The MFA program in Writing and Literature at Stony Brook Southampton emphasizes creative work in fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting.  However, the program also extends its emphasis beyond the familiar categories of creative expression to treat all forms of writing as equally relevant to understanding and mastering a world constructed out of words. In particular, the program broadens its interest to include forms of scientific writing – environmental, medical, technological – to draw benefits from the university’s well-established strength in science.

To complete the MFA program, students need 42 academic credits, which are divided among required courses that introduce students to the profession and discipline of writing and the skills necessary to teach writing to others; advanced writing workshops in a variety of writing genres; seminars designed to focus closely on an issue or type of contemporary writing; graduate-level English literature courses; and an MFA thesis intended to be a publishable, book-length work.  The program is offered in two academic semesters, two six-week summer sessions, and three credit-bearing writers conferences. 

Courses are taught by a full-time core faculty of three, joined by a part-time faculty of more than 15 distinguished visiting writers whose teaching and lecturing assignments rotate among the fall, spring, and summer sessions. These visitors provide creative breadth to the writing program, offering coverage in areas of writing that are essential in contemporary society—in particular, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, scientific writing, and writing for the media.