MFA Public Readings on May 12
Thursday, May 12 | 7-8 p.m. | Library Porch
Upon successful completion of the oral defense of their thesis, MFA candidates are required to present a public recital of their work. Please join us in celebrating fall semester 2015 MFA graduate Dustin Mohagen (North Dakota) and spring 2016 graduates Travis Dolence (Minnesota), and Seth Kelly (Minnesota) when they read from their work on Thursday, May 12, 7-8 p.m. in the Library Porch. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. For more information check out this poster.
The MFA is a terminal degree—the highest degree in its field—allowing students to study the art and craft of writing, while preparing for careers in teaching and writing-related professions. Since offering its first classes in fall 1995, the MFA in Creative Writing program has graduated 120 students.
Our students have come from California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, New Mexico, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, as well as from Canada and Jamaica.
Every institution of higher learning—including public, private, and proprietary institutions—within a 75 mile radius of MSUM employs an MFA grad as a professor or administrator. Graduates from the MFA program have gone on to: earn M.A. and PhD degrees; teach writing and literature and hold administrative positions in high schools, community colleges, technical colleges, and universities; work as writers and editors of magazines, newspapers, and publishing companies; manage web content and communications strategies for businesses and universities; drive taxis; direct Alumni Affairs for Teach for America; work in marketing, advertising, and public relations positions for private, public, and nonprofit agencies; direct study abroad programs; develop successful freelance writing businesses; work as marketing directors for banks; and serve as emergency room anesthesiology nurses.
In 2013, the MFA in Creative Writing Program was among the academic programs designated by MSUM to be phased out in order to avoid a projected $8 million deficit in 2016 and align resources with the University’s new strategic plan.