Mentored Semester at Home
The details of the individualized semester plan are worked out with the mentor at the residency. During the at-home portion of the semester at regular intervals, students send to mentors five packets consisting mostly of original creative writing, questions about the craft of writing, and short essays commenting on the books from the individualized reading list. The mentor offers the student personally focused instruction and encouragement.The mentor responds within a week by correspondence, audio recording, or email (as determined by the student and the mentor). The response includes constructive criticism, comments on technical and aesthetic issues, and suggestions for revision, exercises, or further reading. Students also exchange ideas and work with other students. Thus, while this study is referred to as independent, it is also collaborative, as there is continual supervision from the faculty mentor and formal and informal dialogue with other students during the semester.
A typical packet of prose or scriptwriting might include 35-45 pages, which are made up of original writing, 1-3 short critical essays about books on the reading list, a cover letter that includes questions about the craft of writing, and a cumulative list of the student's work for that semester. Students also keep a cumulative bibliography of the books they 
read throughout their course of study. Packets for poetry and picture books are similar, though the page count of original work varies. A schedule for mailing the packets is suggested by the MFA office; however, adjustments may be made between student and mentor.
All students are required to have a computer, printer, and working email account which they check regularly. In addition, students must have a reliable form of high-speed Internet service in order to access the Spalding MFA in Writing Program website and Blackboard (our information management system) for critical information such as to find semester deadlines, to access required forms, and to complete assignments.
The MFA Program supports Discussion Boards on which students and faculty may share ideas and information on the craft of writing, calls for submissions, and reading.
Spalding University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Master of Fine Arts in Writing. Spalding University's Master of Fine Arts in Writing is a member of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs.
last updated 07/28/09 information subject to change without notice
Spalding University
851 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40203
MFA Office: (502) 585-9911, ext. 2423 or (800) 896-8941, ext. 2423
mfa@spalding.edu
FAX: (502) 585-7158
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