Join in the rich tradition of writers studying their craft outside of formal MFA programs—and use a basic MFA framework while you’re at it.

• The Self-Directed MFA is a four-part framework to help you direct your own study of writing:

  • Craft Studies

  • Annotations

  • Critical Analysis

  • Creative Writing

• The Self-Directed MFA is designed around specific requirements with broad scope—it’s a framework you can use to direct your own course of study.

How The Self-Directed MFA works:

• The Self-Directed MFA does not result in a credential, degree, certificate, or diploma.

• It’s simply a framework to help you structure your own study of the craft of writing.

• The framework is designed on a year-long, quarterly schedule (but you can follow it for as long as it works for you).

• Once a month (thrice per quarter), you’ll compile a writing packet of annotations and creative work. Additionally, you’ll study writing craft texts, watch and/or listen to craft lectures, and write a critical analysis paper.

• Your writing packets can be shared with a writing mentor, or simply set aside to make way for new work.

• The Self-Directed MFA framework and all the details you need to get started are available here, in this free, printable download.

You can do this on your own. But you don’t have to.

• You can use our guide to help you design your own Self-Directed MFA syllabus to plot your own course of study.

• Hire our writing mentors, who can help you take your self-directed study to the next level.

The Self-Directed MFA offers a way to study your craft in a grounded, structured, organized way, so that your creativity might take flight and soar.

 Writer, direct yourself.