Degrees & Programs Offered
Undergraduate Degree Programs
B.A. in English
The English major at the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks encompasses study in language, literature and theory. It offers courses based on era, genre, and topic. In any given semester, students might enroll in a survey of British or American literature, a workshop in the craft of creative writing, a seminar on a single author such as Herman Melville or Virginia Woolf, a region-specific course like AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Native or multiethnic literatures, a critical topics seminar such as Queer Theory—and any number of other courses. The English curriculum at UAF is as vast and idiosyncratic as the AVÀÇÂÛ̳n landscape itself.
B.A. Degree Requirements
Students majoring in English at UAF will fulfill the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, which requires 120 total credits, 35 of which must in taken as upper-level English courses. The distribution of coursework ensures a broad overview of literature and literary theories. The English major culminates in a Capstone Portfolio, ENGL F400, in students' final semester of study. This course provides students with the opportunity to reflect upon and annotate previous writings from their English coursework under the supervision of English faculty.
ENGL F340 Contemporary Indigenous Literature in North America (h)
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Contemporary Indigenous literature in North America including novels, short stories, poetry, film, audio expression and genre-fluid texts. Works will be discussed in their cultural contexts and explore connecting themes such as historical trauma, survivance, resurgence and decolonization.
Have you chosen your minor? The very interdisciplinary nature of the College of Liberal Arts means that you have so many options when it comes to tailoring your degree program so that it is just right for you. Here are some minors that students have paired with a B.A. in English:
Common Minors for English Majors
Minor in English
Aside from our English major, we also offer three separate minor programs: general English; Creative Writing; and Ancient, Medieval & Early Modern Studies. These programs are available to all University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks students, regardless of major. Each one offers a different area of emphasis, while still allowing students to devise a course of study best suited to their individual interests.
The English minor requires that students take 18 upper-level English credits—nine
at the 300 level or higher, and nine at the 400 level. With this freedom, students
can shape their minor program to include coursework from our many offerings—everything
from Beowulf to film studies, from traditional English grammar to contemporary AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Native literature.
English minors are encouraged to select coursework in consultation with our faculty
advisors.
The creative writing minor requires that students take 15 credits from our poetry,
fiction, creative nonfiction, and dramatic writing curriculum.
In the creative writing minor, students learn the skills of critical reading, creative
production, and workshop etiquette. Most importantly, they produce a wealth of original
writing in multiple genres. Students are also encouraged to participate in UAF’s rich
literary community, which includes the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series and the student-run undergraduate literary journal Ice Box.
The Ancient, Medieval & Early Modern Studies minor is an 18-credit interdisciplinary program featuring coursework in English, Art, History, Music and Philosophy. In this program, students examine the struggles, prejudices and achievements of traditional Western culture. The curriculum (with course options linked below) requires that students take classes in at least three different disciplines; in this way, students develop a nuanced, comprehensive view of the Western tradition. For questions about the Ancient, Medieval & Early Modern Studies minor, please contact Dr. Eileen M. Harney at eharney@alaska.edu.
Graduate Degree Programs
In the Department of English, we offer three graduate degree programs: the MFA in Creative Writing, the MA in English, and the combined MFA/MA. Our students receive not just an intellectual education, but an experiential one as well. AVÀÇÂÛ̳ is unique in location, climate, and literary community. Our graduate programs allow students to live more simply and purposefully, and to focus on the crafts of critical reading and engaged writing. We prepare students to become active teachers, independent thinkers, and fearless writers.
M.F.A. in Creative Writing
Our MFA in Creative Writing is a three-year residential program with courses in the
craft of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Students enroll in both multi-genre
and genre-specific workshops, as well as forms and special topics courses. Additionally,
MFA students undertake an in-depth study of literature.
In their second year, MFA students prepare a thesis proposal that requires them to
read widely and define their aesthetic goals. In their third year, students work closely
with faculty mentors to prepare manuscripts for thesis defense and eventual publication.
M.A. in English
Our MA in English is a two-year program featuring coursework in American, British,
and World Literatures. In their first year, students design a plan of study and form
a thesis committee. In the first semester of their second year, they complete a reading
examination over a defined list of literary, critical, and theoretical texts; following
that, they complete and defend their theses.
Just as our department hosts faculty with a broad range of expertise, we encourage
our MA students to explore many different studies. In recent years, MA students have
written theses in literary theory, composition pedagogy, and English as a Second Language
studies. Our students have full access to the Rasmuson Library, which houses numerous
British and American texts, as well as the extensive AVÀÇÂÛ̳ and Polar Region Collections
and Archives.
M.F.A./M.A. Combined Degrees
The MFA/MA degree is a three-year program that combines curricula in creative writing and literary analysis. By coordinating one’s literature and creative writing coursework, students receive the MFA/MA degree in the same time it normally takes to receive the MFA alone. Students in this track complete reading exams in both literature and creative writing. Likewise, they complete two separate theses—a critical one and a creative one. The MFA/MA is awarded as a single degree rather than two separate degrees.
ENGL F661 Mentored Teaching in English
1 Credit
Offered Fall and Spring
Mentored teaching provides consistent contact on course-related issues between teaching assistants and mentoring faculty. May be repeated up to six times, for one credit per semester.
Graduate Timeline & Exams
Our MFA program follows a three-year curriculum, the basic timeline for which is provided below. These dates and deadlines assume a traditional fall enrollment and three-year plan of study. You should consult your program director or the Graduate School office if you have questions or extenuating circumstances. Below, all the forms within quotation marks can be located on the Grad School's "Forms" webpage; on that site, you'll need to search for the appropriate form within the listed categories, which will allow you to submit all paperwork electronically.
​- Submit your "Graduate Study Plan" by the end of the spring semester.
- Submit your "Report of Advisory Committee" by May 15.
- Form your thesis committee and submit your "Appointment of Advisory Committee" by the end of the fall semester.
- With approval from your thesis advisor, choose five additional texts for your Thesis Portfolio Reading List; submit a signed, printed copy of the list to the English Department administrator.
- Submit your thesis portfolio (which, when approved, will serve as your "comprehensive exam" for the Graduate School) to the English Department administrator no later than April 1.
- Submit your "Report on Comprehensive Exam" immediately upon confirmation of passing your comprehensive exams.
- Submit your "Report of Advisory Committee" by May 15.
- Submit your "Advancement to Candidacy" by October 15.
- At the beginning of the spring semester, consult with your thesis committee to determine a defense date; ideal times are toward the end of February or the beginning of March, and you should provide your committee with a completed version of your thesis two weeks in advance of your defense date.
- Complete the UAF Graduation Application, located in UAOnline. You will need to login, go to the Student tab, and then click on Apply to Graduate under the Student Records section. The deadline for submission is February 1st for spring graduation. (Oct. 15 for fall graduation, and July 15th for summer graduation).
- Submit your "Report on Thesis/Dissertation/Project Defense" upon confirmation of your successful thesis defense.
- After your successful thesis defense (no later than March 24), email a PDF file of your thesis to CLA Dean Ellen Lopez and CLA Coordinator Miriam Stelges with the subject line "English MFA Thesis for Approval"; please also cc: your thesis advisor on the email.
- After approval of your thesis by CLA Dean Ellen Lopez (no later than April 7), submit your "Approval of Thesis/Dissertation/Project."
- Upload the final version of your thesis to the ProQuest ETD Administrator website no later than April 7; your thesis must be approved by your committee, the English Department Chair, and the CLA Dean before being uploaded.
- Submit your "Report of Advisory Committee" by May 15.
Again, all the above forms indicated with quotation marks can be located on the the Grad School's "Forms" webpage.
MFA candidates submit a thesis proposal during their fourth semester. The portfolio
should consist of a one-page synopsis of the student’s proposed thesis, a substantial
annotated bibliography, and a creative writing sample. In the portfolio, students
should demonstrate a solid base of knowledge in their chosen genre, summarizing their
own creative goals and assessing the craft, forms, and techniques of certain literary
texts. Students select titles for their annotated bibliographies from a genre-specific
reading list (see below), and, with support from their thesis advisors, select additional
texts relevant to their own interests and creative projects. Students are encouraged
to begin reading from their genre list when they first enter the program.
The dates below refer to the years in which students will submit their thesis proposal;
for instance, if you entered the program in Fall 2024, you'll submit your proposal
in Spring 2026 and should choose texts from the 2025–26 document in your genre. MFA
faculty update the reading lists every two to three years.
- Fiction reading list (2024–25 portfolio period)
- Nonfiction reading list (2024–25 portfolio period)
- Poetry reading list (2024–25 portfolio period)
Our MA program follows a two-year timeline, and students may be admitted for the fall or spring semesters. MA candidates take comprehensive exams during their second year in the program. (The timeline might vary for students pursuing the MFA/MA degree.) The following document provides an overview of the MA degree process, and students will receive further assistance on their comp exams and thesis development from faculty advisors.
How to apply to the graduate degree program
To apply, please (1) complete your online application, (2) upload your supplemental materials, and (3) submit your brief Teaching Assistantship Form. These requirements are described in more detail below.
Note that we do not require GRE results.
Information about fee waivers can be found here.
- MFA and MFA/MA applications are due by January 15, with a start date in the fall semester.
- MA applications are due by either October 15 (for spring enrollment) or January 15 (for fall enrollment).
Online application:
Visit the UAF Office of Admissions webpage. Once you create an account, you can begin filling out your application.
The management system will allow you to save your progress and return later if you
choose. While completing the application, you will submit:
- Unofficial transcripts (please provide unofficial transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work; although the application system will ask for official transcripts, those will only be required later for students who accept a place in the program)
- Contact information for three references (your references will receive an email with a link for submitting letters; if your letters are stored via Interfolio, you can provide the "send. Recommendation...@interfolio.com" email for each specific letter)
Supplemental materials:
Once you submit your application, return to the application portal homepage. There,
you will upload the following documents:
Creative writing sample (MFA applicants)
Submit 25–40 pages of fiction, creative nonfiction, or 15–20 pages of poetry. It is acceptable (but uncommon) to submit work in more than one genre. Also, please include a brief note at the beginning of your manuscript indicating the genre in which you’re applying.
Scholarly writing sample (MA applicants)
Submit 20–25 pages of your best scholarly or critical work. At the beginning of your document, please include a brief (one paragraph max.) contextual statement explaining for which course(s) you wrote this paper(s) and why you're choosing it as your writing sample.
MFA applicants: In 600–1,000 words, address your personal goals for graduate studies. You can discuss your current interests, writing projects, and literary influences. You might also address how your experience, skills, and intellectual outlook make you an ideal fit for our writing community.
MA applicants: In 600–1,000 words, discuss why you wish to earn an advanced degree in English. Identify which research area(s) you plan to focus on during your graduate work, and explain why the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks is an attractive site for your studies.
Teaching Assistantship Form:
Please submit the to declare whether you would like to be considered for an assistantship. We do not
require a specialized statement or teaching philosophy—just this short form.
For questions about the application process, contact:
Gwen Retterer
(907) 474-7193
uaf-english-dept@alaska.edu
For information about our MA program, contact:
Sarah Stanley
Department Chair
(907) 474-7335
sstanley2@alaska.edu
For information about our MFA program, contact:
Daryl Farmer
Director of Creative Writing
(907) 474-5307
dlfarmer@alaska.edu