Northwestern's School of Continuing Studies offers two graduate degrees for students of creative writing: the Master of Arts in Creative Writing (MA) and the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA). Students in both programs work closely with faculty through workshops and individual mentoring. As part-time degree programs with committed, established faculty, the MA and MFA curricula offer the best features of residential and low-residency programs. The creative writing programs provide students with artistic nurturing in a community of writers, both faculty and peers; exposure to the aesthetics of writing; and participatory readings and events - all within a flexible curriculum. Students focus on fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry in a workshop environment. They work closely with the program's faculty, who help them recognize and address the strengths and weaknesses in their writing. While an advanced creative writing degree helps distinguish students as capable writers, the creative writing programs also offer the opportunity to teach and gain experience in the publishing industry through optional internships. Some graduates go on to become successful published writers, others to pursue careers in publishing and editing, and still others to teach creative writing.