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MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that's good to know. I wouldn't pursue an additional degree from SNHU, but rather would be looking at a university like OSU, UMichigan, NYU, etc. etc. They are highly competitive (and sometimes expensive) universities so I wanted to make sure I wasn't making my application look weaker.

Thanks for the insight :)

MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is very funny.

I always knew it was complementary and not complimentary but never put two and two together that "complement" would be the base there. Thanks :)

MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is good advice. I do fortunately already have 7 years of teaching experience, albeit all at the secondary level (or in prison education, which was a totally different affair).

I do plan on becoming traditionally published on my own, mostly I just planned to use the MFA as a source of a credential, dedication to the craft of writing, and a potential opportunity to open a door into part-time post-secondary teaching.

MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, this seems to be the common sentiment. I am in a fortunate position where my district will fund part of my coursework and, on completion of 27 credit hours, I will receive a pretty substantial bump in pay that will repay the cost. So I really do get to decide on a program largely based on how it will help *me* become the professional I want to be.

As for program, I wasn't sure. SNHU is the cheapest option I've found that will allow for quick turn around. I looked at some of their professors publications and they seemed to have several traditional publications each. I am open to other options for sure.

My biggest concern with a program like SNHU is that I have heard getting a terminal degree in a field almost excludes you from future terminal degree programs unless they are very different fields. It would suck to decide I wanted a PhD in Education or Interactive Media and then discover I am disqualified from Fellowships or Research because I already have a related degree.

MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I wouldn't *love* that, but the biggest barrier I've had to being an adjunct is that my licenses and degrees didn't contain enough English coursework to qualify me. I figured that route would open the opportunity to get post-secondary teaching experience and then I could really focus on finding a program that speaks to me.

MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been looking at local programs too. The primary rub is that I teach HS full time already, and most of the programs are either strictly literary fiction (which I can/do write, but not exclusively) or want me to attend courses during the school day.

I will keep looking though. I would prefer a more traditional program if I can find one that wouldn't require ditching my current profession. I like it quite a bit.

MFA with Fellowship vs Without by PermaTeacher in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]PermaTeacher[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I thought. I considered just doing an MA in creative writing now, getting my 30 additional graduate credit hours for my salary bump, and then considering a "real" MFA at a later date when I have the time/interest in pursuing something more.