MFA Program Certificate Requirements
Credits are given when course requirements are met. This includes completing all assignments and class participation. Giving feedback is a key part of the learning process, and each class has its own quantity and quality requirements for exchanging feedback with fellow students. Unless a facilitator specifies otherwise, a minimum of four (4) feedback responses per assignment is required to qualify for credits. If the class has less than 4 students, then give each student feedback. If help is needed, we recommend taking B112: Constructive Feedback, either with a class or independently. You can also learn by reading feedback given by others in the MFA Program. Also helpful is B101 Orientation, which runs weekly.
Credits
A traditional university credit system is based on a 16-week semester. Each completed course in a semester earns 3 credits. Because WVU courses vary in length, we’ve simplified our system. Credits are equivalent to weeks. For example, one 16-week course earns 16 credits, two 8 week courses earns 16 credits and eight 2-week courses earn 16 credits.
Advisers
Once a member has signed up for one of the MFA Certificates they will be assigned an Adviser. The Adviser will contact them by phone or email to go over the basic requirements of the program and answer any questions. The Adviser will be available to the student throughout their program and available to answer questions regarding scheduling, credit application and other issues that may arise. The Advisers also assist students with Independent Studies. Note: If you are a WVU member and have signed up for one of the MFA certificates, and you do NOT have an adviser, please contact us
Courses
Core Courses
Each program has required core courses. Typically they are either 8 or 16-week courses such as MFA700 Narrative Design and MFA110 Syntax, Style and Grammar. Note that these two courses, MFA700 and MFA110 are required for all four programs and are requisites for all workshops. The two and three-year programs have additional core courses, either required or as electives. Core Courses in the MFA700 and MFA800 series are exclusive to students in the MFA Program.
Core courses run only once a year so advance planning with the assistance of an Adviser is suggested.
Foundation Courses
All courses that begin with “MFA” other than core courses are MFA Foundation Courses. For
Short Story
Each program requires at least 16 credits of short story courses. All literature courses can also be counted toward your “Short Story” credits. These classes all begin with “L.” For
Literature
There are three categories of literature courses, Western, World, and Modern. WVU literature courses include novels, novellas, and surveys. Survey courses may include grouped excerpts, essays, novels, novellas, and short stories.
Western Literature
World Literature, for our purposes, is a practical term for works not included in Western Literature. It includes Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Latin American authors.
Modern Literature includes novels, novellas, and survey courses. This roughly includes works of all origin published within the last 30 years.
For further help in categorizing literature courses, see the WVU MFA Master Reading List
Electives
Any MFA Foundation or MFA Core course may be used as an elective.
Independent Study
Students wishing to specialize may create their own 16-week course. This option is only available to students in 2 and 3-year programs, and only in the final year. The course plan must be submitted then approved in advance by an MFA Advisor.
Textbooks and Series
While we try to provide the text (readings) for most classes, there are some exceptions where the student will be required to purchase or borrow a book to complete the class. For the most part, these are restricted to the Core Courses like MFA700, Narrative Design and MFA110, Syntax
Additionally, some Foundation Courses are made up of a series of classes based on the same textbook. While they share the same text, each is a stand-alone class and can be taken in any order. Two examples
Initial Texts Needed for All Programs:
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form by Madison Smartt Bell (Kindle)
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form (Print)
Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose by Constance Hale (Kindle)
Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose (Print)
Many of the texts we use are also available to Scribd.com subscribers
No Time Limits
Though programs are designated as 1, 2 and 3 years, there are no time limits to complete a program. Students may take courses at their own pace according to their schedules. For example, a one year program requires 96 credits, which is equivalent to a full-time student completing 3 16-week courses a semester for 2 semesters. A part-time student will take longer to complete program courses. All courses run once a year. Students may take multiple courses at the same time, though no more than 3 are advised unless you have the stamina and over 20 hours a week to devote to studies.
MFA Moderators & Facilitators
WVU Facilitators and Advisors are volunteers. Facilitators help guide courses and answer questions about the assignments and readings. Generally, they are responsible for posting the assignments and any extra readings in the classroom, assisting newer members, answering questions and submitting the Class Completion Report.
How Courses work
For more information see B101 Orientation, Page 3.
Finding Scheduled Classes
To see what is coming up, check the Calendar. This is also the best way to enter your classrooms. From the Calendar, you can click on the Course Name – that will take you to the Course Page with the readings and assignments. From there you will find a link to the Classroom.
Registering
There is no application process other than filling out the form. All members qualify. Register and take MFA courses as you normally would. The MFA workshops, Narrative Design, and the advanced courses will run in the MFA Program area. Everyone registered for the programs has access to this private area.
There is no waiting period, although it is suggested to wait until you have had your Intake Interview with your Adviser. For details on how to register for a class or course, see B101 Orientation, Page 6
For more general information on courses including ways to access the classroom, see B101 Orientation, Page 3.
What to expect in an MFA classroom
Be prepared to work. If you’re an absolute beginner, this will not be easy. Taking a few of the standard courses and workshops first is recommended. Get involved with a WVU Group. It makes a difference.
Course Load – On average, you can expect to spend at least 3-4 hours per week, per class. Various factors can influence the time needed including; reading speed and comprehension, amount of reading material to cover, time spent in reflection/absorption, family and work obligations, time/space to write, writing skills and experience, size of the class, and whether the class calls for original work. (Hint, most do)
This will also vary depending on the class. Core Courses are generally more difficult and demand more time and effort. A safe estimate would be 5-6 hours per week for core courses.
Some literature classes require reading long and/or difficult novel-length works, so plan accordingly
Scheduling All these factors should be taken into consideration when deciding on a class schedule. It is recommended that you take no more than 3 classes at a time under any circumstances, and no more than two if one is a Core Course.
You can find all this information and more in the MFA101 Course in the Forums.