Description
The master’s degree option in Literary Nonfiction offers a unique blend of learning experiences in literary writing. The program is for those who seek to:

• Advance their careers in literary journalism, feature writing, book-length nonfiction, and other forms of literary nonfiction.
• Hone professional writing skills in an environment that encourages trust, risk-taking, and innovative approaches to writing.
• Learn from award-winning professionals who give hands-on guidance.
• Focus on writing publishable books.
• Read and analyze significant works of literary nonfiction.

The program offers the intensive, practical study that poets and fiction writers have traditionally found in Graduate school, but that has not been widely available for nonfiction writers. For more information about the program, visit http://lnf.uoregon.edu/

Course Requirements   
The Literary Nonfiction option offers an innovative graduate curriculum for students with previous professional writing experience.  Students electing this option must earn at least 46 graduate credits (24 of which must be graded) and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.  Courses that do not carry graduate credit (400-level and lower) are not considered in determining the graduate GPA.  Students typically take six terms to complete the program, which consists of:

1. Two intensive writing seminars (J635 Literary Nonfiction I, J636 Literary Nonfiction II) that focus on conceptualization, structuring and writing nonfiction in a workshop setting.
2. Mass Communication & Society (J611) and Introduction to the Faculty (J625).
3. Literature of Literary Journalism (J631), an exploration of the literary and ethical issues related to the genre of literary journalism or creative nonfiction.
4. At least three “Writing about...” courses (J633), three-credit workshops taught by visiting instructors.
5. One 600-level conceptual course selected from a short list.  The student and faculty adviser will select from a list of appropriate courses such as Communication Ethics or Philosophy of Communication. A 500-level conceptual course may be considered for this requirement by petition to the Graduate Affairs Committee.
6. Writing the Nonfiction Book (J638), a seminar that deals with the publishing industry, agents, contracts, and creating a meaningful book proposal.
7. Non-SOJC electives. Students work with their adviser to identify relevant courses in other units of the University.
8. Terminal Project. The project (J609) is a work of creative nonfiction that is noteworthy for its substance and artistic quality.  The topic is approved by an adviser before work begins.  A faculty committee oversees the project.
9. The Graduate School requires that all master’s candidates complete a minimum of 30 credits (24 of which must be graded) over two or more terms at the Eugene campus, and that all work for the master’s degree be completed within seven years.

You must have at least 46 graduate (500 or 600 level) credits (at least 24 graded) with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.

First Year:
  --J625 Introduction to the Faculty (1) Fall quarter
  --J611 Mass Communication and Society (4) Fall quarter
  --J631 Literature of Literary Journalism (4)
  --J635 Literary Nonfiction I (6)
  --J636 Literary Nonfiction II (6)

Further Requirements:
  --J638 Writing the Nonfiction Book (1-4)

At least three J633 Writing About… courses
  --J633  Writing About…(3)
  --J633 Writing About… (3)
  --J633 Writing About… (3)

At least 6 graduate credits outside SOJC
   --5/600
   --5/600
   --5/600

SOJC Electives:
   --J609 Terminal Project (minimum 6 credits)
   --J600 (At least one 600-level conceptual course)
   --J5/600
   --J5/600

Terminal Project Checklist – Should be completed in order

• Adviser selected           
• Committee selected
• Project proposal approved and completed, and filed with SOJC
• Human Subjects Research Compliance Approval (if needed)
• Enrolled for at least 3 graduate credits during graduating term
• Foreign language requirement completed (MA students only)
• Applied for graduation on Grad Web by second week of term in which you plan to graduate
• Oral defense completed
• One copy of terminal project submitted to SOJC printed on bond paper and unbound

  Literary Nonfiction Master’s Flow Chart

• Admission

• Coursework

The bulk of students’ coursework is ideally completed during their first year of graduate study and finished during the second year.  Students are required to complete some courses during their first year, and some courses are only offered during certain terms.

• Choose adviser/chair, thesis/project committee and write thesis/project Proposal
  

This step is ideally completed during fall quarter of students’ second year of graduate study.  Proposals for a thesis or project must be in writing and
approved by adviser and committee.

• Thesis/project research and writing

Students usually take 2-3 terms to complete this step, ideally during their second year of graduate study.  Students should register for J503 or J609 while working on their thesis or project.

• Thesis/project oral defense

Students complete this step during the term they graduate.  They must be registered for three graduate credits during this term, one of which should be J503 or J609.

• Diploma