Creative Writing, M.F.A.

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing

Purposes and Goals

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing is a low-residency program with 5-day residencies based in New York City in August and January. The program offers students a multi-genre approach to writing, including but not limited to fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. 

AWP Membership

All graduate students are enrolled as members of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). This organization provides professional and artistic support and assistance in finding positions. AWP members can take advantage of its job-listing and dossier-forwarding services.

Admission

The M.F.A. in Creative Writing is open to matriculated and non-matriculated students who meet the respective admission criteria. A bachelor’s degree is required. However, the degree does not have to be in English or literature.

Matriculated Students

Students must submit:

• Completed application form
• College transcript
• Personal statement
• Work Sample
• One letter of reference from an academic or professional contact who can tell us about your work ethic and ability to engage with others in an academic/artistic community.

Non-Matriculated Students

Rolling admissions are made on a space-available basis. Candidates should submit a writing sample to the Director of the M.F.A. Program. (Scholarships are not available to non-matriculated students.)

Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing

(39 credits)

The completion of a thesis is a degree requirement. The thesis submitted for the M.F.A. degree must display a mastery of writing skills and be a manuscript of near-publishable quality. The two four-credit Practicums are unique courses that include meetings with arts professionals. In these courses, students are introduced to the professional and practical life of a writer. During the course of the program, students also enroll in three workshops, a literature course, a thesis colloquium, and a thesis independent study. Students will meet with their advisers to determine the appropriate plan of study. All students must participate in and complete the 5-day residencies, (ENG 601, or “Manhattan Week”), which is the in-person portion of the program, four times prior to graduation (for example, August of first year, January of first year, August of second year, and January of second year).