Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in English

The MA degree offers the academic credentials necessary for junior or community-college teaching, and provides a rich foundation for people moving on to doctoral studies. This is a two-year program.


Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

The M.F.A. is a terminal degree in creative writing. Many M.F.A. graduates teach at two- and four-year colleges, publish their work, or go on to professional careers in writing and editing. The M.F.A. program at Chapman fosters the growth of fiction writers and poets through workshops, techniques courses, literature courses, the John Fowles Literary Forum Core, and the literary journal Elephant Tree. The culmination of each M.F.A. student’s work is a book-length thesis project in fiction or poetry. (Students may complete a thesis in creative nonfiction, stage drama, or screenplay, with the approval of the graduate program director.)


Dual MA/MFA Degree

The Dual degree combines the MFA and the MA. It was created for students who wish to combine the practice and study of creative writing with literary scholarship. The Dual degree was specifically designed to meet the needs of students who intend to pursue a career in teaching English and creative writing at the university, community college or secondary school level. This is a three-year program.

The department's literary magazine, Elephant Tree, edited by English graduate students, is published in book form and is also available as a PDF. See Publications. 

Graduate Admission Information

Application Deadlines:

• Spring 2009 admission: 3 November 2008

• Fall 2009 admission, with scholarship consideration: 1 May 2009
• Applicants after May 1 will be considered on a space available basis.

Admission questions? Please contact Priscilla Powers in the Graduate Admissions office: (714) 997 6711 or view the graduate admission section of the catalog.

Apply now using our online application or download the PDF version.