Hardin-Simmons University M.A. in English with Creative Writing Emphasis

The Program

Director: Dr. Robert A. Fink: Box 15114, HSU, Abilene, TX 79698: rfink@hsutx.edu

Type of Degree: Traditional Literary Study and Creative Writing

Required Course of Study: 33 semester hours

English 6392 Thesis: A creative thesis; i.e., a book of poetry or a collection of short stories. The author will provide an extensive critical introduction and works cited for his or her book. 3 s/hrs. After the thesis has been completed and approved, the student will give a public reading on the Hardin-Simmons campus. The Director of Creative Writing will coordinate this reading.

English 5315 Creative Writing Workshop: (poetry and fiction) 3 s/hrs

English 5316 Advanced Creative Writing Workshop: (poetry and fiction) 3 s/hrs

English 6327 Directed Studies In Creative Writing: A writing tutorial (Poetry or Fiction) with the Director of Creative Writing 3 s/hrs

Literature Courses: 6 s/hrs must be outside the creative writing concentration. The candidate is expected to offer a diverse background of study in the major.

Minor: 12 s/hrs may be taken in an approved minor outside the English department. Should the student choose to minor in English, these twelve hours usually will be literature courses.

English 6391 Methods Of Research: Required of all English graduate students 3 s/hrs

Acceptance Into The Creative Thesis Program:

Option #1: The Director of Creative Writing will determine after the student has completed English 5315 and English 5316 whether or not the student is qualified to pursue the Creative Thesis option. 

Option #2: Before taking English 5315 and English 5316, a student seeking permission to pursue the Creative Thesis option may submit to the Director of Creative Writing:

(1.) A detailed letter outlining the student's educational and writing experience and explaining the student's reasons for wishing to pursue the Creative Thesis option at Hardin-Simmons.

(2.) A manuscript of the student's best recent work.

Manuscript requirements (one of the following):

Poetry: A grouping of ten poems, typed, single spaced, no more than one poem per page, with each page numbered in the upper right-hand corner, and the student's name on each page. 

Short Story: Two typed, double-spaced short stories, with each page numbered in the upper right-hand corner, and the student's name on each page. 

Students Must Keep A Copy Of The Submitted Manuscript.

Manuscripts Will Not Be Returned.

A student whose submitted manuscript is not deemed strong enough to qualify the student to pursue the creative thesis option may seek permission to write a creative thesis by means of Option #1. 

Financial Aid

At this time, the Hardin-Simmons University Department of Literature and Languages does not offer graduate fellowships designated specifically for graduate students pursuing an M. A. in English with Creative Writing Emphasis. For information regarding a limited number of annually renewable graduate teaching fellowships, contact Dr. Traci Thompson, Chair, Department of Literature and Languages: tthomp@hsutx.edu.

Updated: September 17, 2011