Creative Writing - Poetry
The English Department at Columbia College Chicago offers the Master of Fine Arts in Poetry (MFA, 40 hours). The program prepares students to write and publish poetry at a high professional level. The expectation is that students complete the program with a book-length manuscript of poetry and be prepared to participate in the worlds of poetry, publishing, and the arts.
The program draws upon faculty expertise in three interrelated areas of study: (1) Graduate Poetry Workshops; (2) Graduate Literature Classes; and (3) Graduate Craft Seminars. The goal is to develop the student?s imaginative and critical abilities and to create a sophisticated understanding of contemporary and historical practice.
The MFA degree is considered by the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) to be the terminal degree in the area of creative writing. Those holding the degree are therefore eligible for teaching positions in poetry as a creative writing discipline. In addition to the degree, it is generally expected that beginning instructors have published at least one poetry collection.
Each year the English Department offers a limited number of Graduate Student Instructorships, which enable MFA students to gain experience in the teaching of Composition at the college level.
Students who wish to gain editorial experience may apply to join the editorial staffs of our national publications, Columbia Poetry Review and Court Green.
Our annual reading series offers students the chance to hear and meet nationally and internationally acclaimed poets. In addition, each spring a distinguished poet serves as visiting faculty and teaches classes in the graduate program.
Keep reading...
DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Department Chair: Ken Daley
Director of the Graduate Program: Tony Trigilio
Office Information: 33 East Congress. Room 300
Phone: 312-344-8138
Email: ttrigilio@colum.edu