Creative Writing, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in English with a Creative Writing Concentration prepares MFA graduates to teach university-level literature and writing. The program deepens students’ literary knowledge while exploring theoretical and aesthetic issues relevant to their creative work and teaching.
About the Ph.D. in Creative Writing
The PhD in English with Creative Writing Concentration is a fully funded 3-year program designed to prepare creative writers to teach university-level literature and writing classes. The program is open to students who have already completed a creative writing MFA. Students may apply in Poetry, Fiction, or Creative Nonfiction. The PhD CWC provides an academically rigorous set of requirements designed to expand students' knowledge of both a literary-historical field and some of the theoretical and aesthetic questions relevant to their own creative work and teaching interests.
Every student accepted into our program receives tuition remission, a stipend, and health insurance for all three years. PhD CWC students are awarded Teaching Assistantships, which provide pedagogical training and support and a range of hands-on teaching experiences. A variety of additional funding and scholarship opportunities are available.
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Program Information
Degree
Ph.D. in English
Emphases
Creative Writing
Required Credit Hours
54
Program Type
Doctorate Program
Program Location
School
Duration
3 years
Program Highlights
Gain Editorial Experience with our Literary Magazine
The Yalobusha Review, offers opportunities for students interested in gaining editorial experience. Each year, we bring literary agents to campus for student consultations and pitch sessions. Recently we have welcomed agents Sonali Chanchani and Jeff Kleinman (Folio Literary Management) and Sarah Phair (Greenburger Associates)
Participate in Readings and Conferences
Our long-running reading series allow us to bring in a diverse array of internationally renowned poets and writers. In recent years, Ada Limon, Ha Jin, Claudia Rankine, Rita Dove, Kiki Petrosino, Shane McCrae, Jennifer Egan, Craig Santos Perez, Tyehimba Jess, and many others have visited our campus.
Creative Writing Graduate Student Reading Series
MissReads, gives all graduate creative writing students the chance to read to a robust audience of faculty, students, and Oxford’s literary community. Oxford is home to many conferences, such as the Oxford Conference For The Book, and our faculty serves on panels at the Mississippi Book Festival. The UM Longleaf Scholar program provides students access to The Longleaf Writing Conference in Seaside, Florida.
Our Celebrated Faculty Represent a Broad Background in the Creative Arts
Expertise in Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Screenwriting, and Memoir Writing
We also offer courses in hybrid genres, speculative fiction, and eco-writing. Workshops are run by our core faculty: Beth Ann Fennelly, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Matt Bondurant, Tom Franklin, Sheila Sundar, Michael Wang, and Melissa Ginsburg. In addition, our yearly writer-in-residence program brings in authors who teach a graduate workshop–Jesmyn Ward, Garth Greenwell, Raven Leilani, Kiese Laymon, and Megan Abbot are just a few of the authors who have enriched our writing community.
Additionally, our critical faculty offer expertise in American, British, and Anglophone literature, as well as literary and cultural theory, gender studies, postcolonial and global studies, critical race theory, cultural studies, history of the book, and digital humanities and textual science.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?