The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is one of only thirty BFAs in creative writing available nationwide. With three concentrations to choose from (fiction, poetry, nonfiction), the BFA is structured to give students ample opportunity to learn to write and think creatively while also developing the vocational writing skills that are desperately needed in the workplace. All students pursuing a BFA are strongly advised to complete on-site workplace internships in writing-intensive environments, and finish the degree with a submission of a portfolio of work as part of a final-semester capstone course, with final approval from the faculty.
Admissions
Acceptance into the program is competitive. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the BFA program.
After acceptance to Mason, students who wish to pursue a major in creative writing should inform the academic coordinator in the English department or the director of the creative writing program of their interest in the program and should seek evaluation of any prior coursework as well as guidance on courses to take and the sequence in which to take them. In the program, students enroll in a series of courses intended to introduce them to all forms of creative writing, and then they select a core set of courses built around a specialization in fiction, nonfiction or poetry, along with upper-level writing, literature and advanced studies courses.
Students planning to enter the BFA program are initially designated as "pre-BFA" until they have successfully completed the requirements for full admission. Full admission requires a minimum of three creative writing courses successfully completed with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher in those courses. Alternatively, students who have taken creative writing courses at another institution or in their early undergraduate coursework at Mason may gain full admission status to the BFA program on the strength of recommendations from the instructors in those courses, subject to departmental approval, which is obtained from the Mason creative writing faculty and the director of the creative writing program.
A student admitted to the university and intending to enter the BFA program may designate a major in English and complete English major courses before attempting to move into admitted BFA status. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to full BFA status.
Policies
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Students pursuing this degree must complete 45 credits (15 courses) in English/Linguistics beyond ENGH 300 Cover to Cover (not including ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core)) with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
At the discretion of the department, transfer students may substitute transferred lower level creative writing classes for some BFA requirements. With permission of the department, BFA students may select a substitute for concentration required coursework from the list of courses approved for the writing or literature elective requirement. Substitutions must be justified as specifically relevant to the student's study. Substitutions will not satisfy more than one requirement within the major.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students will complete 21 credits of BFA core requirements, 12 credits from one of 3 concentrations, and 12 credits in English department requirements. 300-level courses in English and linguistics teach the foundational principles for a field of study, include courses of broad scope, and provide an introduction to a genre, literary period, or methodology. 400-level courses in English and linguistics provide an in-depth approach to a field of study, a single genre, literary period, or methodology. They include special topics classes and English honors classes. Some 400-level courses require ENGH 305 Dimensions of Writing and Literature as a prerequisite.
Students should consult with an English department advisor to learn ways in which the Mason Core requirements can also satisfy college-level requirements or the BFA.
Core Courses in the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 301 | The Fields of English | 3 |
| ENGH 305 | Dimensions of Writing and Literature | 3 |
| ENGH 377 | Digital Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENGH 396 | Introduction to Creative Writing (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ENGH 495 | Capstone and Thesis (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
English Department Requirements
Literature before 1800
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Literature of the Middle Ages | ||
| English Poetry and Prose of the 16th Century | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Shakespeare: Special Topics | ||
| English Renaissance Drama | ||
| English Poetry and Prose of the 17th Century | ||
| Augustan Age: 1660-1745 | ||
| Age of Sensibility: 1745-1800 | ||
| Restoration and 18th Century Drama | ||
| British Novel of the 18th Century | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Literature | ||
| Chaucer | ||
| Milton | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Literature before 1915
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| British Poetry of the Romantic Period | ||
| Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period | ||
| British Novel of the 19th Century | ||
| Literature of the American Renaissance | ||
| Post-Civil War American Literature, 1865-1920 | ||
| Development of the American Novel to 1914 | ||
| Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 | ||
| African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 | ||
| Continental Fiction, 1770-1880 | ||
| Continental Fiction, 1880-1950 | ||
A second course from literature before 1800 list above | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Minority, Folkloric, or Popular Literary and Cultural Traditions
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Topics: Women and Literature | ||
| Folklore and Folklife (Mason Core) | ||
| Popular Culture | ||
| Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 | ||
| African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 | ||
| African American Literature Through 1946 | ||
| Contemporary African American Literature | ||
| Topics in Ethnic American Literature | ||
| Global Voices (Mason Core) | ||
| The Idea of a World Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| World Literatures in English | ||
| Topics in Folklore Studies | ||
| Folklore and the Supernatural | ||
| Folk Arts and Folk Artists | ||
| Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore | ||
| RS: Topics in Folklore Research | ||
| Topics in Popular Literature | ||
| Science Fiction | ||
| Critical Study of Children's Literature | ||
| RS: Writing Ethnography (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Writing or Literature Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Additional Writing Courses | ||
| Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Honors Independent Study | ||
| Internship | ||
| RS: Writing Ethnography (Mason Core) | ||
| Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction | ||
| Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop | ||
| Topics in Creative Writing | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Document Design | ||
| Courses in Contemporary Literature | ||
| Folklore and Folklife (Mason Core) | ||
| Popular Culture | ||
| British Poetry after 1900 | ||
| British Novel after 1900 | ||
| British and Irish Drama after 1900 | ||
| Development of the American Novel since 1914 | ||
| American Drama of the 20th Century | ||
| American Poetry of the 20th Century | ||
| Contemporary African American Literature | ||
| Modern Drama | ||
| Topics in Folklore Studies | ||
| Folklore and the Supernatural | ||
| Folk Arts and Folk Artists | ||
| Topics in Popular Literature | ||
| Science Fiction | ||
| Critical Study of Children's Literature | ||
| Topics in Fiction | ||
| Topics in Poetry | ||
| Topics in Drama | ||
| Topics in Literary Nonfiction (for fiction and poetry concentrators only) | ||
| Course in Writing for other Arts | ||
| Writing for Artists | ||
| Playwriting I | ||
| Playwriting II | ||
| Screenplay Workshop | ||
| Advanced Playwriting | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Required Workshop Courses
The workshops are in the two areas outside of the chosen concentration. The remaining workshop is included as part of the concentration requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Poetry Writing | ||
| Fiction Writing | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Concentrations in the Major
Students must complete one of the following concentrations.
Available Concentrations
Concentration in Fiction (FIC)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 398 | Fiction Writing | 3 |
| ENGH 392 | Forms of Fiction | 3 |
| ENGH 355 | Recent American Fiction | 3 |
| ENGH 492 | Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Nonfiction (NFIC)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 399 | Creative Nonfiction Writing | 3 |
| ENGH 393 | Forms of Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENGH 456 | Topics in Literary Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENGH 493 | Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Poetry (POE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 397 | Poetry Writing | 3 |
| ENGH 391 | Forms of Poetry | 3 |
| ENGH 356 | Recent American Poetry | 3 |
| ENGH 494 | Advanced Poetry Writing Workshop | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in creative writing may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ENGH 305 Dimensions of Writing and Literature.
Upper Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
College Level Requirements for the BA Degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or Religious Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
PHIL 1 | ||
| 1 | Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:
|
Social and Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH | ||
| CRIM | ||
| ECON | ||
| GOVT | ||
| HIST 2 | ||
| LING | ||
| PSYC | ||
| SOCI | ||
| Or choose from the following GGS courses: | ||
| Major World Regions (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of the Soviet Succession States | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
| 1 | The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. |
| 2 | HIST 100 History of Western Civilization (Mason Core) and HIST 125 Introduction to World History (Mason Core) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. |
Foreign Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1 | ||
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test | ||
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence: | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) I | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) II | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) III | ||
| 1 | Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. |
Non-Western Culture
Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1 | ||
| ANTH 114 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Civilizations | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 308 | Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 309 | Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 313 | Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 314 | Zombies | 3 |
| ANTH 330 | Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western | 3 |
| ANTH 332 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 381 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 396 | Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 360 | Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | 3 |
| ARAB 420 | Survey of Arabic Literature | 3 |
| ARAB 440 | Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 318 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 319 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 320 | Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 382 | Arts of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 383 | Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 384 | Arts of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 385 | Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 386 | The Silk Road (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 482 | RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art | 3 |
| CHIN 318 | Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 320 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| CHIN 325 | Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 470 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| DANC 118 | World Dance (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 361 | Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 362 | African Economic Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FREN 451 | Topics in Sub-Saharan Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| FREN 454 | Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GGS 101 | Major World Regions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 316 | Geography of Latin America | 3 |
| GGS 325 | Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | 3 |
| GGS 330 | Geography of the Soviet Succession States | 3 |
| GGS 399 | Select Topics in GGS | 3 |
| GOVT 328 | Global Political Theory | 3 |
| GOVT 332 | Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| GOVT 333 | Government and Politics of Asia | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Government and Politics of Russia | 3 |
| GOVT 340 | Central Asian Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 341 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Political Economy of East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 251 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 252 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 262 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 272 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 282 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 326 | Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 327 | The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | 3 |
| HIST 328 | Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 353 | History of Traditional China | 3 |
| HIST 354 | Modern China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 356 | Modern Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 357 | Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 360 | History of South Africa (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 364 | Revolution and Radical Politics in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 365 | Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 366 | Comparative Slavery | 3 |
| HIST 367 | History, Fiction, and Film in Latin America | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | 3-6 |
| HIST 426 | The Russian Revolution | 3 |
| HIST 460 | Modern Iran (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 461 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 462 | Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 465 | The Middle East in the 20th Century | 3 |
| JAPA 310 | Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 340 | Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| KORE 320 | Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | 3 |
| MUSI 103 | Musics of the World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 211 | Religions of the West (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 212 | Religions of Asia | 3 |
| RELI 240 | Death and the Afterlife in World Religions | 3 |
| RELI 272 | Islam | 3 |
| RELI 313 | Hinduism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 314 | Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELI 315 | Buddhism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 337 | Mysticism: East and West | 3 |
| RELI 365 | Muhammad: Life and Legacy | 3 |
| RELI 374 | Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 375 | Qur'an and Hadith | 3 |
| RELI 379 | Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | 3 |
| RELI 387 | Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights | 3 |
| RELI 490 | Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 353 | Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 354 | Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | 3 |
| 1 | A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. |
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (ENGH 101) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Western Civilization/World History | 3 | |
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communications (ENGH 302) | 3 | |
| Writing-Intensive 1 | 3 | |
| Synthesis/Capstone 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 | Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core. |
| 2 | Minimum 3 credits required. |
Honors in the Major
Highly qualified students in the BFA in Creative Writing program may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. To graduate with honors in the major, students must complete a two-course honors sequence and receive a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all courses counted toward the major and, separately, a minimum GPA of 3.50 in their honors courses. Honors courses may simultaneously satisfy concentration and distribution requirements in the major.
Students may satisfy the honors course sequence in one of the following ways:
- BFA students may take two sections of ENGH 400 Honors Seminar
- BFA students may take one section of ENGH 400 Honors Seminar and ENGH 401 RS: Honors Thesis Writing Seminar (Mason Core)
BFA students may write a creative honors thesis in ENGH 401 RS: Honors Thesis Writing Seminar (Mason Core). BFA students may substitute ENGH 495 Capstone and Thesis (Mason Core) for ENGH 401.
Students interested in pursuing honors in the major should consult the English Department for more information.
The accelerated master's program listed below specifies the BFA in creative writing as a feeder degree for its program. It is important to note, however, that many accelerated master's programs are available for any bachelor's degree at Mason, including these. See the full list of degrees with accelerated programs at George Mason. In addition, as a student with a BFA in creative writing you may be particularly interested in the accelerated MA in English with a concentration in linguistics.
English, BA or Creative Writing, BFA/Curriculum and Instruction, Accelerated MEd (Secondary Education English concentration)
Overview
Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's option and obtain both a BA in English or a BFA in Creative Writing and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (concentration in secondary education English) in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of 149 credits. See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.
This accelerated option is offered jointly by the Department of English and the School of Education.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students complete the following courses in their senior year:
| Senior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| SEED 540 | 3 | EDRD 619 | 3 |
| SEED 569 | 3 | SEED 669 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Total Credits 12 | |||
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students are able to apply two of the courses listed above to both the bachelor's and master's degrees. These courses are considered advanced standing for the MEd. A minimum grade of B must be earned to be eligible to count as advanced standing. The other two courses are taken as reserve graduate credit and do not apply to the undergraduate degree. Early in their final undergraduate semester, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to the CEHD Admissions Office and specify which of the four courses are to be designated as advanced standing and reserve graduate credit.