M.S. in Criminal Justice
The M.S. in Criminal Justice at UTC is structured to provide students with advanced kno...
M.A. in English: Creative Writing
Chattanooga, Tennessee
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration at UTC aims to help students identify and refine their creative strengths, articulate their unique artistic visions, and connect with local, national, and even international literary and publishing communities. The program often culminates in a significant creative project, such as a thesis comprising a collection of original fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, showcasing the student's mastery of their chosen genre. This rigorous program not only prepares graduates for careers as published authors but also for roles in education, publishing, and other fields that value advanced communication and analytical skills.
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience in creative writing. Students typically engage in advanced workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, where they receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers, learn to critique others' work, and refine their own. Beyond these genre-specific workshops, the program also integrates literary studies courses, allowing students to explore diverse literary traditions, critical theories, and the historical context of various writing styles. This blend ensures that creative practice is informed by a deep understanding of literature. Elective options may further allow students to delve into specialized areas like literary editing and publishing, digital writing, or specific literary movements.
Research Focus: While the M.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration primarily focuses on the production of original creative work, it inherently involves a form of research. Students are encouraged to engage in extensive reading within their chosen genres and beyond, analyzing the techniques and strategies employed by established authors. For those pursuing a creative thesis, this involves a deep dive into literary influences and contemporary literary traditions, often culminating in a critical introduction or reflection that situates their creative work within a broader literary context. The program fosters a scholarly approach to creative practice, encouraging writers to understand the "how" and "why" behind effective storytelling.
Industry Engagement: UTC's English Department, including its Creative Writing program, actively seeks to connect students with the professional writing and publishing world. This is often facilitated through various avenues. The university regularly hosts the Meacham Writers' Workshop, bringing in acclaimed authors from across the country and the world for readings, workshops, and direct interaction with students. The department also supports student-edited literary journals like Sequoya Review, providing invaluable hands-on experience in editing, publishing, and literary curation. Internship opportunities within the English Department further allow students to gain practical experience in fields such as literary editing, publishing, or arts administration, adapting their writing skills to professional environments.
Global Perspective: The program incorporates a global perspective through its emphasis on reading a wide range of literature, including multiethnic and international works. By exposing students to diverse voices and storytelling traditions from around the world, the curriculum broadens their understanding of human experience and the universal themes explored through creative writing. This helps students develop a more nuanced and expansive artistic vision, encouraging them to draw inspiration from and contribute to a global literary conversation. The engagement with visiting international authors through workshops further enriches this global outlook.
Location
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 26852
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students pursuing their education in the United States. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to the campus community, helping to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UTC provides merit-based scholarships that international students can apply for, typically based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall potential. These scholarships often cover partial to full tuition and are renewable based on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are available exclusively for international students, helping offset tuition fees and living expenses. These awards may vary annually and are competitive, encouraging students to demonstrate strong academic records and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UTC offer scholarships targeted at students within specific fields of study. International students enrolled in areas such as Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, or Arts and Sciences can explore scholarship options through their respective colleges or departments.
An M.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) cultivates highly adaptable individuals with exceptional communication, analytical, and narrative skills. These proficiencies are highly valued across a wide range of industries, making graduates strong candidates for diverse career paths beyond traditional authorship.
Author/Published Writer: The most direct path for many graduates is to pursue a career as a novelist, poet, short story writer, or creative nonfiction author. The program provides the skills and feedback necessary to develop a publishable manuscript.
Editor (Book Publishing, Magazine, Digital Media): Graduates are well-suited for editorial roles within publishing houses, literary magazines, online platforms, or corporate communications. This involves reviewing, refining, and enhancing written content for clarity, style, accuracy, and adherence to publication standards.
Content Writer/Strategist: In today's digital landscape, there's high demand for skilled writers who can create engaging content for websites, blogs, social media, marketing materials, and internal communications. Graduates can work as content writers, content strategists, or content managers in various industries.
Copywriter: This career focuses on writing persuasive text for advertising and marketing campaigns. Graduates use their creative writing skills to craft compelling headlines, ad copy, and promotional materials that drive consumer action.
Communications Specialist/Manager: With strong writing and storytelling abilities, graduates can excel in corporate communications, public relations, or non-profit organizations. They manage internal and external messaging, write press releases, speeches, reports, and develop communication strategies.
Technical Writer: This role involves translating complex information into clear, concise, and user-friendly documents such as manuals, guides, reports, and online help content. The ability to structure information logically and write with precision, honed in a creative writing program, is highly beneficial.
Journalist (Print, Digital, Broadcast): While often associated with journalism degrees, an M.A. in Creative Writing equips individuals with strong research, interviewing, and narrative skills essential for reporting and feature writing in newspapers, magazines, online news outlets, or even broadcast media.
Educator/Instructor (Community College, Continuing Education, Workshops): Many graduates choose to share their passion for writing by teaching. This can include roles as adjunct professors at universities, instructors at community colleges, or leading creative writing workshops and adult education classes.
Grant Writer: Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and research entities often rely on grant writers to secure funding. Graduates' ability to craft compelling narratives and persuasive arguments makes them ideal for researching and writing grant proposals.
Freelance Writer/Editor: The skills acquired in the program make graduates excellent candidates for freelance work. They can offer their services as writers, editors, proofreaders, or content creators to a variety of clients, enjoying flexibility and diverse projects.
