First in the State of Alaska
The English Department at UAF is the largest department in the UAF College of Liberal
Arts and the first to have been established in the State of Alaska. We offer an undergraduate major and three minor programs in English. We also offer three graduate programs: the MFA in Creative Writing, the MA in English, and the combined MFA/MA degree.
Our curriculum includes a wide variety of general education courses in writing and
literature.
Learn more about our faculty of active engaged scholars. See who's coming to town for the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series. Discover our student-run literary journals: Ice Box and Permafrost. There's so much happening in the English Department at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks. Thanks for visiting, and please reach out with any questions!
You can support our programming by donating to the English General Fund or Foundation accounts. To discuss how your gift can best support our programming needs, please contact Department Chair Chris Coffman.
The English major and minor programs prepare students for lives of reading, writing and teaching. Students are encouraged to engage with our energetic faculty, take ownership of their curriculum, and collaborate with their literary peers.
The MFA in Creative Writing offers tracks in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
The MA in English features coursework in World Literatures, literary theory, and composition pedagogy.
The MFA/MA program combines curricula in creative writing and literary analysis.
What's the perfect English class for you? We offer courses in literary theory, English grammar, world literature, Native American and Alaska Native literatures, and all forms of creative writing. If it's been written or filmed, we study it. Read more about our course offerings in the UAF course catalog.
Department of English Contact Information
Email: uaf-english-dept@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7193
Fax: 907-474-5247
Physical address:
1747 South Chandalar Drive
Gruening Building, Room 850
Fairbanks, AK 99775
(for FedEx and UPS deliveries)**
Mailing address:
UAF Department of English
PO Box 755720
Fairbanks, AK 99775
(for USPS deliveries)**
Sarah Stanley
Director of Composition; Associate Professor
Office: Gruening Building, Room 864
Email: sstanley2@alaska.edu
Gwen Retterer
Office: Gruening Building, Room 859
Email: uaf-english-dept@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7193
At times, navigating your way through college can be tricky. Throughout your academic
journey, you’ll need guidance from different advisors to stay on the path to success.
Visit our advising page to ensure you're reaching out to the right advisor at each stage of your journey.
Here is a brief outline of some of the different types of advising available to you.
UAF Academic Advising Center (First-Year Students: 0–30 credits)
Designed for first-year students, this service helps you lay a strong academic foundation,
equipping you with the resources and guidance needed to succeed in your degree program.
CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advising (Students with 30+ credits)
Once you’ve completed 30 credits, you’ll work with one of our CLA undergraduate advisors
for help with registration, petitions, major changes, and navigating college-related
questions.
CLA Undergraduate Department/Program Advising (Declared Majors/Minors)
In addition to your CLA undergraduate comprehensive advising, once you’ve declared
a major or minor, faculty advisors within your department supplement specialized guidance,
helping with upper-division-level course selection within the major, internships,
practicums, and capstone projects.
CLA Graduate Advising
Graduate students do not meet with CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advisors. Graduate
students will appoint an advisory committee. The graduate advisory committee guides
the student in developing and completing their degree program. CLA has designated
department graduate coordinators who will guide you through this process.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Advising is also available for students who are not pursuing a degree but just want
to take a class and want help with course selection and academic planning. This happens
through UAF Admissions.
Please visit our advising page for more information and contact details.