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Master’s Concentration

Professional Poetry Writing: Master’s Degree

Refine your passion for writing poetry, ground that passion in the evolving creative tradition, and build connections within the writing community. You will have the support you need to develop a writing practice that is both focused and flexible enough to sustain you on the journey to publication. Gain the skills needed to craft poetry that expresses your deepest insights in ways that move your audience.

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At a Glance

Classes Begin
April 1

Term Length
10 Weeks

Master's Degree
Tuition
$38,688

Format
Asynchronous and Hybrid Online

Admission
No GRE or GMAT
Duration
As few as 18 months

Top-Ranked University

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Brian Cicero

Talk to an Enrollment Manager

Free Application

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University College is committed to educational access, and given the difficult circumstances currently impacting millions of people, we are waiving application fees.

Skills You’ll Learn

Identify and analyze key elements of poetry
Produce poetry writing using knowledge of poetic fundamentals
Develop a professional presence in the poetry world

Curriculum

Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing with a concentration in Professional Poetry Writing requires completion of 48 credit hours (12 courses).

All students are required to complete a zero-credit
Student Success Course.

5

Core Courses

4

Concentration Courses

3

Elective Courses

Core Courses

Learn the scope of activity, historical development, and future direction of the industry. These courses provide a foundation that you'll draw on throughout your concentration and elective courses. The capstone serves as the culminating academic experience in which you'll explore a problem of practice in your field of study.

PWRI 4500 The Writing Life: Concepts, Practices, and Professionalism
PWRI 4510 Literary Genres for Writers
PWRI 4520 The Writers Workshop
PWRI 4917 Market Research for Writers
PWRI 4001 Portfolio Foundations
PWRI 4901 Professional Creative Writing Capstone Project
OR  
PWRI 4920 Portfolio Capstone

 

 

Concentration Courses

Focus on a specific professional area within the larger industry sector and master the skills needed to excel in that area.

PWRI 4200 Masterworks: Poetry
PWRI 4210 Writing Poetry: Foundational Concepts, Skills, and Practice
PWRI 4220 Writing Traditional Verse and Contemporary Song Lyrics
PWRI 4230 Writing Improvisational Verse and Prose Poetry
Elective Courses

Elective courses may be chosen from among non core and concentration courses in the Professional Creative Writing program, and you may also select courses in other University College graduate programs.

Your academic advisor will help you select electives that align with your career and personal goals.

Featured Instructors

Sample Schedule

Plan out your schedule and determine your preferred timeline for completing your master's degree—finish in as few as 18 months or take up to five years.

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Interested in a graduate certificate?

Explore our four and six course graduate certificates in Professional Poetry Writing.

Take a Course Before You Apply

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We know how important it is to get started when you’re ready and that’s why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.

Career Outcomes

Predicted outcomes for graduates of Professional Poetry Writing

New revenue sources are on the rise for poets, as spoken word poetry and online poetry blogs continue to surge in popularity.
Writers and authors who adjust their work for online content and social media should have an advantage.

Job Titles

Poet
Writer
Editor
Song Writer
Libretto Writer
Teacher Copywriter
Teacher
Marketer

Writer and Author Salary: National Average

$61,820

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Get Ahead with Career Services

One-on-one career coaching and mock interviews

Job database dedicated to DU students and alumni

Résumé and cover letter guidance

Hear from Our Students

Theme: Job Satisfaction

Professional Creative Writing

“The writing assignments at that level really helped elevate my writing. It made me more keenly aware of the editing process as well as some more practical purposes.” —Bobby LeFebre, graduate.

Flexible Online Classes

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We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.

Online Experience5

Accreditation

 


Higher Learning Commission

University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.

Take the Next Step

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