sfu creative writing

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To view the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/spring.html .

Creative Writing

Admission to this program has been suspended effective Fall 2021.

This certificate allows students to investigate the theory and practice of creative writing from a variety of approaches, including creative practice in poetry, fiction, and screen writing, and aspects of material production/publishing.

Admission Requirements

Normal requirements for admission to Simon Fraser University apply. Prior to formal program admission, students must complete two of

• CMNS 110-3 Introduction to Communication Studies
• ENGL 208-3 Twenty-First Century Literatures in English
• CA (or FPA) 136-3 The History and Aesthetics of Cinema I (or CA (or FPA) 137)

Program Requirements

Students successfully complete a minimum total of 20 units, including one of

A seminar-workshop in the theory and practice of creative writing with specific emphasis on poetry. Prerequisite: 30 units; or two 200-division English courses; or formal declaration in the creative writing minor and ENGL 272 .

A seminar-workshop in the theory and practice of creative writing with specific emphasis on prose fiction. Prerequisite: 30 units; or two 200-division English courses; or formal declaration in the creative writing minor and ENGL 272 .

and at least two of

This course introduces the methodologies of writing for the screen in various styles, including dramatic, documentary and experimental forms, with an emphasis on structure and the creative expression of visual ideas. Students will perform a variety of writing assignments and each will be expected to complete one or more short original scripts. Prerequisite: One of CA (or FPA) 136, 137 or 253 and prior approval. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 332 or 238 for credit may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 238W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

A study of different historical methods of measuring poetry in English, with practice in scanning and analyzing poems using different methods of quantitative analysis (e.g. Syllabic, rhythmic, alliterative). Prerequisite: 12 units or one 100-division English course. Students with credit for ENGL 212 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Students will engage in theoretically informed practice of writing in various non-academic genres. Emphasis will be placed on the kinds of writing that students are likely to use after graduation. Prerequisite: 30 units or two 200-division English courses. Recommended: One of English 199, 199W, or 214. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught, though students who obtained credit for English 371 prior to Summer 2015 may not take this couse for further credit.

An analysis of the various facets of the book publishing industry in Canada including ownership patterns, legal foundations, criteria for book selection and marketing. Includes examination of both commercial and educational publishing. The industry will be analysed within the framework of Canadian cultural and other government policies affecting the industry. Prerequisite: 60 units. Students with credit for CMNS 371 may not take this course for further credit.

Students will follow the book-publishing process from the acquisition and editing of manuscripts through to production, promotion and distribution. Each topic proceeds from basic concepts and precepts to case studies of particular kinds of publishing companies (e.g., literary, regional and general trade) and particular types of books (e.g., children's, genre, fiction and poetry). The publishing decision-to-publish process is simulated. Required readings focus on the history of book publishing, as well as on current developments. Prerequisite: 60 units. Students with credit for CMNS 372 may not take this course for further credit.

A project course covering core issues in magazine media publishing whether it is in print, online, video, audio, or interactive media. The course covers best practices for team work, publishing, editorial, design marketing and distribution. Prerequisite: 60 units. Students with credit for CMNS 375 may not take this course for further credit.

A creative writing workshop focusing on students' production of original works, translingual writing, and/or literary translation. This course may be repeated for credit when different topics are offered. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Humanities.

An advanced seminar-workshop in the theory and practice of poetry or fiction. Genre varies from term to term. Prerequisite: ENGL 372 or 374 . Students with credit for ENGL 472 prior to fall 2015 may not complete this course for further credit. Otherwise, course may be repeated for credit when the genre varies. Writing.

Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the historical and contemporary arts and encourages students to participate as writers in the artistic and cultural debates of their day. Forms examined will include but not be limited to reviews, articles, descriptive synopses for exhibition and festival programs, curatorial essays, project proposals and artists' statements. Prerequisite: 60 units including at least six units in CA (or FPA) history/theory courses. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 319 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 319W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

This course will present advanced theory and techniques for writing dramatic, experimental and documentary film and video scripts. Additional topics covered include script analysis, production breakdown, and the writing of treatments and proposals. Prerequisite: One of CA (or FPA) 238 or 353 or 457 and prior approval. Strongly recommended for all students developing projects for production in CA (or FPA) 430. Students with credit for FPA 338W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Advanced seminar in linguistic, pragmatic, historical and social theories of the English language. Prerequisite: 45 units including at least one upper division English course, or permission of instructor. Reserved for English honours, major, joint major and minor students. The course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught, though students who obtained credit for English 470W prior to Summer 2015 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for ENGL 470 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Advanced seminar on selected works of North American poets and/or poetry theorists. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units or two 300-division English courses. Writing.

An in-depth study of the design methods fundamental to books in print and digital media. Students evaluate, and engage in the design and repurposing of publications, exploring current practices of content delivery online and through mobile devices. Emphasis is placed on innovative methods and design practices for screen-based publishing. Prerequisite: PUB 231 .

An exploration and application of marketing concepts to book publishing. Concepts and skills taught focus on differentiation of product categories and markets, and the creation of a marketing strategy for existing or new publications. Consideration of reading trends for all publication forms is included. Prerequisite: 60 units. Students with credit for CMNS 472 may not take this course for further credit.

This course examines business practices within book publishing firms. It emphasizes financial planning and operations, acquisitions, marketing and promotion. Prerequisite: 75 units. Students with credit for CMNS 474 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Of the six required courses, no more than four may be in any one department, while a minimum of two must be in the Department of English. Substitutions may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the student advisor. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required in the courses used for the certificate.

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SFU Creative Writing Club

Club mandate: SFU Creative Writing will facilitate the collection, creation and dissemination of creative writing (poetry, prose, etc.) by SFU students for a student audience. It will provide a space for people to share literary works that are meaningful to them. Members will exchange published and original works, discuss them, and provide feedback on request.

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Student Centre Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm SUB Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am-10pm, closed on all statutory and SFSS holidays Student Union Building 8888 University Drive Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6

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Finding my story through creative writing.

Luis Arce Diaz

Luis Arce Diaz Follow SFU Student Undergraduate OLC Content Creator

As one of SFU’s newest programs, the Creative Writing Minor is uncharted territory for many aspiring student writers. Originally a single course with a certificate, the minor program comprises of several courses that aim to hone students’ writing skills and unique voices with the core four courses being (ENGL 272) Creative Reading, (ENGL 372) Creative Writing: Poetry, (ENGL 374) Creative Writing: Fiction, and (ENGL 472) Advanced Creative Writing. These courses build the foundation blocks of effective writing through theory, practice, and discussion of writing. Many people may think that the process to improve your writing skills is as straightforward as just simply writing more, but there’s a lot more to writing than meets the eye. These courses deepened my understanding of what it takes to make impactful writing, and many of these lessons can be applied to other areas of life. 

Make Time to Write 

One of the first tips I received was to make time for writing each day, even just for a little bit. Most of the time, writers wait for the perfect moment when inspiration strikes, then suddenly a masterpiece becomes clear to them. It’s true that you only get better through practicing a skill, and while writing uninspired may seem like a hassle, it’s in these mundane moments wherein you find your best work sometimes. Pushing yourself to do the hard work even though you may not feel like it is the difference between simply making it and genuine improvement.  

Expose Yourself to Different Writing Styles 

Another good way to improve one’s writing skills is to read the works of others. A lot of writers tend to put themselves in a bubble of comfortability, with texts that affirm one’s preconceptions of writing. But there is real merit to exposing yourself to works that you are not particularly interested in or have previously had a hard time comprehending. Being open to these experiences, learning from them and applying them to your writing is crucial to one’s development as a writer, as it fleshes out many of your personal blind spots. It’s often said that good writers borrow, and great artists steal, and while plagiarism is wrong, there is a merit to emulating a style you are not comfortable with. 

Engage in Thoughtful Peer Reviews 

The exercise of being open to other people’s writing isn’t limited to the work of established authors. I believe the greatest lesson I learned in my courses was to have an appreciation of my classmates’ work. Everyone in these classes is there to learn how to become a better writer, and thus also have different backgrounds and experiences which define the way they write. 

Regardless of aptitude for the medium, there is a value to analyzing your classmate’s work, as your peers may be just as motivated to become an excellent writer as you are. As much written text as there is today, the chances that someone will invent something new and original are just as rare. Even if their work isn’t something as drastic as a mind-blowing idea, seeing writing through the lens of your peers can be inspirational.  

While these lessons pertain to writing, they can be translated to practical life advice: Push through the mundanity, find inspiration through your classmates' work, and don’t be afraid to reach to your peers. By doing these things, the Creative Writing Program not only allowed me to improve my skills, but it allowed me to tackle life with different perspectives. 

Luis is a 4th year Communication student working as a content creator for the OLC.

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Luis reflects on his four-year journey in finding his passion for Communication. Despite struggling to connect his introductory classes with his main interest in media studies, he persevered and found the value of having a strong foundation on which to explore the things he felt happy doing.

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Creative Writing Workshop: Unstuck your Story: 2023-06-28

This workshop is in the past and registrations are unavailable.

All times are Pacific Time Zone (Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Are you stuck in the middle of writing your novel/screenplay? Or are you not even sure how to get started? SLC’s Writing Services Coordinator and serial story plotter Hermine Chan will discuss techniques to beat your writer's block by structuring your story based on your protagonist’s external goal and internal need, the lie that your character believes in, and the belief system that comes under challenge. She will also discuss an adapted version of the 7 Tentpole Beats of screenwriting and how to use them as a story engine to drive your story forward. This workshop is 1 hour long, but you're very welcome to stay for some bonus writing time. Please bring your favourite writing instruments! 

Includes optional bonus writing time from 12:30PM-1PM.

Import this workshop into a calendar

• Level : university

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY SFU English department launches creative writing minor

By Rebecca Saloustros

This September, SFU students can minor in creative writing for the first time. They don't have to be English majors; they just have to love writing.

"Many students, and not just English students, write poetry, fiction, screenplays and want to get better at it," says professor Clint Burnham, the English department's graduate chair and member of the creative writing faculty.

The creative writing minor gives students an opportunity to improve their writing because classes go beyond the traditional workshop approach, in which students discuss each other's work and offer constructive criticism.

"We add a critical-theoretical dimension reading what established and emerging writers have to say about writing ," says Burnham. "In this way, students learn to situate their practice in the context of what people who are published, who are accomplished, have to say. They join the conversation."

The creative writing minor will ultimately supersede the creative writing certificate that the English department currently offers. The new minor is more flexible and streamlined which makes it easier for non-English majors to study creative writing. The department has also introduced ENGL 272: Creative Reading, which will be a second-level required course for the minor.

"ENGL 272 combines readings where writers talk about writing, fiction, and poetry, writing a pitch' for a creative project, and a final portfolio," says Burnham. "So, students learn that writing doesn't take place in a vacuum, that it's a social activity, and that there is a context. That writing matters, and that whatever level one is at,  you will improve your writing in a creative writing class. "

In addition to professor Burnham, the department's current creative writing faculty includes professors David Chariandy, Stephen Collis, and Jeff Derksen. All members of the creative writing faculty are published authors. Most recently, Chariandy won the 2019 Windham-Campbell Prize for excellence in writing and Collis won the 2019 Latner Writers' Trust Poetry Prize .

Also joining the faculty for the 2020-2021 year is Carleigh Baker , the department's former writer-in-residence. In September, Baker will teach ENGL 374: Creative Writing II: Fiction and ENGL 472W: Advanced Creative Writing, which are mainly short fiction seminars.

"We will be primarily focused on the craft of writing, but there are opportunities for discussion about performance, publishing and the industry in general," says Baker. "In addition to craft discussions, students will write, workshop, and revise a short story."

Baker also plans to work with global Indigenous literatures in her classes, and in the Indigenous literatures reading circle. Baker originally held the circle in-person on the Burnaby campus during the spring term, but this fall she will offer it online in a discussion format. The circle will be open to all SFU students.

Students will also be able to book consultations and receive feedback on their work from the department's 2020-2021 writer-in-residence, Otoniya Juliane Okot Bitek , an award-winning poet.

For more information

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Welcome to the Department of Creative Writing

The mission of the Department of Creative Writing is to make our writers attentive readers of the literatures of the world and socially aware members of society, who can use writing for self-expression, explorations of the possibilities of the medium, as well as in service of social causes and concerns.

Why Creative Writing at SF State?

In Creative Writing classes, students work with an active, publishing faculty. They learn by vigorous practice; by focused studies of craft; and by extensive reading, analysis and discussion of their work, as well as that of published authors.

Our well-published and well-recognized faculty teach in our undergraduate, masters and masters of fine arts program, in which they guide students in the production and revision of their craft in creative nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, poetry and literary translation. Learn more about our faculty .

A great many of our students, and alumni go on to publish imaginative work of distinction; many others are in positions of leadership in publishing firms, foundations and art organizations. View our extensive list of alumni publications .

Announcements

Endowed Chair Dr. Tonya Foster Wins 2023 C.D. Wright Award for Poetry!

Congratulations to Professor Foster! Read more about the award and Dr. Foster here . 

Congratulations, Caro De Robertis, John Passos Prize Winner!

Professor De Robertis’ named John Dos Passos Prize winner.  Read more about the award !

Tomorrow in Shanghai long-listed for the Story Prize

Tomorrow in Shanghai long listed for the Story Prize . Congratulations to Professor Chai! 

Strike! December 5th Action on SF State Campus

Creative Writers on Strike!

• March 05, 2024 Lara Coley Debut Poetry Collection ex traction Congratulations to MFA Alumni Lara Coley on her debut poetry collection, ex traction! Lara Coley delivers her debut poetry…
• February 06, 2024 Exciting developments from Professor Tonya Our wonderful professor — Dr. Tonya Monique Foster — has accomplished quite a few feats within the past year and has more op…
• December 13, 2023 Congratulations to our 2023 Creative Writing Scholarship Winners! We are announcing our Creative Writing 2023 scholarship winners! Competition was fierce, and we are proud to announce the fo…

Trans Brilliance, Trans Futures: Leading Writers Speak Out is a Creative Writing Department virtual panel featuring three acclaimed trans writers: Julián Delgado Lopera (Lamba Award-winning author of "Fiebre Tropical"), Jo Livingstone (author and critic, winner of the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing from the National Book Critics’ Circle) and Denne Michele Norris (editor-in-chief of "Electric Literature" and author of the forthcoming novel, "When the Harvest Comes"). Moderated by Professor Caro De Robertis (John Dos Passos Prize for Literature-winning author of "The President and the Frog" and "Cantoras") Co-hosted by Creative Writing Department Acting Chair, Prof. May-lee Chai

The What’s Next Panel discusses the variety of pathways in which students might apply their Creative Writing degree. Writers Matt Ortile, Lydia Jen, Trevaughn Roach-Carter, Emily Hunt Kivel and Matthew Clark Davison share aspects of their personal writing journey post-graduation.

SF State Creative Writing Department Virtual Panel M.A. or M.F.A.: Q & A Thursday, October 26th, 2023, from 1 - 2 p.m.; featuring M.F.A. Candidates Gretchen Cion, Billy Gong & Ryan Jones and hosted by Professor and Graduate Coordinator May-lee Chai

The Department of Creative Writing presents a virtual panel of four distinguished authors describing their own pathways to publication in different genres of writing, including first publications, how they determine where and with whom they'd like to be published, working across genres, advice for emerging authors, etc. with a Q&A from audience members.

Hasti Jafari, Class of 2023 Commencement Speech

Hasti Jafari, recent graduate with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, was the class of 2023 graduate student selected to represent classmates in the College of Liberal & Creative Arts during Commencement.

Since coming to SF State from Iran, playwright and theatre artist Hasti Jafari has been extraordinarily active in the Creative Writing Department — whether they are creating a series of zines on the Jina revolution in Iran (also known as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement), writing comedic plays and creative nonfiction, volunteering or teaching.

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College of Arts and Sciences   English Department   Ellis 201 Athens, OH 45701 Fax: 740.593.2832 [email protected] www.ohio.edu/cas/english/

Dr. Carey Snyder , contact person [email protected]

Program Overview

In the English – Creative Writing major, you will engage with genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from the inside out, by generating and revising your own work as well as exploring closely how published work uses the techniques of craft. All creative writing students participate in workshops led by nationally recognized writers which focus on understanding and constructing different literary forms; to achieve these goals, workshops emphasize the study of texts by established writers as well as students’ experimentation with their own creative process. The major is also flexible enough to match your own interests and goals: you can fulfill up to 12 of the required hours in the major with courses focusing on literature, rhetoric, or literary theory, or by combining these with apprenticeship or internship experiences. To ensure a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge that employers and graduate schools expect from any English graduate, the English – Creative Writing major includes the English Core in analysis, research, and literary history. 

Admissions Information

Freshman/first-year admission.

Enrollment in an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

For students currently enrolled at Ohio University, transferring into an English major requires a 2.0 GPA. Students choosing to transfer into the English  – Creative Writing major should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English department for assistance. Students who wish to add an English major in addition to another major program should seek assistance from the director of undergraduate studies; students with a second major outside the College of Arts and Sciences will be responsible for meeting the degree requirements of both the English – Creative Writing major and the College of Arts and Sciences.

External Transfer Admission

For students currently enrolled at institutions other than Ohio University, transferring into an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English Department for assistance.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

After a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and analytical reading as well as multiple genres of writing, English – Creative Writing students enjoy the same wide variety of opportunity upon graduation that other English majors have. Many of our graduates go on to graduate programs, not only M.A. or M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing but also programs in Information Science or Education. Others work in publishing, web content development, grant-writing and community organizing, advertising, or other creative industries. Having invested in developing their own creativity as well as in the well-rounded education that this degree requires, English – Creative Writing students can face the unexpected challenges of the 21 st -century job market with confidence.

Potential employers for those who hold a degree in Creative Writing include, but are certainly not limited to, newspaper and magazine organizations, the entertainment industry, government agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private K-12 schools, publishing companies, marketing agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, etc.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements

Universitywide graduation requirements.

Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other universitywide requirements, please review the  Graduation Requirements – Universitywide    page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement

View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements   .

English Hours Requirement

For a B.A. degree with a major in English - Creative Writing , a student must complete a total of 42 semester credit hours in ENG coursework.

Intercultural Foundations

Complete the following course:

• ENG 1100 - Crossing Cultures with Text Credit Hours: 3

Literary Reading

Complete one of the following courses:

• ENG 2010 - Introduction to Prose Fiction and Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2020 - Introduction to Poetry and Drama Credit Hours: 3

British or American Literature I

• ENG 2510 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2530 - American Literature I Credit Hours: 3

British or American Literature II

• ENG 2520 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2540 - American Literature II Credit Hours: 3

Intercultural Breadth

Complete one course from the following:

• ENG 3240 - Jewish American Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3250 - Women’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3260 - Queer Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3270 - Queer Rhetorics and Writing Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3370 - Black Literature to 1930 Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3380 - Ethnic American Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3390 - Black Literature from 1930 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3450 - Intercultural Adaptations: Answering the Anglo-American Literary Canon Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3550 - Global Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3850 - Writing About Culture and Society Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3

Writing and Research

• ENG 3070J - Writing and Research in English Studies Credit Hours: 3

Senior Seminar

• ENG 4600 - Topics in English Studies Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4640 - British Authors Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4650 - American Authors Credit Hours: 3

Creative Writing Workshops

Complete three of the following workshops with at least one intermediate or advanced workshop:

• ENG 3610 - Creative Writing: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3620 - Creative Writing: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3630 - Creative Writing: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Intermediate:

• ENG 3950 - Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3960 - Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3970 - Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4860 - Advanced Workshop in Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4870 - Advanced Workshop in Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4880 - Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Creative Writing Form and Theory

• ENG 4810 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4820 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4830 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Major Electives

Complete three additional ENG courses for at least nine hours excluding ENG 2800   , ENG 3***J, ENG 4510   , ENG 4520   , ENG 4911   , and ENG 4912   . Six hours may be at the 2000-level or higher; three hours must be at the 3000-level or higher.

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ADMISSION  

Application Deadlines

• Application deadlines for the Master of Science in Professional Computer Science Program can be found  here .

Before Applying

Before submitting an application, you should read carefully about:

• SFU's Graduate Studies Application Process  - You will need to submit your application through SFU's graduate application system, goGRAD .
• Becoming an SFU Graduate Student
• Graduate Studies Admission Requirements  for Graduate Programs
• School of Computing Science Admission Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions about the program
• Information about Financial Support 

Application Checklist

Please note that you are required to fulfill admission requirements as laid out by both Graduate Studies and the School of Computing Science.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate programs in computer science is competitive: only the best qualified applicants are offered a seat. Therefore, it is imperative that students familiarize themselves with the admission requirements in order to ensure they submit a strong application. 

The minimum requirements for admission to the doctoral program:

a) a master's degree in Computing Science or related field from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution

b) The School's Graduate Admissions Committee may offer, at its discretion, PhD admission to exceptional students holding only a bachelor's degree and without a master's degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field. In this case, the student should have obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5/4.33, or a grade point average of at least 3.67/4.33 (A-) based on the last 60 units of undergraduate courses.

MSc (Thesis)

The minimum requirements for admission to the MSc (Thesis) program:

a) a bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution with  a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0/4.33 (B),

b) The School's Graduate Admissions Committee may offer, at its discretion, M.Sc. admissions to exceptional students without an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field.  Students must demonstrate, at a minimum, competence in computer science at the third year level equivalent to CMPT 300 (Operating Systems 1), CMPT 307 (Data Structures and Algorithms) and CMPT 354 (Database Systems and Structures).

MSc (Accelerated) 

The minimum requirements for admission to the MSc (Accelerated) program:

a) Students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at SFU are qualified to be admitted into the Accelerated Master's program in the School of Computing Science provided that they have satisfactorily completed at least 90 credits of undergraduate work with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.67/4.33 including at least 24 credits of upper division CMPT course work.

b) To be admitted to the program, the student must submit evidence, usually reference letters, from qualified referees demonstrating the student’s ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest.  Students must also satisfy typical admission requirements set by the graduate program committee.

MSc (Professional Master’s Programs)

Please visit the Professional Master's Program  admission requirements page

SFU-ZJU Graduate Dual-Degree Program (GDDP)

Applicants must be admitted to one university, and then apply and be admitted to the partner university.

To qualify for admission, students must satisfy the usual admission requirements as specified by each university. The university of first admission will be referred to as the student's 'home' university. Students whose home university is SFU are called SFU students, while those whose home university is Zhejiang University are called ZJU students.

For Masters within the GDDP with SFU as your home university, please refer to MSc (Thesis)  admissions requirements.

For PhD within the GDDP with SFU as your home university, please refer to PhD admissions requirements.

All those interested in a graduate program at SFU must complete an online application  to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Each application must include all of the following:

• Online application form
• All post-secondary transcripts
• CV/Resume 
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• English language competence exam results

English Language Competency

The language of instruction, examination, and communication in the professional master's program in computer science is English. Students whose primary language is not English must meet SFU's English proficiency requirements as set out in the Graduate General Regulation 1.3.3 . Applicants who have completed a degree at a recognized post-secondary institution where the language of instruction and examination is English in a country where English is the primary language are not required to submit proof of English proficiency. Please view the list of accepted countries here .

All other applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. For more detailed information on the requirements, please visit the Graduate Studies page on English Language Requirements .

Conditional and Qualifying Admission

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. Please do not contact us about waiving the requirement. Instead, use your application materials (your CV, statement of purpose, etc.) to make the case that your professional experience is relevant and should be considered along with your GPA.

The School's graduate admissions committee may also, at its discretion, offer admission to the program to exceptional students whose undergraduate degree is not in computer science or a related field. Such students typically make up for the lack of program-specific education through relevant work experience, course work, or certificates, diplomas, etc.

For more information on qualifying and conditional admission, please view Graduate Admissions Regulations 1.3.8  and 1.3.9

Please note: Conditional and qualifying admission is offered only in exceptional circumstances.

Application Fee Waivers

The SFU School of Computing Science will consider waiving the application fees for applicants from least developed countries , as identified by the UN, as well as applicants from countries affected by crisis, who have a strong likelihood of being admitted. If you wish to be considered for a need-based fee waiver, please reach out to your potential supervisor to nominate you to be considered for one. Please do not contact the School directly to request a waiver, the nomination must be made by your potential supervisor.

You can review all current faculty in the School of Computing Science here .  

Decision Timeline

Admission offers are sent out on a rolling basis following the application deadline. Please note that we are unable to provide application status updates. Applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made. All Fall applicants should receive a decision by the end of April. All Spring applicants should receive a decision by the end of November.

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Department of English

M.f.a. creative writing.

English Department

Physical Address: 200 Brink Hall

Mailing Address: English Department University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1102 Moscow, Idaho 83844-1102

Phone: 208-885-6156

Email: [email protected]

Web: English

M.F.A. Faculty

Leah hampton, assistant professor.

[email protected]

Michael McGriff

Associate professor.

Brink Hall 217

[email protected]

Scott Slovic

Distinguished professor emeritus.

[email protected]

Alexandra Teague

Associate chair and professor of english; co-director, mfa in creative writing; co-director, women's gender & sexuality studies.

Brink Hall 228

[email protected]

Retired Faculty

Distinguished professor emerita.

[email protected]

Ron McFarland

Professor emeritus.

[email protected]

Daniel Orozco

Associate professor emeritus.

[email protected]

Joy Passanante

Professor emerita.

Robert Wrigley

[email protected]

Bennington College Curriculum Spring 2025

Spring 2025, fundamentals of creative writing (lit2566.01).

Creative writing is a method not just of expression, but of deep attention: thus we will begin our journey to the blank page by looking, with wonder and precision, at pages filled by such masters of craft as Cathy Park Hong, Robyn Schiff, Nathaniel Mackey, Ben Lerner, Miranda July, Mariana Enriquez, and Souvankham Thammavongsa. Our reading assignments, which will span poetry and prose of various aesthetic stripes (from “dirty” realist poetry to absurdist parable), will introduce a wide variety of topics and questions that will aid our own creative writing throughout the term. Such topics and questions will include: (A) What narrative strategies might we employ to enact a sense of individual pleasure? Or of collective dread?; (B) How can we be architects of surprise for a reader when we ourselves often know “how the story ends”?; (C) What is enjambment in poetry and can we leverage sentence structure to mimic it in prose?; (D) What is a sonnet and how do various practitioners of it leverage the form to different effect? Does a certain tone arise from its combination of pace, proportion, and volta?; (E) As a unit of perception and experience, how does the poetic line differ from the sentence? And how do they interact over the course of a stanza or an entire poem?; and (F) What is “vantage” and how does it relate to “point of view”? How might these terms apply not just to a story but also a poem in narrative or monologue form?

All of these questions, and others, will only fuel us as we respond creatively to our readings through in-class discussion, in-class craft exercises, occasional workshops, and take-home writing prompts. This is a generative course; therefore, participants will turn in an original piece of writing every week, whether that be a vignette or a villanelle.