New mentorship-focused certificate program helps aspiring authors jumpstart their book projects and writing careers
Our faculty is so experienced at leading these one-on-one mentorship experiences that a student can dive right in and know that they are getting wise counsel...
— — Sonya Huber, director of ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp's MFA in Creative Writing Program
In response to a growing market demand, ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp’s MFA in creative writing program is excited to announce the launch of a new, year-long certificate program designed to help both established and aspiring writers jumpstart or finish an original book-length project.
Aptly titled The Prologue , the 12-credit post-baccalaureate certificate program serves as an introduction to the College of Arts and Sciences’ MFA program and provides creative writers of all levels with two semesters of rigorous, graduate-level one-on-one writing mentorship. Once the program is completed, students interested in pursing their MFA will be able to transfer the certificate’s twelve credits toward a Master of Fine Arts degree at Fairfield.
“There are not that many organized programs either within or outside universities where a writer can get one-on-one mentorship at this intensive level,” said Fairfield English professor and MFA program director, Sonya Huber. “As far as we know, we are the only program like this in the Northeast that is connected to a university and that awards university credit toward an MFA.”
While enrolled in the certificate program, students receive individualized guidance from experienced MFA faculty and authors who offer in-depth feedback to help develop and edit written works in progress. Since the program’s structure does not require students to make trips to campus, it offers a level of flexibility that is attractive to a wide range of applicants. While The Prologue is perfect for writers who are interested in pursing an MFA in creative writing, but are uncertain if they are ready to enroll full-time, it is also ideal for MFA graduates who have already earned their master’s degree but are working on a new project for which they are seeking feedback.
“There is definitely a strong demand for these types of programs,” Huber said. “Because writing is often very solitary, writers need mentorship and another set of eyes on their work. Our faculty is so experienced at leading these one-on-one mentorship experiences that a student can dive right in and know that they are getting wise counsel from people who have written and published successful books.”
¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp’s low-residency MFA in creative writing program has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years. To date, more than 47 students and alumni have published original novels, in addition to hundreds of articles, essays, and poems. For more information on the University’s new Certificate in Creative Writing, contact Elizabeth Hastings at ehastings@fairfield.edu or visit
