Table of Contents
- Best MFA in Creative Writing Programs
- What Can Creative Writers Do After Graduation?
- What You Need to Get into a Master’s in Creative Writing Program
- Common Master’s in Creative Writing Courses
- Can you get a Creative Writing Degree Online?
- Pros and Cons of MFA in Creative Writing
- How long does it take to get a degree in creative writing?
- Alternatives to Creative Writing Majors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
Many people have a talent for writing, but not everyone can become a successful writer or author. In many cases, this is because even strong writers don’t have the necessary skills and knowledge for creative writing. This is exactly where an MFA in creative writing program comes in handy.
Read on for the best MFA programs in creative writing currently available in the USA, both on-campus and online.
Best MFA in Creative Writing Programs
-
Johns Hopkins University (Maryland), Krieger School of Arts & Sciences
Master of Fine Arts in Fiction/ Poetry
Johns Hopkins is a world-renowned private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland. The university’s Master of Fine Arts in Fiction/Poetry is one of the best MFA creative writing programs around, allowing students study and practice the art of writing fiction or poetry at the highest level. It also gives you the opportunity to learn with a faculty that is nationally and internationally renowned.
- Duration: 2 years
- Financial aid: Full tuition, teaching fellowship (for all students set at $33,000/year)
- Acceptance rate: 11.1%
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Founded: 1876
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Michigan), Helen Zell Writers’ Program
The University of Michigan is a public research university and the oldest in the state. Its Master of Fine Arts program is one of the top creative writing MFA programs in the country and exposes students to various approaches in the craft of writing. With options to specialize in either poetry or fiction, students study under award-winning poets and writers.
- Duration: 2 years
- No. of hours: 36
- Financial aid: Full funding
- Acceptance rate: 26.1%
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Founded: 1817
- University of Texas at Austin (Texas), New Writers Project
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The University of Texas at Austin is a well-known public research university that has around 50,000 students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. It offers one of the best MFA programs for creative writing around today and aims to enhance and develop its students’ artistic and intellectual abilities.
- Duration: 3 years
- Financial aid: Full funding
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Founded: 1883
-
University of Nebraska, Kearney (Nebraska)
The University of Nebraska offers programs in a wide range of majors and strives to provide quality education at an affordable cost, including this online MA program in English. The program offers a choice between four areas of focus, including Creative Writing which provides students with experiential learning in poetry or prose.
- Credit hours: 36
- Tuition: $315 per credit hour
- Financial aid: Grants, Work-study, Student loans, Scholarships, Parent loans
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Location: Online
- Founded: 1905
5. Bay Path University (Massachusetts)
MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing
Bay Path University is a private university with various programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels, including women-only undergraduate programs. This program in creative non-fiction writing is one of the first fully online programs in the nation which helps students develop in-depth creative writing knowledge in a range of literary genres.
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits: 39
- Tuition: $775 per credit
- Financial aid: Federal Stafford loan, Student loans
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Location: Online
- Founded: 1897
6. Brown University (Rhode Island)
Brown is a world-famous, Ivy League research university based in Providence, Rhode Island. Its two-year residency MFA in Literary Arts is designed to allow students maximum intellectual and creative exploration. The highly-competitive program offers extensive financial support: over the past 20 years, all incoming MFA students were awarded full funding for at least their first year of study.
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits: 39
- Tuition: $57,591 (but full funding available)
- Financial aid: Fellowship, teaching assistantships, and stipends.
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Founded: 1764
7. University of Iowa (Iowa)
The University of Iowa is a public research university located in Iowa City, and one of the most renowned public schools in the Midwest. In this two-year residency program, students learn from established professors and exciting young writers.
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits: 60
- Tuition: $12,065 for instate students, and $31,012 out-of-state
- Financial aid: Scholarships, teaching assistantships, federal aid, and student loans.
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Location: Iowa City, Iowa
- Founded: 1897
8. Cornell University (New York State)
Cornell is a famous Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York. This highly-competitive program accepts only eight students every year, two from each concentration. This means that students enjoy not only a generous financial aid package but also the opportunity to work closely with members of the school’s celebrated faculty.
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits:
- Tuition: $29,500
- Financial aid: All accepted students receive a fellowship covering full tuition, stipend, and insurance.
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- Founded: 1865
9. Columbia University (NYC)
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is the oldest tertiary education institution in New York, and one of the oldest in the country. The school offers a Writing MFA with a choice of concentrations: nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or literary translation. The fiction concentration promotes artist and aesthetic diversity, with a diverse teaching staff and adjunct faculty including renowned writers and editors from a wide range of schools of writing.
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits: 60 points
- Tuition: $34,576
- Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, federal aid, work-study, and veterans’ grants.
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Location: NYC, New York
- Founded: 1754
10. New York University (NYC)
New York University, or NYU, is known for delivering high-quality, innovative education in a range of fields. Thanks to its location in the heart of NYC, the institution’s MFA in Creative Writing boasts renowned faculty across poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. The dynamic course aims to foster creativity and excellence through literary outreach programs, a public reading series, a literary journal, and special seminars from visiting writers.
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits: 32
- Tuition: $53,229
- Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid.
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Location: NYC
- Founded: 1886
What Can Creative Writers Do After Graduation?
As a creative writer with an MFA, you’ll have a variety of career options where your ability to write creative pieces will be highly valued. Below are a few of the common jobs a creative writing graduate can do, with the average annual salary for each.
- Creative Director ($90,389)
A creative director leads a team of creative writers, designers, or artists in various fields, such as media, advertising, or entertainment.
- Editor ($55,414)
An editor helps correct writing errors and improve the style and flow in media, broadcasting, films, advertising, marketing, and entertainment.
- Academic Librarian ($54,805)
An academic librarian is responsible for managing educational information resources in an academic environment such as a university.
- Copywriter ($53,800)
Copywriters typically work to present an idea to a particular audience and capture their attention using as few words as possible.
- Writer ($51,831)
A writer usually provides written content for businesses in the form of articles, marketing content, blogs, or product descriptions, or they may write fiction or non-fiction books.
- Social Media Manager ($52,856)
A social media manager is responsible for creating and scheduling content on social media, and may also track analytics and develop social media strategies.
Journalists may work for newspapers, magazines, or online publications, researching and writing stories, as well as conducting interviews and investigations.
- Public Relations Officer ($55,877)
A public relations officer works to promote and improve the public image of a company, government agency, or organization, through work such as preparing media releases, online content, and dealing with the media.
- Lexicographer ($70,250)
Lexicographers are the professionals who create dictionaries: they study words and their meanings and compile them into a dictionary.
What You Need to Get into a Master’s in Creative Writing Program
Besides the application form and fee, most MFA in creative writing programs have the following requirements:
Resume
Make sure your resume includes all relevant information to showcase your interests, skills, and talent in writing.
Writing sample
Selection committees for MFA programs in creative writing look for applicants who are serious about writing and so typically ask for a 10-20 page writing sample. The best sample will show your talent in your preferred area of writing, such as fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
Transcripts
You’ll need to show transcripts of your undergraduate studies.
Statement of purpose
A statement of purpose is usually one to two pages and should show your passion for writing as well as your potential to succeed in the program.
Recommendation letters
Most programs want to see letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts who know you well.
Some universities may also have some additional requirements, so it’s best to check with the specific program.
Related reading: How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School
Common Master’s in Creative Writing Courses
As part of your master’s in creative writing program, you’ll usually need to complete a number of compulsory courses, along with some elective subjects.
Common courses you’ll need to take include:
- Literary theory
- History of storytelling
- Genre conventions
- Market trends
- Marketing manuscripts to publishers
- Thesis or dissertation
Can you get a Creative Writing Degree Online?
Yes, there are a number of institutions that now offer online creative writing degrees, such as Bay Path University and the University of Nebraska. The advantage of online courses is that they offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to study from anywhere and often on your own schedule. This makes it possible to earn your degree while continuing with your current job or looking after your family.
However, you won’t get the benefits of a residency program, such as the opportunity to build close connections with your peers and work with the faculty in person. Some on-campus programs also offer full funding to cover your tuition and education expenses.
Admission Requirements for Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs
The admission requirements for online MFA programs are very similar to on-campus programs. You will usually need to submit an application including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and a writing sample. Sometimes, GRE scores are also required, though this is not the case for all programs.
As with any creative writing program, your writing sample is critical. The selection committee wants to see a talent and passion for writing, and you will probably struggle to be successful in your application without a strong writing sample.
Pros and Cons of MFA in Creative Writing
Like anything, studying an MFA in Creative Writing and pursuing a related career can have its benefits as well as drawbacks.
Pros:
- It’ll motivate you to write
Many people are truly talented, but find it hard to sit down and write. However, an MFA will give you the motivation you need as you will have to keep writing to meet your deadlines.
- Community
Writing can be a solitary pursuit and it can be hard to connect with others who are passionate about writing. An MFA program will instantly provide you with a community of like-minded people.
- Teaching prospects
An MFA is one of the options that help you find a teaching job at the university level. Unlike some majors that require a PhD to enter academia, an MFA is often all you need to teach at a post-secondary level.
Cons:
- Not the most marketable job skills
Although an MFA in Creative Writing will give you a number of skills that are useful in the job market, these are not as marketable as some other forms of writing. For example, copywriting arguably has a wider range of job prospects.
- It could limit your creativity
There is a risk that your writing could become too technical or formulaic as a result of the theories you learn during your MFA. It’s important to know the theory, but you don’t want to let it limit your creativity.
How long does it take to get a degree in creative writing?
A master’s in creative writing typically takes around two, sometimes three years to complete. Unlike other master’s degrees where you can find accelerated options that you can complete in as little as 18 months or even one year, there are very few opportunities like this in the creative writing field, due to program requirements such as workshops and dissertations.
Alternatives to Creative Writing Majors
Not everyone who completes an MFA in creative writing goes on to work as a writer – instead, they use the writing skills and the knowledge gained in the master’s program to pursue other career paths. Many work as teachers, editors, librarians, journalists, or copywriters.
Similarly, there are alternative majors that can set you on the path to a career in the field of creative writing. Such alternatives include an MA in English, literature, humanities, media studies, and library sciences.
Related Reading: Master’s in Fine Arts: The Ultimate Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with an MFA in creative writing?
You will have a wide range of career options as an MFA graduate. You could teach creative writing at a secondary or tertiary level, or you could pursue a career in advertising, publishing, media, or the entertainment industry. You can also become an author by publishing fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
Are MFA creative writing programs worth it?
Having an MFA opens doors to a range of well-paid careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median annual salary for writers and authors is a decent $67,120. Therefore, studying in an MFA program is an excellent option if you are skilled in writing and want to make a living from your writing.
How do I choose an MFA in creative writing?
It’s important to consider whether an on-campus or online MFA program is best for you, depending on your lifestyle and commitments. Another key consideration is faculty – many universities have renowned authors on their teaching staff who will give you the highest levels of training in creative writing. You should also consider your preferred focus area, whether it is fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.
What are MFA writing programs?
An MFA in writing or creative writing is an advanced program that teaches you the art and practice of writing with creativity. During the program, you will hone your writing skills and equip yourself to publish your own work or pursue a career in media, teaching, or advertising.
Can you teach with an MFA?
Yes — teaching is one of the many career options you’ll have with an MFA on your resume. An MFA in creative writing can qualify you to be a teacher in creative writing, in schools or the higher education sector.
Is it really hard to get admission to MFA creative writing programs?
MFA creative writing programs are relatively competitive, and not all applicants get into every program. However, if you are talented and truly ambitious to become a professional, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to get into an MFA. Having said that, the most prestigious universities with the best creative writing master’s programs will accept only a small percentage of the applicants, so it’s important to prepare well.
What is the best creative writing program in the world?
There are a number of creative writing programs that are known for their famous faculty and excellent courses. Some of the best known include the Master of Fine Arts in Fiction/ Poetry from John Hopkins and the MFA in Literary Arts from Brown University. Outside the US, the most renowned program in creative writing is probably the University of Cambridge’s MSt in Creative Writing.
How hard is it to get an MFA in creative writing?
A MFA is an intensive, highly-involved degree that requires a reasonable amount of dedication. However, anyone with a passion for creative writing will find it very rewarding and satisfying. The best master’s in creative writing programs, especially those offering full funding to all students, are highly competitive.
Should I get an MA or MFA in creative writing?
Whether a MA or MFA in creative writing is right for you depends on your own interests and career ambitions. An MFA in creative writing is ideal for anyone who is passionate about fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction, and wants to pursue a career in the field. A MA is a broader degree that will equip you for a wider range of career choices, though it will qualify you for many of the same roles as a MFA.
Can I get published without an MFA?
Absolutely – you can get published without an MFA. However, studying an MFA will equip you with a range of skills and knowledge that will be extremely helpful in getting your work published, from honing your craft to submitting your manuscript to publishers.
What are the highest paying jobs with a master’s in creative writing?
An MFA in creative writing can help you land a range of jobs in the creative and literary fields. The highest-paying jobs for graduates with a master’s in creative writing include creative directors, with an annual salary of $90,389, and lexicographers, who can expect to be paid around $70,250 annually.
Key Takeaways
An MFA in creative writing program will hone your talents and develop the skills you need to become a successful writer. The best MFA programs in creative writing will give you in-depth knowledge of the field as well as help you to develop practical skills in fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
The acceptance rate for the best MFA writing programs is pretty low and competition is tough. Therefore, it’s important to understand the requirements well and prepare thoroughly – check out our guide to applying to grad school to help you put together your strongest possible application.
Related:
- Top 5 Easiest Master’s Degrees + 10 Easiest Grad Schools to Get Into
- Top 10 Cheap Online Master’s Degrees in the US
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
