This course is designed to familiarize first-semester MFA students with the curriculum and processes of the MFA program and to help them begin to map out their course of study and creative goals. Students will discuss several essays on the art and process of creative writing. They will also learn about how the publishing industry for creative writing works and be encouraged to set goals for publication. They will receive instruction in the core characteristics of strong writing across the genres. They will learn about the art of revision and be given instruction in how a creative writing workshop functions. They will be given a writing prompt with which to generate a piece for the practice workshop that will follow this class.