Academia Prospects for MFA Creative Writing grads?

[ulanbataar]

Hi everyone, I am a current undergrad studying Secondary Education--English with the intent of applying to Creative Writing MFA programs. I'm beginning to conclude that I might not want to work with middle schoolers/high schoolers as I had previously thought. The prospect of teaching university-level composition or literature is much more appealing to me. I was wondering how likely it is for an MFA grad to land a university teaching position. While I have had several professors without a doctorate in English, just a MFA, I am concerned that this may be a difficult path. Can MFA grads secure full-time teaching positions with tenure, or are they doomed to adjunct positions? Generally, are MFA grads restricted to teaching freshman comp and basic creative writing, or can they also teach lit classes, based on graduate training? (Some of the programs I am looking at require a literature concentration in a particular era/genre, however, no academic thesis is required).

It is my understanding that the income level is lower for college professors (at least those without tenure) than that of public school teachers. As my parents are hurting for money and I need to help out, income level is something I have to be conscientious of. If there is a possibility I could get a university teaching position that pays decently by liberal arts standards ($30,000+ per year) with an MFA, I might consider dropping my Secondary Education certificate all together. In this economy, is such a position too much to hope for?

[heliogabalus]

I'm a teacher who'll be starting an MFA this fall. I'm certainly not the expert, but from everything I've read to get a tenure-track university gig with an MFA you really need to have a couple of books published. You can probably get adjunct positions with just the MFA, but salary and benefits-wise, getting a low level administrative job at a college would probably be better.

For a back-up plan, you might want to get the secondary ed certificate, get the MFA, teach English for a few years, and write like crazy during the breaks and the vacations. If you publish some books, then you might get hired at a university. If you don't, you still have a job that involves lit and writing. If teaching at a public school doesn't sound appealing, check out good private schools. They often have a collegiate feel and can pay quite well.

From everything I've heard, the MFA really guarantees you almost nothing in the way of employment. So shoring up the risk with some other qualifications might not be a bad plan.

[njw]

The MFA does not guarantee you a teaching position, like a PhD pretty much does.

To get a decent gig besides random class adjuncting, you would likely need a published novel or short story collection, possibly two of them.

Also, if you scan the list of people lecturing or teaching at some MFA programs... a lot of them teach there, with no MFA at all, they are just a relatively respected writer. One of the things I have seen people boosting MFA programs is "you can teach with it" ...which is true, but not true. Sure it might help you more, but you can also teach without it, and just because you have the MFA definitely doesn't guarantee you a position.

I would also look at some of the typical comp adjunct salaries, they aren't that high, and often hire you on a 1 year contract, then you have to keep trying to get renewed every year.

I would not look at the MFA route as the path to teaching... just look at it as a place to improve your writing. That is why most people recommend not to go unless you get full, or close to full funding.

I would certainly not pursue the MFA with your main goal as teaching... there are much better options for that if you know you want to be a teacher.

Personally I kind of got that idea out of my head just looking at where people ended up (or didn't end up at all) ... I am pretty picky on where I want to live so, academia just isn't for me.

Also realize, you said that you need to help your parents out... Well, if you want to adjunct in college, you might have to take a position halfway across the country, and after that... take another position at a different school in 2 years. The life of the adjunct isn't that great and yes the pay is often lower than a hired high school teacher.

As for teaching, yes you *might* be able to teach composition, but somebody who majored in Rhetoric/Composition with more Pedagogy is going to be more qualified. Teaching literature with an MFA is also a sure "not going to happen". You would however be more qualified to teach creative writing (many colleges don't even have creative writing though)

MFA is still a great option if you want to develop your writing though...I certainly wouldn't get your hopes up about a teaching career with it though. There is a reason that most MFA programs aren't publishing where their MFA students ended up, percentage who are full time teachers, etc like most PhD programs do...b/c most people getting their MFA's don't end up teaching.

Edited May 20, 2012 by njw

[bluecheese]

The MFA is not a good route to a teaching career in the academy (unless you publish a couple of books, and even then it is hard to get a job). It can help to build a resume for lots of other things though, so it isn't just "time to spend working on art" (although it is that also).

[discoantfarm]

The prospects for Univ teaching positions is terrible. Even for Phds. I'd get the secondary certification. You'll enjoy being a equal among high school teachers and won't enjoy being an adjunct. NJW is correct that even if you do get a job, it's likely to be at Lowtomiddle State University a thousand miles from home.

[Silas]

These days, no degree guarantees you a teaching position at the university level, as someone said above.  The MFA is usually given equal weight to a PhD when applying for creative writing positions, so it's certainly possible to get a tenure-track teaching job with it, but there are so few creative writing jobs each year, and so many applicants, that the chances are very, very slim.  Virtually the only folks who have luck getting jobs teaching English post-grad school are rhetoric and composition folks, and even for them it's not a guarantee.

 

If you want to spend two or three years writing, reading, being part of a literary community, etc., get an MFA, because you'll love it (but definitely don't pay for it, because you're very unlikely to get a monetary return on your investment).  If you are only doing it to get a teaching job, don't bother applying--it's not worth the time or energy. Besides, the acceptance rates are so low--many of the programs accept a smaller percentage of applicants than Harvard Law--that it's not worth the money you spend applying unless you really want to get an MFA.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Silas

[anti]

These days, no degree guarantees you a teaching position at the university level, as someone said above.  The MFA is usually given equal weight to a PhD when applying for creative writing positions, so it's certainly possible to get a tenure-track teaching job with it, but there are so few creative writing jobs each year, and so many applicants, that the chances are very, very slim.  Virtually the only folks who have luck getting jobs teaching English post-grad school are rhetoric and composition folks, and even for them it's not a guarantee.

 

If you want to spend two or three years writing, reading, being part of a literary community, etc., get an MFA, because you'll love it (but definitely don't pay for it, because you're very unlikely to get a monetary return on your investment).  If you are only doing it to get a teaching job, don't bother applying--it's not worth the time or energy. Besides, the acceptance rates are so low--many of the programs accept a smaller percentage of applicants than Harvard Law--that it's not worth the money you spend applying unless you really want to get an MFA.

I disagree. The MFA and PhD are NOT given equal weight for creative writing positions. Any "CRW PhD" in the US is still a PhD in English. Most programs require way more literature courses than MFA programs and the comp exams are usually equal to their literature or rhet/comp counterparts, unlike the MFA.

If you're look only to be a creative writer, I would not pursue a PhD with a creative dissertation. The PhD is set up for someone who is looking to take on both literature and creative writing equally, not someone who simply wishes for an extension of the MFA. The requirements are so drastically different. Please research the different programs, especially their coursework and requirements for comprehensive exams to make an informed decision.

[charabanc]

Please research the different programs, especially their coursework and requirements for comprehensive exams to make an informed decision.

 

This is incredibly patronizing.  Silas didn't say anything about the cwr PhD being an extension of an MFA.  Chill out.