Emerson College’s Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing graduate program consists of a 36-credit curriculum. Housed in the School of the Arts, the program is 100% online. This online format is convenient and flexible, allowing you to learn from anywhere in the world according to your own schedule. There are no residency requirements.
Courses
The 36 credit hours required consist of:
- 16 credits of writing workshop;
- 8 credits of literature courses;
- 8 credits of publishing courses;
- 4 credits of master’s thesis.
| Writing Workshop Courses: (16 credits Required)* | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Credits |
| PF 610 | Writing Workshop in Popular Fiction | 4 |
| PF 612 | Topics in Writing Workshop in Popular Fiction | 4 |
Some course samples in the PF612 Topics in Writing Workshop in Popular Fiction include Who Knows What When: Creating Suspense in Any Genre, Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Gothic Subversion: Diverse Voices Re-imagining the Genre.
*These workshops are repeatable.
| Literature Courses: (8 credits required) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Credits |
| PF 615 | Seminar in Popular Fiction | 4 |
| PF 616 | Topics in the History of Popular Forms | 4 |
Some course samples in the PF 616 Topics in the History of Popular Forms include: Mental Illness and Health in Science Fiction and Fantasy, Blended Genres, and Romance: A Novel Approach.
Note: Students may take PF 616 more than once. In certain cases, WR 600 Teaching College Composition may be taken on campus in place of one literature class.
| Publishing Courses: (8 credits required) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Course | Credits |
| PF 630 | Introduction to the Publishing Process for Writers | 4 |
| PF 631 | Topics in Writing and Publishing | 4 |
| PF 632 | Book Design and Production | 4 |
Some course samples in the PF 631 Topics in Writing and Publishing include: Personal Marketing for Authors, Revise and Pitch Your Novel, and Marketing the Bestseller.
MFA Thesis: (4 credits)
For completion of the MFA degree, you are required to write a long-form narrative of publishable or near publishable quality. The thesis will consist of a novel or a novel excerpt that is a minimum of 100 pages with a 3-4 page synopsis. When nearing completion of the program, a student applies for a thesis committee and works closely with the chair of that committee to develop the final manuscript and schedule an online defense of the thesis.
It is strongly suggested that the student begin planning the thesis early and develop a work that approaches a publishable book in concept and form.
Sample Curriculum Map
Our Popular Fiction Publishing and Writing MFA can be completed full-time in 2.5 years, or part-time in 3 to 5 years. This sample curriculum map is designed to give you an idea of your course load as a full-time student over 2.5 years. For full course information, review our course catalog.
Full-time Sample Curriculum Map (September-May)
Fall Semester 1 (8 credits)
- Core Course: PF 610 Writing Workshop in Popular Fiction
- Publishing Course: PF 630 Introduction to the Publishing Process of Writers
Spring Semester 1 (8 credits)
- Core Course: PF 612 Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Workshop
- Literature Course: PF615 Why So Popular? A Study of the Appeals of Popular Fiction Genres
Summer Semester 1 (4 credits)
- Core Course: PF 612 Romance Writing Workshop
Fall Semester 2 (8 credits)
- Core Course: PF 612 Who Knows What When: Creating Suspense in Any Genre
- Literature Course: PF 616 Mental Health and Illness in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Spring Semester 2 (8 credits)
- Publishing Course: PF 631 Personal Marketing
- Master’s Thesis