The M.F.A. in Writing is a new two-year program with a thesis taking the form of a novel, a sequence of poems or short stories, a play, or a book-length piece of nonfiction.  In the first year, all students in this program take two (2) 3 credit unit Workshop courses, in which they are required to present work in two genres (for example, WRIT 800.3, Short Fiction, and WRIT 801.3, Poetry). Usually in the first year, each student will take an 800-level (or, where approved, a senior level undergraduate) course in another subject: the relevance of this course to the student's writing must be demonstrated and prerequisite requirements satisfied. During the first year, each student will also take part in WRIT 990, The Profession of Writing,and in GSR 960, Introduction to Ethics and Integrity. By the end of the first year, each student will be assigned an approved faculty supervisor, a co-supervisor (an established writer with professional affiliate status may also be assigned). Successful completion of the first year thus entails the completion of 9 credit units of courses, regular participation in WRIT 990, WRIT 994, and GSR 960.

On the fulfilment of the above requirements, students commence the second year of the program. With supervision through the summer, each continuing student will prepare a proposal for the thesis, to be submitted in October of the second year. During the second year, all students in the program will be required to take two more Workshop courses in an additional distinct genres (for example, WRIT 802.3, Nonfiction, and WRIT 803.3, The Novel). Students will continue to participate in WRIT 990. With regular supervision, they will carry out the thesis, WRIT 994. The degree will be completed with the submission and successful defense of the thesis and the submission of all necessary documentation to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.