Students are expected to teach composition and creative writing. A thesis consisting of a book-length manuscript of poetry or fiction of publishable quality is submitted at the end of the second year. In addition to the salary, teaching assistants receive payment of partial fees and health insurance. Renewal of a teaching appointment is contingent upon satisfactory teaching performance and a good record in academic courses. Admissions Students are admitted to either the Fiction or Poetry Program, although admission to both is also possible.
Admission is highly competitive.
In examining applications, the Admissions committees place particular weight on the quality of the manuscripts submitted, looking not only for evidence of talent but for indications of a permanent and firm commitment to the craft of writing. The Program takes pride in an impressive achievement of publication by its graduates. A bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 grade point average is a prerequisite for admission to the Program. The application for admission should specify interest in either poetry or fiction and must include complete transcripts of all academic work, three letters of recommendation, an autobiographical sketch, and samples of writing. The Admissions Committees place particular emphasis on the quality and competence of the writing submitted.