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What is an MFA? The Ultimate Guide

what is mfa in writing

by Chris Snellgrove

What if you could have a terminal degree that helped you learn, grow, and even teach at the college level?

That’s what an MFA can do for you. Unfortunately, many of those whose lives would be transformed by getting one don’t know what it is, how it works, and what the benefits are.

What is an MFA? What are the pros and cons, and how can you begin your application? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know!

What is an MFA?

An MFA is a graduate-level degree in arts industries such as creative writing, visual art, drama, or film, representing a high level of professional training and practical experience in the arts. While an MFA isn’t necessary to become a successful writer, it’s often a requirement in teaching and other professional academic positions. “MFA” stands for “Master of Fine Arts.”

Those asking “what is an MFA” are often surprised to discover that it’s similar to a master’s degree. Both of these degrees typically require you to complete a bachelor’s degree first, and both of the programs typically require two or more years to finish.

MFAs are an investment in both time and money

The chief difference between an MFA and a traditional master’s degree is that an MFA is considered a terminal degree . This means that MFA graduates can’t earn a higher degree in that subject—the MFA is the highest degree to achieve.

In other words, if you earn a master’s degree in a particular subject, you can usually follow that up by earning a Ph.D. But while there are doctoral programs in certain MFA fields (for example, you can earn a doctorate in creative writing from multiple places), the MFA degree itself is considered a terminal degree in different academic and business sectors. This may lead to certain job opportunities that having a standard fine arts degree might not.

Who can get an MFA degree?

Because the MFA degree is a type of graduate degree, anybody who has completed an undergraduate degree can pursue an MFA. Beyond needing an undergraduate degree, different MFA programs may have different requirements for admission—you’ll have to research each one.

Keep in mind that that entrance requirements may be very different for different degrees. For example, a fine arts program may have very different requirements from one in the creative or performing arts.

Remember to read the admissions requirements carefully!

Are there different types of MFAs?

Different Master of Fine Arts programs offer different areas of focus. Traditionally, these areas include creative writing , design , performing arts , and visual arts .

Like different graduate programs, different types of MFAs teach very different types of skills. And even within the same program, there is much variety. For example, one person pursuing an MFA in creative writing may be focusing on writing poetry, while another person in a similar program is focusing on screenwriting. In Master of Fine Arts programs focused on the performing arts, some students focus on acting, some on directing, and others on things like stagecraft.

Whichever one you pursue, just be aware that completing it will dominate the next few years of your life and affect your future career for many years after that. So it’s important to find the MFA program and university best suited to your needs.

How long does it take to complete an MFA?

Depending on the student and the program, an MFA typically takes between two to three years to complete. A standard Master of Fine Arts degree requires that students complete 48—60 graduate credits.

Of those credit hours, most will focus on coursework. So if someone is pursuing an MFA in creative writing, they must complete a certain number of credits (typically 48 credits of coursework) focusing on different aspects of their craft, including writing, editing, and publishing.

Some MFA programs require additional credit hours that are focused entirely on a thesis or dissertation. In our example above, the student who completes 48 credit hours of an MFA in creative writing may have to also produce a book-length manuscript in order to graduate. Some MFA programs count that thesis or dissertation work as an additional 12 credit hours.

How much does an MFA cost?

The costs of a Master of Fine Arts may range between $28,000 and $109,000. The exact costs can vary wildly depending on the university, your chosen program, how long you spend in school, and whether the course is online or on campus.

As with your undergraduate education, there can be huge differences in the cost of tuition depending on where you go. If you’re indifferent to the caliber of college you attend, the degree will be much more affordable. But if you’re hoping to further your career through a more prestigious program (like getting an MFA from Columbia University), the tuition will be much higher.

Prestigious programs will incur higher costs.

There can also be a big difference in costs between different types of MFAs. For example, an MFA in creative writing is usually on the cheaper end, because students need little more than a laptop and textbooks to complete their coursework. But students getting an MFA in certain studio arts programs may have to pay for their art materials, further increasing the cost.

One of the biggest factors in how much you pay is how quickly you complete the program. For example, it’s possible for some students to complete an MFA degrees in two years, and some “fast-track” programs are even quicker than that. But if you take longer (for example, you need four years to complete both your coursework and a book-length manuscript), you could nearly double how much you pay.

Finally, whether you pursue an MFA degree in-person or online plays a major role in how much you pay. When universities advertise the cost of attendance for a program, they’re considering how much it’ll cost you to rent an apartment, get food, and attend to other needs throughout the year. If you already have a home and a job and find an MFA you can complete online, you may have many advantages over a more traditional MFA degree.

Advantages of an online MFA

MFA students have more online MFA degree options than ever before. And completing such a degree online comes with several distinct advantages.

The main advantage of an online MFA degree is that you can stay at home to complete it . You won’t have to relocate yourself or uproot your family. And depending on the pace, you may be able to complete the degree while keeping your current job.

And even if you aren’t juggling a job and pursuit of an MFA degree, you’ll likely enjoy the easier scheduling of most online programs. If it’s been a while since your undergraduate classes, you may not like setting an alarm and getting up early for a traditional degree, nor juggling your life and school requirements each week.

Is location a concern? Try a long-distance MFA!

As we noted above, an online MFA degree is going to be much cheaper than a traditional one . In addition to potentially cheaper tuition, you won’t have to rent a new home in a new city. Unlike traditional MFA students, you can afford to shop around to find the most affordable online programs rather than lock yourself into nearby options.

When researching online MFA degrees, be sure to check whether a program is fully online or if it’s a low residency program. Low residency programs require you to visit the campus, but only for short periods throughout the year. Compared to a low residency program, high residency programs require you to be on campus more often.

Do I need to get an MFA?

Unless you intend to be a college professor, you typically don’t need to get an MFA. Simply put, there are other ways to learn some (and perhaps all) of what you could learn from completing an MFA degree.

Students who wish to become college professors are often drawn to MFA degrees because they’re terminal degrees. That means they can earn the degree and potentially land any teaching job they want. While it’s possible to become a professor with “only” a traditional master’s degree, there is a good chance you would lose out to someone who has a Ph.D. (in other words, someone with a terminal degree).

However, the vast majority of students attending most MFA programs are hoping to hone a particular craft. One student may hope to become a better writer, another a better actor, another a better painter, and so on. And a good MFA program is a great way to learn from some of the keenest minds in that particular field.

Will an MFA program make you a “real writer”? No, but it can make you a better one.

Nothing keeps an aspiring writer from finding mentors and writing workshops outside of an MFA program. And nothing keeps actors from performing in various productions and learning from experience. Painters, of course, can continue painting and developing their visual arts skills, both on their own and with the help of others.

In short, an MFA can help you foster skills you already have, but it can’t give you brand new skills any more than a bachelor’s degree can. And if you already have such skills, there are ways to help them grow outside of an expensive graduate program.

Pros of getting an MFA

Like any other big decision, getting an MFA has its pros and its cons. To help you make that decision, we’re going to look at both the benefits and the drawbacks, starting with the pros.

The first pro is that you get to work and interact with a group of like-minded people at a college level. Instead of being the only artsy kid in class, someone pursuing an MFA in Visual Arts would be surrounded by a cohort of people students just like them. This is a great way to study and learn, and maybe even make some lifelong friendships along the way.

The second pro connects to the first: access to honest (sometimes brutally honest) criticism . Such criticism will come from peer review from other students, and, most of all, from your professors. Nobody learns from praise, and specific and actionable criticism is one of the best ways to grow your skills. (Scribophile is all about getting friendly and helpful criticism on your writing !)

The third pro is that you’ll learn a lot more about your chosen field . Most students who enter into an MFA program discovered they had certain skills (such as skills in writing, painting, or acting) early on, and they cultivated that skill mostly on instinct. In an academic setting, you can learn more about the history and theory behind your field. This is a great way to learn new ideas and techniques while also learning more about the greats who came before you.

Fourth, an MFA basically forces structure and deadline into your life. That may not sound like a good thing, but many gifted students have trouble finding the motivation to sit down and bring their ideas to life. When you have professors setting firm deadlines, you have no excuse but to get the job done. And along the way, you might just learn how to motivate yourself into action!

Some writers thrive on structure.

Cons of getting an MFA

As you can tell, there are many benefits to getting an MFA. But there are also some major drawbacks you need to consider. With that in mind, let’s look at the cons.

The biggest con (and quite possibly the longest-lasting one) is the cost . As we noted before, some prestigious MFA programs may cost over $100,000 to complete. And even if you find a more affordable program, you may have to take out student loans to cover the cost. That means you could be paying back the cost of this program long after it’s complete, on top of possible debt from your bachelor’s degree.

The next con is that an MFA, like other degrees, doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the career you want . You may want to become a creative writing professor, but career opportunities for these positions are very rare and highly competitive. It’s quite possible you could spend several years and many thousands of dollars just to end up back where you are now, career-wise.

The third con is something of an open secret when it comes to graduate school: whether you get your money’s worth out of a program largely comes down to the advisor that you get . The right advisor can elevate your skills and help you ultimately land your dream job. The wrong advisor, though, may do little to help your skills grow and could even sabotage your academic and career plans.

The final con is that even some of the very best MFA programs don’t prepare you enough for the real world . For example, many MFAs in creative writing focus on writing and editing and focus very little (if at all) on publishing. You can learn how to get published on your own, of course. But if you’re having to teach yourself some of these very fundamental aspects of your field, you might end up wondering why you spent years of your life getting an advanced degree in the first place.

Alternatives to getting an MFA

As you can tell, an MFA degree has many pros and cons. If you’re not sure about enrolling but want some of the benefits of this degree, you should know there are alternatives out there.

For example, you can pursue a writing certificate , as opposed to a university-level degree, from a university that offers one. A writing certificate is an online tutorship program that is pricier than some alternatives, but you get the benefits of an online program and an intense writing cohort of other enthusiastic students. You also get a certificate featuring a university name, which may help you pursue careers in certain fields.

Other alternatives are cheap, and many are free. For example, it’s possible to join a writing workshop . This gives you many of the benefits of working with a writing cohort without having to move, take on student loans, and so on.

Supportive writing workshops are a great MFA alternative.

And, in a post-pandemic world, there are many online groups that have the same function. With video call apps like Skype and Zoom, you still get the face-to-face experience of a writing cohort. Best of all, you don’t even have to leave the house!

What you need to do to apply for an MFA

The good news is that students interested in an MFA only need to take a few steps to apply. Below, we’ve outlined each of these steps and what you need to do to maximize your chances of landing in the program of your dreams.

1. Find the right program

The first step is, arguably, the most difficult: you need to find the right program. That means finding a program that best suits your field, your budget, and your future career plans.

When it comes to your field, we recommend finding a school that is known for what you want to do. Someone that wants to be a screenwriter , for instance, may be drawn to places like Columbia University or University of Southern California for their competitive screenwriting programs.

However, your budget is a major factor. You don’t necessarily have to move to the other side of the country for an MFA program. The trick is to find an affordable program with a professor (or perhaps more than one professor) specializing in your craft that you would like to learn from.

Finally, if the data is available, try to see what the job placement rates are like for the MFA programs you’re interested in. If the rates are low, or the data is unavailable, you may want to reconsider your application.

As an added bonus, once you’ve done your research on the schools you’re interested in, it’ll be easier to customize your applications!

2. Decide between an online or offline program

These days, you have more options than ever before, so it’s important to decide whether you want an online degree program or a more traditional one.

The benefits of an online degree program are obvious. The costs are much lower, for example. And many programs allow you to work at your own pace, meaning you could earn the degree without quitting your current job or moving your family across the country.

However, attending a writing program on campus provides a greater sense of community with other students and more immediate feedback from peers and professors. Plus, while it’s not entirely fair, online degrees aren’t considered as prestigious as more traditional degrees, and this could potentially impact your future career.

3. Create a solid portfolio

Most of the application process will be familiar to your undergraduate application process. However, there is one big difference: faculty members will want to see a portfolio.

If you’re a writer, this should be a portfolio of short stories, a completed manuscript, or other writing samples. Whatever your field, the point of this portfolio is to show an admissions committee that you’re skilled enough to be admitted into the MFA program.

At first, you may be tempted to make your portfolio a showcase of your best work. However, it may be easier to win the committee over with a portfolio built around a central theme. This helps them see how you organize your work and your ideas and gives them a glimpse of what your work would look like on a larger scale.

The quality of your work is your strongest asset.

4. Get advice from previous mentors

The biggest mistake you can make in your application is trying to handle everything on your own. Instead, we recommend reaching out to your previous mentors and seeking their advice about your portfolio and your application.

Keep in mind that most applications require you to submit a minimum of three letters of recommendation. These letters should come from mentors who can speak to the quality of your work and the quality of your character. If you’re already asking them for letters of recommendation, you may as well go the extra step and ask them to review your application.

Your previous mentors can help you fine-tune different parts of your application. If possible, you should seek out those who have completed an MFA before. They may be able to offer more specialized advice that your other mentors can’t.

5. Submit your application

When you’ve chosen the right program and created a great artistic portfolio, you’ll need to submit your application. Fair warning: this is a straightforward process that usually gets bogged down by a lot of paperwork.

For example, we mentioned that you’ll need letters of recommendation and a portfolio. You’ll also need to submit transcripts from your undergraduate college(s), a statement of purpose, and possibly previous coursework. In some cases, prospective students may be required to submit a full CV as well as GRE scores (though this is much rarer for MFA programs than traditional master’s programs).

Now, it’s all over except for the waiting. For fall admission, most universities send out acceptance letters to MFA applicants between March and July. Keep in mind that you can complete your FAFSA application for student aid and even pursue certain scholarships for other financial awards before you’re officially accepted, so you can save yourself some time in the future by going ahead and knocking those out.

An MFA program could be your life-changing next step.

Is an MFA right for you?

Now you know what an MFA program is and what the pros and cons are. And if you’re ready to take the plunge, you know what the application process looks like.

It’s time to make the decision of whether you want to dedicate the next few years of your life to an advanced creative arts degree or not. Regardless of your decision, don’t forget that there are numerous other ways to grow your skills!

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Creative Writing, MFA

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

  • Location: Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MFA Creative Writing

The MFA in creative writing at ASU has always been an unswervingly student-first program. Through small classes, intimate workshops and one-to-one mentoring, the centuries-old apprenticeship model thrives within the New American University. Poets and fiction writers work with outstanding faculty who have published more than 80 books and garnered national and international attention through awards and honors that include:

  • Guggenheim, Howard Foundation, Lannan Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and United Artists fellowships
  • international Griffin Poetry Prize and Whiting Award
  • multiple Pulitzer Prizes
  • two medals of achievement from the National Society of Arts and Letters
  • two Chancellors of the Academy of American Poets
  • Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets

Additionally, in concert with the Master of Fine Arts program, several campus entities contribute to the MFA experience: the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing offers students a wide range of fellowships, support for professional development, and other teaching and leadership opportunities including a Community Outreach Graduate Assistantship. The Center for Imagination in the Borderlands brings writers and other artists for intensive workshops, classes and public events, and offers an artistic development and teaching assistant fellowship and two research assistantships. The Master of Fine Arts program also hosts a newly inaugurated series of craft lectures and an alumni reading series.

Furthermore, students have access to a variety of additional professional development opportunities, including serving on the editorial board of an international literary journal Hayden's Ferry Review, translation experience through the Thousand Languages Project and internships with award-winning independent literary press Four Way Books.

Sally Ball , Director of Creative Writing, Professor

Justin Petropoulos , Program Manager

Faculty in Creative Writing

The ASU MFA in Creative Writing is and has always been an unswervingly student-first program. Through small classes, intimate workshops, and one-to-one mentoring, the centuries-old apprenticeship model thrives within the New American University. Creative writing has been a part of the department of English since the 1930s. With the inception of the MFA degree in 1985, creative writing became an ascendant unit; the program was ranked within the top 20 MFA programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

ASU Creative Writing is distinguished by an outstanding faculty that has garnered national and international attention: Guggenheim and NEA fellowships, a Pulitzer Prize and several Pulitzer nominations, two Flannery O’Connor Awards, the Western States Book Award, PEN/Faulkner finalist recognition, the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, the International Griffin Poetry Prize, the Western Literature Association Distinguished Achievement Award, and two Medals of Achievement from the National Society of Arts and Letters.

The program's alumni are equally impressive, having won the Iowa Short Fiction Award, the Pen Southwest Book Award, the Prairie Schooner Book Prize, the May Swenson Poetry Award, the Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award, and numerous Pushcart Prizes. They are the recipients of grants from the NEA and Fulbright and Stegner Fellowships.

Currently, all students admitted to the MFA program who submit a complete and approved teaching assistantship application are awarded a TA by the Department of English. Each assistantship carries a three course per year load and includes a tuition waiver and health insurance in addition to the TA stipend ($24,586 per year) . Graduate students with assistantships must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours each semester.

In addition, students have diverse opportunities for additional financial and professional support via The Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, including:

  • Graduate Assistantships in arts education and community programming (providing stipends and tuition remission)
  • Creative Research Fellowships and other funding and scholarship opportunities
  • Travel Funding to support tabling and presenting during the annual AWP Conference
  • A robust visiting writer event series , with exclusive opportunities to learn from and engage with highly acclaimed authors
  • Free admission to the annual Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference
  • Opportunities to moderate author panels and read creative work during the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference and other events
  • A professional development program series for creative writing students, with a focus on creative lives, careers, and opportunities during and after graduation

The program requirements include 48 hours of study evenly divided between writing courses and literature courses designed to inform that writing. While students are expected to satisfy these requirements in the genre in which they were accepted, the program encourages cross-genre study, and electives can include courses taken outside of the creative writing program, even outside the English department. Courses such as “Creative Writing and the Professions” and “Internship for Community Outreach” encourage students to envision life beyond graduation. The Creative Writing Program at ASU has been able consistently to offer MFA students among the best funding packages in the nation through teaching and research assistantships, which are renewable for each of the program's three years. Additionally, in concert with the CWP, the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing offers a variety of graduate assistantships, international writing and teaching scholarships, and thesis fellowships to continuing students. Students who accept the TA offer are required to take the TA seminar, a pedagogy and training course designed to assist graduate students during their first year. TA seminar is credited as a literature elective. Successful TAs have the opportunity to teach introductory creative writing to undergraduates, under the supervision of one of the program faculty. In the second year students assemble their thesis committees and identify a committee chair. The second year is also when one-on-one mentorship begins. In the spring of the third year, students typically focus on completing the thesis manuscript with their committee chair.

Degree Requirements

48 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam and the required applied project course (ENG 593)

Coursework (39 credit hours)

Other Requirement (6 credit hours) ENG 592 Research (6)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) ENG 593 Applied Project (3)

Additional Curriculum Information The creative writing program requires 48 credit hours of study evenly divided between writing courses and literature courses designed to inform that writing.

While students are expected to satisfy these requirements in the genre in which they were accepted, the program encourages cross-genre study, and electives can include courses taken outside of the creative writing program or even outside of the English department.

A written comprehensive exam and an applied project are required.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants should have an undergraduate major in English or creative writing; however, exceptional students who do not have either of these undergraduate majors may be admitted on the basis of writing excellence.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  • graduate admission application and application fee
  • official transcripts
  • statement of purpose
  • resume or curriculum vitae
  • three letters of recommendation
  • creative manuscript
  • proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency . Applications will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency. Please note that official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.

The personal statement should include the applicant's writing background, intended area of specialization and a brief self-evaluation of recent work (double-spaced, up to three pages or 750 words). The creative manuscript should be up to 20 pages of poetry or up to 30 pages of prose (prose should be double-spaced). Students applying for a teaching assistantship must submit a statement of teaching philosophy and an academic writing sample.

Courses and Electives

Mfa course requirements - fiction.

A 48-hour Program of Study

For additional information please contact Justin Petropoulos , Program Manager of Creative Writing

WRITING COURSES (24 hours)

Students are expected to satisfy the degree requirements in the genre in which they are accepted. Exceptions must be approved by the director of creative writing, the chair of the student’s supervisory committee, the dean of the Graduate College, and the instructor. Electives may be taken out of genre, with the permission of the instructor.

Required (15 hours)

  • ENG 592 Research (Fiction) (6 hours)*
  • ENG 593 Applied Project (Fiction) (3 hours)
  • ENG 594 Conference and Workshop (Fiction) (3 hours)
  • ENG 563 Forms of Fiction (3 hours)

*Research Hours are dedicated the development of a student's creative thesis with the support of their committee.

Electives (choose 9 hours)

  • ENG 505 Writing Workshops (Special Topics)(3 hours)
  • ENG 591 Seminar, Selected Topics* (3 hours)
  • ENG 594 Conference and Workshop (Fiction) (3-6 hours)
  • ENG 663 Fiction Genres* (3 hours)
  • ENG 680 First Book Seminar (3 hours)

LITERATURE COURSES (24 hours)

Required (9 hours).

  • ENG 538 Studies in Modern and Contemporary American Literature (3 hours)
  • ENG 539 Studies in Modernist and Postmodern Literature and Theory (fiction topics, 3 hours)
  • ENG 665 Creative Methods, Fiction (3 hours)

Electives (choose 15 hours)

Any 400, 500, or 600 level English course relevant to the student’s program of study, and up to six hours of credit in class work outside the department of English (for example, courses at the 400, 500, or 600 level in theater, music, dance, photography, fine printing and bookbinding, papermaking, or editing and publishing), subject to the approval of the director of creative writing, the chair of the student’s supervisory committee (if designated), and the dean of the Graduate College.   Possible English courses include:

  • ENG 537 Studies in Modern and Contemporary British Literature (3 hours)
  • ENG 543 Studies in Anglophone Literatures (3 hours)
  • ENG 545 Studies in Women’s Literature (3 hours)
  • ENG 550 Translation (3 hours)
  • ENG 584 Internship* (3-6 hours)
  • ENG 591 Seminar (Selected Topics, 3 hours)
  • ENG 593 Pedagogy (3 hours)
  • ENG 594 Conference and Workshop (TA Seminar) (4 hours)
  • ENG 598 Special Topics* (3 hours)
  • ENG 667 Writing for the Professions (3 hours)

 *May be repeated for credit if topics are distinct.

MFA COURSE REQUIREMENTS - POETRY

For information about the program please contact Justin Petropoulos , Program Manager of Creative Writing

  • ENG 592 Research Hours (6hours)*
  • ENG 593 Applied Project (3 hours)
  • ENG 594 Graduate Poetry Workshop (3 hours)
  • ENG 562 Forms of Poetry (3 hours)

 *Research Hours are dedicated the development of a student's creative thesis with the support of their committee.

  • ENG 505 Writing Workshop (3 hours)
  • ENG 594 Conference and Workshop (Poetry) (3-6 hours)
  • ENG 662 Poetic Genres* (3 hours)
  • ENG 539 Studies in Modernist and Postmodern Literature and Theory (poetry topics, 3 hours)
  • ENG 665 Creative Methods, Poetry (3 hours)

Any 400, 500, or 600 level English course relevant to the student’s program of study, and up to six hours of credit in class work outside the department of English (for example, courses at the 400, 500, or 600 level in theater, music, dance, photography, fine printing and bookbinding, papermaking, or editing and publishing), subject to the approval of the director of creative writing, the chair of the student’s supervisory committee (if designated), and the dean of the Graduate College.   Possible English courses might include:

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

  • Analyze and critique the writing of other creative writers.
  • Explicate their creative works articulately.
  • Create original fiction or poetry that incorporates theoretical and foundational literary knowledge.

Career Opportunities

A Master of Fine Arts in creative writing graduate is prepared primarily for the professional creation of new art, including fiction, poetry and other written forms. In addition to working as novelists, poets and short story writers, graduates go on to careers in education, arts administration, media and entertainment, and in political and community organizations. Career examples include:

  • book designer or marketer
  • book or magazine editor
  • creative writing professor
  • essayist or journalist
  • grant writer and developer
  • literary or events coordinator
  • nonprofit administrator
  • public relations and communications manager
  • screenwriter
  • secondary education teacher

Global Opportunities

Global experience.

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • Online Degree Explore Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees
  • MasterTrack™ Earn credit towards a Master’s degree
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MFA Degree Overview: Types, Jobs, and Salaries

Learn about the Master of Fine Arts degree program, what you’ll need to apply for admission into graduate school, and the job and salary outlook for MFA degree holders.

[Featured image] An MFA degree student stands in front of paintings in art gallery.

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree program that provides you with the opportunity to focus on a specific discipline related to the arts, such as creative writing, studio art, or theater. There are many reasons for pursuing an MFA, including getting concentrated time to dedicate to your craft, receiving peer and professional feedback, and further honing your skill set. What’s more, you may qualify for more opportunities after completing your MFA degree. 

Learn about the areas in which you can earn an MFA, the benefits of attending an MFA program, and the salaries you may be able to achieve after graduation. 

What is an MFA degree?

An MFA is a master’s degree that focuses on coursework in a specific artistic field, such as visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, or design. Many MFAs are considered terminal degrees , meaning that it’s the highest degree you can earn in that subject matter. As such, the degree often qualifies you to teach at the university level, in addition to pursuing other opportunities related to your field. 

MFA degree: Areas and concentrations

You can earn your MFA in a number of areas pertaining to the fine arts. That includes both creative fields such as fiction writing, acting, and sculpture, as well as more technical-creative fields, such as film production and stage design. 

Visual arts

In a visual arts program (sometimes called studio arts), you can concentrate in ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, illustration, photography, and metalsmithing. A visual arts program often includes studio time, so you’ll have a dedicated space to work on your technique while networking with other students and sharing resources. 

Performing arts

In a performing arts program, you can study theater, acting, dance, directing, stage management, and dramaturgy. A performing arts program often provides you with talent development and hands-on opportunities to participate in live productions—both on campus and elsewhere. 

In a media arts program, you can study aspects of documentary or narrative film, including production, directing, cinematography, and scriptwriting. You will likely have the opportunity to contribute in some way to a short- or full-length film as part of your degree requirements. 

In a design program, you can study graphic design, game design, illustration, industrial design, and communication design. Your studies can consist of technology-related courses that improve your ability to work with an array of digital tools, as well as art courses that hone your creative technique. 

Creative writing

In a creative writing program, you have the option of concentrating in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. You will likely take part in workshops where faculty and fellow students critique your work and offer feedback to strengthen your craft. 

In a fashion program, you have the option of studying fashion design, costume design, or textiles. In addition to attending lecture-heavy courses about fashion style and fashion history, you will also focus your efforts on creating and making your own designs.  

Types of MFA programs

Most graduate schools offer two types of MFA degree programs: 

Low-residency programs tend to be more flexible because students do most of their learning remotely with occasional visits to campus.  

High-residency programs tend to be more involved because students do all of their learning on-campus, immersing themselves more fully in the community. 

Both low- and high-residency programs offer coursework to help you meet your artistic goals and advance your professional development. As you research potential MFA programs, pay attention to the type of residency they offer and how they might address your larger goals and needs.  

MFA: Time and costs 

While each school is different, completing an MFA degree can take between two to three years when you’re able to attend full-time. The cost of an MFA degree depends on whether you attend a public or private institution, and whether your program is low- or high-residency. In 2022, the total cost of an MFA program ranged from $24,000 to $73,000 [ 1 ]. Options exist to help alleviate the cost of graduate education , such as assistantships, scholarships, and grants.  

What are the benefits of getting an MFA degree?

Pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree can help you refine your craft, grow and develop professionally, and learn more about your chosen artistic field. The program is often viewed as an opportunity to build your portfolio, network with professionals and peers, explore new techniques, and take advantage of mentorship and fellowship opportunities.  The MFA may also help you qualify for more job opportunities and prepare you for multiple career paths. 

Other benefits include:

Advanced professional development

Gaining additional knowledge of your craft

Concentrated time to focus on your art 

Teaching opportunities at a college or university

The opportunity to be critiqued by knowledgeable peers

Advantages of an online MFA degree

For learners who require more flexibility, an online college or low-residency program may offer the opportunity to take asynchronous classes from anywhere and at your own pace. Although some MFA programs, such as acting, tend to require an in-person presence, you can effectively study visual arts, design, and creative writing remotely. 

Learn more: 10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning

What are the entry requirements for an MFA?

Requirements for MFA degrees vary by institution, but most require that you’ve earned your bachelor's degree, though it doesn’t always have to be in the same subject. MFA programs also usually require a portfolio or performance audition. As with any graduate program, you’ll generally need a copy of your previous college transcripts, a resume or CV , three letters of recommendation, an artist statement, and an application fee. 

Creative portfolio 

You'll showcase your creative skills with a portfolio or performance audition. As part of your application, you’ll submit a sample of your work that best speaks to your abilities in that medium. For example, you’ll submit a portfolio of your artwork for a studio art concentration, or a writing sample for a creative writing concentration. Schools will typically ask performing arts applicants for a resume and headshot. Each school will announce its upcoming auditions and the time allowed for each performance. 

What’s the difference between an MFA and an MA?

Although the Master of Fine Arts degree and the Master of Arts (MA) degree are both master’s degrees, they are not the same. Let’s review those differences below. 

The Master of Arts is an academic degree that focuses on subjects in the humanities or social sciences . The degree typically takes around two years to earn and tends to require critical thinking and original research. The MA is not a terminal degree, but students who earn one can go on to pursue their PhD. 

The Master of Fine Arts is a practice-based degree . It's discipline-specific and can take longer to complete than the MA. The focus is on one artistic specialty, and the program is more hands-on. The MFA is also considered a terminal degree.

Career outlook: Salaries and job growth

With an MFA, you can go on to work in your chosen field, such as designing costumes, writing novels, or producing films. Thanks to the terminal nature of the degree, you can also teach at the university level. 

The average salary for MFA degree holders is $64,000 [ 2 ]. Your salary will depend on your chosen profession, the industry you work in, your location, the company your work for, and years of experience. The table below gives you a closer look at the average salaries for MFA degree holders in specific concentrations: 

*All salary data from Payscale

Demand for graduates of an MFA program varies by discipline. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for craft and fine artists are projected to increase 14 percent from 2020 to 2030 [ 3 ]. This is faster than the average growth rate of 8 percent for all occupations in the US. Other fine arts areas projected to increase include writers and authors (9 percent), actors (32 percent), museum curators (19 percent), and postsecondary teachers (12 percent) [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. 

Explore further

If you need help narrowing down which fine arts discipline you'd like to pursue, explore artistic career topics on Coursera, such as modern and contemporary art , graphic design , game design , or creative writing . All courses come from leading universities and are available entirely online, so you can learn at your own pace. 

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Article sources 

1. Bouchrika, Imed. “ 15 Most Affordable Online MFA Programs for 2022 , https://research.com/degrees/most-affordable-online-mfa-programs." Accessed May 3, 2022. 

2. Payscale. “Master of Fine Arts (MFA) .”  Accessed May 13, 2022.

3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Craft and Fine Artists: Occupational Outlook Handbook , www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm#tab-6." Accessed ‌May 3, 2022.

4. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Writers and Authors: Occupational Outlook Handbook , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm." Accessed ‌May 3, 2022.

5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Actors: Occupational Outlook Handbook , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/actors.htm." Accessed ‌May 3, 2022.

6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm." Accessed ‌May 3, 2022.

7. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Postsecondary Teache rs: Occupational Outlook Handbook , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm." Accessed ‌May 3, 2022.

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what is mfa in writing

Procedural Guide for MFA in Creative Writing Students

Mfa program overview.

The Creative Writing Program offers the MFA degree, with a concentration in either poetry or fiction. MFA students pursue intensive study with distinguished faculty committed to creative and intellectual achievement.

Each year the department enrolls only eight MFA students, four in each concentration. Our small size allows us to offer a generous financial support package that fully funds every student. We also offer a large and diverse graduate faculty with competence in a wide range of literary, theoretical and cultural fields. Every student chooses a special committee of two faculty members who work closely alongside the student to design a course of study within the broad framework established by the department.

Students participate in a graduate writing workshop each semester and take six additional one-semester courses for credit, at least four of them in English or American literature, comparative literature, literature in the modern or Classical languages or cultural studies (two per semester during the first year and one per semester during the second year). First-year students receive practical training as editorial assistants for  Epoch, a periodical of prose and poetry published by the creative writing program. Second-year students participate as teaching assistants for the university-wide first-year writing program. The most significant requirement of the MFA degree is the completion of a book-length manuscript: a collection of poems or short stories, or a novel, to be closely edited and refined with the assistance of the student’s special committee.

Requirements

Requirements for the receipt of the MFA in Creative Writing are:

  • Satisfactory completion of 4 required graduate workshops and 4 required graduate-level courses (plus, Literary Small Publishing, WRIT 7100, Creative Writing Pedagogical & Thesis Development, Teaching Internship, and Advanced Pedagogy Workshops) prior to M Exam;
  • Satisfactory completion of one year as an Editorial Assistant in Epoch and one year as teaching as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Literatures in English;
  • Satisfactory completion of the 2nd year Student Progress Review;
  • Satisfactory completion of the Master’s Exam at the end of the fourth term;
  • A minimum of four registered semesters (full-time study);
  • Submission of approved Final Thesis to the Graduate School for an August conferral in the second summer;
  • Completion of all degree requirements in no more than 4 registered semesters (2 years) from the time of admission.

The Special Commitee

Graduate study at Cornell requires each student to work out a program of study in consultation with a special committee, selected by the student, from the membership of Cornell Graduate Faculty. This procedure, commonly referred to as “the committee system,” takes the place of uniform course requirements and uniform departmental examinations. The university system of special committees allows students to design their own courses of study within a broad framework established by the department, and it encourages a close working relationship between professors and students, promoting freedom and flexibility in the pursuit of the graduate degree. The special committee guides and supervises all academic work and assesses progress at a series of meetings with the student. Such a system places specixal demands on the energy and adaptability of both faculty and students, and it requires a high degree of initiative and responsibility from each student.

The MFA special committee is comprised of at least two members of the Cornell Graduate Creative Writing Faculty:  1 chairperson and 1 minor members. The committee chair and at least one minor member must be a general member of the Cornell Graduate Field Faculty in English Language and Literature and a member of the Creative Writing Faculty.

The Director of Creative Writing (DCW) serves as the student’s main academic advisor and provisional chair during the first semester of residence. A student must select their committee chairperson by December of the first year. One minor committee member must be added by May of the first year. Per Graduate School requirements, the full special committee must be in place no later than the end of the third semester of study. Since the Special Committee is charged with guiding and supervising all of a candidate’s academic work, it is important to establish this committee as soon as possible.

A student may change the membership of the special committee with the approval of all the members of the committee and notice of such change must be filed with the Graduate School. No change may be made during the three months prior to the Master’s Examination except by approval of the Dean.

The Cornell Department of Literatures in English strives to be an inclusive and welcoming environment for a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty. It is our collective role to preserve that inclusivity. All of our departmental spaces are professional, and the values of respect, equity, and nondiscrimination should inform our conduct in those spaces. We should all treat each other as having equally valuable contributions to make. If, as a student, you experience any unwelcome behaviors, please tell someone—a departmental administrator, departmental staff member, or graduate school administrator or staff member. We take instances of disrespectful, demeaning, and harassing behavior very seriously.

In addition, faculty/student and advisor/advisee relationships, as you know, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are informal and egalitarian, while others are formal and hierarchical. Some are strictly intellectual, while others become quite personal. There are many different mentoring styles, and what works for one advising pair may not be productive for another. However, while we acknowledge and even honor the various textures and flavors of academic mentorship, the Department of Literatures in English does not condone the abuse of graduate students in any form. You are entitled to professional treatment that respects your autonomy and integrity as students, teachers, and intellectuals. If you have any concerns about your interactions with a faculty advisor, particularly if there is something that is preventing you from full and equal access to your graduate education, you are urged to share those concerns with the Director of Graduate Studies, Department Chair, Graduate Coordinator, Director of Administration, and/or the Senior Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Life in the Graduate School.

A student’s special committee is charged with the following formal responsibilities, guiding a student to meet the requirements and expectations of the MFA degree:

  • Advising students in course enrollment each semester
  • Meeting with students at least once each semester
  • Committee Chair’s must complete the Student Progress Review in the fourth semester for each student they advise
  • Advising students in thesis development
  • Conducting the Master’s Examination
  • Approving the final thesis submission
  • Writing informed letters of recommendation for job applications

The Graduate School specifies the student/faculty advising relationship in more detail. Please review these guides for details and additional resources: Advising Guide for Research Students and Graduate School Faculty Guide to Advising Research Degree Students .

Courses and Grades

Course requirements.

In consultation with their special committee, MFA students are expected to successfully complete 4 graduate-level courses (at least 4 in English, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies or Modern or classical language, or theory), 4 MFA writing workshops, Literary Small Publishing, and the Creative Writing Pedagogical & Thesis Development course (workshops, Literary Small Publishing, & CW Pedagogical Thesis Development must be taken for letter grade). Additionally, the Teaching Training (required in the first summer), Writing 7100, and non-credit Advanced Pedagogy Workshops (which are organized by the Director of Graduate Student Teaching and are required in year two).

In the first semester of study, an MFA candidate is expected to complete one graduate-level courses, Literary Small Publishing, and the MFA writing workshop of their genre for credit. In the second semester of study, an MFA candidate is expected to complete two graduate-level courses and the MFA writing workshop of their genre for credit. In the third semester of study, while teaching, students are expected to complete a total of one additional graduate-level course, the MFA writing workshop. In the fourth semester of study, students are expected to take the MFA writing workshop and the Creative Writing Pedagogical and Thesis Development Course. Please reference the MFA Program Timeline , for complete details on degree program requirements.

All students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits per semester. If credits fall short with required coursework in any given semester, the Graduate School will enroll students in the Graduate Student Research “course” for the remaining credits so full-time status is achieved.

Course Selection

Graduate students may enroll in and receive graduate credit for courses designated as level 5000 and up, depending on their relevance to the students’ needs and special interests. Courses at the 6000-level, designed primarily for graduate students, aim to provide advanced coverage of significant periods, figures, genres, and theoretical issues; 7000-level courses are intensive seminars intended to serve as paradigms of scholarly research or specialized study. ENGL 7940: Directed Study, and ENGL 7950: Group Study, give students the opportunity to enroll for more informal work in areas and on problems of special interest to them. Students are permitted to take one independent/directed/group study to count towards degree requirements. Independent/ directed/group study work should not be thesis work. If enrolled in independent/directed/group study this must be approved by the special committee and a course syllabus must be sent to the GRA. Prior to each semester, the department issues a revised semester-list of course offerings and descriptions .

Undergraduate (3000/4000 level) courses do not fulfill MFA degree requirements. If there are no graduate-level courses available in the desired focus area and there are undergraduate course offerings, students must consult with their special committee. The student may be allowed (with special committee and instructor permission) to enroll in a graduate-level group study and complete graduate-level work for credit. If permitted, the student should work with the home department to properly enroll and work with the faculty member to develop a revised syllabus. The graduate-level syllabus must include a separate section identifying additional graduate-level reading, assignments, and meetings with the faculty to transform the course into an adequate graduate-level designation. This is true for Directed Studies, Group Studies, as well as undergraduate courses with a supplemental 5000+ number. The new graduate-level syllabus should be provided to the Graduate Coordinator to keep on record.

In addition to required coursework and with faculty permission, students may take undergraduate-level courses or audit (non-graded) graduate-level courses. Neither of these course options count toward MFA course requirements, even though these courses will appear on transcripts. As a rule, graduate credit is also not awarded for courses devoted principally to the acquisition of a foreign language, unless that course is offered in the Department of Literatures in English at the 6000-level or above.

Most graduate courses may be taken either for a letter grade or S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). MFA in Creative Writing Students are required to take 4 MFA Seminars, Literary Small Publishing, and CW Pedagogical & Thesis Development for a letter grade. With the consent of instructor(s) (and in consultation with the committee, the student may change their grading options at any time before the established University deadline. After this date, changes can only be made by special petition to the Graduate School and are discouraged/only considered in cases of extenuating circumstances. An instructor may permit a student to audit a course, but audited courses don’t count toward program requirements. Grades given to graduate students in the department will be interpreted as follows:

A+, A                        Distinguished A-                               Commendable B+                              Satisfactory B, B-                           Borderline C+, C, and below     Unsatisfactory

If a student is unable to complete all the work for a course before the end of the semester in which it is offered, they may request a grade of Incomplete (INC) from the instructor. Graduate School policy mandates that all incompletes be made up within one year of the end of the semester during which the course was taken, otherwise it will become a permanent part of the transcript and the course will need to be re-taken in order for it to count.

A student must satisfactorily complete coursework in a timely manner in order to remain in good academic standing (defined below), and thus to be eligible for continued funding.

  • Year 1 Fall : MFA seminar, Literary Small Publishing, 1 additional graduate level courses
  • Year 1 Spring : MFA seminar, 2 additional graduate level courses
  • Year 1 Summer : Teaching Writing 7100
  • Year 2 Fall : MFA seminar, 1 additional graduate level course, Advanced Pedagogy Sessions (no credit)
  • Year 2 Fall : MFA Seminar, Creative Writing Pedagogical & Thesis Development
  • Year 2 Summer : Summer Grad Level Research
  • All courses with grades of INC/NGR (if needed to fulfill coursework requirements) must be satisfied before the M exam can be scheduled.

If a student fails to meet any of these requirements, the student will not be in good academic standing, and will be ineligible for Department and Graduate School funding the following year including lectureship years. Some deadlines may be slightly extended in the event of extenuating circumstances (such as student illness or family emergency).  

Exams and Milestones

MFA students are encouraged to review the MFA Timeline , for additional details on MFA exams and milestones.

Scheduling the Master’s Examination

MFA students are expected to file their Master’s Examination Scheduling Form no later than May 1 of the second year and at least 7 days prior to the exam date.

Master’s Examination

The Master’s Examination or Thesis Defense must take place no later August 1 of the second year. This date is subject to change based on appointment periods. Upon completion of the M exam, students must submit their M Exam Results Form within 3 days of the exam.

Filing the Final Thesis Document

When approved by the special committee, the thesis must be formatted in accordance with Graduate School specifications. Full details concerning dissertation form and deadlines may be found in the Thesis and Dissertation section of the Graduate School’s website. The degree requirements are not complete until the thesis has been filed with the Graduate School and approved by the student’s committee.

Evaluation of Student Progress

Graduate Admissions and Review Committee (GARC) : GARC consists of five or more members of the Graduate Field Faculty in English Language and Literature, including the Director of Graduate Studies. Every fall, MFA students are provided with a status report from GARC detailing their progress in the program and suggestions for returning to good academic standing, if there are any concerns.

Student Progress Review (SPR) : Students are required to complete the Student Progress Review (SPR) process in April of the second year. The SPR process supports regular communication including written feedback between a student and their committee, requiring research degree students and their special committee to have at least one formal conversation about academic progress, accomplishments and future plans. Students complete a form describing milestones completed, accomplishments, and challenges, as well as set goals. The special committee chair responds in writing and indicates whether the student’s progress is excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement, or is unsatisfactory. Feedback that is documented on the SPR will be made available to the student, the student’s special committee chair, and the DGS/GFA of the student’s field.

Upon admission, each MFA student is awarded a two-year financial support package (including a stipend , a full tuition fellowship , and student health insurance ), which is guaranteed provided the student remains in good academic standing and performs satisfactorily in any assistantship capacity. Support is as follows:

  • Year One :  Graduate Assistantship as Editorial Assistant in Epoch
  • Summer Year One :  Stipend for participation in the required Knight Institute teacher-training program. Residence in Ithaca is required.
  • Year Two : Teaching Assistantships
  • Summer Year Two : Picket Summer Fellowship

Additional Funding Opportunities

The Graduate School is pleased to provide MFA students the opportunity to travel to enhance their scholarship. Eligible students are encouraged to apply for grant funding related to professional conferences, research travel, or summer foreign language education. Research and Travel Grants are also available through the Einaudi Center for International Research .

Employment Limit Policy

Because earning a graduate degree involves a significant time commitment, Cornell limits the amount of employment a student may hold while in a full-time registered status (during fall, spring, and summer). Students are considered full-time if they are registered, enrolled in courses, or are working on their thesis or dissertation.  Additional information can be found here . University-imposed employment limits: 

  • 20 hours per week: The total employment limit for all full-time students. This includes the combined assistantship, hourly student appointments, and/or outside employment per week. This is also the maximum employment allowed by law for most international students on F1 or J1 visas.
  • 5 hours per week: The limit for students with standard teaching assistantships (defined as 15 hours/week): no more than five hours of additional assistantships, readerships, hourly student appointments, and/or outside employment.  

Teaching Assistantships, Readerships, and Lectureships

Teaching is considered an integral part of training for the profession. The Field requires a carefully supervised teaching assistantship (TA) experience (in the capacity of a graduate student instructor or graduate teaching assistant).

In addition to TA opportunities, supplementary readership opportunities may be available. Readers assist faculty members with grading papers and/or leading discussion sections for undergraduate lecture courses. These are part-time paid commitments and are not available as a primary means of graduate student support.

MFA students in their final year may consider applying for Lectureship. This is a paid teaching position that requires the student to complete their M exam and terminate their registered student status prior to the appointment date. Lecturers may not hold any student fellowships or any student employment positions simultaneously with the lectureship appointment. In all lectureship cases, the thesis must be filed by the end of the first term of lectureship or before.

Please consult the Teaching Handbook for Graduate Student Instructors, Lecturers, Teaching Assistants, and Readers in the Department of Literatures in English at Cornell University for complete details on applying for teaching, readership, or lectureship.

Registration and Degree Requirements

In addition to coursework, milestone, and teaching requirements outlined in the department’s MFA Program Timeline , degree candidates must satisfy all requirements specified by the Graduate School’s Code of Legislation . Relief from these requirements must be sought by petitioning the Graduate School. Petition requests require endorsement from special committee members and the DGS. Here are a few highlights to be aware of

  • A student must complete a minimum of 4 semesters of registration at Cornell (full-time study) in order to fulfill MFA degree requirements.
  • A student must complete their M Exam by the end of the second year, since lectureship appointment hinges on successful M Exam completion and final thesis submission.
  • Candidates must complete all degree requirements and submit the final thesis within two years (4 registered semesters) of entering the MFA program.

Graduate Student Committees and Organizations

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) : brings together Cornell’s community of graduate and professional students to address non-academic issues of common concern. Drawing upon the strengths of its diverse community, the GPSA is responsible for setting and distributing the graduate student activity fee and representatives to University committees. The GPSA is composed of delegates from each graduate field and the professional schools and nineteen voting members, elected from the larger body of field representatives.

Graduate Policy and Curriculum Committee (GPCC) : consists of four elected representatives (3 PhD students and 1 MFA student) who represent the interests of the student body regarding graduate policy and graduate curriculum in the Department of Literatures in English. Representatives are expected to meet at least twice per semester with the Director of Graduate Studies. This committee provides a formal mechanism for the exchange of ideas between faculty and students. The Committee’s principal responsibility is to transmit to the Literatures in English Graduate Faculty its advice on matters of policy affecting the graduate programs within the Field in order to improve the graduate student experience.

English Graduate Student Organization (EGSO) : fosters PhD and MFA student life and culture by striving to create community, to plan and implement programming for academic and professional development, and to establish unity and cohesion among the English Department’s graduate student body. Elections are held each spring. EGSO also offers a graduate mentoring program to foster connections between incoming and current graduate students. This helps first years navigate student and social life in department, the graduate school, and the larger Ithaca community. Mentors and mentees connect prior to orientation day and meet formally and informally over the course of their first year. The program organizes lunches and other social events to welcome new students to Cornell and cultivate relationships within the department.

Reading Groups and Extracurricular Activities : The concept of “residence” comprehends more than attending seminars and writing papers. An important part of one’s education comes from informal contacts and extracurricular discussions. Every year there are several social gatherings, formal and informal, sponsored by the department. The department also encourages attendance at public lectures, readings, and conferences, and participation in reading groups and independent study groups with or without a faculty advisor. Graduate students can organize lectures, conferences, readings, workshops and other events on their own. Funds for this purpose are typically available from a variety of sources.

Informal reading groups--some established gatherings and others that form from year to year--focus on such topics as Queer Theory, U.S. Latino Literature, Marxist criticism, and Victorian Literature. Conferences largely organized by graduate students also provide a chance for graduate work to reach a wide audience of the Cornell community. Organizations such as the Renaissance Colloquium, The Lounge Hour Reading Series, Literatures in English Department Roundtable, Quodlibet (a forum for work in Medieval Studies), and the Visiting Writers Series organized by the Creative Writing program bring scholars and writers to Cornell for readings, talks, and seminars. 

Departmental Resources

Administrative Faculty/Staff Contact Information : https://english.cornell.edu/contacts    

Faculty/TA Office Hours : https://english.cornell.edu/office-hours   

Graduate Students have access to the Resources for Graduate Students and Lecturers Canvas resources area (log in using you NetID and password).

Graduate School Resources

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs works with graduate faculty and graduate students on academic policy and programs, academic integrity and misconduct, responsible conduct of research, petitions requesting exceptions to graduate school policy as outlines in the Graduate Faculty’s Code of Legislation, and academic progress and students status.

The Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE) supports an inclusive and welcoming

environment for all graduate and postdoctoral scholars, but especially for those from marginalized communities and/or backgrounds historically excluded from and underrepresented in the academy. OISE supports systemic change and promotes a climate of diversity, belonging, equity, engagement, and achievement, which are integral components of graduate and postdoctoral education. OISE supports scholar success through recruitment, diversity fellowships, mentoring, professional, leadership, and community development programming, and ongoing support.

Recognizing that health and academic performance are intimately linked, the Office of Graduate Student Life is a source of information, support, and advocacy that creates a more student-centered graduate student life experience.  In addition to being a first-point of contact for students who are struggling or experiencing any form of distress, the Office of Graduate Student Life serves as a coordinating hub with campus-partners that focus on promoting a healthy and holistic student experience.  More information on available support is available:  https://gradschool.cornell.edu/student-experience/help-and-support/  

Faculty Resources from the Office of Faculty Development and Diversity : https://facultydevelopment.cornell.edu/faculty-resources/

Faculty Resources from Graduate School : https://gradschool.cornell.edu/diversity-inclusion/faculty-resources/

General inquiries about registration, enrollment, leaves, exams or other student requirements can be directed to the Student Service Office ( [email protected] ).

Contact Information for Graduate School staff can be found here : Graduate School Staff Directory

University Resources

The university’s  Mental Health at Cornell  website offers information and resources to help students get support, practice self-care, help others, and get involved in campus health initiatives. Special tips are provided for graduate and professional students.

Cornell Health  supports the health and well-being of graduate students with medical and mental health care and workshops to help busy students thrive. They also offer non-clinical support services, including  Student Disability Services  and  Victim Advocacy .

Mental health care  at Cornell Health includes drop-in consultation, workshops, individual counseling, and group counseling (including several groups specifically for graduate students).

“ Notice & Respond: Friend 2 Friend for Graduate & Professional Students ,” helps graduate and professional students learn connect peers in distress with appropriate sources of support and care.

Guidance for faculty, staff, and TAs supporting student mental health:

https://scl.cornell.edu/supportingmentalhealth

The Best 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2023

April 7, 2023

mfa creative writing programs

Whether you studied at a top creative writing university , or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? This article walks you through the considerations for an MFA program, as well as the best Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

First of all, what is an MFA?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications require a sample portfolio for entry, usually of 10-20 pages of your best writing.

What actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then you finish the degree with a thesis project.

Reasons to Get an MFA in Creative Writing

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

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

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

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

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

Types of Creative Writing MFA Programs

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

Fully-Funded Full-Time Programs

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

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

Full-Time MFA Programs

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

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

Low-Residency MFA Programs

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

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

Online MFA Programs

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

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

The Top 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs Ranked by Category

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

Fully Funded MFA Programs

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

This is a two-year program, with $33,000 teaching fellowships per year. This MFA offers the most generous funding package. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and a guaranteed lecture position after graduation (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

  • Incoming class size: 8 students
  • Admissions rate: 11.1%
  • Alumni: Chimamanda Adiche, Jeffrey Blitz, Wes Craven, Louise Erdrich, Porochista Khakpour, Phillis Levin, ZZ Packer, Tom Sleigh, Elizabeth Spires, Rosanna Warren

2) University of Texas, James Michener Center (Austin, TX)

A fully-funded 3-year program with a generous stipend of $29,500. The program offers fiction, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $3,000 for the summer.

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

3) University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. Most students are funded, with fellowships worth up to $21,000. The Translation MFA, co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years, but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.

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

4) University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students U-Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $23,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

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

  • Incoming class size: 18
  • Acceptance rate: 4% (which maybe seems high after less-than-1%)
  • Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University (Providence, RI)

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that doesn’t dip into arctic temperatures. Students are all fully-funded for 2-3 years with $29,926 in 2021-22. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.

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

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

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

6) university of arizona (tucson, az).

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

This notoriously supportive program pays $20,000 a year, and offers the potential to volunteer at multiple literary organizations. You can also do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

  • Incoming class size: 9
  • Acceptance rate: 4.85% (a refreshingly specific number after Brown’s evasiveness)
  • Alumni: Francisco Cantú, Jos Charles, Tony Hoagland, Nancy Mairs, Richard Russo, Richard Siken, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, David Foster Wallace

7) Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ):

Arizona State is also a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Everyone gets a $19,000 stipend, with other opportunities for financial support.

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

FULL-RESIDENCY MFAS (UNFUNDED)

8) new york university (new york, ny).

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

  • Incoming class size: 40-60
  • Acceptance rate: 6%
  • Alumni: Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong

9) Columbia University (New York, NY)

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

  • Incoming class size: 110
  • Acceptance rate: 21%
  • Alumni: Alexandra Kleeman, Rachel Kushner, Claudia Rankine, Rick Moody, Sigrid Nunez, Tracy K. Smith, Emma Cline, Adam Wilson, Marie Howe, Mary Jo Bang

10) Sarah Lawrence (Bronxville, NY)

Sarah Lawrence offers speculative fiction beyond the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction course offerings. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere.

  • Incoming class size: 30-40
  • Acceptance rate: N/A
  • Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11 bennington college (bennington, vt).

This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer, and then you get a degree. The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available.

  • Acceptance rate: 53%
  • Incoming class: 40
  • Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts (Santa Fe, NM)

This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres offered, in screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

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

  • Incoming class size : 22
  • Acceptance rate: 100%
  • Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

One of few MFAs where you can study the art of the picture book, middle grade and young adult literature, graphic literature, nonfiction, fiction, and poetry for young people. Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, in Vermont. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.

VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition is $48,604.

  • Incoming class size: 18-25
  • Acceptance rate: 63%
  • Alumnx: Lauren Markham, Mary-Kim Arnold, Cassie Beasley, Kate Beasley, Julie Berry, Bridget Birdsall, Gwenda Bond, Pablo Cartaya

ONLINE MFAS

14) university of texas at el paso (el paso, tx).

The world’s first bilingual and online MFA program in the world. UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Intensive workshops allow submitting in Spanish and English, and genres include poetry and fiction. This three-year program costs $14,766 a year, with rolling admissions.

  • Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University (Long Meadow, MA)

This 2-year online program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. A supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and a potential field trip in Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, Narrative Medicine, and teaching. Core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, and the personal essay. The price is $785/credit, for 39 credits, with scholarships available.

  • Incoming class size: 20
  • Acceptance rate: an encouraging 78%
  • Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Prepare for your MFA in advance:

  • Best English Programs
  • Best Creative Writing Schools
  • Writing Summer Programs

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:

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

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Julia Conrad

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

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Master’s in Writing vs MFA - What’s the Difference?

A man in a blue button down and grey pants sits on a couch with a laptop on his lap. He is looking up, thinking whether he should pursue a Master's in Writing or an MFA in Writing.

Strong storytelling has the power to create an emotional connection between a writer and their audience. Through this creative outlet, writers can communicate their unique experiences and perspectives in a way that deeply resonates with others — developing a sense of empathy, trust, and love for the arts.

If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your writing skills to model this connection, entering a graduate-level writing program — an M.A. or an MFA — may be your next step.

  • What is a Master’s in Writing?

A Master of Writing degree is a graduate program designed to expand career-focused professionals’ knowledge of written art and craft. In this program, students study writing and literature in a variety of genres while taking writing pedagogy courses and learning editing skills.

When you enroll in a master’s in writing program, you’ll likely be asked to select a concentration, such as:

  • What is an MFA?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree is a terminal degree designed for students who are passionate about a particular creative field or art. MFA students learn by gaining practical experience in their field of interest along with its history, classical works, and facts.

MFA programs span broad academic disciplines of art, including:

  • Fashion design
  • Visual Arts

If you decide to pursue an MFA degree in Writing, you’ll likely be asked to select a concentration:

  • Screenwriting
  • M.A. in Writing vs. MFA in writing

While both an M.A. in Writing and an M.F.A. in Writing are very similar graduate-level degrees, they differ in teaching opportunities, program length and degree type.

  • What are the differences between an M.A. in Writing and an MFA in Writing?

Earning an M.A. in Writing before pursuing a terminal degree provides an opportunity to get trained in writing pedagogy. This will make you a stronger applicant for MFA and Ph.D. programs because you will be already trained to teach. Hence, by earning an M.A. first, you may be able to get into better terminal degree programs. 

______ Who are you called to be? Pursue your purpose at PLNU. ______

  • What are the similarities between an M.A. in Writing and an MFA in Writing?

Both master’s in writing and MFA degrees focus on the discipline’s particular craft, including its history and academics. This is great for those who are passionate about writing because at no other point in life will someone pay you for your academic writing.

Prerequisites

Although both of these graduate programs heavily emphasize written craft, you’re not required to have a bachelor’s degree in English or creative writing to apply. Applicants of M.A. in Writing and MFA in Writing programs must hold any bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution.

While application requirements may vary depending on the program, applicants are likely asked to submit the following:

  • Official transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Portfolio/Creative writing sample
  • Teaching statement

Collaborative Space

In both M.A. in Writing and MFA in Writing programs, graduate students are guided under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will also collaborate with their peers in writing workshops and perform advanced creative work for formal audiences.

Oftentimes, both of these higher education programs offer graduate teaching assistant positions , where full-time graduate students can aid in teaching an undergraduate curriculum, evaluate student assignments, and lead classroom discussions.

While not all master’s programs require a thesis, many do. For example, students in PLNU’s M.A. in Writing program will complete a master’s thesis — an independent thesis project written under the guidance of a faculty member at the culmination of their degree program.

Similarly, all MFA students are required to complete a thesis. Since the program is terminal, the thesis serves as a demonstration of your professional competency in written art. It is also your proof of artistic mastery through the creation of a body of work that contributes to, builds on, or extends knowledge in your written concentration.

Post-Grad Connections

Both M.A. in Writing and MFA in Writing students are provided with a strong professional network, as they are able to receive feedback and guidance from experienced faculty and peers. These programs also grant students access to publishing and literary communities.

  • Career opportunities with a Master of Writing degree

A master’s in writing program will prepare you for a wide variety of literary styles, genres, formats, and audiences. The knowledge and experience you’ll gain will help you lead a successful and fulfilling career in a variety of areas, including:

  • Nonprofit or governmental organizations
  • Editing and publishing
  • Fiction and nonfiction
  • Higher education

Four careers that an M.A. in Writing will equip you for:

1. college professor.

Median annual salary: $76,920 (per BLS ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 12%

2. Copywriter

Median Annual Salary: $64,855 (per ZipRecruiter ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 4%

3. Communications specialist

Median annual salary: $58,370 (per ZipRecruiter ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 6%

4. Social media manager 

Median annual salary: $54,358 (per ZipRecruiter ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 10%

  • Careers opportunities with an MFA in Writing

With an MFA degree, you can establish a career in local newspapers and magazines, advertising agencies, freelance writing businesses, or schools. Depending on your state’s requirements, you may be able to teach at primary and secondary schools, or as an adjunct in higher education.

Four careers that an MFA in Writing will prepare you for:

1. college professor.

Median annual salary: $165,081 (per Salary.com ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 12%

2. Technical writer

Median annual salary: $78,060 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 6%

3. Literary agent

Median annual salary: $51,293 (per ZipRecruiter ) Projected Growth from 2021 to 2031: 11%

4. Columnist

Median annual salary: $76,135 (per Salary.com ) Projected growth from 2021 to 2031: 4%

  • Which should I choose?

Talk to an admissions counselor to see which program is right for you!

If you want to develop a deeper understanding of how to faithfully expand the art and craft of your writing and its pedagogy, check out PLNU’s Master’s in Writing program. This two-year program will strengthen your practice in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry through a flexible curriculum and expert mentorship. You’ll also have the opportunity to be selected for various graduate teaching assistant positions!

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Our online bachelor's and graduate programs give you the flexibility to balance your life while also growing academically, professionally, personally, and spiritually for your future.

what is mfa in writing

Jane Friedman

3 Myths About the MFA in Creative Writing

writing classroom

Today’s guest post is an excerpt from DIY MFA by Gabriela Pereira ( @DIYMFA ), just released from Writer’s Digest Books.

Most writers want an MFA for one of three reasons: They want to teach writing, they want to get published, or they want to make room in their life for writing. It turns out these reasons for doing an MFA are actually based on myths.

Myth 1: You Need an MFA to Teach Writing

Many writers get the MFA because they think it will allow them to teach writing at the college or graduate level. Once upon a time this might have been the case, but these days so many MFA graduates are looking for jobs and so few teaching positions exist, that it’s a challenge to get a teaching job with a PhD, much less with a terminal master’s degree. The writers who do manage to snag a coveted teaching position are often so overwhelmed with their responsibilities that they have to put their own writing on the back burner. While in the past an MFA may have served as a steppingstone to becoming a professor, it’s not the case anymore.

More important, many teachers in MFA programs do not have that degree themselves. Some professors are successful authors with prominent careers, while others are publishing professionals who bring the industry perspective to the courses they teach. This goes to show that the MFA has little impact on a writer’s ability to teach writing. Being a successful author or publishing professional is much more important.

Myth 2: The MFA Is a Shortcut to Getting Published

No agent will sign you and no editor will publish your book based on a credential alone. You have to write something beautiful. If you attend an MFA program and work hard, you will become a better writer. And if you become a better writer, you will eventually write a beautiful book. An MFA might help you on your quest for publication, but it’s certainly not required. After all, many writers perfect their craft and produce great books without ever getting a degree.

Ultimately getting published is a matter of putting your backside in the chair and writing the best book possible. For that, you don’t need an MFA.

Myth 3: An MFA Program Will Force You to Make Writing a Priority

If you can find time to write only by putting your life on hold and plunging into a graduate program, then your writing career isn’t going to last very long. Only a small percentage of writers can support themselves and their loved ones through writing alone. This means you must find a balance between your writing and the rest of your life.

Even within your writing career, you must become a master juggler. Forget that glamorous image of the secluded writer working at his typewriter. These days, writing is only a small piece of the writer’s job. In addition to writing, you must promote your books, manage your online presence, update your social media … and likely schedule these tasks around a day job, a family, and other responsibilities.

The danger with MFA programs is that they train you to write in isolation but don’t always teach you how to fit writing into your real life, or even how to juggle writing with all the other aspects of your writing career. Not only that, but external motivators like class assignments or thesis deadlines don’t teach you to pace yourself and build up the internal motivation you need to succeed in the long-term.

Genre Writing in MFA Programs

Most MFA programs focus on literary fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. While these are noble areas of literature, they cover only a tiny slice of the wide and diverse world of writing. Heaven forbid a writer in a traditional MFA program produces something commercial—or worse, genre fiction. While a handful of MFA programs allow writers to study genre fiction or children’s literature, the majority still focus on literary work alone. If you want to write genre fiction, commercial nonfiction, or children’s books, you likely will not learn much about them in your MFA courses.

Writers of genre and commercial fiction are among the most dedicated, driven writers I know. They take their craft seriously and work hard to understand the business side of the publishing industry. In addition, a vast number of associations, conferences, and guilds are dedicated to specific genres or commercial writing. Literary writers are not the only ones who crave knowledge and community. Commercial and genre writers want it, too.

This is why I created DIY MFA : to offer an alternative for writers who do not fit the strict literary mold of the traditional MFA system.

Should You Pursue an MFA?

MFA programs are not a bad thing. In fact, they are exceptional at serving a small and very specific group of writers. If you write literary fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry, and if you thrive in a formal academic environment, then the traditional MFA is a great option. If you can afford the tuition without taking out loans, and if you have the time to make the most of the experience, then you are one of those ideal candidates for graduate school.

One reason I am extremely grateful for my own MFA is that it gave me the opportunity to work with several phenomenal teachers. I studied YA and middle-grade literature with the brilliant David Levithan. The legendary Hettie Jones was my first workshop teacher. I worked closely with Abrams publisher Susan Van Metre, who served as my thesis advisor and mentor. These experiences were invaluable, and at the time I didn’t think I could make connections with such literary luminaries any other way. Now I know, however, that you can make connections and find great mentors without attending an MFA program.

The “Do It Yourself” MFA

As an MFA student, I discovered the magic equation that sums up just about every traditional MFA. The Master in Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing is nothing more than a lot of writing, reading, and building community. In the workshops, you exchange critiques with other writers and work toward a manuscript that becomes your thesis project. Most programs also require you to take literature courses both in and outside your chosen area of literature. Finally, you are asked to attend readings or talks by other writers—to build your personal writing community. To create a personalized, do-it-yourself MFA, you have to find a way to combine these three elements.

Write with focus. You have to commit to a project and finish it. In traditional MFA terms, this project is your thesis, and it’s a crucial part of your development as a writer. But you don’t need to complete a thesis to get this experience; you just need to finish and polish a manuscript. While you can feel free to play and explore early on, you must eventually choose a project and see it through from beginning to end. When you write with focus, you write with a goal in mind.

Read with purpose.  This means reading with a writer’s eye. If you’re like me, you were a bookworm long before you could hold a pencil in your hand. Writers love books. In fact, many of us become writers so we can create the very books we love to read.

Reading for pleasure is wonderful, and it certainly has its place. Reading with purpose is different: It is reading in a way that serves our writing. It’s not just about finding out what happens in the story; it’s about learning how the author pulls it off. Reading this way isn’t just an intellectual exercise. When we read with purpose, we examine how an author crafts a story so we can emulate those techniques in our own work.

Build your community.  In the traditional MFA, building a community happens organically. You meet fellow writers in your workshops and literature courses. You go to readings and conferences to connect with authors. You attend a publishing panel and learn about the industry. The community element is baked into the MFA experience.

DIY MFA

To learn more about crafting your own customized MFA experience, sign up for the DIY MFA newsletter , and check out the new book, DIY MFA .

Gabriela Pereira

Gabriela Pereira is the Creative Director at DIY MFA , the do-it-yourself alternative to a master’s degree in writing. She develops tools and techniques for the serious writer, to help you get the knowledge without the college. With an MFA in creative writing, Gabriela is also a freelance writing teacher, and has led workshops throughout New York City via writing programs like: 826NYC, East Harlem Tutorial Program and Everybody Wins. When she’s not working on DIY MFA, she loves writing middle grade and teen fiction, with a few short stories for “grown-ups” thrown in for good measure.

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[…] Today’s guest post is an excerpt from DIY MFA by Gabriela Pereira (@DIYMFA), just released from Writer’s Digest Books. Most writers want an MFA for one of three reasons: They want to teach writing, they want to get published, or they want to make room in their life for writing. It turns out these reasons …  […]

Here

I find screenwriting programs to be more honest with respect to story telling.

Shux

So true, I did a screen writing module in my degree. It was easy, fun and clear to write a script. So weird!

Jodie

THANK YOU! I needed this. I occasionally doubt myself and my future success possibilities because of my lack of an MFA. I’ve been gradually letting that notion go, and this helps!

Also, I’m not interested in social media with exception of using Twitter as a news aggregator. From my perspective it’s an unwanted hassle. I write fiction and have neither the time nor inclination for blog posts or podcasts, but I do understand the nature of the disadvantage this might impose. And I think reality reliably informs us a social media presence is not necessarily mandatory to find success.

[…] view post at https://janefriedman.com/mfa-creative-writing-3-myths/ […]

[…] 3 Myths About the MFA in Creative Writing (Jane Friedman) Most writers want an MFA for one of three reasons: They want to teach writing, they want to get published, or they want to make room in their life for writing. It turns out these reasons for doing an MFA are actually based on myths. […]

[…] to the rest at Jane Friedman and thanks to Matthew for the […]

[…] the program could help build contacts, at the very least. Here is an article by Jane Friedman with 3 Myths About the MFA in Creative Writing to help answer some of the […]

[…] Jane Friedman […]

[…] Honoree Corder’s Website Removed by S.J. Pajonas How Do You Like Them Apples! MFA: Myths for Authors Write, Camera, Action! DRM Drama Audio on the Go Singles’ Night (1) Singles’ Night (2) Swan […]

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Our offices are not currently open to in-person walk-ins, but we are here to help.

If you are an MFA student and you have any questions for our advising staff or would like to schedule a Zoom meeting, please contact us at [email protected] .

We appreciate your flexibility, and we hope everyone stays healthy.  If/when we are able to re-open in-person advising, we will update you.

MFA in Writing

Welcome. The MFA Program in Writing welcomes brave and innovative writers and encourages the formation of mutually-supportive, inspiring literary communities. The program is small, with typically 4 to 8 new students admitted and funded each year. The intimate nature of the program allows students to work very closely with writing faculty and each other within the quarterly cross-genre workshop.

The MFA program is a two-year full-time, in-person program foregrounding the interconnectedness of literary arts practice, modes of production and distribution, and the rigorous study of literatures, arts, and cultures. The program offers the option of extending to a third year; the majority of students choose to do so.

All graduate writing workshops are cross-genre and often interdisciplinary, investigating and often undermining a studio-versus-academic distinction in advanced literary education. Moreover, the program encourages interdisciplinary research and holistic approaches to teaching and learning. Therefore, teaching creative-critical reading and writing skills as a Teaching Assistant is a popular choice among all Writing students in the MFA program, most of whom are eligible for scholarships and fellowships in addition to union-represented compensation for Teaching Assistant work.

Program participants are encouraged to focus exclusively on writing, teaching, research, and art-making during their residency, allowing writers to integrate pedagogical training and artistic practice as a way to prepare for future scholarly endeavors while creating a book-length work of literature. To that end, each quarterly cross-genre workshop discusses writing-in-progress and published works in terms of poetics, prosody, and literary conventions alongside the interrelationship between aesthetic intervention/ experiment and radical social change across cultures, nations, regions, and movements.

While each writer’s extra-departmental coursework is flexible, program participants are expected to take five workshops. The cross-genre workshops function less as editorial sessions or as explications of craft techniques than as vibrant skill-sharing intellectual roundtables. UCSD’s writers generate dazzlingly diverse collaborations in writing and literary/arts events, many of which result in various forms of publication. Both faculty and graduate projects tend to repurpose, interweave, hack, and muddle generic categories and/or radically elasticize their conventions.

UC San Diego is a tier-one research university respected internationally for untangling mysteries and manifesting world-altering possibilities in the arts, humanities, and sciences. The MFA in Writing is part of the Department of Literature, a world literature department with a focus on critical theory, social justice, and cultural, ethnic, and gender studies, where faculty members work in multiple languages, geographies, and historical periods. All graduate writing workshops are offered in English, but program participants may work with Literature and extra-departmental faculty on bilingual or multilingual projects, including works in translation.

With ties to   Visual Arts ,   Music ,   Ethnic Studies ,   Science Studies ,  the   Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop  and the   Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination , along with other departments, centers, and programs, unprecedented entanglements of artistic and scholarly experimentation are encouraged. The MFA program co-exists with a thriving undergraduate writing major and benefits from the long-established   New Writing Series   and the   Archive for New Poetry . Current MFA Writing Faculty include   Kazim Ali , Amy Sara Carroll ,  Ben Doller ,   Camille Forbes ,   Lily Hoang ,   Jac Jemc ,  Casandra Lopez ,  Brandon Som , Anna Joy Springer , and Marco Wilkinson . Emeriti Writing Faculty include   Rae Armantrout   and   Eileen Myles .

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MFA Admission 2024

Application Period 9/6/2023 - 12/6/2023

Decision Notifications February - April 2024

Program Begins Fall 2024

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Home / For Students / Applying to MFA Programs

Want to learn more about applying to MFA programs in Creative Writing? Trying to decide if it's right for you? Check out our FAQ below with advice from faculty members and Creative Writing Ph.D. students to help you decide and learn more. 

You can also watch a Zoom recording of our MFA in Creative Writing Information Session. 

Click on a Question to Get Started: 

What is an MFA?

  • Should I get one?
  • Where should I go? How can I decide?
  • How many programs should I apply to?
  • What is a low-residency program?

Do I need to be published?

How much does it cost? What kind of resources will I need?

  • What is a fully-funded program?
  • What sort of teacher training will be provided?

What do you wish you would’ve known about MFA programs before you applied?

How do I apply? What materials do I need to apply?

  • When should I start thinking about whether or not to apply for an MFA?
  • Who should I ask for recommendation letters?
  • How do I ask for recommendations?

What are other resources I can look into? 

Which MFA programs have graduates from our undergraduate creative writing concentration gone to? 

  • "An MFA is a Masters Fine Arts, which you can get in Poetry, Fiction, or Nonfiction Writing (fewer programs are available in Nonfiction). There are also MFAs in visual art. The program is 2-3 years and involves taking seminars in which you study literature as well as participating in a group workshop where you read and comment on your peers’ writing. An MFA can qualify you to teach creative writing or other college-level writing/English courses. More importantly, it is time to read a ton and write a ton. I wouldn’t do an MFA because you are interested in professionalization; I would do an MFA if you have a writing project you are excited to pursue and/or if you are committed to simply developing and growing and improving as a writer."
  • Return to Question Index

Should I get one? What should I consider in determining whether or not to pursue an MFA?

  • "You should get an MFA if you have the passion/desire/drive to spend two years focusing on a writing project and workshopping that project with peers and faculty. An MFA alone will not qualify you for teaching at colleges and universities. You would need to have an MFA and at least one published book." 

Where should I go? How can I decide? 

  • "Some of the best advice I received when I was applying was to not go anywhere that doesn’t fully fund you. Definitely look at work from the faculty and from students who came out of these programs. I’d also advise that you think about the type of writing environment you want—if you want to be able to work in multiple genres/cross-genre, for example, some programs are more accommodating to that than others."
  • Go where you won’t go into debt and where you feel like the curriculum, faculty, campus location, and student body reflects your needs and interests as a writer and as a whole Although a valuable experience, an MFA is an investment that has no guarantee of a return--no matter how prestigious or celebrated the program--which is why going into debt for it is hard to justify. Visit the schools and talk to faculty and current students. Are they welcoming? Are they happy? Do they make you feel valued? Do they value similar things as you (professionally and personally)? Can you see yourself among them? Are there students of color in the program? If not, why not? 
  • "Please do not go into debt. This cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often. The best advice is to only go to a program that fully funds you ."

"I think applying only to what pops up when you Google “Top Ten 10 Best Creative Writing MFA programs” is not the kind of research you need to do. Find out the success rate of the graduates at programs you are interested in. Read the books of the teaching faculty. Research deeply before you apply. If you can, go visit and arrange to observe a class. Pay attention to the culture of the place to see if it suits you and ask other students in the program what has worked for them."

  • "In addition to finding a school that will support you financially, and after narrowing your search according to where you’d like to live (or where you’d refuse to live), you should consider who you might like to study under. If you have favorite authors, find out if they teach, and where, and then investigate those programs. Be strategic."

How many programs should I apply to? 

  • "I applied to 4—I think that was the right number. I got into three of them, and the one I didn't get into wasn't the fanciest one. I worry that applying to too many programs is extremely expensive and time-consuming. Don't apply to any program you wouldn't happily go to, or that will be prohibitively expensive."
  • "I applied to only two MFA programs, but I think applying to 5-7 FULLY FUNDED programs that might be a good fit for you is a more responsible and practical approach. There's no "right" number. You have to make a lot of assessments about your needs/desires/personal circumstances and try to match those with programs out there with a curriculum that matches your interests and faculty who could support your work. Many programs have fee offset grants if you inquire with the university to diminish application costs."
  • "My answer to the "right" number of schools question: This question reminds me of the question of how many agents one should query. I think it depends on your temperament. I sent to a small handful (I applied to about five schools over a period of two application periods) of schools & I sent to one agent at a time. I am a turtle & this worked great for me, but it would drive some people crazy! It also depends on what your goals are. When applying to MFA programs, what I wanted was a program that would fund me. Of course, an exciting faculty is a plus but I, for one, refused to apply to programs with exciting faculty that weren't capable of funding my work."

—Jennifer Tseng

  What is a low-residency program? 

  • Low-residency MFA programs provide a combination of remote and in-person learning. A typical school year consists of one ten-day intensive/residency on campus per semester, supplemented by ongoing remote classes and mentorships throughout the year (including the option of a summer mentorship). This format is ideal for students who have full-time jobs and/or families and for writers who thrive in small groups and prefer working one-on-one with their mentors. The low-res format allows for maximum flexibility and is best suited to self-starters who are comfortable with working independently.
  • You can find more information about Low Residency programs here and here.
  • "Definitely not! Though it happens occasionally that someone starts an MFA having published a book, most people who start MFAs have never published a single poem/or story even in a journal. They’re looking at your potential. And, in fact, some MFAs might not want to accept a writer who already seems “established” (i.e. widely published in top-tier publications and/or a book or two)." 
  • "No, but publishing something demonstrates a certain amount of initiative on your part, while specific venues can signal certain aesthetic and/or political predilections."
  • "Again, don’t go into debt for an MFA. Find a program that will support you."
  • "Every MFA program costs a different amount. Some programs provide full-funding, partial funding, or no funding. The best way to find out how much financial aid the program you are interested in provides is to visit the program’s website."
  • "Keep in mind the cost of living in major metropolitan areas--and certain college towns-- is significantly higher than in other areas. Be active in researching the cost of on-campus housing & go on Craigslist, Zillow, etc., to have a good idea of the current state of the rental market within a 5-10 mile radius of campus."

What is a fully-funded program? (What are some fully-funded programs?)

  • "'Fully funded' means you will receive both tuition remission (or its equivalent) and a stipend . In other words, you (as a single person) should not have to take on debt to complete the program; the university covers both the cost of attendance (tuition) and pays you an income (stipend), through a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, or other work-related opportunities, such as serving on the editorial board of an affiliated literary journal. At more prestigious programs, multi-year fellowships may be awarded in the financial aid offer associated with your acceptance letter (this is an ideal scenario in which you receive an income just to write, with no additional work-related responsibilities), while other fully-funded schools with less money of an endowment ($$) will fund your degree provided you also agree to teach or perform other related-labor; at such schools, short-term, competitive fellowships may also be available upon arrival. Apply for these, which look good on your CV and will give you a break from teaching in order to focus on your creative work. It can happen, however, that some fellowships ultimately provide less money than teaching does, especially after taxes. Again, make sure you have a sense of your budget based on the current cost of living (expect it to rise, especially in urban areas) so that you can confirm the university’s stipend will be enough to support your needs." 

What sort of teacher training will be provided at a program in which teaching assistantships make up a large portion of the funding?

  • "It REALLY varies, and this is a great question to ask current grads in these programs, either before or after you’re accepted, while you’re trying to decide where to go. In my MFA program (Iowa), training and oversight varied greatly depending on what department you were TA-ing/GSI-ing for. For the Literature department proper, we had a week-long orientation/training, and for Creative Writing we had minimal training, but were paired with a TA Coordinator (a second-year grad) who worked one-on-one with us to observe classes and provide feedback."
  • "When I was an undergrad I ignored the best piece of MFA advice I was ever offered. When I told my writing mentor that I wanted to go to New York to get an MFA, she said I’d be better off moving there for a summer and waiting tables till I shook the desire out of my system and then could apply elsewhere. When I reflect on my NYC MFA experience for too long, I always come back to her wisdom and wonder what would have happened if I had listened to her. Which is to say, NYC is great but is incredibly expensive and isn’t."
  • "Different programs have significant aesthetic differences. If you write very experimental, politically-charged, multilingual poetry, for example, you are going to feel out of place in any program that does not have a significant proportion of faculty whose work demonstrates similar concerns. DO A LOT OF RESEARCH. Also, know that you can apply to MFAs more than once; it is okay to approach your first round of applications as a practice round. And, if in that round, or a subsequent round, you only get into one program, make sure it’s a program you really want to attend. If you arrive at a program and it truly turns out to be a bad match, know that you can also apply to transfer to other programs. It’s not common, but people do it."
  • " There is a range of amazing programs that will fully fund you, you can find a good fit that will not put you into massive debt. I also wish I’d known more about the pedagogical & cultural differences between programs, because there is a range, and prestige isn’t always the best indicator of what will be the best fit for you."
  • "Do not go to a program you have to pay for in full unless this is really not a concern for you/your family. Just remember: you aren’t becoming a lawyer. There’s no promise of income at the end of the MFA tunnel. So that debt is going to be a huge burden for a long time."
  •  "Two-year programs go by in a flash."
  • "Personal statement and a writing sample of about 25 pages. Some programs require the GRE. Three recommendations." 
  • "You can apply to most programs online. You need a BA or BS degree. The most important component of your application is your manuscript. Most programs ask for 10 pages of poetry; 25 pages of fiction. Personal statement, three letters of recommendation, current CV or resume."
  • "You will need some kind of personal statement talking about your desire to get an MFA--why in general, why now, what it would mean for you in the future--as well as a writing sample (for poetry, this is usually anywhere from 10-15 pages). Some programs may also ask for a teaching statement and/or a diversity statement. You will also need 2-3 letters of recommendation."
  • "You will also need money to pay application fees, sometimes between $70-120 per school. Sometimes, fee waivers are available. Make sure to ask." 

When should I start thinking about whether or not to apply for an MFA? What is the typical timeline for applying, hearing back from programs, etc?

  • "I strongly suggest you do not apply while still an undergraduate at UCSC. Creative Writing students at UCSC spend the spring of their senior year focusing on revising a manuscript. That will be the strongest work you do while at UCSC. If you apply in the fall of your senior year, it will not be with your strongest work. It’s hard to get into an MFA program. MFA programs prefer to take people who have been out of school for a while, have proved they will continue to write outside of school on their own, and perhaps even have a publication or two or have done some work in the writing/literary community."
  • "In terms of applying and hearing back, it’s just like college. Applications are due in the Fall, you hear in the spring. Recently, the past few years, we’ve had more and more students applying in the Fall of their Senior year and I think that timing doesn’t allow for maximum realized potential on your final year at UCSC. Our program is designed to have you focus hard in your last year producing a manuscript you have revised, are proud of and may even send out for publication. I recommend taking a break and giving yourself a few years to do life after college. And graduate programs like applications from well-rounded people who have done something other than school. Another benefit of waiting is when you’re not in school and are out in the world, you’ll have more to write about. Consider internships at Literary publications, or even applying to artist colonies to have focused writing time which will also look good on your resume if you do ultimately apply . . . You can also join organizations for writers, like AWP, attend conferences and talk to people, which will help you know if an MFA is really the path for you." 
  • "I agree completely. Taking some time off between your undergraduate career and graduate school is usually a good idea. But if you think you want to go into an MFA program sooner than later after graduation, you should consider your senior thesis a springboard to the manuscript that will get you into a graduate program. If you graduate in June, your grad school applications will be due in a little more than five months. You can use that time to polish your manuscript, your CV, and your statement of purpose."
  • Return to Question Index  

Who should I ask for recommendation letters? 

  • "Ask previous, recent creative writing, English, and literature instructors who are very familiar with your writing, creative and critical. Ask the instructors of multiple courses for which you received high marks. Do not ask your piano instructor, even if you’re a Music major and no matter how close you are, if they have never read your writing."

How do I ask for recommendations? How far in advance should I ask?

  • "I always ask for a copy of a student’s manuscript, statement of purpose, CV, and a list of the classes they’ve taken from me. Offering this material when you ask for a recommendation is always appreciated. You want to make your recommenders’ jobs as easy as you can."

"You should ask AT LEAST two months in advance. Make sure to remind the faculty member what classes you took with them, why you’re applying, what you’ve been up to since graduation, and ask them what you can do to make it easier for them. You should sign up for Interfolio so that the faculty member has to do fewer letters. It’s good to politely remind faculty as the deadlines get near." 

  • Poets and Writers MFA Program Finder  
  • University of Arizona Guide to Applying to MFA Programs
  • Hebah Uddin’s article “Prepping for MFA Programs as a Person of Color”
  • Gionni Ponce’s article “Seeking POC: How to Choose MFA Programs”
  • Sonya Larson’s article “Degrees of Diversity: Talking Race and the MFA”
  • Snigdha Roy’s article "How to Find a Writing MFA Program for POCs"

Here’s a list of universities with MFA programs in poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction that graduates from our creative writing concentration have gone to:

  • Columbia University 
  • Otis Art Institute
  • University of Alaska
  • New York University 
  • San Francisco State University 
  • Long Island University Brooklyn 
  • Saint Mary’s College 
  • The New School
  • University of Virginia
  • Mills College 
  • Sarah Lawrence University 
  • University of Glasgow
  • Oregon State University 
  • California College of the Arts   
  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • University of North Carolina, Willmington
  • California Institute of the Arts
  • Colorado State University, Boulder
  • University of New Hampshire
  • San Jose State University  
  • West Virginia University
  • Fresno State University
  • Sierra Nevada College
  • California State University Northridge
  • Chapman University
  • University of San Francisco
  • University of Nevada, Reno
  • University of New Mexico
  • Portland State University
  • Apply to the Creative Writing Concentration
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Creative Writing: MA vs. MFA

A woman working on a creative writing assignment.

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

If you're the kind of person who loves the nuances of the English language, you know how the omission or addition of a single word can change the meaning of a phrase. As you're weighing which creative writing programs you want to apply to, your decision may come down to the difference of one word: Do you want to earn a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts? At first glance, it seems as if these two creative writing degree paths would be the same, but each provides a different focus of study and opportunities for building your career.

Creative Writing Graduate Programs

Once you've reached the decision to move forward with your creative writing education, you need to choose which degree path is the right one for you. The specifics of what you want to learn, the skills you want to add to your toolbox and the expectations you have for your future are all factors you want to consider when determining whether an MA or MFA will best suit your needs.

Earning an MA In Creative Writing

The master's in creative writing  differs from the creative writing MFA  in several ways. First is the time consideration - the amount of credits required for an MA in creative writing is less than that of an MFA. Academically, courses in this program push beyond lessons in creative writing and include courses focused on studying literature and literary theory. Along with learning the craft of storytelling, you'll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills while you study the various lenses through which you can view a work of literature. You'll also study how sentences are structured and how words in the English language have changed over time.

Earning an MFA In Creative Writing

The MFA degree path is for writers who are focused on honing their craft with the purpose of becoming a professional writer or novelist. By the end of your MFA program, you should have completed a polished manuscript. An MFA also "emphasizes the skills needed to build and sustain a full-time writing career in a modern gig-economy," Dr. Sharon Califano , associate dean of programs for creative writing and literature at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), said. "Students develop a range of skills and strategies for maintaining a professional identity as a writer."

The coursework explores the different services and roles of writers entering the publishing field, including the business of writing and the role of digitization in publishing. To succeed in publishing in the digital age, MFA students must learn how to use social media and build a platform. With reference to SNHU's new online MFA, Califano said, "This MFA program is designed to give students the business skills that both help to develop an audience for their work and support career aspirations in areas such as marketing, publishing, content writing, teaching and freelancing."

Creative Writing Concentrations

Knowing what you want to write can help determine whether an MA or MFA in creative writing is the right path for you. MA and MFA degree paths offer a variety of form and genre concentrations to choose from, such as:

  • Fiction and Nonfiction - Many MFA programs have two form paths, fiction and creative nonfiction, while MA programs more frequently offer screenwriting and poetry.
  • Screenwriting - In some programs, the screenwriting concentration is still called playwrighting. If you intend to write for television, film or the stage, this concentration teaches the structure and flow of a script.
  • Poetry - A master's of creative writing in poetry will require you to learn structure, tone and rhythm and analyze the work of renowned poets. An MFA in poetry requires a student be able to appraise a poem's composition and larger meaning while also understanding the significance in their own art as they grow as a poet.
  • Genre Fiction - This category includes anything not included in literary fiction. MA or MFA programs may include concentrations in young adult, romance, mystery or speculative fiction. Speculative fiction includes science fiction, fantasy and writing focused on elements of the supernatural.

The Different MFA Programs

While an MA in Creative Writing follows the traditional and online avenues for earning your degree, there are three ways to earn your MFA.

  • Low-residency - In a low-residency MFA, such as the Mountainview MFA program , you'll spend around two weeks in-residence with faculty and students twice a year, and the rest of the time, you'll work from home.
  • Online - With some programs, you have the opportunity to earn your MFA entirely online. The expectations are the same, but you're able to continue working full-time if necessary while you complete your degree.

You may also have the option of earning a certification along with your MFA, such as a teaching certification for creative writing.

Careers In Creative Writing

Creative writing is a skill necessary in many fields. The career that best suits your skills and experience may not be in a line of work you expected. Your proficiencies in editing, crafting a narrative and expert language usage can be important in areas ranging from marketing to public relations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report for 2017 showed the following expectations for creative writing careers:

  • Median salary : $61,820 per year, BLS reports*
  • Growth through 2026 : 8%, BLS reports*
  • Median salary : $70,930 per year, BLS reports*
  • Growth through 2026 : 11%, BLS reports*
  • Median salary : $129,380 per year, BLS reports*
  • Growth through 2026 : 10%, BLS reports*
  • Median salary: $59,300 per year, BLS reports*
  • Growth through 2026: 9%, BLS reports*
  • Median salary : $76,000 per year, BLS reports*
  • Growth through 2026: 15%, BLS reports*

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Ashley Wallis is an Army veteran and writer with a BA in English Language and Literature from SNHU. She is currently living in the Denver area. Find her on twitter  @AshDWallis.

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About southern new hampshire university.

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SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

What an MFA Degree Is and What You Need to Know

An MFA helps artists gain confidence and mastery in an art form, whether it is painting or dancing.

What You Should Know About MFA Degrees

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Students pursuing an MFA need to be ready and willing to learn from criticism.

Despite the intense competitiveness of artistic fields and the fact that these disciplines are unlikely to make someone rich unless he or she experiences extraordinary success, these fields continue to attract legions of men and women. The allure of fine arts careers, which allow for a high degree of autonomy and self-expression and offer the constant challenge to produce original and influential work, entices many people. Artists who are determined to become experts on their art form may be interested in a Master of Fine Arts degree , commonly known as an MFA.

What is an MFA degree?

An MFA degree signifies that a professional artist has completed a series of rigorous courses in his or her art form and signals that someone is adept at his or her chosen craft, whether it is a technologically intensive field like graphic design or film editing, or a technology-free art form like drawing. An MFA is a graduate-level credential, meaning that before you get an MFA, you typically need a college degree.

MFA degree recipients say their graduate school education allowed them to refine their artistic philosophy and creative techniques while elevating the quality of their art to make it more unique, polished and interesting. In addition, MFA degree holders say having an MFA has given them the credentials necessary to teach courses in their art form at colleges and universities, and that it gives them sufficient knowledge of their art discipline to offer thoughtful critiques.

[Read: Determine the Risks, Rewards of a Master's in Fine Arts .]

Frank J. Stockton, a visual artist who earned an MFA in painting and drawing from the University of California—Los Angeles , says his primary motivation for pursuing an MFA was that he loved painting and wanted to do as much of it as humanly possible. "Also, I just wanted to be the best artist that I could be," he says.

Anthony Borchardt, an assistant professor and gallery director at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, says prospective MFA students should understand that an MFA degree is unlikely to result in an extremely lucrative job.

One is as likely to become wealthy from art as he or she would be to become wealthy from athletics, Borchardt wrote in an email. "It's a rare opportunity, and it takes commitment, sacrifice and patience. Besides being a full-time working studio artist, students can try to get into the teaching field post-graduation. An MFA is not a guaranteed job. As I tell my students, once they get the degree, that's when the hard work actually starts. The payoff is the opportunity to do what few people are able to do. Make art and do what you love. To find success in this field, you need to have a burning desire from within and be committed morning, noon and night."

However, Marta Bistram, a communications professional with an MFA in creative writing from Chapman University in California, says the creativity you cultivate in an MFA program can be applied in multiple career paths. "I pursued a career in communications after defending a creative thesis of original poetry, which some might consider an unusual avenue," she wrote in an email. "I firmly believe that the way an artistic graduate program encourages you to think is applicable to any career path a graduate chooses, whether or not it directly correlates to their discipline. I continue to work on my poetry outside my 9 to 5, but I find extreme satisfaction from both my career and my artistic pursuits."

Experts say that though there are some extremely wealthy people with MFA degrees who achieved fame and fortune as a result of their art, the vast majority of MFA degree holders earn modest salaries. According to PayScale, a compensation data company that publishes the going rates for various types of jobs, the average MFA degree-holder in the U.S. earns an annual salary of $58,000.

Maria Cominis – a theater professor, professional director and working actress who has published books about acting and who most recently played Mona Clarke on the TV show "Desperate Housewives" – says that she has "never regretted" getting an MFA.

Cominis, who teaches at California State University—Fullerton says people who pursue an MFA are typically seeking an artistic career, because they believe such a career would be fulfilling. Cominis adds that most prospective MFAs understand that it is unlikely they will become rich and famous, but that's besides the point.

"I don't think that anybody goes into the arts to become rich," she says. "I don't think I've ever met anybody – whether it's a playwright, an actor, a designer – that enters the arts to become a gazillionaire."

What types of MFA degrees are there, and how do dual-degree programs fit in?

There are a variety of MFA programs, with programs that specialize in nearly any artistic discipline you can imagine. For instance, there are MFA programs specially tailored to the interests of aspiring fashion designers, dramatic actors, fiction authors, choreographers, ballet dancers, sculptors , arts critics and movie directors.

It is also possible to combine an MFA degree with another graduate credential, such as an MBA degree , if you pursue a dual-degree program. For instance, New York University offers a MBA/MFA graduate program which involves coursework in both the school's Tisch School of the Arts and its Stern School of Business .

"A dual degree may be attractive to students because it allows them to gain expertise in two disparate, but complementary academic domains, in order to set themselves apart in their field and foster innovation across sectors," Kathryn Heidemann, assistant dean of Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and its College of Fine Arts , wrote in an email. "For example, it's not uncommon now to see the arts and creativity permeate across the fields of health, law, technology, community development, government, and business. However, as dual degrees typically involve earning two separate degrees (which typically involves two separate curricular agendas, faculty/administration and more), this may put all of the onus on the student to 'connect the dots' themselves across disciplines."

Heidemann, who directs Carnegie Mellon University's master of arts management program, says that prospective graduate students who want to combine their interest in art with their passion for another discipline, like business, should consider pursuing an interdisciplinary degree. "With this in mind, it is important to note that there is a strong supply of interdisciplinary degree programs available that offer holistically-designed, cross-disciplinary curricula that allow students to achieve full competency of the arts within a specific cross-sector domain," she wrote in an email.

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what is mfa in writing

How long is an MFA program, and how hard is it to get an MFA degree?

MFA programs vary in length, with some accelerated programs lasting only a year and others lasting as long as three or four years. Typically, an MFA program lasts between two and three years, experts say, and a strong MFA program is a demanding one which requires serious commitment. Experts say that an MFA that can be obtained easily, with minimal effort, is of limited utility, since one of the benefits of high-quality MFA programs is that they teach artists how to be disciplined about their creative process and respond to critiques.

Who should get an MFA?

Michael Markowsky – a studio artist with an MFA who teaches on the faculty of the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada – says an MFA is a large investment of time, energy and money. It's not right for everybody, but it's been very rewarding for him personally.

"I had a fantastic experience, which I always describe to people as saving me 10 years worth of struggling to refine my art practice and ultimately my life," Markowsky wrote in an email. "It was an intense experience, but it was instrumental in helping me understand the core ideas and themes that run throughout all of the diverse artworks that I make."

Markowsky adds that an MFA is only the right choice for someone who is both passionate about becoming a better artist and interested in learning the history and theory of a particular craft. He notes that someone who pursues an MFA needs to be ready and willing to learn from criticism, but he or she must also be confident enough to know that criticism doesn't necessarily mean failure.

"I often discourage students from pursuing an MFA because I don't believe most of them are ready or willing or capable of undergoing such an intense experience, and therefore it would not only be a waste of money, but also might destroy their interest in making art altogether," he says. "I personally believe someone interested in pursuing an MFA should have both a very clear idea of what they are doing and want to do, and also an extremely open mind to working with people who will ruthlessly challenge those ideas. Anyone who is stubborn and inflexible won't get anything else but frustration out of the exercise, and anyone who is lost and timid will find themselves traumatized and torn to pieces, and – as one of my former MFA advisors once said – incapable of putting themselves back together again."

[Read: Fine Arts Programs Slowly Move Online .]

Experts say it is also important to consider whether your financial, professional and family obligations will permit investment in an MFA program, which tends to be very expensive, time-intensive and stressful.

How much does an MFA degree cost?

The cost of an MFA program varies from school to school and from student to student. Fine arts schools often give scholarships and financial awards. However, sticker prices at the nation's most prestigious fine arts programs are significant. Some nationally renowned art schools charge MFA students more than $30,000 annually for tuition and fees.

Bistram says price was a key factor for her when she was choosing an MFA program. "I knew that paying for my graduate degree would be challenging for me, so I looked for programs that were willing to invest in their students," she says. "I only applied to programs that offered full or partial fellowships. This financial assistance allowed me to spend my two years of graduate school focusing primarily on perfecting my craft, rather than splitting my time between competing priorities, and was extremely rewarding."

How much should prestige matter when choosing an MFA program?

MFA recipients disagree about how much MFA applicants should weigh the importance of a program's reputation and name recognition when choosing a program.

Stockton says some art institutions and galleries in Los Angeles do have a preference for featuring artists with MFAs, so visual artists who want to have their work displayed in prestigious art shows may want to get an MFA. “It's no secret that the art world looks at all kinds of different criteria for deciding who is worthy of working with and who to take seriously, and there is a perception that you are a professional artist, I find, if you have a master’s degree," Stockton says. He notes that the MFA can add credibility to an artist's resume and help him or her get a second look from art curators, but ultimately, the quality of the art is what matters most for artistic career success.

[Read: Fine Arts School Tips for Success .]

Stockton says enrolling in an MFA program with an exceptionally talented cohort of students allows you to learn from those students, both during and after the program, assuming you establish and maintain strong relationship with classmates.

Markowsky notes that another important factor to consider is the quality of professors at an MFA program, since having top-notch artistic mentors in the area of art that you are interested in can be very valuable.

Create a Portfolio for Art Scholarships

Jessica Zdunek July 7, 2016

Female artist mixing paints with her fingers

However, experts says prospective MFA students who are unable to gain admittance to the most competitive fine arts schools should find reassurance in the idea that they can become great artists and produce beauitful art, regardless of which art school they attend, so long as they are committed to their craft.

Steve Almond, a published author who earned an MFA in creative writing and who teaches narrative journalism courses at Harvard University , says the quality of a person's artwork is the primary metric that matters in artistic careers, so if someone can become a tremendous artist without going to a big-name art school, that's fine.

Almond says in creative writing, good editors and publishers judge work based on its own merits, rather than the credentials of the person who made it. "What matters is whether it's a gripping story," he says.

What is the best way to judge the quality of an MFA program?

Borchardt says one key thing to look for when evaluating MFA programs is rigor.

"The degree is an intense multiyear commitment to creating a style of art that will separate you in a very difficult market," he says. "It is a study in which you may end up not creating the art that you love or first desired but an art that can be both marketable and self worthy."

Borchardt says a solid MFA program will provide students with highly technical training in their particular art form. "A good program will focus on the technical aspects of how to make art, whether that's learning new painting processes or studies in different firing techniques for ceramics," he wrote. "Knowledge is what needs to be gained to be able to create art that stands the test of time. Art work will flourish out of those studies. Some programs focus on just creating work and not focusing on the processes, but a good program should be technical and offer the freedom to create after the skills are built up....Red flags for a subpar program include limited instruction in technical processes and fundamentals."

How does someone become a competitive applicant for an MFA program?

MFA professors and alumni say the most important component of an MFA application is the quality of the art that is included in the application. Depending on the type of MFA a person is applying for, he or she would either be submitting an artistic portfolio or writing sample, or he or she would be auditioning before a panel of judges.

Bistram says when she applied for an MFA program, the component of her application which she focused on was her portfolio. "The portfolio component of the application was most important in my admissions process," she wrote. "While other graduate programs place a great deal of value on test scores and undergraduate transcripts, MFA programs evaluate a candidate primarily based on the artistic work they can produce."

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New Director of MFA in Creative Writing Brings Literary, Academic Experience to Launch Innovative Low-Residency Program at Adelphi

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what is mfa in writing

René Steinke joined Adelphi University in January 2024 as the new director of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program in the College of Arts and Sciences.

An accomplished author and educator, she is charged with transitioning the program to a low-residency format, with a relaunch scheduled for this August.

The new low-residency MFA at Adelphi targets graduate students who want to devote themselves more fully to their writing, but for various reasons, need to have a flexible academic schedule. Students work closely with faculty in online coursework and intensive writing mentorships offered throughout the program. The five-day in-person residencies in New York City incorporate workshops, lectures, one-to-one conferences, visits with writers and publishers, readings, and lots of inspired conversation.

René Steinke was a founding member of the low-residency MFA program at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she served as director from 2012 to 2023. Throughout her career, she has also penned three novels, most recently, Friendswood , an Amazon book of the month, which was also named a “great read” by National Public Radio. Her second novel, Holy Skirts , was a National Book Award finalist. René Steinke is also the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her essays, stories and articles have appeared in The New York Times ; Vogue ; O, The Oprah Magazine ; Salon; The Arkansas International ; Literary Review; Bookforum ; and in anthologies.

René Steinke is excited to share some insights on her background and plans:

What interested you in this new role at Adelphi?

I was impressed by Adelphi’s robust commitment to the arts and its legacy of alumni who are well-known authors and artists—Alice Hoffman ’73, ’02 (Hon.), Jacqueline Woodson ’16 (Hon.), Justin Vivian Bond ’85, Jonathan Larson ’82 and many others. And it was an exciting proposition to work on relaunching the MFA as a low-residency program with a presence in Manhattan.

Adelphi has a vibrant English department and an incredibly accomplished and innovative creative writing faculty. Katherine Hill, Igor Webb, PhD, Jan-Henry Gray and Maya Marshall are writers I greatly admire, and I feel lucky to be teaching alongside them.

What experiences from academia and the literary world translate well to your new role?

I’m a novelist who has lived in New York City for a long time, and over the years, I’ve been active in many literary projects and organizations. I’m looking forward to introducing MFA students to the richness of the city and its literary life.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of in my previous position is that I helped to create a strong writing community with close ties among students, faculty and alumni. The atmosphere of an academic program is hard to quantify, but I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to provide an environment where writers feel supported and empowered to take creative risks.

What changes are in store for the Adelphi MFA program—and why?

There are two big changes: the addition of the five-day residencies in New York City and the low-residency structure, which will make this program a more feasible option for many students.

Some people are ready to go to an MFA program as soon as they graduate from college, but others might not discover their desire to take their writing seriously until later on. One of the things I love most about teaching in a low-residency program is that the students come from a wide variety of experiences, professions and backgrounds. My last writing workshop included a lawyer; a recent college graduate; a translator and computer scientist; a public relations executive who specialized in sports; and a high school English teacher and long-distance runner. All of this makes for rich and surprising conversation about literature and the craft of writing.

Why should students pursue an MFA in Creative Writing at Adelphi?

If you want to devote yourself to writing for an intensive period and focus on deepening your knowledge of craft, perhaps with a goal of completing a first book, those are good reasons to pursue an MFA degree. An MFA also invites you to become part of an artistic community, to be among people who value literature and writing as much as you do, and that’s a great way to find the writing partners and peers you’ll trust with reading your drafts, long into the future. An MFA is considered the terminal degree in the field, and it’s one of the minimum requirements for teaching creative writing at the college level.

In Adelphi’s MFA program, the residencies in New York City will allow us to host some of the most exciting literary authors at work today, and because the city is home to so many publishers and literary nonprofits, we’ll be able to introduce our students to many practical aspects of the writing world.

There’s also a unique openness to genre in the Adelphi program. Students might focus on one kind of writing (fiction, say, or poetry), but we offer much more flexibility than many other MFA programs. So if you’d like to write a book that combines poetry and nonfiction, we’ll tailor your program so that you can do that.

Which authors do you read or admire?

It’s important to me to read widely, to seek out literature that challenges my assumptions or perceptions and somehow broadens my perspective on the world.

I have many favorite contemporary writers, too many to name here, but I especially gravitate to novelists who make me reconsider something I thought I knew before, whose storytelling relies on the adventures of the inner life. And I try to read as much as I can in translation, so that my sense of what’s possible in any form is expanded.

I read a few poems every morning—poets are the inventors in literature, the ones most attuned to the music of language, the ones who continually discover new ways of saying things that otherwise didn’t seem possible to get into language. Although I’m a fiction writer, poetry inspires me to go to my desk each day.

Can you tell us a little about the books you’ve authored?

Each of my novels is very different, but I’ve always been fascinated by female mystics and prophets, women who see too much, or see so far beyond the “ordinary” that their vision threatens people in power. I write about contemporary Cassandras and Joan of Arcs. These characters are intriguing to me because there’s a conflict between what they see and what everyone else sees. Which view of the world is more perceptive? Do the visions serve a purpose only to the person who sees them, or do they reveal something more? I work very hard to imagine these women, with all the texture and idiosyncrasy of their daily lives. In my three previous novels, I’ve written about a young arsonist; a poet, artist and provocateur; and a grieving environmental activist.

My first novel, The Fires (William Morrow), explores the life of a troubled young woman trapped in a provincial town in Indiana. Kirkus Review s called The Fires a “darkly compelling and beautifully written story,” and Publishers Weekly called it a “sensitive, eerie first novel.”

My second novel, Holy Skirts (William Morrow/HarperCollins) , is based on the life of the Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, a little-known Dada artist and poet, who made her mark in Greenwich Village circa World War I. It was one of five finalists for the 2005 National Book Award and was translated and published in Italy and Spain.

My most recent novel, Friendswood (Riverhead/Penguin Random House), about the aftermath of a devastating toxic spill in a small Texas town, was named one of National Public Radio’s “great reads” and was shortlisted for the St. Francis College Literary Prize for mid-career writers. The novel was widely reviewed in major newspapers and also featured on National Public Radio’s “Weekend Edition”. I’m currently working with a producer to adapt the novel as a potential TV series.

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The Writer's Pocket Guide

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The Writer's Pocket Guide | The Pocket MFA

In-depth craft guides for serious writers

MFA Applications III: The Writing Sample

The writing sample matters. Know what to send, what not to send, when to send it, and for whom to ask for help. Read this guide—the competition is stiff.

Also known as The Only Thing That Really Matters in an MFA application, the writing sample is where you should be putting all your creative energy. It should represent your best work. But can it actually be made better in the few months leading up to application deadlines?

With MFA admissions folks, it’s more about seeking out and recognizing potential, rather than about expecting perfectly polished work. There’s got to be something at the heart of the work that’s purely you and speaks to the latent powers of the Future You after two or three years of intensive schooling.

But make no mistake, it’s got to be good. Competition will be stiff.

This guide in the MFA Applications series is a particularly tough one, because the writing sample is the most important piece of your package—yet it’s also the most personal. So what advice can I give you? Gleaned from personal experience, instructors, professors, articles, and program directors, here’s a shortlist of things to keep in mind.

Quality, not Quantity

Don’t push the 40-page limit if you have an absolutely clean 20 pager that you love. Or a 15-pager, for that matter. The risk is that a more mediocre second writing sample might let the air out of your transcendent shorter piece.

Receiving Rejection

You may only get into a few schools, or you may get into none, but don’t take it personally, and don’t give up on your writing. After you reach a certain level of competence, the admissions process is more a question of taste rather than a lack or abundance of technical skill. In other words, a work may be great, but not up the reader’s alley. All things being equal, admissions readers (like all first-line-of-defense readers) are going to recommend a piece they love, rather than a technically-proficient piece that doesn’t make a personal imprint.

The Importance of Feedback Pay for it if you can afford it, as long as the reader is someone you trust, or try to get it for free from friends, but good God, man, don’t submit without at least a second pair of eyes giving it a once-over. And not just for typos, but for content, flow, thematic power, characterization. Misplaced commas or misspelled words can be a huge irritant, but it may not be a deal killer if you’re the second coming of Michael Chabon. Stories that don’t make sense, or lack well-rendered characters, are a different case all together. In addition to yours truly , there are a number of people and consultancies that provide reading services—just ask Google. If you can...

Solicit feedback from someone whose sensibilities are similar to yours—someone whose suggestions consistently hit the mark without interfering with your story's intent.

This is very important. You don’t want the edits to change the core of your story, its meaning, the thing that makes it important to you. You’ll feel bad about submitting it, and if you don’t get in, you’ll always wonder if it’s because you sold out on the advice of someone you didn’t trust, whose instincts were different from your own.

Following Rules

This one was easy for me, being the anal retentive, OCD, rule-follower that I am. 40 pages means 40 pages. Times New Roman means – guess what - Times New Roman, not Courier. Paperclips don’t mean staples.

Pretty Words—Meh

Some, maybe many, maybe all, admissions readers aren’t content with beautiful passages and evocative descriptions. You need to strike an emotional chord. Magazine readers, agents, and editors say the same; in order to grab your reader, the work has to speak from deep inside your heart. Evocative and emotional resonance is important to demonstrate—because it’s harder to teach than the purely technical stuff. If you can come in with a unique voice and gutsy, emotional chops, someone's going to like you.

MFAs as Readers

It's true. Most—but not all —schools employ their currently enrolled students for a first pass at the appallingly-named "slush pile." I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Maybe some good stuff slips through. Or, one positive aspect of this process may be that the reader on the other side may not be too different than you. You’re relatively new to writing, and you’ve recently discovered you want to do it for a living. Your first-round audience may be, in fact, very much like you, therefore making your work more "relatable." But you and I know relatability is itself a fiction. No two MFAs are the same. Oh well. Either way, it is what it is.

Don’t Write Only for an Admissions Audience

That said, it’s not wise to write purposely for your audience, unless it’s true to your personal style. Don’t pretend to be dark because the director has a reputation for loving literary horror. Don’t keep it short only because a faculty member is a pioneer of flash fiction. And certainly don’t riff on styles of notable alumni only because you think it’ll catch their eye.

Write stuff that means something to you.

You can’t fake a love for your work, nor can you imitate someone else’s style with the same panache with which you deliver your own. And every reader is on the hunt for a sample that’s fun to read, beautifully and meaningfully rendered, and unique to you as a candidate.

Above all, I recommend getting on it ASAP. You need time to draft, edit, rewrite, get feedback, and repeat as necessary. You’ll want to plan ahead out of consideration for your readers, too. Don't ask your supporters to move mountains only because you’re procrastinating, you’ve lost track of time, or because you planned poorly. This is especially true if you’re asking the help of your busy friends on a pro bono basis.

Story coaches can get expensive, so if you’re going down the professional route, you’ll want to give the coach a clean draft, give her time to respond, and work out a revision schedule so she can comment on a second draft. Then when application deadlines start coming round, you can complete a final draft based on a couple rounds of feedback, at least. If you want to do more than a couple of major rewrites, you’ll need to pull the entire schedule in by a few weeks or months, depending on how quickly you can produce. Personally, I'm a slow writer, so I'd err on the side of more, rather than less, time. Once you lay out the schedule, it may appear to you that time is running out. And you would be correct.

It’s time to get serious!

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Writer Fuel: Writing Insights from The Twilight Zone

Writer Fuel: Writing Insights from The Twilight Zone

Feb 27, 2024 by Gabriela Pereira published in Writing

what is mfa in writing

You may not know this about me, but I am a die-hard Twilight Zone fan. The show represents some of the finest writing in television and I especially love that it’s kid-friendly so I can watch with the nerdlings. Sure, a couple of episodes might be duds, but what show doesn’t hit the occasional bump in the road? In the case of The Twilight Zone , while you might get a few misses now and then, many (if not most) of the episodes are spectacular.

Here are some of my favorites:

“To Serve Man” Benevolent aliens come to earth and fix all our problems. What’s not to love, right? But things aren’t exactly what they seem. As a total word nerd, the wordplay and double-entendre in this episode tickles me pink. Not sure what I mean? I can’t tell you more without giving away the twist, so you’ll have to watch the episode. Let’s just say the title has special significance.

“Time Enough at Last” It’s about books! The poor protagonist is antagonized by everyone in his life and all he wants to do is read. Every book lover can relate to this. After all, how many times in your life have you wanted nothing more than to curl up with a good book and life just kept getting in the way? Plus, I can’t get over the twist at the end.  I’ve seen this episode dozens of times and that final sequence does me in. Every. Single. Time.

“Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up” This episode is like a closed room Agatha Christie novel with a sci-fi twist. A bunch of people are stuck at a roadside diner during a snowstorm. One of them is supposedly an alien, but no one knows who and the alien’s not giving it up either. Suspicions rise in typical Twilight Zone fashion, with us finally learning the truth at the end. My favorite part about this episode? Watching my kids watch it and seeing the look on their faces when we got to the twist. Little Man was so excited, he practically fell out of his chair.

Key Insights Writers Can Draw from The Twilight Zone

So, why all this talk about The Twilight Zone? Why do we care? When I watch TV I’m not just looking to it for entertainment, I’m also inspecting the writing. I want to try to get at the heart of how the story is crafted. Here are some key insights I’ve gleaned from watching The Twilight Zone.

1) Stay True to Your Voice

One of the things that makes The Twilight Zone so engaging is that the show has a consistent voice. For starters, there’s Rod Serling who is not only the creator but also the narrator, the literal voice of the show. But, Rod Serling aside, there still is a consistent vibe to every episode, such that when we’re watching, it feels undeniably like The Twilight Zone and can’t be mistaken for anything else.

As writers, we can play with our voice to some degree, but if we learn anything from The Twilight Zone it’s that honing our voice and keeping it consistent is key to making story magic. Yes, we can modulate our voice now and again, but we want to retain that core essence, that special something that makes our stories our stories.

2) It’s Okay to Explore Many Genres and Formats

Part of what makes The Twilight Zone interesting is that it doesn’t just stick to a single genre. There might be aliens and space travel in one story while the next one might be a western or a historical narrative. Others are set in the present day (i.e., the 1960s).

The show also explores many different storytelling styles and formats. Some episodes are character-focused and not much really happens in terms of plot. Other episodes are all about the plot twist at the end. On a similar note, the use of dialogue varies across the different episodes, with some being very talky and dialogue-heavy, and others (like “Two” and “The Invaders”) having no dialogue whatsoever.

We can take a page from The Twilight Zone playbook and change things up a little bit in our writing. This is especially important when we get stuck in a creative rut. In those cases, sometimes the best solution is to break away from our usual fare and try something completely different, like a new genre or format. We can even blend genres together to create something completely new.

3) If You Want to Add a Twist, You Have to Earn It

If I were to sum up The Twilight Zone in only one sentence, I would put it like this: It’s about regular people living regular lives, only there’s something weird in every episode and there’s usually a twist at the end. There’s always that emotional punchline, that moment at the end where everything seems to turn on its head. The best Twilight Zone episodes are ones where the twist is earned , where the story has set the audience up for that gut-plunging moment.

There’s one particular episode—”It’s a Good Life”—where, in my opinion, the twist comes too soon. It happens right up front in Rod Serling’s introduction. I suppose the goal for that reveal is to surprise the audience from the start, but for me it makes the rest of the episode plod along without much purpose and the ending feels a little bit blah. If the reveal had come later, like during the television gathering, I think it would have made the story all the more terrifying. In my mind, this episode is an example of a twist that wasn’t earned.

This is something we should always keep in mind in our own writing. When we want to create a twist in our story, we need to make sure the narrative has earned that element. As my friend and colleague Steven James once told me: “A twist must be surprising but also inevitable.” This means that the audience can’t see the twist coming, but when it happens, it feels like the story could not have gone any other way.

4) Go All-In

One of the things I so admire about Rod Serling is that he not only created the show, but he also wrote many of the episodes (92 in total) and narrated all of them. Yes, the sheer volume of episodes did eventually lead to burnout, but there’s still something admirable about being so dedicated to a project that you go all-in.

As writers, we build stories and entire worlds on the page, and these are inhabited by characters that feel real to us. These stories, worlds, and characters also feel real to our readers. To create this effect, we need to go all-in. Yes, we need to keep it reasonable (to avoid burnout and honor other aspects of our lives) but we still have to commit. Even if that commitment is only a small slice of our life, in those moments we do reserve for our writing, we have to put in everything we’ve got. This is how we breathe life into our stories.

Until next time, keep writing and keep being awesome!

what is mfa in writing

P.S. For more info on Gabriela Pereira, the founder and instigator of DIY MFA, check out her profile page .

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  1. What is an MFA Degree?

    An MFA is a Master of Fine Arts, a graduate-level college degree earned by students who study and practice visual arts, performing arts, design or creative writing. Those who choose to pursue an MFA usually want to work in artistic professions and pursue careers as authors, editors, playwrights, dancers, actors, painters or sculptors.

  2. What Can You Do with an MFA in Creative Writing: 2024 Costs & Job

    MFA in creative writing degree holders earn an average annual salary of $62,185. You can use your MFA in creative writing to work in various industries, such as marketing and public relations, publishing, and academia.

  3. MFA in Creative Writing Programs Guide

    Spanning two years, a master of fine arts (MFA) program trains you to become a skilled writer, communicator, and editor who can receive and apply feedback effectively. This adaptable skill set enables you to work in industries like education, publishing, and journalism.

  4. Online MFA in Creative Writing Program

    Share your story with the world and let the power of storytelling take your career to new heights with an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. As one of the only programs available that encourages a focus on genre fiction, our online MFA lets you hone your craft in an area specific to your strengths and interests.

  5. What is an MFA? The Ultimate Guide

    An MFA is a graduate-level degree in arts industries such as creative writing, visual art, drama, or film, representing a high level of professional training and practical experience in the arts. While an MFA isn't necessary to become a successful writer, it's often a requirement in teaching and other professional academic positions.

  6. What Is an MFA and Should You Get One?

    A Master of Fine Arts degree provides an opportunity to study your art, and this art can be writing. It's a graduate-level program, so you need a bachelor's degree before you can get an MFA, but a fine arts degree doesn't require you to take the GRE like many graduate programs.

  7. What Can You Do With an MFA in Creative Writing?

    A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing is a graduate degree that demonstrates expertise in developing and editing written works. The program can include professional workshops, where students create and submit original pieces and receive feedback to help hone their writing abilities.

  8. What is an MFA Program?

    MFA stands for master of fine arts. This is different from a master's of arts (MA) because it's more craft-focused. MA's are more focused on reading and analyzing the works of others; MFA's will have at least one workshop class per semester where your professors and peers can critique your original creative work.

  9. Creative Writing, MFA

    The ASU MFA in Creative Writing is and has always been an unswervingly student-first program. Through small classes, intimate workshops, and one-to-one mentoring, the centuries-old apprenticeship model thrives within the New American University. Creative writing has been a part of the department of English since the 1930s.

  10. MFA Degree Overview: Types, Jobs, and Salaries

    An MFA is a master's degree that focuses on coursework in a specific artistic field, such as visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, or design. Many MFAs are considered terminal degrees, meaning that it's the highest degree you can earn in that subject matter.

  11. Procedural Guide for MFA in Creative Writing Students

    The Creative Writing Program offers the MFA degree, with a concentration in either poetry or fiction. MFA students pursue intensive study with distinguished faculty committed to creative and intellectual achievement. Each year the department enrolls only eight MFA students, four in each concentration. Our small size allows us to offer a ...

  12. The Best 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2023

    The best MFA Creative Writing Programs in 2023 are revealed. We cover everything from online MFAs to fully-funded residential programs.

  13. What is an MFA Program? Mastering the Creative

    Put simply, an MFA program is skills-based and focuses on a single area of study such as creative writing, screenwriting, theater, dance or digital cinema production. It's ideal for students who want to hone their skills in the creative and performing arts.

  14. Master's in Writing vs MFA

    A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree is a terminal degree designed for students who are passionate about a particular creative field or art. MFA students learn by gaining practical experience in their field of interest along with its history, classical works, and facts. MFA programs span broad academic disciplines of art, including: Writing.

  15. The Truth about a M.F.A. in Creative Writing

    Share Watch on A MFA in Creative Writing is surrounded by myths of college teaching positions, publication, and more. If you're considering earning your MFA, you need to understand what the degree will actually get you and what it won't.

  16. 3 Myths About the MFA in Creative Writing

    Genre Writing in MFA Programs. Most MFA programs focus on literary fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. While these are noble areas of literature, they cover only a tiny slice of the wide and diverse world of writing. Heaven forbid a writer in a traditional MFA program produces something commercial—or worse, genre fiction.

  17. MFA in Writing

    The MFA Program in Writing welcomes brave and innovative writers and encourages the formation of mutually-supportive, inspiring literary communities. The program is small, with typically 4 to 8 new students admitted and funded each year. The intimate nature of the program allows students to work very closely with writing faculty and each other ...

  18. Applying to MFA Programs

    "An MFA is a Masters Fine Arts, which you can get in Poetry, Fiction, or Nonfiction Writing (fewer programs are available in Nonfiction). There are also MFAs in visual art. The program is 2-3 years and involves taking seminars in which you study literature as well as participating in a group workshop where you read and comment on your peers ...

  19. MFA in Writing

    MFA in Writing. Ideal for students for students who wish to explore intersections of various forms and disciplines, as well as the opportunity to concentrate in a single genre. Graduates emerge from this flexible MFA program with a redefined writing practice as artist-writers.

  20. Creative Writing: MA vs. MFA

    An MFA in poetry requires a student be able to appraise a poem's composition and larger meaning while also understanding the significance in their own art as they grow as a poet. Genre Fiction - This category includes anything not included in literary fiction.

  21. What an MFA Degree Is and What You Need to Know

    An MFA is a graduate-level credential, meaning that before you get an MFA, you typically need a college degree. MFA degree recipients say their graduate school education allowed them to...

  22. Is an MFA in Creative Writing Worth It?

    Enrolling in an MFA in creative writing is a massive (and often massively expensive) decision. I'll talk about whether mine was worth it, what to consider as you decide, your next steps for applying and getting funding, and alternatives to an MFA. ... The Vermont College of Fine Arts also offers a separate low-res international MFA program ...

  23. New Director of MFA in Creative Writing Brings Literary, Academic

    René Steinke, PhD, joined Adelphi University in January 2024 as the new director of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program in the College of Arts and Sciences. An accomplished author and educator, she is charged with transitioning the program to a low-residency format, with a relaunch scheduled for this August.

  24. MFA Applications III: The Writing Sample

    Also known as The Only Thing That Really Matters in an MFA application, the writing sample is where you should be putting all your creative energy. It should represent your best work. But can it actually be made better in the few months leading up to application deadlines?

  25. Community

    From the start, the MFA Program's plan of action has been to develop writing-related opportunities for students outside of the classroom. Each fall we open with "On the Same Page," an evening where students and faculty read a selected essay, gather to talk about it and, more importantly, get to know one another.

  26. Writing Insights from The Twilight Zone

    Here are some of my favorites: "To Serve Man" Benevolent aliens come to earth and fix all our problems. What's not to love, right? But things aren't exactly what they seem. As a total word nerd, the wordplay and double-entendre in this episode tickles me pink.

  27. Antioch MFA on Instagram: "Commit to your writing practice. Refine your

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