Curriculum & Courses

Graduate Curriculum Overview

WRIT 5001 Writing Workshop	12
WRIT 5500 Topics in Writing Seminar	12
Graduate Projects 6009 (minimum of 12 credits with writing advisors)	24
Electives Courses at the 3000-level or above. Art History courses must be at the 4000-level or above.	12
Participation in four Graduate Critiques
Inclusion in the MFAW annual publication or participation in the MFAW Thesis Reading or equivalent MFA Exhibition or event
Completion of the thesis
Total Credit Hours	60

Students may elect internships to satisfy up to 6 hours of elective credit.

Completion schedule: Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree (this includes time off for leaves-of-absence).
Transfer credits: A minimum of 45 credit hours must be completed at SAIC. Up to 15 transfer credits may be requested at the time of application for admission and are subject to approval at that time. No transfer credit will be permitted after a student is admitted.
Thesis requirement: During their final semester, students are required to submit a thesis of appropriate length in any genre.
Exhibition requirements: MFAW students planning to participate in the Graduate Thesis Exhibition or Time Arts events are required to complete at least 6 studio credits by the end of the third semester AND to advise with a studio faculty member in their final semester.
Studio space: Individual studio space is not provided automatically to students in the MFA in Writing; however, Writing students with a visual arts practice in addition to their writing may apply for a space through the administrative director, Graduate Division, at gradstudio@saic.edu.
Graduate Projects: MFA 6009 Graduate Projects enrollments must be in increments of 3 credit hours. No more than two advisors and a total of 6 credit hours may be scheduled for a given semester. The number of credits earned by the student has no correlation with length or frequency of the advising sessions or to faculty assessment of student work.

Students may elect internships to satisfy up to 6 hours of elective credit.

Title	Catalog	Instructor	Schedule
Gen Sem: Indie Publishing Lab	4001 (001)	Sally Alatalo	Monday through Friday 12:15 PM - 3:00 PM In Person
Description In this intensive course we'll study and practice the ideas, materials, tools, and forms of small press print production and publishing. We'll use the class as a hands-on laboratory to gain skills to develop mock-ups and models for self-determined goals, such as tabling your own work at small press/indie publishing events; pursuing editorial or design roles in print publishing; or aspiring to start your own indie press. Students are invited to bring projects-in progress; to regularly present work for discussion and feedback; and to participate in Independent and small group tutorials. We'll augment our practice with field trips to look at both historic and contemporary examples of independent publishing - from the early, artisanal books of the Hogarth Press, to the counter- and subculture publications of the mid 20th century, to contemporary zines, comics, and artists' books. Course work includes developing multi-stage models and mock-ups for a self-generated print publication(s); an editorial statement about your publishing project/goals; and a short bibliography of indie/small press publishers you admire. Prerequisites Prerequisite: WRIT 1102 or WRIT 2040 or permission of the instructor.	Class Number 1045	Credits 3	Department Writing Location Lakeview - 808

Visit the graduate admissions website or contact the graduate admissions office at 312.629.6100, 800.232.7242 or gradmiss@saic.edu.