. Your undergraduate degree does not have to be in English. However, the writing sample and statement of background and goals should indicate your readiness to engage at the graduate level.

Faculty and Community

UCF's award-winning faculty are dedicated to the growth of each writer in the program. The program typically has between 30-40 students, admitting 15-20 new students each year. The program believes that a diverse group of students creates the best learning environment.

On campus, students are members of their own student organization, the Graduate Writers Association (GWA), which brings two visiting writers to campus each year and hosts several social and professional events, including PARCELS, a monthly reading featuring MFA students, faculty, and alumni. Writers in the Sun, another reading series supported by the department, brings 2-5 nationally known writers to campus. Students are involved with The Florida Review as well as Aquifer: The Florida Review Online, UCF’s prestigious literary journal, or can volunteer with The Cypress Dome (CD), an undergraduate-run student literary magazine. Additionally, The Literary Arts Partnership trains and supports students who lead creative writing workshops for marginalized groups.

Opportunities and Outcomes

Graduates of the program go on to become teachers, editors, publishers, freelance writers, lawyers, marketing professionals, nonprofit managers, and much more. UCF prepares students for life beyond the classroom, providing a wide range of opportunities, like learning diverse skills from world-renowned faculty to networking with top employers across Central Florida to gaining first-hand experience in internships nearby.

UCF students and alumni actively publish in top journals-Passages North, Fourth Genre, Quarterly West, The Rumpus, PANK, New Yorker, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction to name just a few-and have won prestigious prizes such as the AWP Intro Award and the NEA Fellowship.

"Litlando" and Beyond

Orlando, also called Litlando, is home to a number of literary arts activities, including Burrow Press, The Drunken Odyssey: A Podcast About the Writing Life, The Writer’s Atelier, Page 15, Loose Lips Reading Series, The Jack Kerouac Project, and many other literary arts organizations and events.

Additional Opportunities

Non-Degree Enrollment

For those who missed the application deadline, UCF permits Non-Degree, Non-Program, or undergraduate students in creative writing courses if there is space available. Active and current students in the program have priority registration for courses.

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