How to Get an MFA in Poetry
Poets can further the study of their craft through by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in poetry. MFA programs in creative writing have multiplied in recent years. People who work on an MFA in poetry study the writing and criticism of poetry in order to become better poets. Follow these steps to get your MFA in poetry.
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Instructions
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Consider your goals in getting an MFA in poetry. Ask yourself where you hope to be after obtaining your degree. An MFA in any type of creative writing curriculum is no guarantee of publication. Hopefully, you will gain a greater understanding of what makes poetry good. Many people with MFAs go into teaching.
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Find an MFA program that complements your goals and meets your needs. Not all MFA programs offer a concentration of study in poetry, so that should be the first thing you look at. You want a program that belongs to the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP). Location is important, but not everything. An increasing number of universities offer low-residency programs that combine study at home with a brief stint (approximately 10 to 14 days) at a university each semester.
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Ask universities for more information about their MFA program after narrowing down your choices. See if they have testimonials. What are the faculty and reading lists like? As poetry is a form with many different styles and tastes, it is to a student's benefit to have a variety of professors available.
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Submit your application to the graduate school of choice. Most programs ask for a writing sample, so it is important to give it your best efforts.
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Make the most of opportunities that emphasize evaluation and revision, relative both to your work and to others. Reading your work and hearing people dissect it is frightening, but learning from good criticism makes you a better poet.
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See about available teaching opportunities if you want to teach. Some programs offer teacher assistantships where you can teach Freshman Composition or Introduction to Creative Writing.
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Practice writing and publishing poetry. Some programs publish literary journals. Submit your best work to one or try to work as part of the staff on the magazine. This can provide you with editing experience that may be helpful after graduation.
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