Taken in four separate semesters. Students are required to take workshops in the genre in which they were admitted to the program.
Craft courses may be repeated provided they are taught by different instructors.
With the permission of that department and of the director of the CWP.
A creative special project in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction consisting of a substantial piece of writing—a novel, a collection of short stories or essays, a memoir, a work of literary nonfiction, or a group of poems—to be submitted in the student’s final semester. The project requires the approval of the student’s faculty adviser and of the director of the CWP.
The MFA degree may also be earned through the Low Residency MFA Writers Workshop in Paris. Under this model, degree requirements remain the same, although Craft courses and Workshops take the form of intensive individualized courses of study with the faculty, including three substantial packet exchanges of student work per semester. All students earning the MFA degree through the low-residency program must also participate in five ten-day residencies in Paris, which involve a diverse series of series of craft talks, lectures, readings, special events, faculty mentorship meetings, and professional development panels.
Please note : The following is a sample plan of study for a student enrolled in the poetry track. Fiction and creative nonfiction plans of study would parallel the below, substituting the Workshop requirements accordingly (i.e., Workshop in Fiction or Workshop in Creative Nonfiction, respectively).
1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Workshop in Poetry I | 4 | |
The Craft of Poetry | 4 | |
Credits | 8 | |
2nd Semester/Term | ||
Workshop in Poetry I | 4 | |
General Elective or CWP Craft Course | 4 | |
Credits | 8 | |
3rd Semester/Term | ||
Workshop in Poetry I | 4 | |
General Elective or CWP Craft Course | 4 | |
Credits | 8 | |
4th Semester/Term | ||
Workshop in Poetry I | 4 | |
General Elective or CWP Craft Course | 4 | |
Credits | 8 | |
Total Credits | 32 |
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Nyu policies, graduate school of arts and science policies, program policies.
To qualify for the degree, a student must have a GPA of at least 3.0, must complete a minimum of 24 points with a grade of B or better, and may offer no more than 8 points with a grade of C (no more than 4 points with a grade of C in creative writing workshops). A student may take no more than 36 points toward the degree.
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page .
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The New School invites you to join a community of diverse writers, become part of New York City’s publishing world, and build a network of support on campus and beyond. Our prestigious MFA Creative Writing program is designed to help you develop your writing in supportive workshops and literature seminars led by an internationally recognized faculty and renowned authors.
books published annually by alumni and faculty
annual writing events, including the National Book Awards Finalist Reading
of admitted MFA students awarded merit-based university scholarships (2020–2021)
As an MFA student at The New School, you can choose your concentration—in Arts Writing, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Writing for Children and Young Adults—and receive personalized faculty mentorship and faculty and peer critiques. Innovative courses in publishing and multimedia storytelling engage you in the development of literature. Popular graduate minors include Impact Entrepreneurship and Transmedia and Digital Storytelling . Or you can apply to WriteOn NYC! , a New School–funded fellowship program providing MFA students with high-quality teaching experience in area middle schools and high schools. All students benefit from evening classes and events, which enable them to work or attend responsibilities during the day while enrolled in a full-time program.
In addition to the renowned MFA in Creative Writing, The New School offers other programs and opportunities for writing students. These include noncredit courses and summer intensives, as well as an undergraduate major in the Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students, the Writing and Democracy Honors Program, and undergraduate minors in related fields. Summer Writing Intensive Continuing Education Courses Writing & Democracy Honors Program BA in Creative Writing Undergraduate Creative Writing Courses
Creative Writing students come to The New School from across the United States and around the world to live the writer's life in New York City. Evenings with agents and editors, offered exclusively for MFA students, provide informal opportunities to meet publishing professionals.
We are proud to feature books recently published by The New School's Creative Writing community.
Kacen callender, mfa '14.
Brenda wineapple, faculty.
Safia elhillo, mfa '15.
Events & news.
Undergraduates.
To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.
To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.
To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.
For All Online Programs
On Campus, need or have Visa
For All Campus Programs
Cost per credit $637
Total courses 16
Term length 10 Weeks
Share your story with the world with an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing . Throughout the program, you'll learn from talented writers who will help you sharpen your skills. Not only will you graduate from the program with a completed novel, but you'll also learn about the business side of creative writing — so you can feel prepared to market your work.
And while most MFA programs require a residency, Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online, with no travel necessary.
Skills you'll learn:
Explore genres, develop your writing skills and learn how to market yourself with an MFA in Creative Writing from SNHU. By the end of the program, you'll have written and revised a complete novel in one of four genres: contemporary, young adult, romance and speculative.
And with embedded certificates in either online teaching of writing or professional writing , you'll have the skills to support your writing career – no matter where you're headed next.
In the MFA Creative Writing program, you'll study the craft of writing, selecting novels for close study of the elements of writing, authorial techniques, genre conventions and creative decisions.
And as one of the only programs of its kind that encourages a focus on genre fiction, our online MFA lets you hone your craft in an area specific to your strengths and interests. This culminates as your thesis project – a completed novel in the contemporary, young adult, romance or speculative genre.
At SNHU, we also know there's more to a career in writing than perfecting your craft. That's why the online MFA Creative Writing program puts a strong focus on the practical skills you'll need to succeed in the industry. This includes studying the publication process, helping you make informed decisions to get your work into readers' hands.
Visit the course catalog to view the full MFA in Creative Writing curriculum .
Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
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Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
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Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page .
In addition to a focus on your creative interests, part of our 48-credit online MFA curriculum requires you to choose from 2 certificate offerings. These certificates are included as part of your MFA program and are thoughtfully designed to round out your education and better prepare you for a multitude of writing-related careers.
The Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing could be the right fit for you if you're interested in teaching in an online classroom setting — a great supplement to a writing career. You'll learn approaches to editing and coaching, as well as how to establish a virtual instructor presence and cultivate methods for supporting and engaging students within online writing communities.
Alternatively, you might be more drawn to the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing , which highlights the technical and business opportunities available to writers. Students will develop a range of skills, such as copywriting, social media, marketing principles and content generation, learning many of the freelancing skills integral to today’s project-driven economy.
Every graduate of Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA program will leave the program with a 50,000-word manuscript for a novel in one of the four genres the program covers – contemporary, young adult, romance or speculative genre.
If you'd rather combine elements of the four offered genres, you can do that, too. For example, you might write a YA speculative fiction novel. Throughout your tenure in the program, you can choose to work on a singular idea that you will develop during the three thesis courses, or begin a new project for your thesis.
"My three thesis classes for the MFA degree were the most helpful," said Kathleen Harris '21 . "I was actually writing a book as my thesis, so it was both enjoyable and advantageous for the degree. And it was the end of a very long milestone of accomplishments."
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: January 06, 2025 | March 24, 2025
Online student experience what’s it like going to snhu.
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
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You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
Our online MFA program is taught by a diverse and accomplished faculty of professional writers, who bring with them decades of experience and exhibit strong leadership both in the classroom and in their professional careers. This experience informs the development of courses and curriculum that can help position MFA graduates for success, wherever they go next.
Melissa hart.
Melissa Hart is the author of seven books. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian, CNN, The Los Angeles Times and more. She was a contributing editor at The Writer Magazine for 15 years and is a frequent contributor at writing conferences across the Northwest.
Position Adjunct Instructor, MFA
Joined SNHU 2017
"This is a smart, well-crafted program designed for diverse writers who may work full-time and be involved in caregiving, as well. Kind-hearted, talented instructors guide you every step of the way, from a basic study of genre fiction to preparing a polished thesis manuscript for professional publication."
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
Founded in 1932 , Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
Additional requirements:
Additional requirements for the online MFA include a creative writing sample (8-12 pages) and a personal statement. Writing samples will be evaluated on narrative technique and structure, character and setting, and the command and execution of language. The personal statement asks you to explain how someone else’s story – such as a novel, movie, or a personal account – has impacted their life and influenced their drive to become a writer.
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | [email protected]
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) , which means we meet certain standards of academic quality, and have the tools and resources necessary for students to be successful. The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199
If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377
If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. This master's degree requires 48 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 36 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Transfer credits toward your master's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Earn credits in leadership, technology and more – while taking advantage of an online graduate tuition discount for active-duty service members and spouses.
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Bring in credits from popular options like CLEP, Sophia Learning, Google and other common credit for prior learning (CPL) experiences.
Receive an online tuition discount if your organization has partnered with SNHU for educational benefits. And consider asking your employer about tuition reimbursement.
If becoming a novelist is your dream, the online MFA in Creative Writing program is a great stepping stone. You'll sharpen your writing skills and apply critique to your work, finishing the program with a complete and publishable novel.
At SNHU, embedded certificates prepare you for even more career opportunities. You’ll graduate with skills needed to make a living as a professional writer in a variety of fields – from marketing, public relations and content writing to grant writing, publishing and teaching.
In addition to careers as authors or editors, MFA graduates can find roles in a wide array of industries, including:
Teach writing courses in higher education at a college or university, either in-person or online.
Influence consumer action through copywriting, from print ads to digital advertising and broadcast commercials.
Create written content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts that attract and retain customers.
From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, writers often find success in the entertainment industry.
Increase in postsecondary teaching positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1
Median annual salary for writers and authors as of May 2023. In the same timeframe, editors made $75,020 and postsecondary teachers made $84,380. 1
Understanding the numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
I came out of the MFA program with a whole toolbox of writing skills, a solid idea of how the business side of writing works, a finished manuscript — and the confidence to go forward with publishing.
Tara Lynn Conrad '21G
I was attracted to the program because it was fully online. I work full time and have two small children – I did not have time to attend in-person classes. This program gave me the flexibility that I needed to attend school and live my life.
Felicia Warden '20G
The instructors were helpful and the resources were endless. The writing center offered a lot of assistance, and I even made some friends that I will have long after I leave.
Jamilla Geter '21G
A well-designed MFA in Creative Writing will build solid writing skills and a foundation in the business of many writing-related careers. Southern New Hampshire University’s online MFA in Creative Writing is one such practical, business-focused program. It teaches students to revise and reflect on their art while learning the print and digital business models — even digital tools — they need to support their creative endeavors.
Graduates of SNHU’s program come away knowing how to use business tools like project management software and online freelance editing resources.
Publishing industry expert and “Publishers Weekly” columnist Jane Friedman – and a subject-matter expert who helped develop the program at SNHU – points to another important aspect of business-oriented programs: writing in the digital age. Most MFA creative writing programs, she said, “are concerned only with artistic excellence. That's fine up until the point you start thinking about how to build a paying career."
Friedman went on to say, “I have a special interest in how the digital age is transforming writing careers, publishing and storytelling. Rather than taking a dark view of how the Internet era has affected writers’ livelihoods, I'm more interested in how revolutionary change can inspire new business models and how authorship will ultimately evolve.”
Yes. SNHU’s MFA in Creative Writing requires no specific undergraduate background. You could have a degree in accounting, as long as you have a passion for writing and your writing sample shows potential.
Because we understand that people start or change careers at any point across their lifetime, we want to ensure access to all of our programs to any student who wishes to learn more about that area of study and earn a credential in that field.
According to Poets & Writers, there are more than 200 MFA in Creative Writing programs throughout the United States. Of those, the vast majority are either full-residency or low-residency programs. 2
Determining which is the best creative writing program comes down to how you answer this question: Which one is best for you ?
Once you’ve narrowed your options by reviewing rankings, school reputations and course offerings, consider the demands on your life: Can you take time off from work to pursue a traditional MFA with a residency requirement? Do you have responsibilities at home that will limit how much time you can devote to your studies? How quickly do you want to earn your degree? And, last but not least, what’s your budget?
Many elite literary programs require 2-year residency commitments. Some welcome only traditional literary fiction – not a wide range of genres. SNHU’s online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online with no residency requirement. It’s also one of the only programs that welcomes genre writers, which means you can hone your craft in an area tailored to your strengths and interests.
You'll also have a sense of community – even in an online environment. So if you're looking for the chance to get involved as an online student, SNHU's the place for you. Our opportunities to join the ranks of fellow writers include:
Finally, our program gives you the option to pursue one of 2 graduate writing certificates – online teaching of writing and professional writing – making it a pragmatic choice for a wide variety of career directions.
To MA or to MFA? Once you've decided to earn an advanced degree in creative writing, you need to drill down into the specifics to know which option best fits your needs: What do you want to learn? What skills do you want to acquire? What are your career aspirations?
Practically speaking, a Master of Fine Arts differs from a Master of Arts in a few fundamental ways:
Kathleen Harris '21G completed both her MA and MFA at SNHU.
"Both programs were wonderful not only because of the capable professors and instructors, but mainly because I felt I was working toward a goal of both writing and teaching in the field," said the graduate, who finished her MFA in 2021.
Read more about MA vs MFA .
Yes. The MFA is considered a terminal degree, which is similar to professional degrees granted in other fields, such as the PhD or the EdD, according to guidelines established by the College Art Association of America. 3 For that reason, most universities view it as a qualification to teach creative writing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In fact, the curriculum for the online MFA degree at Southern New Hampshire University may set you up for success in this area. Students in the program are required to choose one of two embedded certificate offerings – one of them being a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing.
The certificate requires 4 courses:
Throughout your courses, you'll learn how to develop your own approach to teaching the craft. You'll explore tools for web-based courses and writing workshops, and you'll practice effective approaches to editing and coaching.
Once completed, you should be able to create a positive and influential virtual instructor presence and methods for supporting and engaging students within online communities.
Yes, you can earn your MFA online, but many schools require a face-to-face residency component – meaning time away from your current job and busy schedule. Many, but not all.
In fact, SNHU’s program is one of the few 100% online MFAs available. The university assembled a who's-who from the world of professional writing to build the program, bringing together authors from a diverse range of genres in the process. The result is an online MFA program that embraces the perspectives of many different writers and students.
For many students, earning an MFA online is the only way they'd be able to make it happen. Learning online certainly doesn't mean you'll be isolated – especially at SNHU. No matter the type of fiction they want to write, MFA students will find teachers and fellow students who share their interests.
It depends on how you define “worth it.” Whether it's an undergraduate creative writing degree or a master's, a degree in the subject is worth pursuing if your goals include becoming a better writer and increasing your chances of successfully publishing your work.
SNHU’s online creative writing MFA is designed to teach students how to adapt to an evolving literary and publishing landscape. In their courses, students embrace the digital tools that will help them forge successful writing careers.
Our curriculum creators and faculty also know the road to becoming a successful author is not always easy. That's why our creative writing program has a dual focus:
Related articles.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2 Poets & Writers, MFA Programs Database, on the internet, at https://www.pw.org/mfa (viewed June 20, 2024).
3 College Art Association of America, Guidelines for the MFA Degree in Art and Design, on the internet, at https://www.collegeart.org/standards-and-guidelines/guidelines/mfa (viewed June 20, 2024).
This is an attempt at creating an objective ranking of graduate creative writing programs.
For further and more detailed information on how the scores are generated see the methodology page.
Program | Overall score | Fiction score | Poetry score | CNF score | Genres | Degrees | State |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11475 | 10600 | 9350 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | MD | |
9225 | 10350 | 8100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | IN | |
8484 | 7900 | 7100 | 12100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OH | |
8400 | 9100 | 7700 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | VA | |
8300 | 10580 | 4350 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | IA | |
7183 | 8350 | 2600 | 10350 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | AZ | |
7016 | 5850 | 1933 | 183 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | TX | |
6988 | 9850 | 4350 | 6100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | PhD | OH | |
6850 | 2600 | 3350 | 1100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama | MFA, PhD | FL | |
5600 | 100 | 100 | 5600 | CNF | MFA, PhD | IA | |
5475 | 3100 | 1850 | 1412 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA, PhD | TX | |
5350 | 3850 | 1475 | 225 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | IN | |
5266 | 5600 | 3350 | 6850 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | MN | |
5183 | 6766 | 2100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NY | |
5100 | 6100 | 4100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NC | |
4600 | 3475 | 1225 | 475 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | AZ | |
4544 | 5100 | 3350 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama | MFA | MA | |
4500 | 3100 | 2100 | 9100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | PA | |
4366 | 3877 | 5100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NC | |
4266 | 6100 | 2433 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | PhD | CA | |
4266 | 3600 | 766 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama | MFA | WI | |
4145 | 2781 | 1372 | 190 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | MI | |
4100 | 1766 | 4433 | 6100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | ID | |
3975 | 1433 | 5100 | 5766 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, PhD | OH | |
3933 | 2683 | 1433 | 183 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | CA | |
3645 | 6300 | 1433 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | FL | |
3266 | 4433 | 2100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | TN | |
3100 | 1946 | 946 | 407 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Multimedia | MFA | RI | |
2933 | 1711 | 988 | 433 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA, PhD | NY | |
2918 | 3814 | 1350 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MA, PhD | MS | |
2900 | 4100 | 1700 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | OH | |
2850 | 850 | 850 | 1350 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NM | |
2833 | 2242 | 2300 | 5100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | MT | |
2725 | 475 | 2100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | MD | |
2655 | 3350 | 1766 | 2600 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | FL | |
2600 | 1400 | 1300 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | OR | |
2500 | 2544 | 2200 | 4100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | MA | |
2475 | 1600 | 600 | 725 | MA, PhD | NE | ||
2475 | 100 | 4600 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | MS | |
2447 | 3946 | 300 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama | MFA | NY | |
2350 | 2100 | 2350 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | IN | |
2300 | 1300 | 1100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | MO | |
2266 | 5100 | 3100 | 4600 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | MI | |
2225 | 1350 | 3100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | IL | |
2225 | 2500 | 100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | CO | |
2166 | 616 | 333 | 1500 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA | MFA | VT | |
2100 | 766 | 4766 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | VA | |
2080 | 1000 | 320 | 960 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | VT | |
2016 | 1600 | 350 | 350 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | VA | |
2016 | 1016 | 916 | 316 | Fiction, Poetry | MA, MFA | NY | |
2000 | 1200 | 600 | 1400 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama | MFA | IA | |
1975 | 558 | 1058 | 975 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA, PhD | UT | |
1850 | 800 | 650 | 750 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | AL | |
1766 | 1600 | 266 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | FL | |
1766 | 100 | 1300 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | VA | |
1766 | 2600 | 850 | 2433 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | LA | |
1683 | 1100 | 183 | 600 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, MFA | CO | |
1600 | 700 | 900 | 400 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | WA | |
1600 | 1475 | 225 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | LA | |
1600 | 3100 | 100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | SC | |
1544 | 1544 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | WY | |
1529 | 744 | 529 | 462 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NY | |
1463 | 1766 | 1350 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA, PhD | NV | |
1433 | 2766 | 100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | ID | |
1385 | 385 | 528 | 671 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | AK | |
1385 | 1242 | 242 | 171 | Fiction, Poetry, Translation | MFA | AR | |
1372 | 100 | 100 | 3600 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | CA | |
1360 | 885 | 850 | 3100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Drama, Screenwriting | MA, MFA | KY | |
1350 | 766 | 516 | 266 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA, PhD | MI | |
1340 | 1016 | 725 | 2500 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | VA | |
1330 | 510 | 612 | 356 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, PhD | MO | |
1300 | 544 | 100 | 855 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | MA | |
1300 | 1200 | 200 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | TX | |
1266 | 1266 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | IL | |
1262 | 748 | 370 | 289 | Fiction, Poetry | MA, MFA | CA | |
1260 | 1683 | 600 | 1100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | LA | |
1242 | 671 | 671 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | TX | |
1242 | 600 | 100 | 742 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OR | |
1233 | 1385 | 766 | 1300 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NH | |
1211 | 1475 | 957 | 1100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | WA | |
1100 | 433 | 683 | 266 | Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting | MFA | DC | |
1100 | 513 | 341 | 651 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, PhD | TX | |
1100 | 516 | 683 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MA | CA | |
1100 | 1100 | 100 | 1100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Screenwriting | MFA | KY | |
1100 | 100 | 1100 | 2100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | WV | |
1100 | 350 | 1600 | 1766 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | WA | |
1044 | 988 | 100 | 155 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NY | |
1016 | 100 | 1766 | 3100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | IN | |
1000 | 1900 | 100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | MO | |
1000 | 1000 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MA, MFA | NM | |
1000 | 100 | 600 | 500 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | UT | |
988 | 433 | 488 | 266 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | CA | |
975 | 2433 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OH | |
957 | 1300 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | FL | |
933 | 100 | 100 | 272 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama | MA | ON | |
933 | 933 | 100 | 1766 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NJ | |
900 | 546 | 376 | 176 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NY | |
900 | 500 | 100 | 500 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, MFA | IL | |
877 | 2433 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Graphic Novel | MFA | FL | |
839 | 100 | 1100 | 3433 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Popular Fiction | MFA | ME | |
833 | 633 | 100 | 300 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | NC | |
827 | 100 | 100 | 827 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NC | |
822 | 488 | 100 | 433 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | MN | |
787 | 725 | 162 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NJ | |
725 | 725 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | CA | |
700 | 100 | 100 | 500 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OH | |
700 | 1350 | 100 | 433 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | GA | |
671 | 1100 | 100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | PA | |
671 | 457 | 314 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | FL | |
671 | 528 | 814 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NC | |
651 | 444 | 272 | 134 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | PhD | CO | |
633 | 633 | 100 | 366 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA, PhD | GA | |
625 | 175 | 200 | 450 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | WA | |
600 | 600 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama | MFA, PhD | KS | |
600 | 100 | 600 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | TX | |
566 | 366 | 300 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA, PhD | TN | |
548 | 548 | 100 | 203 | Fiction, CNF | MFA, PhD | GA | |
544 | 1100 | 100 | 0 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Translation | MFA | NY | |
533 | 333 | 100 | 300 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Screenwriting | MFA | NM | |
520 | 300 | 180 | 240 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OR | |
520 | 273 | 372 | 975 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA | MFA | CA | |
500 | 100 | 100 | 500 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NV | |
500 | 100 | 100 | 500 | CNF | MFA | MD | |
479 | 203 | 410 | 134 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA | MA, PhD | NY | |
477 | 233 | 166 | 366 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, PhD | TX | |
475 | 100 | 100 | 475 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | SC | |
461 | 127 | 100 | 350 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | IL | |
433 | 100 | 100 | 433 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | WA | |
433 | 700 | 1600 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | VA | |
433 | 133 | 166 | 266 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Drama, Screenwriting, Graphic Novel | MFA | VT | |
400 | 100 | 100 | 400 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | IL | |
400 | 400 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NY | |
400 | 220 | 220 | 160 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, PhD | WI | |
400 | 150 | 250 | 200 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Multimedia | MFA | CA | |
400 | 233 | 200 | 166 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, PhD | IL | |
390 | 172 | 100 | 318 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Drama, Screenwriting, Translation, Lyric and libretto, Radio drama, Graphic Novel | MFA | BC | |
375 | 100 | 375 | 100 | CA | |||
341 | 237 | 168 | 134 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | PA | |
340 | 100 | 220 | 220 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA | MFA | MN | |
340 | 180 | 180 | 340 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Translation | MFA | NJ | |
340 | 340 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OR | |
330 | 100 | 100 | 1100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | AZ | |
306 | 100 | 100 | 306 | MA, PhD | LA | ||
306 | 100 | 306 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, MFA | CO | |
300 | 300 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | KS | |
300 | 100 | 100 | 300 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | OH | |
300 | 100 | 300 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NH | |
276 | 100 | 100 | 276 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | CA | |
273 | 100 | 100 | 600 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | CT | |
272 | 272 | 100 | 100 | ||||
272 | 272 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama | MA | Québec | |
272 | 272 | 100 | 272 | MA | MO | ||
272 | 100 | 272 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, Multimedia | MFA | NY | |
272 | 100 | 100 | 272 | ||||
260 | 260 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | NY | |
242 | 100 | 100 | 242 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | SK | |
242 | 242 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | CA | |
240 | 450 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA, PhD | OK | |
237 | 237 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama | MFA | Ontario | |
237 | 100 | 134 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama | MFA | CA | |
237 | 100 | 237 | 100 | ||||
237 | 100 | 237 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MA | MS | |
227 | 188 | 139 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | NY | |
203 | 203 | 100 | 100 | MN | |||
203 | 203 | 100 | 203 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | RI | |
203 | 203 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, Drama | MA, PhD | New Brunswick | |
200 | 150 | 150 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | CA | |
180 | 140 | 100 | 140 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | IL | |
168 | 168 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | TX | |
168 | 168 | 100 | 168 | ||||
166 | 100 | 100 | 166 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | OK | |
166 | 166 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | CA | |
134 | 134 | 100 | 100 | MA | Ontario | ||
134 | 100 | 100 | 134 | CT | |||
112 | 100 | 100 | 112 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA, MFA | PA | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | CA | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | TN | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | SC | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | MA, PhD | HI | ||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | MA | CA | ||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | MI | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MFA | KY | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | MA, PhD | NY | ||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | MA | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | NY | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | MFA | MO | ||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Screenwriting | MFA | MO | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MFA | LA | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Drama, Screenwriting | MA, PhD | CT | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Graphic Novel | MFA | MA | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF | MA | NE | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | CNF | MFA | GA | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry, CNF, Translation | MFA | CO | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Poetry | MFA | NJ | |
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | TX | |||
100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | Fiction, Poetry | MFA | MA |
Lists of authors without graduate creative writing degrees or whose degree status is unknown are available. Send questions, comments and corrections to [email protected] .
Disclaimer: No endorsement of these ratings should be implied by the writers and writing programs listed on this site, or by the editors and publishers of Best American Short Stories , Best American Essays , Best American Poetry , The O. Henry Prize Stories and The Pushcart Prize Anthology .
Author: Natalie Harris-Spencer Updated: February 18, 2023
The best low residency MFA programs offer you a more cost-effective way to complete a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The difference between a low residency and a fully remote program is that you’ll be expected to stay on campus for short periods throughout the year, giving you greater flexibility than if you’d have either been living on campus, or full-time in front of a computer screen.
These programs will force you to juggle your writing time around your day job , family, and cats, while still plunging you into that writers’ life you so crave. In many ways, they’re harder than the traditional brick-and-mortar school program, in that they give you a truer flavor of what it’s like to pursue a writing career with a million other things going on in your life. They’re also far more immersive than an online-only program.
You’ll be hit with a combination of remote and in-person learning. A typical school year comprises two semesters, of which there is usually a 10-day intensive residency on campus per semester (so, two residencies per year, for two years). The time in between residencies is remote i.e. spent from your writing desk at home, where you will be paired with a mentor or smaller groups of writers. In fact, the 1:1 mentorship is a huge benefit of a low residency MFA program ; you’ll get closer attention than you would if you were in a traditional college class.
The best low residency MFA programs will offer a variety of genres , including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, popular fiction, scriptwriting, literary translation, graphic novels and comics, and writing for young people, while some allow for a dual-genre path.
While MFAs are not cheap, low residency programs are certainly on the more affordable side. Read on for 15 best low residency MFA programs, listed in alphabetical order.
Offered by AU Los Angeles, Antioch University’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program is dedicated to the education of literary and dramatic artists, community engagement, and the pursuit of social justice. It offers two, 10-day residencies in June and December.
Bard College offers MFAs for artists in a variety of disciplines, not just writing. Each summer session runs for eight intensive weeks (there is no winter residency), and does not follow the traditional semester schedule. Most students receive some amount of financial aid, making it an attractive option for candidates.
Bennington College is widely regarded as one of the best low residency MFA programs in the United States. Residencies take place in picturesque Vermont, and their prestigious faculty includes many multi-published authors and literary prizewinners. You can elect to pursue a dual-genre path. Bennington’s residencies take place in January and June.
This pan-European MFA offers a single 15-day residency at the beginning of July that rotates between Dublin, Ireland, Barcelona, Spain, and Vienna, Austria, with new locations coming soon. Unlike other programs, you’ll only attend three residencies in total, and you won’t go to the university campus in Allentown, Pennsylvania. But…you get to travel to Europe.
The only program dedicated solely to nonfiction writing, this low residency MFA attracts applicants and faculty interested in pursuing narrative, memoir, personal essay, and literary journalism. Literary agents and editors attend the two 10-day residencies in Baltimore, Maryland, and there are sponsored trips to New York to meet top publishing professionals.
Now in its tenth year, the emphasis with this particular Creative Writing MFA is on Native writers, voices, texts, and experience, although applications are open to all. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, it offer two 8-day residencies in January and July.
While the nine-day residencies take place in the “literary mecca” of Cambridge, Massachusetts, there’s also the opportunity for students to study abroad at a 12-day residency in rural Wales. Lesley has relationships with literary agencies and presses , so that you get a fast-track into publishing on submitting your thesis when you graduate.
Located in St. Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University is unique in that there is no formal residency requirement: you can take classes fully on campus, online, or choose the low residency model. The program is more affordable than others due to its flexibility, and offers financial aid to teachers and candidates over the age of sixty.
Based on NYU’s campus in Paris, France, there are five, 10-day residencies held in January and July. This is one of the more expensive programs, with limited funding available. However, its faculty line-up is always incredible, and you’re paying for the prestige of Paris.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Pacific University’s MFA program places a strong emphasis on craft . It offers multiple full and partial merit-based scholarships to qualifying candidates. Residencies are in January and June.
The model at Sewanee School of Letters in Tennessee is slightly different: you complete a single, six-week residency over the summer , which in turn is spread over the course of three to five summers, making it more affordable than other low residency programs.
Despite positioning itself as online MFA, the University of New Orleans is actually low residency, in that it offers a month-long residency every summer at various international locations, including Ireland and Italy.
My alma mater . Stonecoast at USM offers two 10-day residencies in January and July, alongside a concurrent writers’ conference, in the picturesque town of Freeport, Maine. Its popular fiction program is especially popular with writers of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, and its WISE program (writing for inclusivity and social equity) is at the heart of its ethos. In my humble opinion, it will always be one of the best low residency MFA programs.
Another Vermont entry: proof that this beautiful state inspires creativity. Residencies are nine days and take place in December and July, with past residencies going further afield: Slovenia, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Mexico, Rome, and Asheville, North Carolina. Literary translation and dual-genre paths are available.
Established in 1976, Warren Wilson is the original low residency MFA program, introducing the format to North America and the rest of the world. Consequently, it’s on the pricier end, but there are multiple grants and financial aid available. It offers two, 10-day residencies in January and July near the wonderful town of Asheville, North Carolina, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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For more than 30 years, writers have come to American University to develop their work and exchange ideas in the District’s only creative writing MFA program. Our graduate workshops provide a rigorous yet supportive environment where students explore a range of approaches to the art and craft of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
As an MFA student at American, you are free to pursue a single genre or explore several. You will acquire a deeper understanding of your own work and hone your skills in a collaborative setting.
This two-year, 36-credit-hour MFA program integrates writing, literary journalism, translation, and the study of literature to prepare students for a range of career possibilities. Write, give feedback, and receive guidance from a close-knit community of respectful peers and faculty. In the MFA program, you'll find lawyers, military veterans, musicians, teachers, and business executives who are passionate about the written word.
Connect with accomplished professors and the resources you need to reach your goal. Our faculty members have been featured in a variety of media and publications including the New Yorker , the New York Times , National Public Radio, Bill Moyers & Co., and the Washington Post.
Our faculty of award-winning poets, novelists, translators, and nonfiction writers will help you help you hone your craft and pursue your career as a writer. You will receive instruction and guidance from successful authors published by university presses and major publishers, including Houghton Mifflin, Scribner, Vintage Books, Viking Press, and WW Norton. Our active and engaged faculty members are regularly featured in top media outlets such as The New York Times, New Yorker, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and New Republic ; in literary journals like Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, and Shenandoah ; and on television and radio.
Living and learning in the nation's capital provides numerous benefits for MFA students. We partner with organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts, Library of Congress, 826DC, Writopia Labs, and Folger Shakespeare Library to facilitate opportunities for our students.
Our students have recently published books with WW Norton, Copper Canyon, University of Wisconsin Press, and MIT Press. They have been featured on This American Life , Poets & Writers , in Creative Nonfiction , Psychology Today , and more.
97% of graduates are employed, in grad school, or both 6 months after graduation.
Our alumni have gone on to work for organizations including:
Folio is a nationally recognized literary journal sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences at American University in Washington, DC. Since 1984, we have published original creative work by both new and established authors. Past issues have included work by Michael Reid Busk, Billy Collins, William Stafford, and Bruce Weigl, and interviews with Michael Cunningham, Charles Baxter, Amy Bloom, Ann Beattie, and Walter Kirn. We look for well-crafted poetry and prose that is bold and memorable.
Recent award-winning publications by our MFA alumni :
Rachel Louise Snyder recounts how her mother’s death left her unmoored and untoward in her new memoir .
Kyle Dargan served as editor for The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer with Janelle Monáe.
Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Literature) won the 2023 NAACP Image Award for fiction for her most recent novel, Take My Hand .
More about ralvell.
MFA Creative Writing candidate Ralvell Rogers is making his mark on the literary world.
My time at AU has been brilliant in the fact that I've already learned much about what it means to be a Writer with a capital "W" and more importantly, a literary scholar. Though there is an obvious focus on our course work, it's been made clear to me that our work isn't exactly all that matters in the classroom. We are continuously connecting our work in class to the lives that we live on a daily basis and the world that we all live in, and I think that is very important for writers and entrepreneurs in the publishing sector because we are essentially the historians of our respective generations.
He is the author of The Kansas City Boys Choir: Providing Hope for Tomorrow , which has been endorsed by luminaries Kevin Powell, G.S. Griffin, and Congressman Emanual Cleaver II. Ralvell has also established his own publishing company, Ambitious Stories, LLC, out of Kansas City, MO. He founded it earlier this year to focus on "often unheard, yet riveting and inspiring stories from the heart."
More about valzhyna.
Alumna Valzhyna Mort has gained international acclaim for her third poetry collection, Music for the Dead and Resurrected (FSG, 2020), which won the 2021 International Griffin Prize and was named one of the best poetry books of 2020 by the New York Times . Publishers Weekly called this work in their starred review, "poems of reclamation and resurrection; to live in them is to confront the hard work of witness." The New Yorker wrote in its review, "Memory, metaphor, and myth intermingle to sometimes nightmarish effect in this collection by a Belarus-born poet. Mort excavates the individual and communal traumas wrought by a violent and repressive national history, and calls herself 'a test-child exposed to the burning reactor of my grandmother’s memory.'" Mort teaches poetry, literature, and translation at Cornell University.
For more than 40 years, writers have come to American University to develop their work and exchange ideas in the District’s only creative writing MFA program.
What is the application deadline for a merit award.
The application deadline is February 1. All applications are automatically considered for merit awards. After February 1, the program continues to consider applications, but cannot guarantee those applicants will be considered for merit awards.
The required MFA thesis consists of an original, book-length manuscript. It may be a novel, a novella, a memoir or collection of stories, creative nonfiction, or poems. The thesis is due approximately a month before the end of the student's final semester.
Most students complete the 36-credit degree in 2 years. Full-time study is 9 credits (3 classes) per semester. Others pursue their degree part-time, taking 1-2 classes per semester as best fits their schedules. All workshops, and many literature courses, are offered at night, so that students with full-time jobs can still complete their coursework.
The committee regards the writing sample as the most important part of the application. It's therefore important that you pay close attention to the manuscript guidelines (see below). Send what you feel is your strongest work that shows your demonstrated talent. It is not important to the committee whether or not work has been previously published.
Those submitting applications in poetry should send no more than 12 poems or 15 pages (with no more than one new or continuing poem per page). If submitting fiction/nonfiction, please submit 15-25 pages. While the catalog calls for a 25-page writing sample, we value quality over quantity. We are interested in seeing only your very best work, which can consist of one or more stories or works of creative nonfiction or an excerpt from a novel. If you send an excerpt from a novel, please include a brief description of the work as a whole.
Still have questions? Email [email protected] .
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If you have not previously requested AU graduate program information, create a new request
The University of Texas at Austin offers two MFA programs in creative writing through the New Writers Project (NWP) and the Michener Center for Writers (MCW). While they share courses, faculty, events, and communities, the programs have separate admissions processes and distinct plans of study. Some applicants choose to apply to both programs, while other applicants find that only one of the two programs meets their needs. Information about the Michener Center for Writers can be found on their website .
The differences between the two programs include:
Please note that applicants who apply to both MFA programs do not need to pay the application fee twice. When submitting their second application, applicants should select the option that says “I will pay The University of Texas at Austin directly, outside of ApplyTexas.” Once the second application has processed, the graduate school will automatically waive the application fee.
UT Austin offers two MFA programs in creative writing through the New Writers Project (NWP) and the Michener Center for Writers (MCW). While they share courses, faculty, events, and communities, the programs have separate admissions and distinct plans of study. Some applicants apply to both programs, while other applicants find that only one of the programs meets their needs. Information about MCW can be found here .
Below is a comparison of the two programs:
Through shared courses and events, the cohorts of both programs intermingle to create one community.
Please note that applicants who apply to both MFA programs do not need to pay the application fee twice. When submitting their second application, applicants should select the option that says, “I will pay The University of Texas at Austin directly, outside of ApplyTexas.” Once the second application has been processed, the graduate school will automatically waive the application fee.
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Grow your passion for writing into a career with liberty’s online mfa in creative writing.
Do you want to become the best creative writer you can be and get your work into the hands of readers? Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing can help you develop your writing passion into a career so you can set your works free to impact culture and the world.
Our online MFA in Creative Writing is designed to help you build on your writing skills with specific workshops dedicated to the craft of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or screenwriting. With a progress-focused approach to writing practice combined with mentorship from our faculty of experienced writers and scholars, you can learn the specific skills you need to make your writing stand out.
The MFA in Creative Writing program is designed to help you learn to be an excellent creative writer across the genres of creative fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, and poetry. You will learn how to produce aesthetically and culturally engaging creative works while gaining professional knowledge and practice. You will also study foundational contemporary literature so that you have a background in studying important works to draw on for your writing. To help you in your professional writing, you will also study many essential skills like editing, layout, and the business of publishing so that you can best position yourself for success in the market.
Through your creative writing courses and workshops, you will develop your craft so that you will be ready for your capstone project. This capstone will demonstrate your writing achievements and provide you with a guided process to help you complete a creative work you can be proud of.
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you.
Liberty’s military benefits are available to:
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
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Liberty’s promise to you is an education that expertly brings knowledge and faith together. Here, education is designed around you. It connects you to people and opportunities that help you develop the skills and confidence you’re looking for. At Liberty, you’ll find the knowledge, experience, and mentorship you want to make your career — and life — a fulfilling one.
Liberty University is not just another school. It is the realization of a dream, the product of thousands of prayers. It was built to invite students into a bigger, better story. Discover the Liberty difference for yourself.
When it comes to choosing a college, finances make a difference. That’s why at Liberty, we believe in offering you a top-notch education — that’s also affordable. Discover how Liberty can help you keep your college costs down.
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Our list of 255 MFA programs for creative writers includes essential information about low-residency and full-residency graduate creative writing programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries to help you decide where to apply. It also includes MA programs and PhD 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.
Here is the list of 53 universities that offer fully-funded MFA programs (Master's of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing. University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): Students admitted to the MFA Program are guaranteed full financial support for up to 4-years. Assistantships include a stipend paid over nine months (currently $14,125), and full payment ...
Its Master of Fine Arts program is one of the best MFA creative writing programs in the country, exposing students to various approaches to the craft. While studying under award-winning poets and writers, students may specialize in either poetry or fiction. 3. University of Texas at Austin - New Writers Project.
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) Visitor7, Knight Library, CC BY-SA 3.0. Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on ...
MFA in Creative Writing Program Guide. Whether focusing on poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, a creative writing degree prepares students for a multitude of career options. Spanning two years, a master of fine arts (MFA) program trains you to become a skilled writer, communicator, and editor who can receive and apply feedback effectively.
The MFA Creative Writing program is a three-year, rigorous course of study in creative writing and literature that offers students the option of specializing in fiction or poetry. You'll study under the program's distinguished and dedicated graduate faculty as you take four workshops in your chosen genre and work toward producing a book ...
The 2019 MFA Index provides the basic specs of a program as well as some application information to help you stay on schedule, but many of the most important and unquantifiable aspects of a program—faculty, curriculum, precise funding structure, and so on—require more research. Much of this information can be found in the Poets & Writers ...
The Columbia MFA is a two-year program requiring 60 credits of coursework to complete the degree and can take up to three years to complete the thesis. Students concentrate in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, and also have the option of pursuing a joint course of study in writing and literary translation.
Overview. The Creative Writing Program offers the MFA degree, with a concentration in either poetry or fiction. MFA students pursue intensive study with distinguished faculty committed to creative and intellectual achievement. Each year the department enrolls only eight MFA students, four in each concentration.
MFA in Writing. The Michener Center for Writers is the only Creative Writing M.F.A. program in the world that provides full and equal funding to every writer—yet it is our extraordinary faculty and sense of community that most distinguishes us. Our program is a three-year, fully-funded residency M.F.A. with a unique multi-disciplinary focus.
The coursework for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and immersive experience in writing, critical analysis, and literary theory. While specific course offerings and structures can vary by program, there are several common elements found across most MFA programs that graduate ...
The MFA in Creative Writing is designed to offer students an opportunity to concentrate intensively on their writing. This program is recommended for students who may want to apply for creative writing positions at colleges and universities, which often require the MFA degree. The MFA program does not have a foreign language requirement.
Creative Writing Program. The New School invites you to join a community of diverse writers, become part of New York City's publishing world, and build a network of support on campus and beyond. Our prestigious MFA Creative Writing program is designed to help you develop your writing in supportive workshops and literature seminars led by an ...
Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA in Creative Writing is one such practical, business-focused program. It teaches students to revise and reflect on their art while learning the print and digital business models — even digital tools — they need to support their creative endeavors.
The M.F.A. fiction specialization at Brooklyn College is a two-year course that maintains an enrollment of 30 students. While every member of the ongoing and visiting faculty works according to their methods, we are united in our conviction that newer writers need a balance of encouragement and serious, thoroughly considered feedback.
Lists of authors without graduate creative writing degrees or whose degree status is unknown are available. Send questions, comments and corrections to [email protected].. Disclaimer: No endorsement of these ratings should be implied by the writers and writing programs listed on this site, or by the editors and publishers of Best American Short Stories, Best American Essays, Best ...
5. Goucher College. The only program dedicated solely to nonfiction writing, this low residency MFA attracts applicants and faculty interested in pursuing narrative, memoir, personal essay, and literary journalism. Literary agents and editors attend the two 10-day residencies in Baltimore, Maryland, and there are sponsored trips to New York to ...
This two-year, 36-credit-hour MFA program integrates writing, literary journalism, translation, and the study of literature to prepare students for a range of career possibilities. Write, give feedback, and receive guidance from a close-knit community of respectful peers and faculty. In the MFA program, you'll find lawyers, military veterans ...
UT Austin offers two MFA programs in creative writing through the New Writers Project (NWP) and the Michener Center for Writers (MCW). While they share courses, faculty, events, and communities, the programs have separate admissions and distinct plans of study. Some applicants apply to both programs, while other applicants find that only one of ...
The MFA in Creative Writing program is designed to help you learn to be an excellent creative writer across the genres of creative fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, and poetry. You will learn ...
Degree Requirements. 36 credit hours of approved graduate work. Capstone Experience: 3 credit hours of LIT-797 Master's Thesis Seminar (1-6) resulting in a book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction approved by the creative writing faculty after an oral examination on its merits, characteristics, and relations to the works of ...
Three years in an AIER-rated Top 15 "mid-size metro" with a strong faculty, a reasonable teaching load, and a vibrant university community deserves a close look from any serious MFA applicant. Every year OSU is outside the Top 25 (especially in poetry), something is grievously wrong with the national MFA picture. University of Miami.
by Robert Scott. Mississippi University for Women's low-residency Master's of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program has been recognized on a national scale by Intelligent.com, which ranked the program 10 th in the country. "We are thrilled to be recognized as number 10 on Intelligent's ranking of the top 50 MFA programs.
The Master of Arts in Professional Creative Writing requires a sample of your creative writing, preferably in the genre of the concentration to which you are applying. The sample may comprise 2-3 double-spaced pages of prose (fiction or creative nonfiction), 30-40 single- or double-spaced lines of poetry, or 1-2 single-spaced pages of dramatic ...