The Department of English offers a 3 year course of study which leads to the Master of Fine Arts Degree. Members of the program have the opportunity to write, to develop their skills, and to earn a sound terminal degree. They share in a community of other writers, critics, and teachers who maintain an appreciation of excellence and diversity and who seek, as a goal, the success of each student.
Students work closely with writers on the faculty and with one another.
The MFA program of study, divided between writing workshops, classes and seminars, provides a schedule flexible enough to let students move at their own pace and select those literature and writing courses most suited to their needs and interests. Requirements for completion of the MFA in English are given below. The University of Alabama is situated on 645 acres beside the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa, a city of 90,000, including 17,000 university students. The mountains of northern Alabama, the Gulf Coast, the cities of Atlanta, Birmingham, and New Orleans are all within a few hours drive, and the Southern Crescent passenger train runs from Washington through Atlanta and Tuscaloosa to New Orleans. Students are encouraged to work in editorial positions on the Black Warrior Review which is run by members of the MFA Program.