MFA in Creative Writing

Teaching and Graduate Assistant Opportunities


Applying for a Teaching Assistantship

English MFA in Creative Writing Program

Date of Notice: January, 2009

Position(s): Teaching Assistantship, English

Application Deadline: March 1, 2009; or until filled

Stipend: $10,000 per academic year, 50% remission of tuition, and in-state tuition for out-of-state students

Date of Appointment: August, 2009

Responsibilities:

  1. Teaching one 3- or 4-credit freshman course in composition each semester, under the supervision of an English department mentor.
  2. New teaching assistants are required to take a 3-credit course in teaching writing at the university level.
  3. Also required is a two-day orientation that precedes the start of fall semester.
  4. Teaching assistants will be evaluated each semester; continuation of their appointment is contingent upon a satisfactory performance.
  5. Appointments are renewable for one year, depending upon satisfactory performance and available funds.

Qualifications Required: A completed bachelor’s degree in English, with a minimum GPA of 3.2, and the ability to work successfully with students, supervisors, and peers. The applicant must be admitted to MSUM’s MFA in Creative Writing Program.

How to Apply: Applications should include a cover letter addressing applicant’s professional and academic background, and ability to teach expository writing; two letters of recommendation that address teaching potential and academic and creative accomplishments (referees for admission to the MFA program may use one letter to address both admission criteria and the qualifications for the TA); and an expository writing sample of up to fifteen pages.
Send application materials to:
Lin Enger
MFA Coordinator
English Dept
Weld Hall
Minnesota State University Moorhead 

Moorhead, MN 56563
218.477.4689

Related Information: Applications to the MFA program should be submitted separately and directed to the Graduate Studies Office, Owens 101, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN 56563.


Applying for a Graduate Assistantship

GA, Fall 2009-Spring 2010 MFA in Creative Writing Program

Pay: $1500/ year. Hours: varies (project-based more than time-clock based; averages 1-5 hours a week)

Duties: The following duties will be divided among 2 or 3 GAs:

  1. Organize readings involving MFA students and faculty, usually at a local coffee shop, but occasionally at other area and regional colleges and universities.
  2. Edit and publish a newsletter for the MFA program once each semester; post the newsletter on the MFA web site. Use the newsletter to publicize events (anything involving MFA students such as thesis readings or coffee house readings, news about or features on visiting writers, students, and/or professors), to introduce new students and profile graduates, to provide useful information (new course offerings, questionnaires about courses that should be offered, etc.), and to feature creative writing from new or graduating students.
  3. Provide assistance as needed to the Glasrud Series and the McGrath Series.
  4. Provide editorial, production, web page, or marketing assistance to New Rivers Press (Alan Davis, Senior Editor, supervisor).
  5. Provide assistance to the Red Weather (campus literary magazine) editors.
  6. Maintain the creative writing section of Weld Library (201), including the MFA student mailboxes and the video tape library. (Work with Bob Schieffer on video taping projects.)
  7. Assist with other projects related to the MFA program.
    NOTE: The GA has acted as the managing editor for Red Weather magazine--working with editing committee chairs on the selection, formatting and copy editing of the final manuscript, helping with publicity, contacting contributors, etc.

How to Apply: Send a one-page letter stating your interest and summarizing your background and qualifications. We’re especially interested in GAs who are organized and self-directed, who have good interpersonal skills, and who can write cleanly with a clear purpose to a particular audience. It’s a plus if you have experience updating and/or designing web sites and/or working with multimedia. If you have questions, contact Lin Enger, MFA Coordinator, at 218.477.4689, enger@mnstate.edu or Weld Hall, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota 56563.