creative writing programs orlando

Florida State University

FSU | The English Department

The English Department

Creative writing.

Consistently ranked among the top writing programs in the country, Florida State University’s Creative Writing Program has an internationally recognized reputation of excellence. Among our faculty are winners of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, and the National Poetry Series. Our faculty is not only dedicated to the craft of their own writing, but is also widely known for strong mentorship and committed teaching.

Our students are respected as some of the strongest emerging and established voices in writing today, frequently going on to meaningful careers in academia, and publishing their work with some of the most respected presses in the country. Located in the heart of Tallahassee, a capital city with Southern charm, our program offers a thriving community to all writers who are looking to strengthen their craft while building life-long relationships in writing.

For questions about the Creative Writing Program, and/or graduate admissions, please e-mail  [email protected] . 

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English Department

405 Williams Building Tallahassee,

Florida 32306-1580

Phone: (850) 644-4230

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[email protected]

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2024 Best Creative Writing Schools in Florida

College Factual looked at 6 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Creative Writing Schools in Florida ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 109 degrees in creative writing to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

• Best Overall Creative Writing Schools List

Choosing a Great Creative Writing School

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Creative Writing Rankings by Degree Level

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings , including this Best Creative Writing Schools in Florida list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state .

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology .

Featured Creative Writing Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

BA in Creative Writing & English

Develop your creativity and gain practical skills with a creative writing degree program –featuring 100% online classes – through a bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

MFA in Creative Writing - Online

Embrace your passion for storytelling and learn the professional writing skills you'll need to succeed with our online MFA in Creative Writing. Write your novel or short story collection while earning a certificate in the Online Teaching of Writing or Professional Writing, with no residency requirement.

MA in English & Creative Writing

Refine your writing skills and take a step toward furthering your career with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.

Best Schools for Creative Writing in Florida

The schools below may not offer all types of creative writing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

Top Florida Schools in Creative Writing

University of South Florida - Main Campus is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in creative writing. Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 6 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available.

University of Central Florida is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #193 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 13 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent year we have data available.

University of Florida is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in creative writing. UF is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year.

Florida State University is a good choice for students interested in a degree in creative writing. Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee. A Best Colleges rank of #121 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 7 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

Located in the small city of Boca Raton, FAU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 9 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at FAU in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the large city of Tampa, UT is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 26th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida. More information about a degree in creative writing from The University of Tampa

Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #183 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means FIU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 9 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent year we have data available.

Stetson is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of DeLand. This university ranks 38th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 3 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Stetson in the most recent data year.

Related Programs

Learn about other programs related to Creative Writing that might interest you.

Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction

Harness your passion for storytelling with SNHU's Mountainview Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction. In this small, two-year creative writing program, students work one-on-one with our distinguished faculty remotely for most of the semester but convene for weeklong intensive residencies in June and January. At residencies, students critique each other's work face-to-face, meet with major authors, agents and editors and learn how to teach at the college level.

Best Creative Writing Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Creative Writing Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

Other Rankings

Master's degrees in creative writing.

View All Rankings >

Rankings in Majors Related to Creative Writing

One of 4 majors within the Writing Studies area of study, Creative Writing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Creative Writing

View All Creative Writing Related Majors >

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO .

More about our data sources and methodologies .

Popular Reports

Compare your school options.

Creative Writing Graduate Programs in Florida

1-11 of 11 results

Liberal Arts and Sciences - University of Florida

• Gainesville, FL ·
• University of Florida ·
• Graduate School
• · Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Blue checkmark.

University of Florida ,

Graduate School ,

GAINESVILLE, FL ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Overall, the University of Florida seems to be a great school as far as rankings and attendance rates go. Despite the political turmoil going on in the state of Florida, there seems to be a... .

Read 1 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - University of Miami

• Coral Gables, FL ·
• University of Miami ·
• · Rating 4.67 out of 5   6 reviews

University of Miami ,

CORAL GABLES, FL ,

6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am in graduate school and needed something online but also wanted something that was going to challenge me and provide me with a step further than my undergrad school provided. I compared many MPA... .

Read 6 reviews.

Florida State University - The College of Arts and Sciences

• Tallahassee, FL ·
• Florida State University ·

Florida State University ,

TALLAHASSEE, FL ,

College of Arts and Sciences - American University

• American University ·
• Graduate School ·
• WASHINGTON, DC

Emerson College

• · Rating 4.73 out of 5   63

Palm Beach Atlantic University MacArthur School of Leadership

• Palm Beach Atlantic University ·
• WEST PALM BEACH, FL
• · Rating 5 out of 5   2

University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences

• Tampa, FL ·
• University of South Florida ·
• · Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

University of South Florida ,

TAMPA, FL ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I earned my Early Childhood Education degree from USF in 2002. I was enrolled in an education program with a cohort, full-time. The professors were knowledgeable and caring, and my classmates were... .

Read 5 reviews.

College of Arts and Humanities - University of Central Florida

• Orlando, FL ·
• University of Central Florida ·

University of Central Florida ,

ORLANDO, FL ,

Stetson University College of Arts and Sciences

• Deland, FL ·
• Stetson University ·

Stetson University ,

DELAND, FL ,

• Find college scholarships

College of Arts and Letters - University of Tampa

• University of Tampa ·

University of Tampa ,

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

• Boca Raton, FL ·
• Florida Atlantic University ·
• · Rating 4.5 out of 5   4 reviews

Florida Atlantic University ,

BOCA RATON, FL ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The accelerated nursing program is tough but doable. Once you’ve already experienced college and managing your time and skills, then this should come easy to you if you’re willing and focused. The... .

Read 4 reviews.

Full Sail University

• Winter Park, FL ·
• · Rating 4.75 out of 5   194 reviews

WINTER PARK, FL ,

194 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I can say that if you plan on going to Full Sail University, make sure that you’re there with the drive to get into your desired industry. Even though the courses are very informative, you would also... .

Read 194 reviews.

College of Education & Social Services - Saint Leo University

• Saint Leo, FL ·
• Saint Leo University ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews

Saint Leo University ,

SAINT LEO, FL ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I’m currently enrolled in the two year cohort social work program. Classes haven’t started yet but I was able to meet with a lot of staff before classes start. They have been helpful and are eager to... .

Read 3 reviews.

College of Communication, Architecture and The Arts - Florida International University

• Miami, FL ·
• Florida International University ·

Florida International University ,

MIAMI, FL ,

Palm Beach Atlantic University Graduate School of Ministry

• · Rating 4.5 out of 5   2

Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences

• · Rating 4 out of 5   2

Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

• NORTH MIAMI, FL
• · Rating 5 out of 5   1

Showing results 1 through 11 of 11

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Master of Fine Arts – MFA in Writing

Master of fine arts - mfa in writing.

Email School of Writing

Welcome to Spalding’s flagship graduate writing program.

Our low-residency MFA in Writing program is a nationally recognized leader in graduate writing education. Founded in 2001, it’s one of the oldest and best-regarded programs of its kind. But the Spalding MFA is more than an outstanding creative writing education in a noncompetitive, supportive literary community. For our students, alums and faculty, it’s home. As the flagship program of the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing, it’s also sister to three additional low-residency programs: the 35-credit Master of Arts in Writing (MAW), 15-credit graduate certificate in writing , and the post-master’s certificate .

At a substantial 65 credits, the MFA program creates space for creative writers to thrive. Over four semesters plus a graduation residency, students write prolifically in their own area of concentration, explore across genres, examine the interrelatedness of the arts, gain editorial experience on a literary journal, learn about career options with our virtual Business of Writing Seminars and complete a creative thesis — all while becoming part of a lasting community.

Each semester begins with a week-long residency . Whether you attend virtual or on-campus residencies or a mix of both over the course of your studies, you’ll find that residency days are filled with learning opportunities: workshops led by our actively publishing and producing faculty members, genre-specific and cross-genre lectures, panel discussions, readings and more. At on-campus residencies, you’ll discover Louisville’s downtown arts scene and stay in the four-star Brown Hotel. At virtual residencies, you’ll engage with the same immersive curriculum as you would on campus, taught live in real time by the same outstanding faculty. MFA students can opt to spend a residency in a teaching seminar, a book-length manuscript workshop or a workshop in translation, adaptation or another creative writing genre.

Explore our literary journal and catch up with the latest faculty news at Good River Review!

Back at home, a one-on-one mentored independent study course rounds out the semester. During independent study, you’ll exchange five full packets of material with your mentor. That’s more writing and more expert feedback than most other programs can offer. Students produce a creative thesis; playwriting students also develop their creative thesis with a professional theater company. Students can take an entire semester in another area and still graduate on time.

Every writer has work or family obligations. While you could push aside those commitments for a couple of years of grad school, you can’t keep life at bay forever. Much better to build a sustainable writing practice into your daily life. Our low-residency model teaches you to do just that — and to make it easier, we offer flexibility in scheduling your weekly workload and charting your course of study. For added inspiration, we also offer students and alumni the option of enrichment travel.

We accept transfer credit from other MFA programs. Students with a published book or produced script may apply for acceleration .

We invite you to explore our program , meet alumni and learn why Spalding is the choice for serious writers . Then, we invite you to apply .

“I have SUCH fond memories of my time at Spalding. The faculty was smart and engaged. The students were diverse and eager — and thoughtful. The conversations we had made me remember again why I do the work I do. The vibe was like family. I felt SO at home there, I have to say. All these years later, it really stays with me.”

– Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming , winner of the National Book Award, Newbery Honor Medal and Coretta Scott King Award

Concentrations

• Creative Nonfiction
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting
• Writing for Children & Young Adults

Am I Too Old to Get an MFA?

Recent Faculty Publications

• Spring: May 25 – June 1, 2024
• Summer (virtual): June 22 – 29, 2024
• Fall: November 9 – 16, 2024
• Named a top 10 low residency MFA program by Poets & Writers .
• March 1: application deadline for spring semester, starting in May with residency on campus
• April 1: application deadline for summer semester, starting in June with a virtual residency
• August 1: Application deadline for fall semester, starting in November with residency on campus
• MFA alumni have garnered top national honors while publishing and producing more than 500 books, plays and films. To read about alumni successes, click on the concentrations listed above.
• Recent visiting writers include Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Natasha Trethewey, Kiki Petrosino, Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, Randy Ribay, Kevin Willmott, Sheila Callaghan, Ann Patchett, Tim O’Brien, Terese Marie Mailhot, Pico Iyer, Doug Wright, John Patrick Shanley and more.
• Tuition is affordable , and financial aid is available.
• We are members of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs , SCBWI and the Playwrights’ Center .
• Spalding is the world’s first certified Compassionate University.
• We welcome veterans.
• You can get to know our faculty and directors on our blog .

For more information, email [email protected] .

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ArtReach Orlando Programs

ArtReach Orlando is committed to opening doors of discovery through art by bringing free arts programming to youth and communities in Orange County, Florida. We operate from a community-based model and strive to develop lasting relationships with the youth and communities we work in. This work is designed to engage young people, invite them to feel ownership and agency as young artists, and most importantly, create a safe and enriching place for them to learn and develop with their peers. 

All ArtReach Orlando Programs:

• Build artistic, problem solving, and expressive skills.
• Strengthen youth identity.
• Develop community.
• Ensure youth are engaged in safe and healthy spaces.
• Focus on positive relationship-building.
• Are asset-based and help youth to build upon their inherent strengths and talents.
• Are youth-driven, responsive, and honor student voice.
• Focus on the creative process, rather than the final product, to enable youth to engage at their own level.  
• Use approaches and outcomes that are holistic, recognizing a range of youth needs and often integrating with other service providers to create a coordinated community response to those needs.

OCA In-School Residency

Creative u: arts for empowerment.

This program fosters social-emotional learning for students in grades pre-K- 12 at the Orange County Academy in Bithlo through a visual art program, field trips, community exhibitions, and summer enrichment. 

In partnership with Orlando Family Stage , this afterschool program for middle school students in Pine Hills incorporates visual art, dramatic arts, and creative writing to explore identity, empowerment, and social issues.

Artists In WonderCamp

Art-ivist: where art meets activism.

A spring break and summer art program held in ArtReach’s Community Classroom in Parramore designed to introduce elementary and middle school students to contemporary art through inquiry-based learning, hands-on studio art experiences, and mindfulness.

  In partnership with Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka, this summer camp and afterschool program engages middle school students in visual art and creative writing to explore the ways creativity relates to community and leadership. 

Artists In WonderStudio

An eight-week art class series held in ArtReach’s Community Classroom in Parramore designed to introduce elementary and middle school students to contemporary art through inquiry-based learning, open-ended discussions, hands-on studio art experiences, and interactions with professional artists.

ARO Community Classroom

Through a partnership with McRae Art studios, young artists have the opportunity to interact with professional artists and tour their studios in ArtReach Orlando's Community Classroom, part of Arts on Arlington’s freshly renovated 10,000-square-foot space. 

Arts-Integration In-School Residencies

Creative expression at the dream center.

In partnership with OCPS, these short-term arts-integrated residencies combine Language Arts standards and visual art to develop students’ ability to share their personal stories through various forms of creative expression. 

In partnership with Eight Waves and the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, this afterschool program for elementary and middle school students in Ocoee fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and discovery through visual art and the creative process. 

Mobile Program

Virtual programs.

An outreach program that brings mini-versions of our thoughtful programming to the public through festivals and events.

Our virtual art programs provide a safe and supportive online environment for young artists to explore the creative process together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students receive art supply kits, live art instruction, and the opportunity to stay connected with their peers. 

ArtReach Orlando's Community Classroom

The arlington arts mural project: “art grows here”.

ArtReach’s Community Classroom is located inside the Arts on Arlington facility in Parramore. Arts on Arlington is a renovated 10,000 square-foot building home to McRae Art Studios, space for exhibitions, and ArtReach Orlando's Community Classroom. Through a partnership with McRae Art studios, our students have the opportunity to interact with professional artists and tour their studios. The arts are not only educational and a tool for self-expression, they create pathways for students’ futures. This partnership invites students to see a future in the arts. 

In 2021, ArtReach collaborated with three local artists and youth from the community on the creation of a mural to transform the outside of our Community Classroom. The exterior now reflects the inspiring programs that occur within its walls. Our hope is that young people from around the community will see the mural and know there is a place where they will be celebrated and supported, a place where they can create, connect, and heal through the transformative process of art.

Scholarships

Additional information.

ArtReach Orlando offers a limited number of PARTIAL and FULL scholarships. When registration for a program is opened, the scholarship application will also be available. A committee of ArtReach Orlando teaching artists and administrative staff award scholarships based on the following criteria: financial need, general interest, involvement in the arts, and space availability.  

Want to support scholarships for young artists?

Featured Program

Creative u: s​ocial​ ​a​wareness + ​a​rts​ ​f​or​ ​e​mpowerment • students use​ ​visual​ art​, creative​ writing & theater​ to explore the power of the arts to build community, empowerment, and creativity..

The overarching goal of this program is for students to gain a greater understanding of social and emotional learning competencies through an art curriculum which supports state standards. 

In partnership with Orlando Family Stage

DO YOU WANT TO BRING CREATIVE U TO YOUR SCHOOL?

ArtReach Orlando

ArtReach Orlando • P.O. Box 1329 • Winter Park, FL 32790 • (321) 209-5552

Copyright © 2022 ArtReach Orlando, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Registered 501(c)3 organization, EIN 46-0609451

Creative Writing Major

What is a major in creative writing.

Participate in a wide range of courses reflective of your creative interests. You'll learn about major writers, literary traditions, and contemporary innovations. Under the guidance of published writers, you'll also develop a portfolio of material showcasing your range and versatility as a creative writer.

Why Study Creative Writing at Virginia Tech?

Here, you will study with distinguished authors including Matthew Vollmer, Lucinda Roy, Jeff Mann, Evan Lavender-Smith, Sophia Terazawa, and Khadijah Queen. We also host a variety of campus readings for you to attend by renowned poets, playwrights, essayists, and fiction writers. Some of our past visiting writers have included:

• Viet Than Ngyuen
• George Saunders
• Carrie Fountain
• Douglas Kearney
• Matthew Salesses
• Jenny Boully
• Zadie Smith
• Terry Tempest Williams
• Kevin Young
• Terrance Hayes
• Cheryl Strayed
• Ocean Vuong

The major offers workshops that allow you to share your poems, stories, and essays with peer's to help you grow as a writer. With this opportunity, you can improve your writing skills while building your portfolio.

  3 Study Abroad Programs

  24 Average Class Size

  100+ English Courses Offered

Caty Gordon, '10

Caty graduated from Virginia Tech in 2010 with degrees in creative writing and professional and technical writing. After graduating from Columbia University with her M.F.A. in creative nonfiction, she moved on to serve as an editorial assistant for Simon and Schuster and Penguin Group USA, where she is presently employed.

Orlando Dos Reis, '10

Orlando graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in creative writing in 2010. Post-graduation, he moved on to Kansas State University to continue his education, earning his M.A. in English language and literature in 2013. He presently serves as an editorial assistant for Abrams in the New York City area.

Erica Corder, '16

Erica graduated from Virginia Tech in 2016 with degrees in creative writing and political science. After starting up an independent journalism publication called The Pylon, Erica accepted a job in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, where she currently works as a communications manager who tells the story of the college and its students and faculty in Blacksburg and beyond through writing, photos, and videos.

Shalini Rana, '18

Shalini graduated with double majors in creative writing and professional and technical writing. During her time at Virginia Tech, her poetry was published in undergraduate publications, Silhouette and Philologia, and received third place in the Steger Poetry Prize. Shalini works as a consultant for CollabraLink Technologies and continues writing. In the future, she plans to complete a poetry M.F.A. program.

Jessica Mardian, '20

In her creative writing courses, Jessica developed strong writing skills and found the space to express herself. She was published in the Silhouette literary magazine, was a finalist for the Steger Poetry Prize at Virginia Tech, and served as a speaker at the Creative Writing Showcase. Jessica plans to pursue a career a journalism and a MFA in Creative Writing, with a focus on poetry.

Careers and Further Study

What can you do with a major in Creative Writing?

Jobs Held by Our Graduates

• Creative manager
• Literary agent
• Grant writer
• Video game developer
• Editor and copywriter
• Web designer
• Television writer
• Journalist and reporter

Creative Writing Major at Virginia Tech

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

• INTERNSHIPS
• UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND INDEPENDENT STUDY
• STUDY ABROAD
• STRONG COMMUNITY
• WRITING WORKSHOPS

Engage in your profession by writing, researching, editing, and making connections with employers across the country. Apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to the workplace. Internships earn academic credit and provide valuable real-world experience. 

You will work with a faculty mentor to experiment with language, find inspiration, grow as an artist, and share your work with peers and mentors. Learn how to brainstorm and experiment, gain experience performing your work for audiences, learn how to critique stories, poems, and plays in a workshop setting, and submit your work to literary magazines.

We host a faculty-led trip to London, an exchange program with Loughborough University, and a Wintermester Experience that visits different locations each year .  These experiences enrich your understanding of the history and culture of the English language and its literature.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Our diverse faculty is made up of published authors and poets, accomplished playwrights and essayists, and recipients of fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. We love mentoring our students and take great pride in watching them grow as writers.

During our Creative Writing major workshops, you will have the opportunity to share your stories, poems, and essays with your classmates. You'll offer critiques, compliments, suggestions, and interpretations of your peers work; you'll receive the same in return. No two workshops will ever be the same. Our goal is to help you improve your writing skills.

What You'll Study

Bachelor of Arts in English Degree

• Including Virginia Tech's Pathways

Creative Writing Major Requirements

• Introduction to Critical Reading
• Introduction to Critical Writing
• Literary History
• Acts of Interpretation
• Writing and Digital Media
• Capstone Experience 

Minor and Elective Hours

Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.

120 hrs B.A. English

45 hrs General Education

39 hrs Major Requirements

36 hrs Elective

Campus Life

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Explore the university through either a guided or self-guided virtual tour

Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.

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Young Writers

Lighthouse's Young Writers Workshops are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. There are no grades here, just the stories. We offer workshops at Lighthouse including afterschool and weekend workshops, the Young Authors Collective, and summer camps, as well as youth outreach in schools, at juvenile residential treatment centers, and in collaboration with other arts organizations.

For the latest on workshops and events,  sign up for our Young Writers Program e-newsletter . 

Lighthouse connects kids and teens to words, new friends, and a writing community. We offer workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and many other genres and topics. Our classes are taught by published authors and are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing.

Summer Writing Camps

Lighthouse's Young Writers Camps are led by published and award-winning writers, and each workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing in young writers aged 8 to 18. Registration for half-day camp and applications for full-day camp will open on January 1, 2019.

School Outreach

The Young Writers Program offers creative writing workshops in public and private schools as well as juvenile residential treatment centers throughout the Denver metro area. Led by working, published writers with a passion for sharing their craft, our outreach workshops provide access to our innovative creative writing programming for young people who cannot come to Lighthouse.

The Young Authors Collective, or YAC, is a group of talented, word-obsessed high school writers dedicated to experimenting with new creative forms, collaborating with other arts organizations, and writing a ton. We meet once a week at Lighthouse to generate new pieces, give friendly feedback, and work towards publication.

Support Young Writers

Our Future Scribes Depend on Your Support. Nearly all of the workshops and projects that will engage 2,300 students this year are free to attend, and for the sessions that do have tuition, such as summer writing camp, financial aid is available for any student who needs it. We want all young people who want to write to be able to do so and for them to be nurtured by the best instructors and mentors available. This only happens with the support of generous donors like you.

International Programs

Ui grad spencer cooper-ohm awarded fulbright to kosovo.

Spencer Cooper-Ohm, who received a BA in economics and English & creative writing from the University of Iowa in May 2024, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Kosovo for 2024-25.  

Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa   Degree: BA in economics and English & creative writing  

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright?   I will be an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at a yet-to-be-determined university in Kosovo. In addition to my teaching duties, I will immerse myself in the culture of Kosovo and start a debate club that serves as English practice and as a means of cultural exchange. I plan to continue my research on drug policy while in the country, examining Kosovo’s use of harm-reduction programs and their impact on reducing opioid-related deaths.  

How do you envision this will influence your life/future career?   Upon returning to the U.S., I plan to obtain a law degree and work in the legislative field, analyzing and proposing laws that impact public health. Serving as an ETA in Kosovo will equip me with the essential global perspective required for creative policy analysis. I also aim to make connections with faculty members at Kosovar universities for research collaborations in the future.  

What advice do you have for future students interested in applying for a Fulbright?   Revise until you think your essays are perfect, and then revise some more! My first draft essays looked nothing like the ones I eventually submitted, and they certainly wouldn’t have won any fellowships. Any successful Fulbright application will go through countless revisions (with assistance from advisors that really know their stuff) so be prepared to be flexible with what you want your application to look like.  

Were there experiences at Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright ?   My time in the UI Department of English taught me the importance of literature and prompted me to apply for a Fulbright to further my understanding of it. Additionally, competing with the University of Iowa mock trial team helped me hone my argumentative writing skills and encouraged me to find ways to expand my cultural horizons before entering law school.  

Are there individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process?   I would like to thank Jeff DeSimone, Patrick Habecker, Sayre Satterwhite, and Camille Socarras for their invaluable mentorship and encouragement to apply for a wide range of fellowships. I’d also like to thank Ari Natarina , Jonathan Wilcox, Karen Wachsmuth, and all the University of Iowa Fulbright advising team for their assistance in making countless revisions to my essays. Finally, I’d like to thank Kendal Arthur and Nitesh Mathur for their recommendations. My application would not have been successful without the help of any one of these individuals.    

EXPLORE THE MANY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO UI STUDENTS AND ALUMNI  

International Programs  (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.

• Fulbright 2024
• international fellowships
• student funding
• study abroad

International Programs at the University of Iowa supports the right of all individuals to live freely and to live in peace. We condemn all acts of violence based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and perceived national or cultural origin. In affirming its commitment to human dignity, International Programs strongly upholds the values expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights .  

UCF Hosts Creative Writing Classes for Adults and Teens

By Courtney Gilmartin ’10 ’16MA | June 1, 2011

Creative writing workshops for teens and adults this summer aim to build UCF’s literary community. 

Courses are designed to teach the skills and techniques used by professional creative writers to create fiction, poetry and non-fiction.  Each class will consist of a lecture, discussion and workshop where participants will learn new techniques, create original works and receive feedback.

Classes for teens from 9 to 11 a.m. start Monday, July 11, and run through Friday, July 15. Adult classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. June 16 through July 21.  All classes will be held in UCF’s Continuing Education building in the Central Florida Research Park (12565 Research Parkway, Suite 390) next to UCF’s main campus.

“We are going to provide the technical aspects and strategies,” said Associate Professor Terry Thaxton of UCF’s English Department. “All students need to bring is their imagination.”

Students will learn how to brainstorm story ideas, structure stories and critique their own writing.

In the adult course, an optional critique enables writers to electronically submit manuscripts to get feedback and suggestions for revision.

Each class will be taught by Sarah Prevatt, whose work has appeared in many literary magazines, including Vestal Review, Hawai’i Pacific Review, The Chaffin Journal and Saw Palm: Florida Literature and Art.  She has an MFA in Creative Writing and has taught at UCF and Miami-Dade College.

Registration for either the teen or adult course is $150. Continuing education credits are available for teachers who complete the course.  There are additional fees for credits, manuscript critique and late registration after June 10.

Registration fees will help fund UCF’s Literary Arts Partnership, a program that provides free workshops in public schools, prisons, shelters, assisted living facilities, foster homes and community centers.  The program teaches the use of creative writing as a positive outlet for self-expression.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.ce.ucf.edu/Program-Search/1367/Creative-Writing-Workshop. Those interested in the workshop for teens can register here.

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