sfsu creative writing mfa

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15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2024

May 15, 2024

Whether you studied at a top creative writing university or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? If you’re considering an MFA, this article walks you through the best full-time, low residency, and online Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

What are the best Creative Writing MFA programs?

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s start with the basics. What is an MFA, anyway?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications typically require a sample portfolio, usually 10-20 pages (and sometimes up to 30-40) of your best writing. Moreover, you can receive an MFA in a particular genre, such as Fiction or Poetry, or more broadly in Creative Writing. However, if you take the latter approach, you often have the opportunity to specialize in a single genre.

Wondering what actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then, you finish the degree with a thesis project. Thesis projects are typically a body of polished, publishable-quality creative work in your genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Why should I get an MFA in Creative Writing?

You don’t need an MFA to be a writer. Just look at Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison or bestselling novelist Emily St. John Mandel.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons you might still want to get a creative writing MFA. The first is, unfortunately, prestige. An MFA from a top program can help you stand out in a notoriously competitive industry to be published.

The second reason: time. Many MFA programs give you protected writing time, deadlines, and maybe even a (dainty) salary.

Third, an MFA in Creative Writing is a terminal degree. This means that this degree allows you to teach writing at the university level, especially after you publish a book.

Fourth: resources. MFA programs are often staffed by brilliant, award-winning writers; offer lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and teaching positions; and run their own (usually prestigious) literary magazines. Such resources provide you with the knowledge and insight you’ll need to navigate the literary and publishing world on your own post-graduation.

But above all, the biggest reason to pursue an MFA is the community it brings you. You get to meet other writers—and share feedback, advice, and moral support—in relationships that can last for decades.

Types of Creative Writing MFA Programs

Here are the different types of programs to consider, depending on your needs:

Fully-Funded Full-Time Programs

These programs offer full-tuition scholarships and sweeten the deal by actually paying you to attend them.

• Pros: You’re paid to write (and teach).
• Cons: Uprooting your entire life to move somewhere possibly very cold.

Full-Time MFA Programs

These programs include attending in-person classes and paying tuition (though many offer need-based and merit scholarships).

• Pros: Lots of top-notch non-funded programs have more assets to attract world-class faculty and guests.
• Cons: It’s an investment that might not pay itself back.

Low-Residency MFA Programs

Low-residency programs usually meet biannually for short sessions. They also offer one-on-one support throughout the year. These MFAs are more independent, preparing you for what the writing life is actually like.

• Pros: No major life changes required. Cons: Less time dedicated to writing and less time to build relationships.

Online MFA Programs

Held 100% online. These programs have high acceptance rates and no residency requirement. That means zero travel or moving expenses.

• Pros: No major life changes required.
• Cons: These MFAs have less name recognition.

The Top 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs Ranked by Category

The following programs are selected for their balance of high funding, impressive return on investment, stellar faculty, major journal publications , and impressive alums.

FULLY FUNDED MFA PROGRAMS

1) johns hopkins university , mfa in fiction/poetry.

This two-year program offers an incredibly generous funding package: $39,000 teaching fellowships each year. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and the option to apply for a lecture position after graduation. Many grads publish their first book within three years (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Incoming class size: 8 students (4 per genre)
• Admissions rate: 4-8%
• Alumni: Chimamanda Adichie, Jeffrey Blitz, Wes Craven, Louise Erdrich, Porochista Khakpour, Phillis Levin, ZZ Packer, Tom Sleigh, Elizabeth Spires, Rosanna Warren

2) University of Texas, James Michener Center

The only MFA that offers full and equal funding for every writer. It’s three years long, offers a generous yearly stipend of $30k, and provides full tuition plus a health insurance stipend. Fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting concentrations are available. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $4,000 for the summer.

• Location : Austin, TX
• Incoming class size : 12 students
• Acceptance rate: a bone-chilling less-than-1% in fiction; 2-3% in other genres
• Alumni: Fiona McFarlane, Brian McGreevy, Karan Mahajan, Alix Ohlin, Kevin Powers, Lara Prescott, Roger Reeves, Maria Reva, Domenica Ruta, Sam Sax, Joseph Skibell, Dominic Smith

3) University of Iowa

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. All students receive full funding, including tuition, a living stipend, and subsidized health insurance. The Translation MFA , co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years long but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.

• Incoming class size: 25 each for poetry and fiction; 10-12 for nonfiction and translation.
• Acceptance rate: 2.7-3.7%
• Fantastic Alumni: Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, Garth Greenwell, Kiley Reid, Brandon Taylor, Eula Biss, Yiyun Li, Jennifer Croft

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

4) university of michigan.

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

This is a 2-3-year program in either fiction or poetry, with an impressive reputation. They also have a demonstrated commitment to “ push back against the darkness of intolerance and injustice ” and have outreach programs in the community.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Incoming class size: 18 (9 in each genre)
• Acceptance rate: 2%
• Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that only occasionally dips into arctic temperatures. All students are fully funded for 2 years, which includes tuition remission and a $32k yearly stipend. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.

In the Brown Literary Arts MFA, students take only one workshop and one elective per semester. It’s also the only program in the country to feature a Digital/Cross Disciplinary Track.  Fiction and Poetry Tracks are offered as well.

• Location: Providence, RI
• Incoming class size: 12-13
• Acceptance rate: “highly selective”
• Alumni: Edwidge Danticat, Jaimy Gordon, Gayl Jones, Ben Lerner, Joanna Scott, Kevin Young, Ottessa Moshfegh

6) University of Arizona

This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks has many attractive qualities. It’s in “ the lushest desert in the world, ” and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in fact, are encouraged to do so. Plus, Arizona’s dry heat is good for arthritis.

This notoriously supportive program is fully funded. Moreover, teaching assistantships that provide a salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver are offered to all students. Tucson is home to a hopping literary scene, so it’s also possible to volunteer at multiple literary organizations and even do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Incoming class size: usually 6
• Acceptance rate: 1.2% (a refreshingly specific number after Brown’s evasiveness)
• Alumni: Francisco Cantú, Jos Charles, Tony Hoagland, Nancy Mairs, Richard Russo, Richard Siken, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, David Foster Wallace

7) Arizona State University 

With concentrations in fiction and poetry, Arizona State is a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Moreover, it encourages cross-genre study.

Funding-wise, everyone has the option to take on a teaching assistantship position, which provides a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a yearly stipend of $25k. Other opportunities for financial support exist as well.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Incoming class size: 8-10
• Acceptance rate: 3% (sigh)
• Alumni: Tayari Jones, Venita Blackburn, Dorothy Chan, Adrienne Celt, Dana Diehl, Matthew Gavin Frank, Caitlin Horrocks, Allegra Hyde, Hugh Martin, Bonnie Nadzam

FULL-RESIDENCY MFAS (UNFUNDED)

8) new york university.

This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU also has one of the most accomplished faculty lists anywhere. Students have large cohorts (more potential friends!) and have a penchant for winning top literary prizes. Concentrations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction are available.

• Location: New York, NY
• Incoming class size: ~60; 20-30 students accepted for each genre
• Acceptance rate: 6-9%
• Alumni: Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong

9) Columbia University

Another 2-3 year private MFA program with drool-worthy permanent and visiting faculty. Columbia offers courses in fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction. Beyond the Ivy League education, Columbia offers close access to agents, and its students have a high record of bestsellers. Finally, teaching positions and fellowships are available to help offset the high tuition.

• Incoming class size: 110
• Acceptance rate: not publicized (boo)
• Alumni: Alexandra Kleeman, Rachel Kushner, Claudia Rankine, Rick Moody, Sigrid Nunez, Tracy K. Smith, Emma Cline, Adam Wilson, Marie Howe, Mary Jo Bang

10) Sarah Lawrence 

Sarah Lawrence offers a concentration in speculative fiction in addition to the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction choices. Moreover, they encourage cross-genre exploration. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere, and many teaching and funding opportunities are available.

• Location: Bronxville, NY
• Incoming class size: 30-40
• Acceptance rate: not publicized
• Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11) bennington college.

This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer. The rest of the time, you’ll be spending approximately 25 hours per week on reading and writing assignments. Students have the option to concentrate in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Uniquely, they can also opt for a dual-genre focus.

The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available. Additionally, Bennington offers full-immersion teaching fellowships to MFA students, which are extremely rare in low-residency programs.

• Location: Bennington, VT
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Incoming class: 25-35
• Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts

This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres, including screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition, each student is matched with a faculty mentor who works with them one-on-one throughout the semester.

Students attend two eight-day residencies each year, in January and July, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At $12,000 in tuition a year, it boasts being “ one of the most affordable MFA programs in the country .”

• Location: Santa Fe, NM
• Incoming class size : 21
• Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

VCFA is the only graduate school on this list that focuses exclusively on the fine arts. Their MFA in Writing offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; they also offer an MFA in Literary Translation and one of the few MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults . Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, either in-person or online. Here, they receive one-on-one mentorship that continues for the rest of the semester. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.

VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition for the full two-year program is approximately $54k.

• Location : Various; 2024/25 residencies are in Colorado and California
• Incoming class size: 18-25
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Alumnx: Lauren Markham, Mary-Kim Arnold, Cassie Beasley, Kate Beasley, Julie Berry, Bridget Birdsall, Gwenda Bond, Pablo Cartaya

ONLINE MFAS

14) university of texas at el paso.

UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Accordingly, this program is geared toward serious writers who want to pursue teaching and/or publishing. Intensive workshops allow submissions in Spanish and/or English, and genres include poetry and fiction.

No residencies are required, but an optional opportunity to connect in person is available every year. This three-year program costs about $25-30k total, depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.

• Location: El Paso, TX
• Acceptance rate: “highly competitive”
• Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University

This 2-year online, no-residency program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. Featuring a supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and an optional yearly field trip to Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, narrative medicine, and teaching creative writing. Moreover, core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, food/travel writing, and the personal essay. Tuition is approximately $31,000 for the entire program, with scholarships available.

• Location: Longmeadow, MA
• Incoming class size: 20
• Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs — Final Thoughts

Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded, low residency, or completely online MFA program, there are plenty of incredible options available—all of which will sharpen your craft while immersing you in the vibrant literary arts community.

Hoping to prepare for your MFA in advance? You might consider checking out the following:

• Best English Programs
• Best Colleges for Creative Writing
• Writing Summer Programs
• Best Writing Competitions for High School Students

Inspired to start writing? Get your pencil ready:

• 100 Creative Writing Prompts 
• 1 00 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
• 60 Senior Project Ideas
• Common App Essay Prompts

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:

• https://www.pw.org/mfa
• The Creative Writing MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students , by Tom Kealey (A&C Black 2005)
• Graduate School Admissions

Julia Conrad

With a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian from Wesleyan University as well as MFAs in both Nonfiction Writing and Literary Translation from the University of Iowa, Julia is an experienced writer, editor, educator, and a former Fulbright Fellow. Julia’s work has been featured in  The Millions ,  Asymptote , and  The Massachusetts Review , among other publications. To read more of her work, visit  www.juliaconrad.net

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Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to Candidacy at San Francisco State University 

Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) is required of all graduate students pursuing a Master's or Doctoral degree at San Francisco State University (5 CCR § 40510), and marks a significant milestone in your graduate program.  This milestone acknowledges that you have demonstrated competence in graduate studies and are prepared to complete your degree requirements, including your Culminating Experience.

Complete the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form with your graduate advisor the semester you Advance:

• The ATC form acts as a contract between you, your department, and the university. It lists the specific requirements you must complete before your degree can be awarded.
• The ATC form must be approved by Graduate Studies before enrolling in and beginning research for the culminating experience course.
• You can submit the ATC form after completing at least eighteen semester units.
• Forms are submitted the semester prior to enrollment in the Culminating Experience Course and are due every October and April 1st.
• ATC form needs to be filled out in coordination with your program adviser and submitted for final review, approval and signing through the DocuSign ATC Submission Portal.

INSTRUCTIONS ON SUBMISSION

1. Find your program specific ATC form (listed below).

2. Fill out the form accordingly and save the document as a PDF.

3. Navigate to the ATC Submission Portal , here you will be instructed to upload your ATC PDF.

4. Enter the information prompted in the required fields:

• Your name and SFSU email address
• The name and SFSU email address of your  Graduate Program Advisor
• The name and SFSU email address of your  Graduate Program Coordinator or Department Chair  (Find your Graduate Program Coordinator at:  https://grad.sfsu.edu/content/graduate-coordinators )
• (Optional) You can send a completed copy of the form to an additional party of your choosing. Note: Biology students should enter Giovanna Tuccori ( [email protected] ). Creative Writing MA & MFA students should enter Katherine Kwid ( [email protected] ).

5. Click  "Begin Signing"

6. Fill out the top portion of the form and attach the Advancement to Candidacy Form.

• Click the paperclip icon to begin uploading:
• Once all documents are attached, you can scroll down to review the uploaded documents. 

7. Click  “FINISH”  at the top of the page to send the form for Review.

Important: Please only use the ATC Submission Portal link to start the ATC form routing process.   Once you start the routing process, make sure to complete the form in ONE session. 

Upon completion, all parties will receive the finalized copy of the form. Students should review the finalized version in case the form was not approved or comments were added by advisers.

Watch a video on how to submit the ATC (Advancement Candidacy) online now!   https://youtu.be/ujpg4RNUEyo

ATC Requirements

For important details on what may be included on your ATC form visit the  Graduate Studies Bulletin .

ATC Coursework Substitutions

Occasionally, programs are unable to offer a course listed in the Bulletin as acceptable for the degree. When this occurs necessary paperwork must be submitted to amend the ATC form.

If an elective course is not offered or you have enrolled in a different elective after submission of the ATC, an ATC Substitution Form is required.

Core Coursework

However, if a required core course is not offered, a Petition for Waiver of Graduate Program Regulations must be approved prior to enrolling in substituting course and submitted with the ATC form.

Seven Year Limit

Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations requires that a master’s degree shall be completed in no more than seven years. Coursework expires and cannot be used to meet degree requirements after seven years. You can find when your coursework expires here in the Bulletin using our timeline to  Degree Completion Table .

Download/view the ATC Forms:

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• Telephone: (415) 338-2234

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Creative Writing

College of liberal & creative arts.

Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo

Department of Creative Writing

Humanities Building, Room 573 Phone: (415) 338-1891 Email: [email protected] Website: http://creativewriting.sfsu.edu

Chair: Andrew Joron Undergraduate and Graduate Advisors: Carter, Caspers, Chai, Chernoff, Conboy, De Robertis, Hoover, Joron, Mirosevich, Tigay

Program Scope

The Department of Creative Writing offers undergraduate and graduate programs. The three degree programs emphasize the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry. The core literature classes assure that students will continue to absorb and be trained in a study of the best literature of the past. In Creative Writing classes, students work with an active, publishing faculty. They learn by vigorous practice; by focused studies of craft; and by extensive reading, analysis, and discussion of their work, as well as that of published authors.

The undergraduate major combines the study of literature from a variety of departments, including English, Comparative World Literature, Ethnic Studies, and Women and Gender Studies, with the experiential needs of the writing student. Students who enter this program should do so only under the strongly held assumption that they have abilities as writers that may be fostered and trained by such a discipline as is described here. It is hoped that this combined program of writing and literature will lead students to a cohesive study and discipline that combines breadth with intensity.

Accordingly, some greater latitude of choice in literature courses is allowed in the creative writing major. Ample guidance of the creative writing advisors helps ensure that students will not be deprived of a sense of the history of literature.

The two graduate programs differ in scope. Both programs are distinguished by innovative classes. Both include seminars, opportunities for community projects, and a thesis. Students may apply for admission to either the Master of Arts in Creative Writing (30 units) or the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (54 units). In no case will a student be admitted to both programs simultaneously.

The Master of Arts in Creative Writing serves a double purpose: to provide the help of a faculty of professional writers and critics in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer and as a teacher of creative writing/composition.

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is regarded as the terminal degree in the field. The M.F.A. in Creative Writing offers extended experience in small seminars and individual instruction with faculty. It also develops the student's understanding of the history and theory of literature and incorporates correlative patterns of study in elective areas such as other cultures, other arts, technical studies, and/or the teaching of writing.

The Creative Writing Department has a strong core faculty and invites visiting renowned authors to campus every semester through Writers on Writing and the Marcus Fund for Excellence in Creative Writing guest series, curated by the Marcus Endowed faculty.

Career Outlook

The career goal is to inspire, train, and encourage writers of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, plays, and poetry. Many celebrated and distinguished writers are graduates of the department. In the job market, good writers with the ability to use language creatively, craft a story, and think critically and creatively are hard to find. The skills developed in creative writing translate well into non-profit/corporate writing and editing; publishing; teaching; and working for arts organizations.  Start-up companies in the Bay Area appreciate applicants and employees who have studied poetry, fiction, playwriting and creative nonfiction as well as those who have skills and experience in translation.

Michelle Carter (1988), Professor in Creative Writing . M.A. Stanford University.

Nona Caspers (2002), Professor in Creative Writing . M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Paul Hoover (1999), Professor in Creative Writing . M.A. University of Illinois.

Associate Professor

May-Lee Chai (2018), Associate Professor in Creative Writing . M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Carolina De Robertis (2016), Associate Professor in Creative Writing . M.F.A. Mills College.

Andrew Joron (2014), Associate Professor in Creative Writing . B.A. University of California at Berkeley.

Chanan Tigay (2012), Associate Professor in Creative Writing . M.F.A. Columbia University.

Assistant Professor

Joseph Cassara (2020), Assistant Professor in Creative Writing . M.F.A. Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Tonya M. Foster (2021), Assistant Professor in Creative Writing . Ph.D. Graduate Center, City University of New York.

Michael David Lukas (2018), Assistant Professor in Creative Writing . M.F.A. University of Maryland.

Dodie Bellamy (2000), Lecturer in Creative Writing . M.S. Indiana University, Bloomington.

Matthew Clark Davison (2003), Lecturer in Creative Writing . M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Donna De La Perriere (2004), Lecturer in Creative Writing . M.F.A. Brown University.

Junse Kim (2009), Lecturer in Creative Writing . M.F.A. Goddard College.

Truong Tran (2004), Lecturer in Creative Writing . M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

• Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
• Minor in Creative Writing
• Master of Arts in Creative Writing
• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

C W 101 Introduction to Creative Writing (Units: 3)

The creative writing process. Exercises in writing poetry, fiction, and dramatic scripts. Selected readings of exemplary stories, poems, and plays. Open to all students.

• E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019

C W 300 Welcome to Creative Writing: Developing a Writing Practice in Community and Navigating the Degree (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to Creative Writing majors.

C W 301 Fundamentals of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; ENG 114 or equivalent; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

C W 302 Fundamentals of Creative Reading (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area A2; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

C W 467 On the Cultural Frontlines: Contemporary Trends in Israeli Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2.

C W 497 Modern Greek Literature (Units: 3)

Introduction to Greece's major modernist and postmodernist writers. Exploration of experimental writing techniques using 20th Century literature. (This course is offered as MGS 497 and C W 497 . Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

C W 501 Graphic Memoir and Biography (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 216 or ENG 218 or equivalent.

C W 506 The Business of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 806 : Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor. Prerequisites for C W 506 : Restricted to Creative Writing majors and minors; upper-division standing; C W 101 or C W 301 with a grade of C or better; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

C W 507 Writing on the Body (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; C W 101 or C W 301 .

C W 510 The Creative Process (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors and minors; C W 101 or C W 301 with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.

• The Short-Short Story
• American Poetics
• Nature Poetry
• Beat Poets in the American Poetry Archive
• Characterization
• Investigating Voice
• Personal Narrative
• Introduction to Narrative
• Rhythms of Poetry
• Style in Fiction
• The Poetics of Place
• Speculative Fiction
• The Researched Creative Essay
• Geography in Narrative
• Reimagining Narratives
• Lit of Contempt Hatred Obsessn Narrative Catalysts
• California Fiction: Landscape as Literature

C W 511GW Craft of Poetry - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area A2; C W 301 or equivalent.

• Graduation Writing Assessment

C W 512GW Craft of Fiction - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors and minors; GE Area A2; C W 301 or equivalent.

C W 513GW Craft of Playwriting - GWAR (Units: 3)

C W 514 Contemporary World Poetry (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 814 : Graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor. Prerequisites for C W 514 : Upper-division Creative Writing majors; C W 301 or C W 101 with a grade of C or better; GPA of 3.0 or higher; permission of the instructor. Non-Creative Writing majors permitted with the permission of the instructor.

C W 520 Writers on Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 820 : Graduate standing or permission of the instructor. Prerequisite for C W 520 : Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

C W 550 Poetry Center Workshop (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 850 : Graduate standing or permission of the instructor. Prerequisite for C W 550 : Upper-division standing; GE Area A2; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

C W 600 Special Topics in Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 301 or C W 101 with a grade of C or better; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

• The Uses of Personal Experience
• Journal Writing as a Source for Creative Writing
• Women's Workshop

C W 601 Work in Progress (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to senior Creative Writing majors.

C W 602 Playwriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 301 and C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW ; or permission of the instructor.

C W 603 Short Story Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing and English Education majors; C W 301 ; C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW ; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

C W 604 Poetry Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 301 and C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW .

C W 605 Writing and Performing Monologues (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing, English Education, and Theatre Arts majors; TH A 130 . For C W majors: C W 301 ; C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW .

C W 606 Art of Revision: from Draft to Manuscript (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: C W 101 or C W 301 ; C W 302 ; C W 512GW or C W 603 .

C W 609 Directed Writing for B.A. Students (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors and permission of the instructor.

C W 640 Transfer Literary Magazine (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to English (Creative Writing) majors; C W 301 or permission of the instructor.

C W 659 Practicum in Teaching (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; C W 101 or C W 301 ; C W 302 *; C W 511GW * or C W 512GW * or C W 513GW *. Required for undergraduates serving as Creative Writing Graduate Instructional Aides.

C W 675 Community Projects in Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 875 : Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor. Prerequisites for C W 675 : Restricted to Creative Writing majors; upper-division standing; C W 301 or C W 101 with a grade of C or better; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

C W 685 Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Advanced undergraduate standing in Creative Writing and approval of the chair; a grade of C or better in course in which student will be aide.

C W 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

C W 785 Graduate Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Creative Writing; a grade of B or better in the course or its equivalent in which the student will be an aide; permission of the instructor.

C W 803 Advanced Short Story Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Creative Writing or permission of the instructor.

C W 804 Advanced Poetry Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

C W 806 The Business of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

C W 807 Developing the Novel (Units: 3)

C W 808 Novel Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Creative Writing; C W 807 ; or permission of the instructor.

C W 809 Directed Writing for Graduate Students (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor. Apply to instructor during the semester prior to desired enrollment.

C W 810 Seminar in the Creative Process (Units: 3)

• Nonfiction: Moral Issues
• Oral Poetics
• The Novella
• What the Body Knows
• Uses of Time in Narrative
• Building Characters
• New York School Poetry
• Documentary Poetics
• The Mask: Persona Poem
• The Poetics of Extremity
• Poetry of Trauma
• Law in Literature
• Art of Narrative
• Plays: Reading/Viewing
• Craft of Poetry
• Prose Writers in the Archives
• Contemporary Non-fiction
• Visions of Childhood
• Experimental Fiction
• The Prose Poem
• Autobiography
• Centering on Language
• Mad Girls Bad Girls:Transgressive Writing by Women
• Writing as Translation
• Contemporary World Fiction
• Border Crossing Narratives
• History, Trauma, and the Unreal
• Working Cross-Genre

C W 814 Contemporary World Poetry (Units: 3)

C W 820 Writers on Writing (Units: 3)

C W 825 Playwright's Theatre Workshop (Units: 3)

C W 840 Fourteen Hills Literary Magazine (Units: 3)

C W 850 Poetry Center Workshop (Units: 3)

C W 852 Workshop in Creative Nonfiction (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

C W 853 M.F.A. Workshop in Fiction (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

C W 854 Workshop in Poetry (Units: 3)

C W 855 Workshop in Playwriting (Units: 3)

C W 859 Practicum in Teaching (Units: 3)

C W 860 Teaching Creative Writing (Units: 3)

C W 866 Craft of Translation (Units: 3)

C W 867 Theory of Translation (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students with a working knowledge of a language other than English.

C W 875 Community Projects in Literature (Units: 3)

C W 880 M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Fiction (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate M.F.A. in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

• The Poetics of Narrative
• The Art of Subtext in Fiction
• The Art of Short Fiction
• Discovery and Development
• Writing in its Public Context
• Individual Vision: Fiction
• The Displaced Person
• Writing into Dailyness
• The Real Thing
• Creative Nonfiction
• Earning Dramatic Emtn: Fulfilling Intent Narr Tech
• Risk & Reward:Pushing Ourselves in Fiction Writing
• Voices within Voices: Interiority and Polyphony
• Vampires, Androids, and Detectives

C W 881 M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Poetry (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to MFA in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

• Contemporary US Poets & History
• Imagining the Book
• Open Work: The Long Poem
• Poetics of Indeterminacy
• Individual Vision: Poetry
• Literary Mapping: Mixed-Genre Place-Based Literatu
• Kinship and Community
• Translate and Transpose
• Poets and Their Thinkers
• Poetry Machines
• Poetics of Listening
• Poems From Nature
• The Lyric Documentary

C W 882 M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Playwriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

• Architectonics of Plays
• Contemporary American Playwrights
• Adapting for the Stage
• Plays and Politics
• Playwrights' Virtual Theater Workshop
• The Comedic Play

C W 893MA Written M.A. Creative Project (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and major adviser; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) for the Master of Arts in English: Creative Writing and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

C W 893MFA Written M.F.A. Creative Work (Units: 6)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and major adviser; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) for the Master of Fine Arts and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

C W 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)