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The 10 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in the US
The talent is there.
But the next generation of great American writers needs a collegial place to hone their craft.
They need a place to explore the writer’s role in a wider community.
They really need guidance about how and when to publish.
All these things can be found in a solid Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree program. This degree offers access to mentors, to colleagues, and to a future in the writing world.
A good MFA program gives new writers a precious few years to focus completely on their work, an ideal space away from the noise and pressure of the fast-paced modern world.
We’ve found ten of the best ones, all of which provide the support, the creative stimulation, and the tranquility necessary to foster a mature writer.
We looked at graduate departments from all regions, public and private, all sizes, searching for the ten most inspiring Creative Writing MFA programs.
Each of these ten institutions has assembled stellar faculties, developed student-focused paths of study, and provide robust support for writers accepted into their degree programs.
To be considered for inclusion in this list, these MFA programs all must be fully-funded degrees, as recognized by Read The Workshop .
Creative Writing education has broadened and expanded over recent years, and no single method or plan fits for all students.
Today, MFA programs across the country give budding short story writers and poets a variety of options for study. For future novelists, screenwriters – even viral bloggers – the search for the perfect setting for their next phase of development starts with these outstanding institutions, all of which have developed thoughtful and particular approaches to study.
So where will the next Salinger scribble his stories on the steps of the student center, or the next Angelou reading her poems in the local bookstore’s student-run poetry night? At one of these ten programs.
Here are 10 of the best creative writing MFA programs in the US.
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)
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-one instruction in the English college system.
Oregon’s MFA embraces its reputation for rigor. Besides attending workshops and tutorials, students take classes in more formal poetics and literature.
A classic college town, Eugene provides an ideal backdrop for the writers’ community within Oregon’s MFA students and faculty.
Tsunami Books , a local bookseller with national caché, hosts student-run readings featuring writers from the program.
Graduates garner an impressive range of critical acclaim; Yale Younger Poet winner Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Cave Canem Prize winner and Guggenheim fellow Major Jackson, and PEN-Hemingway Award winner Chang-Rae Lee are noteworthy alumni.
With its appealing setting and impressive reputation, Oregon’s MFA program attracts top writers as visiting faculty, including recent guests Elizabeth McCracken, David Mura, and Li-young Lee.
The individual approach defines the Oregon MFA experience; a key feature of the program’s first year is the customized reading list each MFA student creates with their faculty guide.
Weekly meetings focus not only on the student’s writing, but also on the extended discovery of voice through directed reading.
Accepting only ten new students a year—five in poetry and five in fiction— the University of Oregon’s MFA ensures a close-knit community with plenty of individual coaching and guidance.
Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
Cornell University’s MFA program takes the long view on life as a writer, incorporating practical editorial training and teaching experience into its two-year program.
Incoming MFA students choose their own faculty committee of at least two faculty members, providing consistent advice as they move through a mixture of workshop and literature classes.
Students in the program’s first year benefit from editorial training as readers and editors for Epoch , the program’s prestigious literary journal.
Teaching experience grounds the Cornell program. MFA students design and teach writing-centered undergraduate seminars on a variety of topics, and they remain in Ithaca during the summer to teach in programs for undergraduates.
Cornell even allows MFA graduates to stay on as lecturers at Cornell for a period of time while they are on the job search. Cornell also offers a joint MFA/Ph.D. program through the Creative Writing and English departments.
Endowments fund several acclaimed reading series, drawing internationally known authors to campus for workshops and work sessions with MFA students.
Recent visiting readers include Salman Rushdie, Sandra Cisneros, Billy Collins, Margaret Atwood, Ada Limón, and others.
Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
Arizona State’s MFA in Creative Writing spans three years, giving students ample time to practice their craft, develop a voice, and begin to find a place in the post-graduation literary world.
Coursework balances writing and literature classes equally, with courses in craft and one-on-one mentoring alongside courses in literature, theory, or even electives in topics like fine press printing, bookmaking, or publishing.
While students follow a path in either poetry or fiction, they are encouraged to take courses across the genres.
Teaching is also a focus in Arizona State’s MFA program, with funding coming from teaching assistantships in the school’s English department. Other exciting teaching opportunities include teaching abroad in locations around the world, funded through grants and internships.
The Virginia C. Piper Center for Creative Writing, affiliated with the program, offers Arizona State MFA students professional development in formal and informal ways.
The Distinguished Writers Series and Desert Nights, Rising Stars Conference bring world-class writers to campus, allowing students to interact with some of the greatest in the profession. Acclaimed writer and poet Alberto Ríos directs the Piper Center.
Arizona State transitions students to the world after graduation through internships with publishers like Four Way Books.
Its commitment to the student experience and its history of producing acclaimed writers—recent examples include Tayari Jones (Oprah’s Book Club, 2018; Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2019), Venita Blackburn ( Prairie Schooner Book Prize, 2018), and Hugh Martin ( Iowa Review Jeff Sharlet Award for Veterans)—make Arizona State University’s MFA a consistent leader among degree programs.
University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
The University of Texas at Austin’s MFA program, the Michener Center for Writers, maintains one of the most vibrant, exciting, active literary faculties of any MFA program.
Denis Johnson D.A. Powell, Geoff Dyer, Natasha Trethewey, Margot Livesey, Ben Fountain: the list of recent guest faculty boasts some of the biggest names in current literature.
This three-year program fully funds candidates without teaching fellowships or assistantships; the goal is for students to focus entirely on their writing.
More genre tracks at the Michener Center mean students can choose two focus areas, a primary and secondary, from Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, and Playwriting.
The Michener Center for Writers plays a prominent role in contemporary writing of all kinds.
The hip, student-edited Bat City Review accepts work of all genres, visual art, cross genres, collaborative, and experimental pieces.
Recent events for illustrious alumni include New Yorker publications, an Oprah Book Club selection, a screenwriting prize, and a 2021 Pulitzer (for visiting faculty member Mitchell Jackson).
In this program, students are right in the middle of all the action of contemporary American literature.
Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
The MFA in Creative Writing at Washington University in St. Louis is a program on the move: applicants have almost doubled here in the last five years.
Maybe this sudden growth of interest comes from recent rising star alumni on the literary scene, like Paul Tran, Miranda Popkey, and National Book Award winner Justin Phillip Reed.
Or maybe it’s the high profile Washington University’s MFA program commands, with its rotating faculty post through the Hurst Visiting Professor program and its active distinguished reader series.
Superstar figures like Alison Bechdel and George Saunders have recently held visiting professorships, maintaining an energetic atmosphere program-wide.
Washington University’s MFA program sustains a reputation for the quality of the mentorship experience.
With only five new students in each genre annually, MFA candidates form close cohorts among their peers and enjoy attentive support and mentorship from an engaged and vigorous faculty.
Three genre tracks are available to students: fiction, poetry, and the increasingly relevant and popular creative nonfiction.
Another attractive feature of this program: first-year students are fully funded, but not expected to take on a teaching role until their second year.
A generous stipend, coupled with St. Louis’s low cost of living, gives MFA candidates at Washington University the space to develop in a low-stress but stimulating creative environment.
Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
It’s one of the first and biggest choices students face when choosing an MFA program: two-year or three-year?
Indiana University makes a compelling case for its three-year program, in which the third year of support allows students an extended period of time to focus on the thesis, usually a novel or book-length collection.
One of the older programs on the list, Indiana’s MFA dates back to 1948.
Its past instructors and alumni read like the index to an American Literature textbook.
How many places can you take classes in the same place Robert Frost once taught, not to mention the program that granted its first creative writing Master’s degree to David Wagoner? Even today, the program’s integrity and reputation draw faculty like Ross Gay and Kevin Young.
Indiana’s Creative Writing program houses two more literary institutions, the Indiana Review, and the Indiana University Writers’ Conference.
Students make up the editorial staff of this lauded literary magazine, in some cases for course credit or a stipend. An MFA candidate serves each year as assistant director of the much-celebrated and highly attended conference .
These two facets of Indiana’s program give graduate students access to visiting writers, professional experience, and a taste of the writing life beyond academia.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)
The University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program cultivates its students with a combination of workshop-driven course work and vigorous programming on and off-campus. Inventive new voices in fiction and poetry consistently emerge from this two-year program.
The campus hosts multiple readings, events, and contests, anchored by the Zell Visiting Writers Series. The Hopgood Awards offer annual prize money to Michigan creative writing students .
The department cultivates relationships with organizations and events around Detroit, so whether it’s introducing writers at Literati bookstore or organizing writing retreats in conjunction with local arts organizations, MFA candidates find opportunities to cultivate a community role and public persona as a writer.
What happens after graduation tells the big story of this program. Michigan produces heavy hitters in the literary world, like Celeste Ng, Jesmyn Ward, Elizabeth Kostova, Nate Marshall, Paisley Rekdal, and Laura Kasischke.
Their alumni place their works with venerable houses like Penguin and Harper Collins, longtime literary favorites Graywolf and Copper Canyon, and the new vanguard like McSweeney’s, Fence, and Ugly Duckling Presse.
University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
Structure combined with personal attention and mentorship characterizes the University of Minnesota’s Creative Writing MFA, starting with its unique program requirements.
In addition to course work and a final thesis, Minnesota’s MFA candidates assemble a book list of personally significant works on literary craft, compose a long-form essay on their writing process, and defend their thesis works with reading in front of an audience.
Literary journal Great River Review and events like the First Book reading series and Mill City Reading series do their part to expand the student experience beyond the focus on the internal.
The Edelstein-Keller Visiting Writer Series draws exceptional, culturally relevant writers like Chuck Klosterman and Claudia Rankine for readings and student conversations.
Writer and retired University of Minnesota instructor Charles Baxter established the program’s Hunger Relief benefit , aiding Minnesota’s Second Harvest Heartland organization.
Emblematic of the program’s vision of the writer in service to humanity, this annual contest and reading bring together distinguished writers, students, faculty, and community members in favor of a greater goal.
Brown University (Providence, RI)
One of the top institutions on any list, Brown University features an elegantly-constructed Literary Arts Program, with students choosing one workshop and one elective per semester.
The electives can be taken from any department at Brown; especially popular choices include Studio Art and other coursework through the affiliated Rhode Island School of Design. The final semester consists of thesis construction under the supervision of the candidate’s faculty advisor.
Brown is the only MFA program to feature, in addition to poetry and fiction tracks, the Digital/Cross Disciplinary track .
This track attracts multidisciplinary writers who need the support offered by Brown’s collaboration among music, visual art, computer science, theater and performance studies, and other departments.
The interaction with the Rhode Island School of Design also allows those artists interested in new forms of media to explore and develop their practice, inventing new forms of art and communication.
Brown’s Literary Arts Program focuses on creating an atmosphere where students can refine their artistic visions, supported by like-minded faculty who provide the time and materials necessary to innovate.
Not only has the program produced trailblazing writers like Percival Everett and Otessa Moshfegh, but works composed by alumni incorporating dance, music, media, and theater have been performed around the world, from the stage at Kennedy Center to National Public Radio.
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
When most people hear “MFA in Creative Writing,” it’s the Iowa Writers’ Workshop they imagine.
The informal name of the University of Iowa’s Program in Creative Writing, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop was the first to offer an MFA, back in 1936.
One of the first diplomas went to renowned writer Wallace Stegner, who later founded the MFA program at Stanford.
It’s hard to argue with seventeen Pulitzer Prize winners and six U.S. Poets Laureate. The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is the root system of the MFA tree.
The two-year program balances writing courses with coursework in other graduate departments at the university. In addition to the book-length thesis, a written exam is part of the student’s last semester.
Because the program represents the quintessential idea of a writing program, it attracts its faculty positions, reading series, events, and workshops the brightest lights of the literary world.
The program’s flagship literary magazine, the Iowa Review , is a lofty goal for writers at all stages of their career.
At the Writers’ Workshop, tracks include not only fiction, poetry, playwriting, and nonfiction, but also Spanish creative writing and literary translation. Their reading series in association with Prairie Lights bookstore streams online and is heard around the world.
Iowa’s program came into being in answer to the central question posed to each one of these schools: can writing be taught?
The answer for a group of intrepid, creative souls in 1936 was, actually, “maybe not.”
But they believed it could be cultivated; each one of these institutions proves it can be, in many ways, for those willing to commit the time and imagination.
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Best Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs of 2023
Updated: November 24, 2022
Everyone has stories to share, whether they're fantastical or real-life. A Master's in Creative Writing teaches you how to tell your stories on the page, screen, or stage in a compelling way
Why This Matters
The #1 soft skill employers want, self-publishing has grown 40% in 1 year, there are 80,000+ english teacher jobs, our research.
We reviewed many Master of Creative Writing programs, including ones offered on-campus, online, and through both modes. Most of these degrees are Master of Fine Arts (MFA), which is considered a terminal degree in the fine arts fields.
The schools listed all have regional accreditation or national accreditation, if not both. Some of the accreditors include the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Attending an accredited degree program guarantees you’ll receive a quality education and ensures your degree will be recognized by other schools and employers. Recognition is important if you decide to transfer or hope to teach at a school.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology .
- 65 hours to write this article
- 190 universities and colleges we assessed
- 287 education programs we compared
The Top 47 Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs
intelligent score 98.16
Award Intelligent Pick
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Delivery Format On-Campus, Online
Programs Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Required Credits to Graduate 48 credits
Department College of Liberal Arts
Estimated Cost per Credit In-state: $490 per credit; Out-of-State: $575 per credit
accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 915-747-5666
intelligent score 96.42
Award Best Faculty
Required Credits to Graduate 42 credits
Department College of Arts and Science
Estimated Cost per Credit $397.57 per credit
accreditation Higher Learning Commission
more program information Email: [email protected] .edu Phone: 513-529-5221
intelligent score 94.28
Award Best for Educators
Delivery Format On-campus, Online
Programs Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Literature for Educators
Required Credits to Graduate 30 credits
Department Department of Literature, Language, Writing, and Humanities
Estimated Cost per Credit $600 per credit
accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 201-692-2000
intelligent score 92.93
Award Best Student-Faculty Ratio
Delivery Format On-Campus
Department College of Arts, Sciences, & Education
Estimated Cost per Credit $418.06 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 662-329-7169
intelligent score 92.89
Award Best in the Midwest
Programs Master of Fine Arts in Writing
Department School of Humanities
Estimated Cost per Credit $495 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 636-949-2000
intelligent score 92.73
Award Best Public Institution
Required Credits to Graduate 60 credits
Department College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $377 per credit; Out-of-State: $475.50 per credit
accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 541-962-3393
intelligent score 91.93
Award Most Global Perspective
Department College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $550 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 859-622-1742
intelligent score 91.85
Award Best Creative Writing Program
Required Credits to Graduate 39 credits
Department College of Arts and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $780 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 215-572-4009
intelligent score 91.2
Award Best in the Northwest
Delivery Format Remote, with two 10-day in-person residencies
Required Credits to Graduate 77 credits
Estimated Cost per Credit $487 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 541-706-2063
intelligent score 90.65
Award Best Visiting Writers
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 541-322-3100
intelligent score 90.44
Award Best in the Mid-Atlantic
Programs Masters of Arts in Creative Writing
Department College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $728 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 570-408-4235
intelligent score 90.28
Award Best for Veterans
Required Credits to Graduate 58.5 units
Department College of Letters and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $442 per unit
accreditation WASC Senior College and University Commission
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 855-355-6288
intelligent score 88.98
Award Best in the West
Required Credits to Graduate 36 credits
Department College of Arts and Letters
Estimated Cost per Credit $582.22 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 928-523-4911
intelligent score 88.6
Award Best Mentorships
Department College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
Estimated Cost per Credit $500 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 402-554-3857
intelligent score 88.38
Award Best in the Northeast
Required Credits to Graduate 64 credits
Estimated Cost per Credit $672.81 per credit
accreditation New England Commission of Higher Education
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 802-440-4452
intelligent score 84.93
Award Best Low Residency Program
Required Credits to Graduate 72 credits
Estimated Cost per Credit $692 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 704-337-2499
intelligent score 83.84
Award Best for Publishing
Department School Of Communication
Estimated Cost per Credit $1,276 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-824-8500
intelligent score 83.33
Award Most Inexpensive In-State Tuition
Department School of Arts and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $352.12 per credit; Out-of-State tuition: $774.12 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 361-570-4200
intelligent score 80.37
Award Best in the Southwest
Department Department of English
Estimated Cost per Credit $600.94 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 806-742-2501
intelligent score 79.76
Award Most Community-Centered
Required Credits to Graduate 49 credits
Estimated Cost per Credit $475 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 304-473-8523
intelligent score 79.22
Award Best for Working Writers
Programs Master of Fine Arts in Creative & Professional Writing
Department Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $389 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 203-837-3252
intelligent score 79.21
Award Best Internships
Required Credits to Graduate 54 credits
Department College of Arts & Letters
Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $547 per credit; Out-of-State: $595 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 757-683-3685
intelligent score 78.98
Award Best Private School
Estimated Cost per Credit $555 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 603-428-2252
intelligent score 78.91
Award Best in the Southeast
Programs Master's Degree in English
Required Credits to Graduate 33 credits
Department Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $456.72 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 252-328-6131
intelligent score 78.39
Award Best Non-Fiction Track
Programs Master of Arts in Writing
Required Credits to Graduate 9 courses
Estimated Cost per Credit $3,316 per course
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 844-417-0874
intelligent score 77.55
Award Best YA Fiction Program
Estimated Cost per Credit $624 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 864-596-9404
intelligent score 76.8
Award Best Fiction Program
Department Colleges of Arts and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $653 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 413-782-1517
intelligent score 76.18
Award Best for Novel Writers
Required Credits to Graduate 96 credits
Department College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Programs
Estimated Cost per Credit $775 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 203-254-4000
intelligent score 74.33
Award Most Affordable
Estimated Cost per Credit $200 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 419-372-2531
intelligent score 74.19
Award Best for Cross-Cultural Sensitivity
accreditation North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 505-424-2365
intelligent score 71.78
Award Best for Non-Traditional Students
Estimated Cost per Credit $436.66 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-731-7000
intelligent score 69.54
Award Best for Editors
Estimated Cost per Credit $597 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 651-523-2047
intelligent score 69.19
Award Best Master's-to-Ph.D. Program
Programs Master of Arts in Creative Writing
Department College of Arts & Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $512 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 740-593-2838
intelligent score 68.88
Award Best International Residency
Required Credits to Graduate 45 credits
Estimated Cost per Credit $743 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 419-289-5098
intelligent score 67.9
Award Best Electives
Programs Master of Liberal Arts, Creative Writing and Literature
Estimated Cost per Credit $35,000 per program
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-495-4024
intelligent score 67.89
Award Best Residencies
Department School of Adult and Graduate Education
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 610-740-3770
intelligent score 67.09
Award Best Alumni Network
Estimated Cost per Credit $843.50 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-468-4888
intelligent score 66.86
Award Best Concentration Options
Department School of Arts, Science & Business
Estimated Cost per Credit $1,017 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-837-1290
intelligent score 65.67
Award Most Recognized Faculty
Department The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Estimated Cost per Credit $976.66 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 480-965-3168
intelligent score 65.04
Award Best for Poets
Programs Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing
Estimated Cost per Credit $1,287.35 per credit
more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 337-475-5326
What You Should Know About This Degree
There isn’t any one path that leads to becoming a published writer, but many people find a Master of Creative Writing degree program helpful. This program gives students a better understanding of the writing process, helps them sharpen skills, and assists them with their initial networking in the publishing industry. However, even the best programs don’t guarantee a successful career as an author.
For many students, a master’s in creative writing is a practical way to land a stable job teaching. Though graduating with a degree isn’t a guarantee of employment, this degree is a qualification for many English and creative writing teaching positions.
Many creative writing programs require students to focus on a specific genre, such as fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, or poetry, but some programs are general and have no such specialization. Consider your career goals before applying, and choose a program that matches your aspirations.
Online programs can mostly be completed remotely, but they might have optional or required residencies. Consider how a residency would fit within your budget and schedule as you evaluate various program options.
What’s Next?
Here are a couple of questions to ask as you research master’s in creative writing programs:
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Coursework for these degree programs may be offered either synchronously or asynchronously. The former means that students attend classes together, while the latter means students can complete work on their own schedule. Think about how each mode would fit into your schedule when you look at programs.
- What licensing or certifications are required? Writing isn’t a field that requires licensure or certification, but there are some professional organizations that might be worth joining. Organizations tend to be focused on a particular genre, such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Becoming a member of these organizations provides networking opportunities.
When you have a shortlist of programs, find out the application process for each. You can check which application materials are required and the deadlines by contacting the program or visiting its webpage.
Also consider how you’ll cover tuition. Check with programs to see which fellowships, scholarships, and other financial aid might be available.
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The 25 Best Graduate Creative Writing Programs
If you’re interested in a creative writing career, this might arguably be one of the best times in history. A glance on the Internet, especially on social media sites, shows a growing demand for content. This means a demand for advanced writing skills, and other creative skills.
Are you planning to enhance your creative writing skills? Consider taking one of the best creative writing graduate programs . To get you started on your degree search, we’ve put together this list of best graduate writing programs . In fact, most of these are no- or low-residency creative writing programs. This includes colleges offering an online master’s degree (or hybrid) in Creative Writing.
A creative writer ay find themselves with a number of different career opportunities. Creative writers may write content, go into advertising, be a screen writer or go into publishing just to name a few options in this field.
Best MFA Creative Writing Programs
Western new england university, graduation rate, acceptance rate.
One of the best creative writing MFA programs is offered by Western New England University (WNE, est. 1919) is a low-residency program (College of Arts and Sciences). This is a 48-credit, hybrid MFA in Fiction, but enables a comprehensive study of all aspects of fiction. Students at this top creative writing school will undertake a mix of:
- craft classes
- individual conferences
- manuscript consultations
- special topics courses
- workshops in creative writing
For the residencies, these immersive, week-long gatherings are comprised of:
- discussions
Four of these must be taken. The summer ones are held on-campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, with the winter ones either in the Berkshires or Dublin, Ireland. Those applying for the MFA program will need an undergraduate degree (please check with WNE for GPA requirements).
As one of the best creative writing MFAs , WNE’s Creative Writing MFA provides a mentored approach to education. To ensure students get the one-on-one attention they deserve, the program maintains the student-faculty ratio at 5:1. Faculty mentors and visiting writers are all published authors — many award-winning — covering several forms and genres, including:
- Literary Criticism
- Literary Fiction
- Non-Fiction Essays
- Young Adult and Middle-Grade Literature
The MFA is particularly well-suited to creative writers with a strong interest in craft and who want to master critical elements, such as:
- sentence craft
- story shaping
- voice development
Key courses in the creative writing program include:
- Fiction Workshop
- Special Topics in Creative Writing
- The Craft of Fiction
- Type: Private, non-profit
- Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
- Cost: $44,112
- #students: 3,673
- #grads: 1,121
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Has housing?: Yes
- Programs: Associates through doctorate level, plus certificates
Lesley University
Graduate rate:, acceptance rate:.
Lesley University (LU, est. 1909) offers a unique, low-residency, hybrid MFA in Creative Writing that will be attractive to writers seeking to explore new boundaries in their craft. LU’s best masters in creative writing requires 49 credits for completion, including a thesis and graduating seminar presentation. Students must also complete five residencies — two per year plus an exit one — in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Each nine-day residency involves:
There is also an exciting opportunity for a 12-day residency in Wales at the Dylan Thomas International Summer School. To qualify for admission into the MFA, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree (please check with LU for GPA requirements).
If you’re looking for one of the best poetry MFA or screenwriting MFA programs , this just might be it. Available genres for Lesley’s MFA in Creative Writing are:
- Graphic Novels and Comics
- Non-Fiction
- Writing for Stage and Screen
- Writing for Young People
While creative writers will select one genre, they will work with award-winning writers across several of these categories. This underlies the unique interdisciplinary aspect of the program. In addition to encouraging students to explore other genres, LU’s MFA allows them to incorporate other disciplines, as well. For example, students can work with faculty in Art and Design or Arts and Social Sciences to examine how their writing combines with such complementary fields as:
- art therapy
- visual arts
Graduates of LU’s low-residency Creative Writing program have pursued careers as:
- playwrights
- screenwriters
Several creative writers have become teachers in writing programs at prestigious universities. Key courses for this MFA include:
- Craft and Reflection
- Creative Writing
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Cost: $40,230
- #students: 4,200
- #grads: 2,339
- Programs: Bachelor’s through doctorate level degrees, plus certificates
Spalding University
Graduation rate:.
Spalding University (SU, est. 1814) offers one of the best graduate creative writing programs in the country. Their low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Writing. This 65-credit hybrid degree provides the choice of six concentrations:
- Creative Non-Fiction
- Playwriting
- Screenwriting
- Writing for Children and Young Adults
Students must complete five 10-day residencies, which are comprised of:
The residencies in Louisville, Kentucky, take place in spring and fall. The international ones are held in the summer. After each residency, students undertake a semester of independent study that is primarily focused on honing one’s writing abilities and writing process but is supported by reading and critical analysis. A thesis and the Graduation Residency complete the program. To qualify for admission into this creative writing program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree (please check with SU for GPA requirements).
Spalding’s Writing MFA is a high-value program that offers an intriguing combination of:
- academic rigor
- affordability
- flexibility
As the world’s first certified compassionate university, SU’s promise of a supportive, non-competitive community seems very real. Additionally, SU takes pride in teaching students how to be successful creative writers amidst the other responsibilities of their daily lives and continues to provide support for alumni after graduation. Key courses for the creative writing students include:
- Advanced Independent Writing and Reading – Emphasizing the Research Project
- Intermediate Independent Writing and Reading in Creative Writing
- Introductory Independent Writing and Reading in Creative Writing
Additional: SU also offers a low-residency Master of Arts (MA) in Writing with tracks in: Creative Writing; and Professional Writing. This 35-credit hybrid degree can be completed in a year. Graduates can then pursue career goals or proceed directly into SU’s MFA.
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Cost: $39,325
- Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic (Sisters of Charity of Nazareth)
- #students: 1,596
- #grads: 741
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Queens University of Charlotte
Queens University of Charlotte (Queens, est. 1857) offers one of the best creative writing masters programs through the College of Arts and Sciences. This hybrid program requires 52 credits for completion and includes a thesis and a capstone project. While this is essentially a Master’s of creative writing focusing on publishing and editing, students can specialize in one of four genres:
- Creative Nonfiction
They must take four weeks of residencies selected from two track options. On-Campus Residencies are seven-day sessions held in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the start of each semester. International Residences are annual, culturally rich, 14- or 15-day affairs in one of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; or Santiago, Chile. A final, on-campus Graduating Residency is also required. To qualify for admission into the MFA, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent creative writing experience. (Please check with Queens for GPA requirements.)
The Queens’ Creative Writing MFA is for:
- published writers
- those who want to be published
- those who want to teach at colleges or universities
The creative writing program provides the:
- inspiration and support of a writing community
- the personalized attention of a dedicated instructor
- the private time needed to write and think
Queens also has opportunities to help graduates achieve their career dreams. This includes an Annual Alumni Weekend with craft seminars, publishing panels, and, every other year, top agents and senior editors from major magazines and publishing houses. There’s also Queens’ Book Development Program. It pairs applicants with a senior editor from a major publisher. Key course options for this MFA include:
- Dramatic Writing Workshop
- Guided Reading in Creative Writing
- Poetry Tutorial
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Cost: $38,480
- Religious affiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)
- #students: 2,338
- #grads: 668
- Programs: Bachelor’s and master’s level degrees, plus certificates
Harvard University
Through its Harvard Extension School, Harvard University (Harvard, est. 1636) has one of the best Creative Writing masters programs. While Harvard’s is not an online MFA in creative writing, it is partly online and is called the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in the field of Creative Writing and Literature. This 48-credit, low-residency, hybrid degree has the choice of a capstone or thesis track. Primarily taken online, the ALM has a single residency requirement comprising three weeks of study. It starts with a week-long masterclass on-campus and a weekend connecting with agents and editors. The additional two weeks of writing classes and final writing assignment can be done either online or on-campus. To qualify for admission into the ALM, students need a Bachelor’s degree and then must take two required graduate courses at Harvard, earning a minimum grade of B in each one.
Harvard’s Creative Writing and Literature ALM focuses on helping students gain a mastery in creative writing and literary analysis. Graduates will be able to write in multiple genres, including:
- Dramatic Writing
Students gain advanced creative writing skills in:
- characterization
- description
- point of view
- story and plot structure
They will also be able to assess literature as both creative writers and scholars. In addition to the acknowledged quality of a Harvard education, the ALM provides students with connection, camaraderie, and support. Many graduates in creative writing go on to careers in:
- advertising
- fundraising
Key ALM courses and options include:
- Advanced Fiction – Writing the Short Story
- Global Environmental Literatures
- Writing a Nonfiction Book
- Cost: $35,760
- #students: 30,391
- #grads: 21,864
Ashland University
Ashland University (AU, est. 1878) offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. This is a 45-credit, hybrid degree featuring nine credits of in-residence course work and 36 credits of online study (including a full-semester thesis). The in-residence courses take place during a two-week summer workshop (with seminars and readings) held at AU’s Ashland, Ohio, campus. Three separate workshops/ residencies must be completed. Students have the incredible option to do one of their residencies in Paris. The final residency will feature their thesis defense. Students can choose a degree track in one of three genres:
- Fiction (literary and science fiction/ fantasy)
To qualify for admission, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA over 2.75.
Ashland’s approach to its Creative Writing Master’s program is one of mentored learning. No more than five students are assigned to a single faculty mentor, each of whom is a published author. During residencies, students can also build their own dynamic writing communities with fellow students. Other program benefits for a creative writer include creating a full-length manuscript in one’s chosen genre and having the chance to qualify for graduate assistantships in teaching or publishing. Key courses in this creative writing program include a:
- Summer Residency
Those obtaining a graduate teaching assistantship will undergo a Pedagogy Track with two additional courses — Composition/ Rhetoric Pedagogy and Supervised Teaching — and teach as many as five online undergraduate composition courses.
- Location: Ashland, Ohio
- Cost: $35,415
- Religious affiliation: Brethren Church
- #students: 4,447
- #grads: 1,299
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Arcadia University
The top-value Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing at Arcadia University (Arcadia, est. 1853) is a 39-credit, hybrid program. This creative writing program offers two genre choices: Fiction; or Poetry. Students must complete three separate week-long residencies involving:
- community building
- discussions with local or visiting writers
- faculty advisor meetings
- writing exercises
The first and third residencies are held on-campus in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The second is a study-abroad opportunity in Edinburgh, Scotland, which adds area tours to the activities list. For this MFA’s thesis requirement, students must produce a full-length manuscript in their chosen genre — and work with their advisor to create a plan to get that manuscript published.
Arcadia’s high-quality Creative Writing program is designed to prepare students for a career in:
Potential employment settings for creative writing graduates include:
- advertising agencies
- colleges/ universities
- corporations
- governments
- healthcare organizations
- media outlets
- non-profits
Among the creative writing program highlights are:
- award-winning faculty
- large amounts of online content and connections
- weekly workshops with asynchronous discussion and reviews from instructors and peers
- regular, personal contact between students and faculty
Key course options for the MFA include:
- Craft of Contemporary Fiction
- Fiction Practicum
- Poetry Workshops
- Type: Private, nonprofit
- Location: Glenside, Pennsylvania
- Cost: $31,005
- Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)
- #students: 3,300
- #grads: 1,286
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
University of Nebraska Omaha
The low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Writing from the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO, est. 1908) is a 60-credit, hybrid program. Students can choose from one of six genres:
- Young Adult
Those wanting to specialize in a second genre can apply for an additional semester of study. In addition to a thesis requirement, students must complete:
- a craft paper
- a series of critical essays
- an internship
As for the residencies, students must complete five of them, including the final one where they will present their thesis and deliver a craft lecture. Held twice a year at a retreat in Nebraska City, Nebraska, each residency features:
- craft discussions
- an individual conference with one’s faculty mentor
UNO’s low-residency Creative Writing MFA is designed for writers seeking a literary career. The program allows for a personalized course of study under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, who is an accomplished (often award-winning) writer. That personalized plan will determine the critical development, reading, and writing a student will undertake each semester. During each residency, students form a supportive community with their single-genre workshop group. Then, through Special Topic Workshops and future residencies, they’ll also get to interact with all the other MFA students and study multiple genres. Key course options for the creative writing program include:
- Fiction Seminar
- Playwriting or Screenwriting Seminar
- Poetry Seminar
- Type: Public
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska
- Cost: $30,840
- Affiliation: University of Nebraska System
- #students: 15,892
- #grads: 3,124
Bay Path University
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Bay Path University (BPU, est. 1897) is a fully online program. To graduate, students must complete 39 credits, including six for their thesis. In addition to their core courses, creative writing students must choose from one of three tracks:
- Narrative Medicine
Each track provides for an internship or practicum opportunity. Also, while this MFA is a no-residency program, BPU does have the option for a week-long Summer Writing Seminar in Ireland, which currently features Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon. New students can enter the MFA in January, May, or September. To qualify for admission, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in their English and Writing classes.
Students in Bay Path’s online MFA will gain a deeper understanding of creative non-fiction as a unique genre and learn what it takes to write publishable work based on their own experiences or the personal stories of others. Other benefits include:
- being mentored by award-winning writers
- gaining real-world experience and connections
- obtaining peer feedback in writing workshops
Creative writing program graduates can pursue careers in various fields, including:
- public relations
Popular job titles include:
- grant writer
- scriptwriter
Key courses in BPU’s MFA include:
- Reading and Writing about Culture, Race, and Identity
- Travel and Food Writing for Publication
- Writing Contemporary Women’s Stories
- Location: Longmeadow, Massachusetts
- Cost: $30,225
- #students: 3,224
- #grads: 1,429
Drexel University
The low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing at Drexel University (DU, est. 1891) is a 45-credit hybrid program. This MFA focuses on a Fiction concentration with opportunities to gain skills and understanding in other genres. (The program also previously offered a Screenwriting Track. Please check with DU about its availability.) Students must complete three separate five-day residencies. The first and third are at Drexel’s campus in Philadelphia, the second is in New York. Each residency has career development and writing mastery components. However, the second one helps set DU apart. In that Professional Residency, students form connections with:
Those applying for admission into the creative writing program must have a Bachelor’s degree (please check with DU for GPA requirements).
As one of the top MFA creative writing programs in the country, Drexel’s Creative Writing MFA was designed to develop writers who can create work worthy of being published and understand what it takes to be published. Students will be mentored by acclaimed authors, learn from award-winning writers, and get feedback from fellow students. Drexel also provides a rare opportunity to connect one’s creative writing to civic engagement activities. These experiences include:
- studying how to create grassroots change while in Haiti
- writing about the natural world while in Equatorial Guinea
- creating entertainment for terminally ill children
- telling the stories of hospice patients, incarcerated men and women, and military veterans.
Key courses in this creative writing program include:
- Fiction Writing Packet Exchange
- Fiction Writing Workshop
- Reading as a Writer (Genre Authors)
Tuition is currently at a special rate and may increase in each new semester. We’ve estimated total cost based only this special 50% off per-credit rate, available at time of publication.
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Cost: $30,195
- #students: 23,589
- #grads: 8,973
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU, est. 1932) has a fully online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. This 48-credit creative writing degree offers the choice of four genre fiction tracks:
- Contemporary
- Speculative
SNHU’s program culminates with a three-course thesis where students create a full-length novel or story collection of publishable quality. Prior to that, creative writing students study the craft of writing and incorporate what they learn into their own writing. They also explore the publishing process to better understand the practical side of being a successful author and marketing one’s work. To qualify for admission into the MFA, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
SNHU’s Creative Writing MFA is one of the few fully online top creative writing MFA programs and even fewer focused on genre fiction. What gives it even better value is its unique and beneficial career-building components. Specifically, students can choose from one of two built-in certificates: Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing; or Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing. That means creative writing graduates will be better prepared to teach at the college and university level or be ready to pursue professional writing opportunities in today’s marketing-oriented, project-driven economy. Key courses for the creative writing program include:
- Advanced Studies in Genre Literature
- Finding and Reaching an Audience
- The Business of Writing
Additional: SNHU also offers two other creative writing programs for graduate students. The low-residency Mountainview Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fiction or Nonfiction is a 60-credit, hybrid degree. Meanwhile, the 36-credit Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing is a fully online program.
- Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
- Cost: $30,096
- #students: 134,345
- #grads: 22,746
Converse University
Converse University (CU, est. 1889) — formerly Converse College — offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. This 48-credit hybrid degree comprises five separate nine-day residencies and four mentoring semesters. Residencies incorporate seminars, workshops, and lectures and are held twice a year on CU’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, campus. The Graduating Residency completes the program and features a thesis defense. Students can focus on one of three genres:
Those choosing Fiction can specialize in Young Adult Fiction. Alternatively, students in any genre can specialize in Environmental Writing. Those wanting to further broaden their career horizons can choose the Second Genre Emphasis. This adds 12 credits to their creative writing degree requirements, plus an additional residency and mentoring semester. To apply for admission into the MFA, students must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
The non-traditional format of CU’s Creative Writing MFA utilizes the mentor-apprentice relationship to help students develop advanced writing skills and a relevant understanding of contemporary literature and craft. This educational style also means students can personalize their course, project, and reading list selections. Additional program benefits include:
- faculty mentors who are award-winning writers
- free room and board during residencies for full-time students
- publishing opportunities through the Clemson-Converse Literature Series
Recent graduates have won numerous writing awards and secured book deals with major and top independent publishers. Key course options in this MFA include:
- Craft Topics in Environmental Writing
- Craft Topics in Young Adult Fiction Writing
- Poetry Writing
NOTE: According to the creative writing program site, room and board is provided included with tuition and fees to enrolled MFA students for both the summer and winter residencies. Summer accommodations are on-campus; winter accommodations are at local hotels.
- Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Cost: $29,952
- #students: 1,377
- #grads: 640
Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Oregon University (EOU, est. 1929) offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. This 60-credit, hybrid degree has both a thesis and a practicum requirement. While students must select a primary genre for their thesis, they will study several genres, including:
- Graphic Novels
Students who want to specialize in a second genre can stay an additional year to do another thesis. For the ecologically inclined, EOU’s MFA has a Wilderness, Ecology and Community concentration. Either way, every student will have a unique nature experience through the summer residencies, which split time between a Wallowa Lake retreat and EOU’s campus in La Grande, Oregon. Students must complete three separate two-week residencies comprised of:
- craft seminars
- panel presentations
- writing workshops
The final residency features their thesis presentation.
EOU’s low-residency Creative Writing MFA follows a cohort model to help create a tight-knit, collaborative group of fellow writing students. At the same time, as the program is designed for working professionals, students will be able to study at their own pace to ensure they can balance their commitments. An additional benefit of EOU’s creative writing program is the hands-on experience provided through a variety of experiences during the practicum including:
- administrative
- service learning
- teaching opportunities
Key course options for the creative writing program include:
- Literary/ Film Themes
- Special Topics in Writing
- Themes in Writing/ Rhetoric
- Location: La Grande, Oregon
- Cost: $29,880
- Affiliation: Oregon University System
- #students: 2,853
- #grads: 267
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Programs: Associates through master’s level degrees, plus certificates
West Virginia Wesleyan College
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC, est. 1890) is a low-residency program. This 49-credit, hybrid degree requires a thesis and a critical essay. Students must also complete five total residencies — comprising craft seminars, readings, and workshops — with the last one centered on their thesis interview and presentation. Summer residencies are on-campus in Buckhannon, West Virginia, with the winter ones in Blackwater Falls State Park. (An Ireland MFA Residency is also an option.) Students must choose from one of three genre tracks:
For those wanting to study a second track, a Cross-Genre Concentration is available. It adds 12 credits, a residency, and a semester to the creative writing program’s original completion requirements.
Wesleyan’s low-residency Creative Writing MFA follows a student-centered model that is designed to replicate the flow of a writer’s life. Program participants can maintain their regular lives while learning to become dedicated writers in balance with those commitments. Students work one-on-one with a variety of accomplished faculty mentors. At the same time, everyone is part of a welcoming, supportive writing community. Study and coursework are focused on mastering craft and technique, along with the development and furtherance of the writer’s mind.
- Location: Buckhannon, West Virginia
- Cost: $26,729
- Religious affiliation: United Methodist Church
- #students: 1,066
- Programs: BMDC Bachelor’s through doctorate level degrees, plus certificates
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University (LU, est. 1827) offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Writing that can be taken online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. This 48-credit, creative writing MFA includes a thesis requirement and combines craft and literature classes with writing workshops to help students grow as writers and expand their literary knowledge and analytical abilities. With the fully online option, there are no residency requirements. Additionally, students can customize their degree outline, selecting courses across several genres and literary areas, or choosing an emphasis in:
To apply for admission, students must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The University of Denver also offers a Ph.D. in English & Literary Arts with a concentration in Creative Writing. Students will choose either a “poetry” or “prose” track. Poets &Writers ranked the University of Denver as one of the best creative writing programs MFA in the country.
LU’s MFA in Writing is designed as a fully flexible option that fits the needs, interests, and schedules of all its students. Lindenwood aims to remove the barriers that may be stopping someone from pursuing their educational and career goals. Along with career resources, peer support, and networking connections, an additional benefit of this MFA is the chance to be an editorial assistant with the program’s annual literary journal. Graduates of LU’s MFA can pursue both employed and self-employed positions, achieving such job titles as:
- marketing writer
- staff writer
- technical writer
As this MFA is a terminal degree, graduates can also teach at the college and university level. Key course options for this MFA include Focused Scriptwriting Workshop and The Personal Essay and Memoir.
- Location: Saint Charles, Missouri
- Cost: $24,960
- Affiliation: Lindenwood University System
- #students: 7,382
- #grads: 2,660
Wilkes University
Wilkes University (WU, est. 1933) offers two connected, low-residency creative writing graduate degrees — the Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing and the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. The 30-credit MA offers seven tracks:
- Documentary Film
Four, eight-day, on-campus residencies are required, including a capstone one. (WU also has a “weekender” option where each residency is broken down into four consecutive weekends during the semester.) The MFA is the continuation of WU’s MA program. It requires an additional 18 credits and one more residency. MFA students will revise their MA thesis for publication or production, or start a new project based on the thesis. They will also complete a full-term internship in teaching or publishing. Those applying for the MA should have a Bachelor’s degree, but it’s not essential. Those applying for the MFA must have completed the MA program and earned a 3.5 GPA in every course.
Wilkes’s low-residency Creative Writing MA and MFA programs focus on writing craft and the business of writing. That real-world integration is what makes it unique. Every MA thesis is read by an agent, editor, publisher, or producer who provides detailed feedback and a personal meeting. Meanwhile, MFA internships give students real-world experience and connections. Also, WU’s MA and MFA teach students how to:
- live, think, and work as writers
- connect with audiences
- pitch ideas to editors, publishers, or producers
The proof? Hundreds of graduates have had their works published or produced. Countless others have become:
- book reviewers
- PR directors
- video game scriptwriters
Key courses and options for the MA include:
- Drafting Project in Fiction
- Genre and Context in Publishing
- Writing Plays
Key courses and options for the MFA program include:
- Literary Analysis
- Revision Term
- Writing in Education/ Publishing Internship
- Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Cost: $24,180
- #students: 4,680
- #grads: 2,329
- Programs: Bachelor’s through doctorate level degrees
University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP, est. 1914) offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing that can be taken entirely online. The MFA program requires 48 credits for graduation, including six for a thesis. While there are no residency requirements for this degree, adventurous students can select the low-residency option and travel to a different international city every summer. Past host cities have included London, Madrid, and Paris. The program itself is built around a mix of: writing workshops, literature courses, form and theory explorations covering various genres and forms. For their thesis, students will select either: Fiction or Poetry. To qualify for admission into the MFA program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and ideally a minimum 3.0 GPA.
UTEP’s MFA program is one of the few fully online Creative Writing MFAs in the United States and the only bilingual one. While classes are taught in English, students have the option to submit assignments in Spanish. Career-wise, the main focus of this high-quality program is preparing graduates for careers as published writers and/ or teaching creative writing at colleges and universities. This MFA program has a strong literary focus and foundation. In addition to academic ability, it favors talented and driven writers with distinct, developing, or new voices, and those with cultural and social awareness. Key course options for the MFA program include:
- Advanced Screenwriting
- Forms and Techniques of Fiction
- Storytelling – Film and Literature
- Location: El Paso, Texas
- Cost: $23,520
- Affiliation: University of Texas System
- #students: 24,879
- #grads: 3,762
Saint Leo University
The low-residency Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing at Saint Leo University (SLU, est. 1889) is a 36-credit, hybrid program. Students can choose from one of three degree tracks:
SLU is also said to have the only MA program that offers a track specialization in War Literature and Writing for Veterans — a uniquely relevant and poignant option in today’s world. Overall, the program combines creative writing and literary studies personalized to each student’s goals. The MA’s eight-day residency is held on-campus in St. Leo, Florida, each summer. Students must attend three of these. To be eligible for admission to the MA, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.25 GPA.
SLU’s low-residency MA in Creative Writing is a flexible option for working adults who dream of writing memorable works of fiction or becoming notable essayists, memoirists, or poets. Other students use this MA to advance their professional careers or use it as a foundational step to pursuing terminal degrees in fields such as:
- creative writing
Whatever one’s goals or dreams, SLU provides a dedicated faculty mentor (a published writer of national recognition) to help guide you. You will also have the regular feedback and community of your fellow writing students. Key courses and options for the MA include Foundations in Fiction and Theory and Practice of Creative Writing.
- Location: Saint Leo, Florida
- Cost: $23,400
- Religious affiliation: Catholic Church (Order of Saint Benedict)
- #students: 9,832
- #grads: 2,887
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul (CSP, est. 1893) offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This 36-credit program features 11 courses plus a thesis. CSP’s MFA program helps students hone their creative writing skills while also developing the ability to read and assess literature across three genres:
Students will develop their creative writing skills through craft and workshop courses while studying different literary forms, genres, and topics via literature and research courses. To qualify for admission, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
CSP’s MFA in Creative Writing is well-suited to the needs of working adults. In addition to being fully online, year-round admission is possible. Classes are held once a week, and each course takes only seven weeks to complete. Students will have the chance to work with several published authors throughout their degree and gain the skills and perspectives needed to produce publishable work. This will allow them to pursue a career as a professional writer in a variety of different fields. As such, CSP’s Creative Writing MFA is suitable for those who want to become writers and those who are already writers but want to expand their career potential. Key courses in this MFA program include:
- Studies in the Craft of Creative Writing
- Researching and Writing About Literature
- The Culture of Writing, Editing, and Publishing
- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Cost: $18,900
- Affiliation: Concordia University System
- Religious affiliation: Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
- #students: 5,585
- #grads: 2,007
Central Washington University
Central Washington University (CWU, est. 1891) offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Professional and Creative Writing that can be taken entirely online or in a multi-modal (hybrid) format. This MA requires 45 credits for completion. There is no thesis requirement, but students must complete an end-of-program Portfolio course. There are also no defined degree tracks, allowing students to customize their course of study based on their career goals and interests. Plus, with CWU’s 10-week quarter system, this well-ranked creative writing program can be completed in as little as four quarters. To qualify for admission, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA (check with CWU about its current GRE requirements).
CWU’s Professional and Creative Writing MA is designed to help graduates successfully navigate a new world economy that emphasizes learning and adapting over knowing. By combining creative and professional writing with critical thinking skills, the program can benefit students seeking several different career outcomes. This includes students who need upgraded writing skills to advance in their careers, professional and creative writers who want to make themselves more marketable and pursue expanded opportunities, and students who need advanced writing abilities to pursue additional graduate programs. Others choose this MA to satisfy a personal dream of becoming a creative writer while continuing their established careers. Key courses and electives include:
- Advanced Poetry Writing
- Professional Writing with New Media
- Studies in Rhetoric
- Location: Ellensburg, Washington
- Cost: $17,469.15
- #students: 11,174
- #grads: 656
Mississippi University for Women
The low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from Mississippi University for Women (MUW, est. 1884) is a 48-credit hybrid program. Much of the degree can be completed online, including a thesis, form and literature courses, and writing workshops. Workshops are available in:
- Translation
- Writing for New Media
The MFA’s residency requirements comprise two Short Residencies and two Full Residencies. Short Residencies are five-day masterclasses that occur at different times of year but are often scheduled to coincide with major on- and off-campus events, such as the Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium. Full Residencies occur in late May and are nine to 10 days of workshops, seminars, and readings. To be eligible for admission to the MFA program, students must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
MUW’s Creative Writing MFA program is designed for working adults. It is built to be both affordable and flexible. Students can customize their course of study, selecting classes in as many or few genres as they wish. (Residencies already ensure students gain a broader understanding and perspective by providing cross- and mixed-genre experiences.) Students can also tailor their selections to fit specific career goals, adding Residencies, Internships, and Literary Magazine Production experiences. The Full Residencies offer a strong career focus with professional topics that include:
- publishing and self-publishing
- writing for the web
- working with an agent
- creative writing pedagogy (teaching strategies for various environments)
Key course options for this MFA program include:
- Early Women Writers
- Medieval and Renaissance Narratives
- The Professional Writer
- Location: Columbus, Mississippi
- Cost: $17,343.10
- #students: 2,704
- #grads: 286
University of Houston Victoria
The University of Houston-Victoria (UHV, est. 1973) offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing that can be taken entirely online or in a low-residency, hybrid format. The degree requires 36 credits for completion, including six for a thesis. Students can choose the regular Creative Writing path or a specialized Concentration in Applied Literary Translation. Students can study any genre for the regular path but must select one for their thesis:
The main focus of the MFA is on developing one’s writing skills and understanding the literary form. However, several electives are available to help tailor the degree towards a student’s interest in literature or publishing. Those applying for the MFA program will need an undergraduate degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA on their last 60 undergraduate credits. (GRE scores may be required for those with a lower GPA; check with UHV to confirm.)
UHV’s online Creative Writing MFA program can be an affordable option that provides graduates with several potential career opportunities. While the program was created to help students pursue their dreams of becoming published authors, it also prepares them for nearly every writing career option. That means graduates can also pursue more practical jobs, including in
- literary translation
Additionally, since UHV is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), students can integrate a Latino literature and cultural element into their studies and writing. Key courses and electives for the MFA include:
- Form and Poetics
- Graduate Poetry Writing Workshop
- Publication Design
UHV’s online Creative Writing MFA can be an affordable option that provides graduates with several potential career opportunities. While the program was created to help students pursue their dreams of becoming published authors, it also prepares them for nearly every writing career option. That means graduates can also pursue more practical jobs, including in:
- Location: Victoria, Texas
- Cost: $16,840.08
- Affiliation: University of Houston System
- #students: 4,922
- #grads: 1,409
- Programs: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Tiffin University
Tiffin University (TU, est. 1888) offers a fully online Master of Humanities (MH) with a Creative Writing Concentration. It places third in our list of best online creative writing graduate programs.
This 30-credit degree allows students to understand and develop their abilities in several genres and compositional forms, including:
- Genre and Performance Writing
- Screenplays
- Short Stories
The program combines a humanities foundation with hands-on writing experience and an academic study of selected genres and forms. The culmination is a capstone project, which requires each student to research a chosen area of interest and produce either a creative project, a portfolio project, or a thesis. To be eligible for admission to the MH, applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a preferred GPA of 3.0.
Tiffin’s online Master’s in Creative Writing is designed as a flexible, affordable graduate program option. With multiple start dates and a mix of seven- and 15-week courses, students can enter the program when it suits them and finish their degree in just 18 months. The primary focus of the MH is preparing graduates to pursue a variety of creative writing careers. Creative writing majors can become:
- content writer
- freelance writer
- screenwriter
- video game writer
Some graduates go on to teach at the high school or community college level. Others use the MH as the foundation to pursue advanced graduate degrees. Key courses and options for the MH include:
- Creative Writing – The Novel
- Creativity and Its Development
- Critical Thinking and Reading
- Location: Tiffin, Ohio
- Cost: $16,500
- #students: 2,933
- #grads: 739
University of Arkansas at Monticello
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM, est. 1910) is a fully online program. This program, which comes in second in our list of the best writing graduate programs , is the most affordable of the creative nonfiction MFA programs in this review article.
To graduate, students must complete 48 credits, including six for their thesis. The MFA offers three genres to choose from:
The core of the program features workshop courses that foster high-level skills in critical thinking and literary analysis while ensuring a mastery in creative writing. This focus is supplemented with multiple electives to allow students to tailor the program to best suit their interests and goals, including pursuing independent areas of study. To be eligible for admission to the MFA program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
UAM’s online Creative Writing MFA is meant to be both flexible and affordable. It is designed for talented, self-motivated individuals who appreciate the freedom to follow their own pace and areas of study. To ensure each creative writing student has a fuller understanding of their own genre, they will work with a different faculty mentor each semester. Creative writing majors will also take workshops in the other two genres to help give their writing a broader perspective and more unique outlook and voice. Key courses and options for the MFA include:
- Advanced Workshop – Form and Craft
- Magazine Edit and Design
- Memoirs of the Mind
- Location: Monticello, Arkansas
- Cost: $13,262.4
- #students: 2,855
- #grads: 293
Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University (WCSU, est. 1903) has a MFA in Creative and Professional Writing. This best low-residency master’s in creative writing wins first place in our list of best writing masters programs online.
This hybrid creative writing degree requires approximately 60 credits for completion and includes:
- an internship or teaching practicum
- an enrichment project
Students must also complete four separate, week-long residencies comprising discussions, lectures, and workshops. Residencies are held twice a year on the WCSU campus in Danbury, Connecticut. (There is also an optional Dublin, Ireland, residency featuring workshops in Oscar Wilde’s home and events at the Bram Stoker Festival.) For their degree, students must select a primary and secondary genre specialization. One must be creative, such as:
The other must be practical, for example:
- Advertising Copywriting
- Historical Biographies
- Medical Writing
- Public Relations
- Technical Writing
WCSU’s low-residency MFA utilizes a student-driven mentorship model. For most courses, graduate students work with a faculty member to develop a personalized course plan. Then, there is WCSU’s practical education approach, which ensures students learn from successful creative writers across several genres and styles and apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings. This combination might be why WCSU has such a high success rate — 87 percent of graduates are full-time professional writers and/ or have published books. Key courses for this MFA program include:
- Genre History, Criticism, and Theory
- Reading for Writers
- The Individual Aesthetic and Process
- Location: Danbury, Connecticut
- Cost: $11,344
- Affiliation: Connecticut State University System
- #students: 5,246
- #grads: 606
- Programs: Associates through doctorate level degrees, plus certificates
What can I do with a master’s in creative writing?
Creative writing programs open up a lot of potential professional opportunities including, but not limited to, the following, listed below. Note that some of these opportunities may be available without having taken a top creative writing graduate program.
- Advertising manager
- Arts administrator
- Blogger – general
- College lecturer – lower division
- Communications director
- Community college lecturer
- Content writer (Web or otherwise)
- Customer service representative (CSR)
- Editorial assistant
- Educator – general
- Email marketing specialist
- Film and television
- Ghostwriter
- Grant or funding proposal writer
- Human resources
- Instructional coordinator
- Lexicographer
- Market researcher
- Marketing communications
- Public relations specialist
- Sales agent
- Screenwriter
- Social media specialist
- Talent agent
- Technical writer
- Travel blogger
- Web content manager
- Writing consultant
- Writing instructor
Creative writing majors who combine their master’s degree with a minor specialization or other degree can also increase their career opportunities. There are also numerous other career opportunities, particularly in arts and education, in which it can be useful to have an MFA or MA in creative writing.
How long does it take to complete and online MFA in creative writing?
Of the online creative writing degrees that are mentioned in this college review article, they range from 30 to 65 credits. How long you take depends on whether you’re enrolled full- or part-time, how many semesters a college has in an AY (Academic Year), etc. Some creative writing programs could be completed in as little as one year, plus time for creating and defending a thesis, if necessary. Longer creative writing programs might take 2-3 years.
How do I apply for an online MFA in creative writing program?
So you’re ready to apply to graduate creative writing programs! You’ll want to consider the best creative writing MFA programs. The steps you’ll take are approximately in this order:
- Confirm that a specific graduate school is of interest to you. Call the college admission’s department if you cannot find all the details of their writing programs on their Web site or email them a message.
- Determine the requirements for admission to the creative writing degree program and confirm that you are eligible.
- File a FAFSA, if you plan to enroll full time and are interested in federal student loans for graduate programs.
- Check the program application deadline(s), application fees, etc., and prepare your application.
- Send out requests and fees for necessary transcripts.
- Send out requests for necessary references, with instructions on where they should send their typed, signed, dated reference.
- Complete and submit your application.
- Wait for a response.
How much can I make with an online MFA in creative writing?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook has the role “Writers and Authors” listed as having $69,510 as the median yearly pay for 2021. However, that does not indicate potential earnings, only median actual earnings as reported by American creative writers/ authors.
When you revist the list of potential careers, above, you’ll see the possibility for earning more as a creative writer. Factor in the possibility of writing content for yourself, on your own Web site (or scripted for your YouTube channel), monetized in one or more of multiple ways including affiliate marketing. Maybe you can set up the latter in addition to having a professional creative writing career (salaried or freelance). All of these combined will potentially exceed the aforementioned median salary.
How do I start a career in creative writing?
Begin by identifying the kind of creative writing career you want. The list of job titles above can help you get started. Once you know where you want to go to get a quality education, creating the plan and steps needed to get there becomes easier.
Next, focus on the foundational steps for the creative writing process listed below. These can help every writer build the career they want:
- Seek feedback
Create your opportunity
- Study marketing
Stay social
- Be bold and innovative
Practice creative writing
Do your daily creative writing practice. You always hear athletes talk about staying ready. Practice helps you stay ready for when your opportunity arrives. Plus, when you get into the habit of writing purposefully every day, the quality of your work improves, and so does your productivity and efficiency. You will also learn to be more succinct with your writing while still conveying what you want to communicate.
Build your network and be active within it. Let your contacts know when you’re looking for work, and what types of writing work you’re suited for. Your network can’t help if they don’t know that you need help.
Seek feedback on your creative writing
Create a MasterMind Group (an advisory board) to provide feedback on your writing and marketing efforts. Depending on your current network and comfort level, the group can be comprised of other writers and/or people from different industries and professions.
Volunteer your creative writing talents
Volunteering is a great way to gain creative writing experience and expand your network, all while giving something back. Most non-profits need help in many areas, including a variety of writing-related tasks. Plus, if they hold charity events, you might meet key figures in your community. And, what better way to introduce yourself and your work to local luminaries than by helping promote their favorite cause. While some experienced writers say not to give your work away free, when it comes to non-profit group opportunities, think of your effort as an investment both for yourself and the non-profit.
If you’re not getting the opportunities you want — make your own! With all the DIY tools and platforms available, don’t wait for someone to give you a chance. You can:
- launch your own blog
- create a YouTube channel to showcase your scripts
- publish your own collection of poetry
- pen a series of essays on the latest hot-button topic
- write your own sports analysis or celebrity gossip column
Beyond these DIY methods, user-generated content platforms like Medium or Quora are also great options. They allow you to reach large audiences and gain valuable feedback. Some of them also have earning opportunities for writers, sometimes based on the response of readers.
Study marketing to boost your creative writing
Even authors with publishing contracts have to know how to self-promote. Learning basic marketing skills can help you launch and grow your career. At a minimum, create your own website and online portfolio, and make sure the content there is optimized for search engine rankings.
Learn how to use social media. It’s a critical way to:
- promote your name
- build a following
- garner attention for your work
You can also network there. It’s not always the best creative writer that gets hired; it’s often the one people know about and whose work they are familiar with.
Be bold and innovative in your creative writing
Leverage past experiences. This includes writing about what you know. If you’ve had another career or have experience in other fields, write about that or pitch this as an article idea to an industry publication.
While being bold, don’t limit yourself to just one opportunity or path. The Internet has made it much “easier” for creative writers to make a living online, and that includes aforementioned self-starter opportunities. Find and/or create multiple opportunities for yourself, and always come up with new ideas to pitch while waiting for a response to a previous pitch.
This concludes our creative writing mfa programs.
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Creative Writing Graduate Programs in America
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Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Cambridge, MA •
Harvard University •
- • Rating 4.5 out of 5 4 reviews
Master's Student: I go to the Extension School and the classes have been amazing! The papers have truly taught me to be a better writer. My fellow students are some of the most interesting people I've ever known. Highly recommend! ... Read 4 reviews
Harvard University ,
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4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.
Featured Review: Master's Student says I go to the Extension School and the classes have been amazing! The papers have truly taught me to be a better writer. My fellow students are some of the most interesting people I've ever known.... .
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Brown University Graduate School
Providence, RI •
Brown University •
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PROVIDENCE, RI ,
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Evanston, IL •
Northwestern University •
Northwestern University ,
EVANSTON, IL ,
LaFetra College of Education
La Verne, CA •
University of La Verne •
- • Rating 4.5 out of 5 6 reviews
Master's Student: Overall, great program. There are some things that need some work (organization, support, fieldwork, etc), but I know they are working on developments to help students receive the best out of their education. ... Read 6 reviews
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Nashville, TN •
Vanderbilt University •
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St. Louis, MO •
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Ithaca, NY •
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Ann Arbor, MI •
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •
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Krieger School of Arts & Sciences
Baltimore, MD •
Johns Hopkins University •
- • Rating 4.38 out of 5 13 reviews
Master's Student: What I like most about Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences is the presence of professionalism and genuine consciousness. Not only are the classes highly interesting and inclusive but also they are conveniently laid out so no matter where you are in the world you can complete your degree on your own time. All the classes are provided asynchronously so no 3:00am wake ups for lecture. Professors are organized and available with plenty of opportunity to connect with fellow students. This is only my first semester but I am feeling very confident in my commitment to Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Advanced Academics Program. ... Read 13 reviews
Johns Hopkins University ,
BALTIMORE, MD ,
13 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.
Featured Review: Master's Student says What I like most about Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences is the presence of professionalism and genuine consciousness. Not only are the classes highly interesting and... .
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The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA •
University of Virginia •
- • Rating 4 out of 5 1 review
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Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University
New York, NY •
New York University •
- • Rating 4.71 out of 5 7 reviews
Master's Student: Professors are engaging and always available for help when needed, especially in the Art History department. ... Read 7 reviews
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7 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.
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College of Letters & Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI •
University of Wisconsin •
- • Rating 4 out of 5 3 reviews
Graduate Student: I love the practical nature of my program(GISWMP) and I think I have become a better team player and more knowledgeable. I wish we had more diversity in faculty. There aren't enough professors! ... Read 3 reviews
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College of Arts and Sciences - University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL •
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- • Rating 4.67 out of 5 6 reviews
Niche User: The arts and science department is very kind and supportive. The helped home and improve my skills. I would recommend this school to others. ... Read 6 reviews
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6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.
Featured Review: Niche User says The arts and science department is very kind and supportive. The helped home and improve my skills. I would recommend this school to others. .
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Provo, UT •
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University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
San Marcos, CA •
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Master's Student: The Austin TX campus is very condensed, I like this because I just attended class and go home. There are plenty of rooms for studying with groups and areas throughout campus for studying. The library lacks a computer lab, which is sometimes an inconvenience when you are budgeting for graduate school as it is. Professors are all helpful and receive you with open arms! ... Read 89 reviews
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Featured Review: Master's Student says The Austin TX campus is very condensed, I like this because I just attended class and go home. There are plenty of rooms for studying with groups and areas throughout campus for studying. The library lacks a computer lab, which is sometimes an inconvenience when you are budgeting for graduate school as it is. Professors are all helpful and receive you with open arms! .
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Top 5 Best MFA in Creative Writing Programs (in 2023)
Table of Contents
Johns hopkins university (maryland), krieger school of arts & sciences, university of nebraska, kearney (nebraska), 6. brown university (rhode island), 7. university of iowa (iowa), 8. cornell university (new york state), 10. new york university (nyc), what can creative writers do after graduation, writing sample, transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, common master’s in creative writing courses, admission requirements for online master’s in creative writing programs, pros and cons of mfa in creative writing, how long does it take to get a degree in creative writing, alternatives to creative writing majors, frequently asked questions, key takeaways.
Many people have a talent for writing, but not everyone can become a successful writer or author. In many cases, this is because even strong writers don’t have the necessary skills and knowledge for creative writing. This is exactly where an MFA in creative writing program comes in handy.
Read on for the best MFA programs in creative writing currently available in the USA, both on-campus and online.
Best MFA in Creative Writing Programs
Master of Fine Arts in Fiction/ Poetry
Johns Hopkins is a world-renowned private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland. The university’s Master of Fine Arts in Fiction/Poetry is one of the best MFA creative writing programs around, allowing students study and practice the art of writing fiction or poetry at the highest level. It also gives you the opportunity to learn with a faculty that is nationally and internationally renowned.
- Duration: 2 years
- Financial aid: Full tuition, teaching fellowship (for all students set at $33,000/year)
- Acceptance rate: 11.1%
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Founded: 1876
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Mi chigan) , Helen Zell Writers’ Program
Master of Fine Arts
The University of Michigan is a public research university and the oldest in the state. Its Master of Fine Arts program is one of the top creative writing MFA programs in the country and exposes students to various approaches in the craft of writing. With options to specialize in either poetry or fiction, students study under award-winning poets and writers.
- Duration: 2 years
- No. of hours: 36
- Financial aid: Full funding
- Acceptance rate: 26.1%
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Founded: 1817
- University of Texas at Austin (Texas), New Writers Project
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The University of Texas at Austin is a well-known public research university that has around 50,000 students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. It offers one of the best MFA programs for creative writing around today and aims to enhance and develop its students’ artistic and intellectual abilities.
- Duration: 3 years
- Financial aid: Full funding
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Founded: 1883
Master of Arts
The University of Nebraska offers programs in a wide range of majors and strives to provide quality education at an affordable cost, including this online MA program in English. The program offers a choice between four areas of focus, including Creative Writing which provides students with experiential learning in poetry or prose.
- Credit hours: 36
- Tuition : $315 per credit hour
- Financial aid : Grants, Work-study, Student loans, Scholarships, Parent loans
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Location: Online
- Founded: 1905
5. Bay Path University (Massachusetts)
MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing
Bay Path University is a private university with various programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels, including women-only undergraduate programs. This program in creative non-fiction writing is one of the first fully online programs in the nation which helps students develop in-depth creative writing knowledge in a range of literary genres.
- Credits: 39
- Tuition: $775 per credit
- Financial aid : Federal Stafford loan, Student loans
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Founded: 1897
MFA in Literary Arts
Brown is a world-famous, Ivy League research university based in Providence, Rhode Island. Its two-year residency MFA in Literary Arts is designed to allow students maximum intellectual and creative exploration. The highly-competitive program offers extensive financial support: over the past 20 years, all incoming MFA students were awarded full funding for at least their first year of study.
- Tuition: $57,591 (but full funding available)
- Financial aid : Fellowship, teaching assistantships, and stipends.
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Founded: 1764
MFA in Creative Writing
The University of Iowa is a public research university located in Iowa City, and one of the most renowned public schools in the Midwest. In this two-year residency program, students learn from established professors and exciting young writers.
- Credits: 60
- Tuition: $12,065 for instate students, and $31,012 out-of-state
- Financial aid : Scholarships, teaching assistantships, federal aid, and student loans.
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Cornell is a famous Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York. This highly-competitive program accepts only eight students every year, two from each concentration. This means that students enjoy not only a generous financial aid package but also the opportunity to work closely with members of the school’s celebrated faculty.
- Tuition: $29,500
- Financial aid : All accepted students receive a fellowship covering full tuition, stipend, and insurance.
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- Founded: 1865
9. Columbia University ( NYC )
MFA in Fiction Writing
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is the oldest tertiary education institution in New York, and one of the oldest in the country. The school offers a Writing MFA with a choice of concentrations: nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or literary translation. The fiction concentration promotes artist and aesthetic diversity, with a diverse teaching staff and adjunct faculty including renowned writers and editors from a wide range of schools of writing.
- Credits: 60 points
- Tuition: $34,576
- Financial aid : Scholarships, fellowships, federal aid, work-study, and veterans’ grants.
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Location: NYC, New York
- Founded: 1754
New York University, or NYU, is known for delivering high-quality, innovative education in a range of fields. Thanks to its location in the heart of NYC, the institution’s MFA in Creative Writing boasts renowned faculty across poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. The dynamic course aims to foster creativity and excellence through literary outreach programs, a public reading series, a literary journal, and special seminars from visiting writers.
- Credits: 32
- Tuition: $53,229
- Financial aid : Fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid.
- Location: NYC
- Founded: 1886
As a creative writer with an MFA, you’ll have a variety of career options where your ability to write creative pieces will be highly valued. Below are a few of the common jobs a creative writing graduate can do, with the average annual salary for each.
- Creative Director ( $90,389 )
A creative director leads a team of creative writers, designers, or artists in various fields, such as media, advertising, or entertainment.
- Editor ( $55,414 )
An editor helps correct writing errors and improve the style and flow in media, broadcasting, films, advertising, marketing , and entertainment.
- Academic Librarian ( $54,805 )
An academic librarian is responsible for managing educational information resources in an academic environment such as a university.
- Copywriter ( $53,800 )
Copywriters typically work to present an idea to a particular audience and capture their attention using as few words as possible.
- Writer ( $51,831 )
A writer usually provides written content for businesses in the form of articles, marketing content, blogs, or product descriptions, or they may write fiction or non-fiction books.
- Social Media Manager ( $52,856 )
A social media manager is responsible for creating and scheduling content on social media, and may also track analytics and develop social media strategies.
- Journalist ( $ 41,863 )
Journalists may work for newspapers, magazines, or online publications, researching and writing stories, as well as conducting interviews and investigations.
- Public Relations Officer ( $55,877 )
A public relations officer works to promote and improve the public image of a company, government agency, or organization, through work such as preparing media releases, online content, and dealing with the media.
- Lexicographer ( $70,250 )
Lexicographers are the professionals who create dictionaries: they study words and their meanings and compile them into a dictionary.
What You Need to Get into a Master’s in Creative Writing Program
Besides the application form and fee, most MFA in creative writing programs have the following requirements:
Make sure your resume includes all relevant information to showcase your interests, skills, and talent in writing.
Selection committees for MFA programs in creative writing look for applicants who are serious about writing and so typically ask for a 10-20 page writing sample. The best sample will show your talent in your preferred area of writing, such as fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
You’ll need to show transcripts of your undergraduate studies.
A statement of purpose is usually one to two pages and should show your passion for writing as well as your potential to succeed in the program.
Most programs want to see letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts who know you well.
Some universities may also have some additional requirements, so it’s best to check with the specific program.
Related reading: How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School
As part of your master’s in creative writing program, you’ll usually need to complete a number of compulsory courses, along with some elective subjects.
Common courses you’ll need to take include:
- Literary theory
- History of storytelling
- Genre conventions
- Market trends
- Marketing manuscripts to publishers
- Thesis or dissertation
Can you get a Creative Writing Degree Online?
Yes, there are a number of institutions that now offer online creative writing degrees, such as Bay Path University and the University of Nebraska . The advantage of online courses is that they offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to study from anywhere and often on your own schedule. This makes it possible to earn your degree while continuing with your current job or looking after your family.
However, you won’t get the benefits of a residency program, such as the opportunity to build close connections with your peers and work with the faculty in person. Some on-campus programs also offer full funding to cover your tuition and education expenses.
The admission requirements for online MFA programs are very similar to on-campus programs. You will usually need to submit an application including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and a writing sample. Sometimes, GRE scores are also required, though this is not the case for all programs.
As with any creative writing program, your writing sample is critical. The selection committee wants to see a talent and passion for writing, and you will probably struggle to be successful in your application without a strong writing sample.
Like anything, studying an MFA in Creative Writing and pursuing a related career can have its benefits as well as drawbacks.
- It’ll motivate you to write
Many people are truly talented, but find it hard to sit down and write. However, an MFA will give you the motivation you need as you will have to keep writing to meet your deadlines.
Writing can be a solitary pursuit and it can be hard to connect with others who are passionate about writing. An MFA program will instantly provide you with a community of like-minded people.
- Teaching prospects
An MFA is one of the options that help you find a teaching job at the university level. Unlike some majors that require a PhD to enter academia, an MFA is often all you need to teach at a post-secondary level.
- Not the most marketable job skills
Although an MFA in Creative Writing will give you a number of skills that are useful in the job market, these are not as marketable as some other forms of writing. For example, copywriting arguably has a wider range of job prospects.
- It could limit your creativity
There is a risk that your writing could become too technical or formulaic as a result of the theories you learn during your MFA. It’s important to know the theory, but you don’t want to let it limit your creativity.
A master’s in creative writing typically takes around two, sometimes three years to complete. Unlike other master’s degrees where you can find accelerated options that you can complete in as little as 18 months or even one year, there are very few opportunities like this in the creative writing field, due to program requirements such as workshops and dissertations.
Not everyone who completes an MFA in creative writing goes on to work as a writer – instead, they use the writing skills and the knowledge gained in the master’s program to pursue other career paths. Many work as teachers, editors, librarians, journalists, or copywriters.
Similarly, there are alternative majors that can set you on the path to a career in the field of creative writing. Such alternatives include an MA in English , literature, humanities, media studies, and library sciences.
Related Reading: Master’s in Fine Arts: The Ultimate Guide
What can I do with an MFA in creative writing?
You will have a wide range of career options as an MFA graduate. You could teach creative writing at a secondary or tertiary level, or you could pursue a career in advertising, publishing, media, or the entertainment industry. You can also become an author by publishing fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
Are MFA creative writing programs worth it?
Having an MFA opens doors to a range of well-paid careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median annual salary for writers and authors is a decent $67,120 . Therefore, studying in an MFA program is an excellent option if you are skilled in writing and want to make a living from your writing.
How do I choose an MFA in creative writing?
It’s important to consider whether an on-campus or online MFA program is best for you, depending on your lifestyle and commitments. Another key consideration is faculty – many universities have renowned authors on their teaching staff who will give you the highest levels of training in creative writing. You should also consider your preferred focus area, whether it is fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.
What are MFA writing programs?
An MFA in writing or creative writing is an advanced program that teaches you the art and practice of writing with creativity. During the program, you will hone your writing skills and equip yourself to publish your own work or pursue a career in media, teaching, or advertising.
Can you teach with an MFA?
Yes — teaching is one of the many career options you’ll have with an MFA on your resume. An MFA in creative writing can qualify you to be a teacher in creative writing, in schools or the higher education sector.
Is it really hard to get admission to MFA creative writing programs?
MFA creative writing programs are relatively competitive, and not all applicants get into every program. However, if you are talented and truly ambitious to become a professional, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to get into an MFA. Having said that, the most prestigious universities with the best creative writing master’s programs will accept only a small percentage of the applicants, so it’s important to prepare well.
What is the best creative writing program in the world?
There are a number of creative writing programs that are known for their famous faculty and excellent courses. Some of the best known include the Master of Fine Arts in Fiction/ Poetry from John Hopkins and the MFA in Literary Arts from Brown University. Outside the US, the most renowned program in creative writing is probably the University of Cambridge’s MSt in Creative Writing .
How hard is it to get an MFA in creative writing?
A MFA is an intensive, highly-involved degree that requires a reasonable amount of dedication. However, anyone with a passion for creative writing will find it very rewarding and satisfying. The best master’s in creative writing programs, especially those offering full funding to all students, are highly competitive.
Should I get an MA or MFA in creative writing?
Whether a MA or MFA in creative writing is right for you depends on your own interests and career ambitions. An MFA in creative writing is ideal for anyone who is passionate about fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction, and wants to pursue a career in the field. A MA is a broader degree that will equip you for a wider range of career choices, though it will qualify you for many of the same roles as a MFA.
Can I get published without an MFA?
Absolutely – you can get published without an MFA. However, studying an MFA will equip you with a range of skills and knowledge that will be extremely helpful in getting your work published, from honing your craft to submitting your manuscript to publishers.
What are the highest paying jobs with a master’s in creative writing?
An MFA in creative writing can help you land a range of jobs in the creative and literary fields. The highest-paying jobs for graduates with a master’s in creative writing include creative directors, with an annual salary of $90,389 , and lexicographers, who can expect to be paid around $70,250 annually.
An MFA in creative writing program will hone your talents and develop the skills you need to become a successful writer. The best MFA programs in creative writing will give you in-depth knowledge of the field as well as help you to develop practical skills in fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
The acceptance rate for the best MFA writing programs is pretty low and competition is tough. Therefore, it’s important to understand the requirements well and prepare thoroughly – check out our guide to applying to grad school to help you put together your strongest possible application.
- Top 5 Easiest Master’s Degrees + 10 Easiest Grad Schools to Get Into
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Lisa Marlin
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
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51 Masters of Arts in Creative Writing
- Creative Writing
An MA, or Master of Art, is a type of degree that can be finished in about one to three years. Generally pursued after the completion of a bachelor’s degree, this sort of credential indicates that a student has acquired a deep knowledge of his or her chosen field. There are degree programs available in many different subjects. You might be curious: What is an MA in creative writing? This deg… Read more
An MA, or Master of Art, is a type of degree that can be finished in about one to three years. Generally pursued after the completion of a bachelor’s degree, this sort of credential indicates that a student has acquired a deep knowledge of his or her chosen field. There are degree programs available in many different subjects.
You might be curious: What is an MA in creative writing? This degree focuses on the creation of works such as novels, short stories, poetry, essays, articles, novellas, flash fiction, screenplays, scripts, and other forms of writing. You may learn about important concepts such as characterization, point of view, plot development, structuring, and narration, as well as minor details such as grammar and punctuation. Other topics covered might include literary analysis and allusions. In one of these programs, you might be required to read a variety of works or to submit your own writing to a workshop.
Many benefits might be available through one of these programs. The most prominent is the chance to improve your writing abilities and sharpen certain technical skills that are useful in the professional world. Additionally, this kind of program can provide valuable insights into what makes certain types of writing more effective than others.
The cost of an MA in Creative Writing can depend on a range of potential factors. Be sure to contact your chosen institution in order to ask them for accurate and up-to-date financial information. Admissions officers can provide a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees, and other expenses.
What careers can be pursued with a creative writing MA? Many students go on to become novelists, playwrights, essayists, screenwriters, poets, or authors; others apply their writing skills in a number of other industries. A graduate might also be able to become a literary analyst, English teacher, book reviewer, librarian, or editor. Working for a publishing company or literary agency is another option.
Ready to get started? Just search for your program below and contact directly the admission office of the school of your choice by filling in the lead form.
51 Results in Creative Writing
- Recommended Latest Title
- Recommended
Master of Arts in Writing
Johns Hopkins' Advanced Academic Programs nine-course online or on-campus MA in Writing program reflects the school's international reputation for academic rigor and creative ... +
MA in Creative Writing
The two-year program, housed in the Department of English Literature and Linguistics at Bar-Ilan University, offers an MA in English Literature with specializations in Literar ... +
An MA designed to help you write a novel, collection of poems, collection of stories or work of non-fiction.
Earn a scholarship worth up to $10,000
Consider the MA Writing programme part of the ongoing occasion of your learning, one which you have already begun, will share with us for a year, and which will then continue ... +
MA English - Creative Writing
If you have a commitment to imaginative writing, if you would like to develop your artistic practice, build your professional skills as an author and engage with the vibrant c ... +
MA in Writing, Editing and Mediating
The MA in Writing, Editing and Mediating offers training in writing about literature for non-academic audiences. The students will work with correcting and editing written Eng ... +
This one-year postgraduate course offers access to specialist teaching from leading writers and poets.
This qualification is an opportunity to develop your skills as a writer in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and scriptwriting for film, radio and the stage. You'll be able ... +
Harness the power of language and develop your distinctive voice as a writer. Transform your passion for reading into the ability to produce prose worthy of public recognition ... +
Start expanding your powers of expression and enhance your craft as a writer. On this course, you’ll grow as an artist, harnessing your writing, imagining and thinking - in a ... +
Join our community of internationally renowned, award-winning writers at the Manchester Writing School, where collaboration and experimentation are at the heart of what we do.
MA in English - Creative Writing
The MA in English (Creative Writing) focuses on prose fiction and scriptwriting; applicants interested in writing poetry are referred to the Pg Dip in Poetry: Creativity and C ... +
MA in Publishing and Writing
Whether you want to shape the prose of fresh voices as an editor, represent writers as a literary agent, or work with exciting online publications and new media formats, Emers ... +
The MA in Creative Writing degree is designed for ambitious, committed writers who want to hone and develop their writing practice and develop their creative, critical and pro ... +
MA in Black British Literature
This degree is a world first. There’s nowhere else you can study black British writing in such an in-depth way – in the actual country where the writing is produced. We trace ... +
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17 Best Creative Writing Schools in the World
To gain a professional advantage, aspiring writers look for universities that provide the best programs for Creative Writing. In the article below, we talk about some of the best creative writing schools in the world.
Top Creative Writing Schools in the World
1. university of cambridge.
- Creative Writing Program Link
- Degrees Offered: Master’s
The University of Cambridge is a culturally diverse institution with almost 40 colleges and schools that host over 20,000 students from more than 150 countries. It is over eight centuries old and has built a solid reputation above numerous universities worldwide.
Recognized as one of the best creative writing schools in the world, the University of Cambridge’s Masters in Creative Writing program lasts two years. It is specially designed to be accessible to working professionals and international students. The degree granted by the university can become a ticket for graduates to pursue a Ph.D. in the same field at other universities in the UK or abroad.
Through the program, students can develop skills in fiction or nonfiction writing. The first year provides them with a background in writing in various genres, while the second year allows them to explore their own writing style with the help of a supervisor.
2. Columbia University
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The School of the Arts at Columbia University offers an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. The program lasts five semesters, and students have to complete five workshops, four seminars, and three elective courses within such period. Students of this prestigious institution for creative writing may select between the Single-Genre Major and the Cross-Genre Major. The latter one allows them to combine two genres.
Graduates may pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in the same field. Columbia University’s MFA degree is a top-ranking program that requires students to earn 60 points to graduate.
3. Princeton University
Princeton University is another one of the world’s best creative writing schools and was founded in the mid-18 th century, making it one of the oldest universities in the US. It also ranks among the top academic institutions in the country, attracting some of the most outstanding individuals who comprise its over 8,000 student population. Among its notable alumni are 18 Nobel Prize awardees, two US presidents, and three US Supreme Court Justices.
4. Johns Hopkins University
The university offers an undergraduate program major in Writing Seminars where students can take poetry & fiction writing courses and literature courses and participate in seminars on the history and technique of prose and poetry.
The Master of Fine Arts program at Johns Hopkins University is highly selective and grants qualified students full tuition, health insurance, and teaching fellowship worth a rough $30,000. It lasts two years and requires students to take residency in Baltimore.
5. University of Chicago
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s
The University of Chicago is a research university that opened in the late 19 th century. Over the years, it has been affiliated with over 90 Nobel laureates and has become one of the top ten universities in the US. It is currently home to over 17,000 students across 12 schools and divisions.
The Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing degree at the University of Chicago offers in-depth training in a student’s choice of literary genre: fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Within four years, students must comply with the major requirements, including a fundamental course in Creative Writing Seminar, two technical seminars relevant to their primary genre, three advanced workshops, four literature courses, two research electives, a thesis or project workshop, and a BA thesis.
6. New York University
New York University (NYU) was founded in 1831 and has always been an innovative academic institution from the get-go. New York is home to many multi-awarded novelists, poets, and creative nonfiction writers, making NYU one of the top creative writing schools across the globe.
Meanwhile, the MFA program provides a vibrant environment for students to learn from a gifted group of instructors and participate in exciting and interactive outreach programs, reading series, seminars, and more.
7. University of Pennsylvania
- Degrees Offered: Certificate, Bachelor’s
The University of Pennsylvania is yet another excellent creative writing school that thrives on cutting-edge education techniques and technology. It opened in 1740, and its long history has significantly helped improve and expand the university’s culture of innovation.
The university’s School of Arts and Sciences offers a Certificate in Creative Writing, requiring students to take four out of eight courses: Poetry Workshop, Fiction Workshop, Screenwriting, Advanced Nonfiction, Journalism, Craft of Creative Writing, Writing about Place, and Modern & Contemporary US Poetry.
8. Oxford University
Oxford University is a world-famous institution renowned for having the highest admission standards in the world. Oxford University is very selective, with an estimated acceptance rate of 17.5%. Due to this strict policy, It is home to the brightest minds in the United Kingdom and the world. This university was at the center of the COVID-19 crisis; it managed to produce a vaccine that has saved millions of lives.
Oxford University offers a Master of Study (MSt) degree to students who wish to pursue a degree in Creative Writing. It’s one of the top-performing creative writing schools in the world. This university offers a two-year program that initially places equal emphasis on prose, poetry, and drama and offers the possibility for specialization in one particular area in the second year. An experienced supervisor will be allocated to each student to provide guidance and advice throughout their second year.
9. Ohio State University
The department of English at OSU grants a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing as part of its graduate program. The course allows students to discover and showcase their talents, realize their potential, and be in touch with their creative side. The department has spared no expense in providing the best education for its graduates, as all of them are fully funded for the three years they spend at OSU.
10. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university and one of the largest centers for teaching in Canada and the world. Established in 1908, UBC has climbed the ranks and is now consistently placing among the top 20 universities worldwide. This university strives to provide academic freedom to its students and scholars; it aspires to abolish censorship and allow academics to voice their thoughts and seek open discussions to arrive at solutions to real-world problems.
The Faculty of Arts at UBC offers a unique Creative Writing Program. It is a magnet to students from all over the globe; it offers the possibility for students to specialize in creative writing without being constrained by the study of literature. The faculty aspires to produce writers who are able to influence, inform, inspire, and entertain.
11. University of Michigan
- Creative Writing Program Link (Bachelor)
- Creative Writing Program Link (Master)
The University of Michigan (U-M) is the second best public institution of higher education in the United States and a consistent 5% ranker worldwide. U-M aims to serve the state and the people of Michigan and contribute to making the world a better place. It also aspires to impart and preserve knowledge and use it to produce leaders who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
The English Department at U-M offers an exceptional Creative Writing Degree. This department was home to the biggest writers in The United States, the likes of Arthur Miller, Theodore Roethke, and the poetess Jane Kenyon. The department offers advanced workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.
12. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester offers a one-year program in Creative Writing. The students who enroll in this program will receive their learning from world-famous writers and novelists. The course was designed around a simple but important belief: “Good writing and good reading go together.” Therefore, the graduates will learn more about writing by reading, discussing, and critiquing the work of contemporary writers.
13. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education. Since its inception in 1850, this university has believed in progressing thinking as a way to challenge the status quo and break up the stagnation in thinking the modern world is inevitably heading toward. This institution has created an environment where different opinions are valued and unique perspectives are appreciated, which allows its students to realize their full potential.
The University of Sydney offers a one-and-a-half-year full-time Master’s program in Creative Writing. By the end of their training, the students will have gained a deep understanding of writing theories and techniques. The curriculum is designed to help students develop core skills in writing and editing. The graduates of this program can pursue careers in teaching, editing, copywriting, and publishing.
14. University of Melbourne
- Creative Writing Program Link (Bachelor’s)
- Creative Writing Program Link (Master’s)
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master’s
The University of Melbourne grants avid readers the opportunity to explore their thoughts in written form. As one of the best creative writing schools in the world, the course is designed to impart core skills in writing to thousands of students each year. The learners are encouraged to think critically about contemporary thought schools in all forms of writing.
15. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a research-intensive institution and one of the United Kingdom’s oldest universities. Since its establishment in 1583, it has sworn allegiance to safeguard the interests of the city where it is based. Today, it is one of Scotland’s most accessible and diverse institutions, attracting the world’s best minds. Newcomers will be met with a welcoming atmosphere and tight community where they can improve and thrive as individuals.
The University of Edinburgh offers a one-year full-time master’s degree in Creative Writing. Every part of the course was curated to help students hone their creative skills and integrate them into their literary works. The practical nature of the program allows the students to experiment with different genres and focus on specific areas for improvement. The graduates of the University of Edinburgh are team-taught and benefit from the input of many tutors, making this university an ideal destination for students who want to see and experience literature and writing from fresh and new perspectives.
16. Arizona State University
The Department of English at ASU offers a challenging and extremely rewarding Creative Writing program. The students will develop their writing skills through workshops and internship opportunities. Furthermore, The department offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree ranked within the top 20 in the country. Students can specialize in either fiction or poetry, but the program encourages cross-genre study allowing students to make good use of the three years they spend at ASU.
17. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the United Kingdom’s largest universities and a member of the Russell Group. Established in 1904, this university is world-famous for its education, teaching, and research quality. This institution operates with the mission of transforming lives and shaping a better future for communities within their region, the UK, and the world.
The Program of Creative Writing at the University of Leeds is designed to help students sharpen their critical abilities in order to produce literary works across all genres. Expert professors and academic researchers curated the course to help students learn how to shape language to convey their thoughts. By the end of their training, students will have built an impressive portfolio under the supervision of experienced writers.
Best Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs
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As colleges and universities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we're continuing our efforts to provide you with useful student resources and the latest online program information. Check our coronavirus resources page to learn more.
An online master's in creative writingequips graduates with excellent writing, editing, and communication skills. While many graduates become authors and writers , they can also pursue opportunities in other fields. For example, graduates can apply their communication skills to management careers. Between 2019 and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% job growth for these professionals, who earn a median annual salary of $105,660.
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This page examines online master's in creative writing programs, highlighting the best schools, covering common courses, and delving into potential careers.
For more information, check out our master's in creative writing program guide .
What Are the Best Online Master's in Creative Writing Programs? Here Are Our Top 10:
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Best Accredited Online Master's in Creative Writing Programs
Best online master's in creative writing programs.
Cambridge, MA
Harvard offers an online master of liberal arts in creative writing and literature through its Division of Continuing Education. Covering 12 courses, the program features a unique structure that allows students to "earn their way in" to the famously competitive school.
To start, learners enroll in two foundational open courses that explore the fundamentals of creative writing. Students who earn at least a "B" in both classes can then apply to the degree program, which counts these two initial courses toward graduation requirements. Applicants who submit applications meeting these requirements enjoy excellent chances of acceptance.
The 10 remaining courses offer students wide latitude, enabling writers to explore their intellectual and creative interests. Program participants also attend a required on-campus residency — one week or three weeks in length — which provides them with face-to-face learning and networking opportunities.
Lesley, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers an online master's in creative writing that leads to a terminal master of fine arts degree. While learners complete most requirements through virtual platforms, the program includes five nine-day campus residencies that put writers in direct contact with peers, mentors, faculty, and publishing industry professionals.
Degree-seekers enjoy ample networking opportunities, and the program also supports partnership programs that present student work to agents, publishers, and prominent industry figures.
Beyond these opportunities, students also improve their skills through intensive workshopping to develop material. Program participants learn what it takes to succeed professionally while honing their voices and learning to harness their creative instincts.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes' graduate program in creative writing supports many forms and genres, including creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, playwriting, documentary and fiction screenwriting, and publishing. Depending on a student's chosen path, the program culminates in a master of arts or a master of fine arts degree.
Structurally, the program offers two formats: a low-residency option with two eight-day campus residencies per year and a "weekender" option in which learners convene on campus four weekends per semester. In both cases, degree-seekers complete the majority of their coursework online.
Graduates who earn this online master's degree in creative writing have enjoyed excellent professional success since the program's 2005 founding. As of 2020, alumni have produced more than 115 plays, 70 movies, 60 chapbooks or poetry collections, and 600 published works of prose fiction or nonfiction.
Saint Charles, MO
Lindenwood's master of fine arts in writing program features a residency-free, entirely online structure. Alternatively, degree-seekers who live nearby the school's Saint Charles, Missouri, campus can choose hybrid learning or pursue a traditional campus-based format.
Published writers, professional journalists, and experienced editors lead courses in which students explore the creative and practical aspects of authorship. Small classes adopt workshop formats, enabling degree-seekers to obtain valuable feedback on their in-process writing in a supportive yet demanding environment.
In total, the program covers 48 credits and culminates in a required thesis that reflects a student's chosen area of emphasis. Specialization options include fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
La Jolla, CA
San Diego-based NU offers an entirely online master's degree in creative writing . This program accepts applications on a rolling basis and features start dates throughout the year. Classes last eight weeks and there are no campus residency requirements.
Culminating in a terminal master of fine arts degree, this program offers four specialization areas: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. The program also accepts students interested in writing genre fiction and young adult fiction, making it a good fit for aspiring writers interested in these areas.
Degree-seekers benefit from one-on-one faculty mentorship and elective courses that broaden a student's understanding of literary theory and pedagogy. About 15% of program participants possess military backgrounds, reflecting NU's strong commitment to serving members of the armed forces.
Longmeadow, MA
Bay Path's master of fine arts in creative nonfiction writing may be an attractive professional development opportunity for emerging writers interested in true stories. Degree-seekers can complete their program entirely online, choosing from a publishing track or a teaching track. Each pathway takes two semesters and includes intensive practicum requirements.
The program builds to a thesis component, in which students prepare a 150-page manuscript intended to form the basis of a future book. Along the way, learners benefit from extensive peer engagement and community-building opportunities.
Students also can participate in an annual summer writing retreat in Ireland. For admission consideration, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree and submit two letters of recommendation, a personal statement of purpose, and brief creative nonfiction writing samples.
Madison, NJ
FDU's master of fine arts in creative writing is a low-residency program that offers five concentration options to learners interested in specific formats and genres. Students can specialize in fiction, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, poetry, and literary translation. The literary translation option is uncommon and may appeal to multilingual learners.
This MFA program features two annual residencies: one at the school's New Jersey campus and another in Wroxton, England; this latter experience allows students to interact with United Kingdom-based writers and publishing professionals.
Since 2014, program alumni have published nearly 30 books and received prestigious distinctions and awards, including the African American Book Prize and the Colorado Book Prize for Biography. Degree-seekers also benefit from direct introductions to New York-based literary agents, publishers, and book editors.
Victoria, TX
UHV's master of fine arts in creative writing offers specializations in creative writing and applied literary translation. Both options include 36 credits and build strong student engagement through a process-oriented approach to professional development.
The master's in creative writing track includes a dense concentration of workshop-style writing classes and leads to a thesis project of the student's choosing. Learners in the applied literary translation path concentrate on creative and technical skills before displaying their integrated learning in a capstone project. Low-residency requirements apply.
To be admitted, candidates must qualify for general graduate admission and furnish academic transcripts. They must also provide a statement of purpose, GRE scores, at least two letters of recommendation, and a 20-30-page creative writing sample.
Florence, AL
Available in an entirely online format, UNA's master of arts in writing program offers specializations in technical writing, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing. The curriculum's design supports personal creative development and exploration, along with practical, career-oriented aspects of writing practice, research, and scholarship.
The program places strong emphasis on marketable, employable skills. Students apply composition theory to a variety of creative formats, building versatile and adaptable proficiencies.
Many degree-seekers in this distance-based program choose to pursue available paid internship opportunities, which enhance experiential learning and help developing writers build strong professional networks. Students local to the college's Florence, Alabama, campus can also pursue hybrid and in-class formats.
Learners who want to earn a low-residency master of fine arts in writing may be interested in attending UNO. Participants of this program complete 60 credits and choose a specialization in poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, fiction, young adult, or screenwriting
Students take online classes over the course of four 16-week semesters. They also complete a total of five 10-day residencies at the Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City. During residency sessions, learners engage in workshops and readings and attend conferences, lectures, and craft discussions.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, and new students can begin the program at one of two start dates. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit a statement of purpose, creative writing sample, and contact information for two recommenders.
What Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Creative Writing Program?
The typical online master's in creative writing program requires 30-60 credits and lasts approximately two years.
The typical online master's in creative writing program requires 30-60 credits and lasts approximately two years. In addition to developing writing, creativity, and critical thinking skills, learners can select courses and concentrations that help them reach their career goals.
A master's in creative writing program usually awards an MA or a master of fine arts (MFA), and these degree types may provide students with different experiences. The MA typically provides broader, more theoretical training in creative writing, while the MFA features more immersive, specialized, practical training.
Due to the more intensive, practical side of the MFA degree, students usually need to complete residency components. MA degrees tend to offer more flexibility, including fully online delivery options.
Notably, the MFA is a terminal degree, the highest degree available in the field. The MA is not a terminal degree, and students can go on to pursue further education such as a Ph.D.
Regardless of the degree type, concentrations play a big role in a master's in creative writing program and the eventual career paths available to graduates. Aspiring authors, for example, may choose fiction or poetry concentrations, whereas other students may choose publishing or editing. In programs that have no formal concentrations, learners can strategize their electives, internships, and major projects to make a similar impact on their career options.
Admission Requirements for Online Master's in Creative Writing Programs
Typical admission requirements for a master's in creative writing program include a bachelor's degree, a statement of purpose, and professional recommendations. Some programs also request a minimum GPA score and/or GRE test results.
For admission into an MFA, applicants must usually submit a writing sample, which can vary considerably in length and scope. Some programs may require applicants to submit a more extensive portfolio.
For more information, visit our graduate admissions guide .
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What courses will i take in an online master's in creative writing program.
In a master's in creative writing program, students can choose from a variety of courses, often depending on their specialization and interests. Students complete workshops, seminars, and special topics in various genres of writing. The following list highlights five common courses in these programs.
Story and Concept Development
In this course, students learn various methods for developing the main components of a story. They study brainstorming tactics, three-act structures, and different plot outline techniques. Some courses may delve into advanced character and thematic development methods, as well.
Writers and Publishers
This course may cover many angles, but students typically learn about the role of writers and publishers in the professional world. They learn about the processes involved in writing and publishing, legal and ethical standards, and the challenges faced by modern professionals in the field.
This course teaches students about the role of editors and the processes involved in editing a creative text. Covered topics include differences in genre, meeting audience demands, and methods for communicating with writers and authors.
International Writers
International writers courses examine the writing profession and art in various countries around the world. Learners study the development and evolution of creative writing. Students also explore how globalization has impacted and influenced creative writing and the profession as a whole.
Genre-Based Criticism
Genre-based criticism courses teach students how to read and think critically about the various genres of creative writing. Students examine methods of literary criticism, historical discourses and schools of thought, and the new age movements that shape modern texts.
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What Can I Do With an Online Master's in Creative Writing Degree?
Graduates with a master's in creative writing benefit from a diverse career outlook The BLS projects 4% job growth for media and communications occupations between 2019 and 2029, equal to the average for all occupations.
Master's graduates may also acquire the leadership skills and advanced knowledge needed for various management careers , which boast even higher wages and projected growth numbers. Knowledge of modern publishing platforms and digital tools can help graduates reap the benefits of this evolving landscape.
See where a master's in creative writing can take you. Learn more about writing careers here .
Writer or Author
Writers and authors write books, scripts, and copy for various media types, outlets, and publications. They research material, create drafts, and edit their work as part of the creation process. According to BLS data , 63% of writers are self-employed, 10% work in professional services, and 10% work in the information industry.
Editors review the work of writers and content creators, correcting mistakes, altering for clarity, and ensuring that texts meet the guidelines and standards of the publication. Editors often help writers develop their stories and provide suggestions and feedback to help them improve. According to BLS data , 35% of editors work for newspaper publishers, 14% are self-employed, and 10% work in professional services.
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists improve perceptions of an organization by establishing a favorable image, handling communications, and speaking to the media. These specialists may perform specific tasks for larger organizations, such as drafting press releases and overseeing media campaigns, or carry out diverse roles in smaller organizations. According to BLS data , 13% of these professionals work in educational services, 13% work in advertising, and 10% work for the government.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers oversee an organization's communications and advertising. They review market conditions and consumer wants and needs, handle budgets and resource allocation, and develop marketing campaigns that address consumer and organizational desires. According to the BLS , 11% of these managers are self-employed, 10% work in information, and 4% work in wholesale trade.
Public Relations Manager
Public relations managers oversee larger public image campaigns for organizations. They often manage teams of public relations specialists, work closely with other departments, and handle direct communications between the public and management. According to BLS data , 21% of these managers work in educational services, 21% work for religious organizations, and 15% work in professional services.
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Frequently asked questions about master's in creative writing programs, is a master's in creative writing worth it.
A master's in creative writing can provide students with the skills and techniques needed to create various literary works. Graduates may apply their communication skills to other fields as well, including business and management. These programs can be challenging, but graduates often leave with a strong portfolio and a diverse skill set for the workforce.
What can I do with a master's in creative writing?
With a master's in creative writing, graduates can pursue careers in many fields. They may try becoming an author, journalist, or public relations specialist. They may also apply their skills to an adjacent profession like technical writing or copywriting.
Is creative writing a good career?
Creative writing can be a very good career, offering strong salary and growth potential. According to BLS data , writers earn a median annual salary of $63,200, more than $23,000 higher than the national median annual salary. The top 10% of professionals earn over $122,450 per year.
How much money can I make with a master's in creative writing?
According to the BLS, media and communications professionals earn a median annual salary of $59,230. Salaries for writers and editors can vary widely based on their experience, their publications, and their form of employment.
What are the highest paying jobs with a master's in creative writing?
According to the BLS occupational data, marketing managers make a median annual salary of $135,900. The top 10% in the field make more than $208,000 per year.
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The 10 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in the US · University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) · Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) · Arizona State
Learn more about The Best Master's in Creative Writing Degree Programs in the U.S., and how to choose the program that's right for you.
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