university of british columbia mfa creative writing

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You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here .

Creative Writing

Degree Offered: M.F.A.

N. Hopkinson, A. Lyon, K. Maillard, A. Ohlin, L. Svendsen.

Associate Professors

N. Lee, S. McGowan, M. Medved, T. Taylor.

Assistant Professors

B-R. Belcourt, A. Irani, F. Koncan, S. Leavitt, A. Marzano-Lesnevich, C. Nicholson, E. Pohl-Weary.

Associate Professor Emerita

R. Tregebov.

Program Overview

The School of Creative Writing offers two streams of study leading to the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). The first is a two-year resident program. The second is an online distance program with part-time and residency options. See Creative Writing for more information. See also Film Production/Creative Writing and Creative Writing/Theatre .

The School of Creative Writing publishes www.prismmagazine.ca ; resident graduate students participate in the editing and production of the magazine.

Master of Fine Arts

Admission requirements.

Applicants must satisfy the general requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and should submit work in two or more of the genres listed in the Creative Writing handbook on our website, specifying which is their major area of interest. Short and long fiction are considered one genre. Screen, TV, and web series are considered one genre. Applicants who intend to focus on translation should submit translated material in any of the above genres and a sample of their own original creative writing. Consult the School of Creative Writing website or email for more information.

The deadline for receiving manuscripts for both MFA programs is in January, whether this be for the following July entrance date for students in the optional residency online stream, or for the following September entrance date for students in the on-campus stream. Late manuscripts will not be considered. Length of the manuscripts accompanying the application depends on choice of genres. Guidelines are available from Creative Writing .

Program Requirements

During the two years of the program, 36 credits of coursework must be completed 1 , including an overall minimum of 24 credits at the graduate level and a 6-credit thesis. The School of Creative Writing consists of work in three genres, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Advisor, as described in the program handbook on the Creative Writing website. The thesis consisting of a full-length work in the area(s) of their special interest will be completed in the second year. The thesis may be a substantial revision and extension of work done during the first year. A work of translation may be used to fulfill the thesis requirement by students with the required ability and linguistic knowledge.

Students may be required to take advanced creative writing undergraduate courses as part of their programs.

1 A maximum of 6 credits is permitted from CRWR_V 420, CRWR_V 521

Contact Information

School of Creative Writing Buchanan E462, 1866 Main Mall Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1 Tel: 604.822.0699 Fax: 604.822.3616 Email: [email protected] Web: www.creativewriting.ubc.ca Alexandra Tsardidis , Graduate Support

UBC Academic Calendar

2016 1874 East Mall Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z1

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University of British Columbia (Distance MFA)

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MFA Program

Poetry : Susan Musgrave, Cecily Nicholson, Bronwen Tate Fiction : Anosh Irani, Nancy Lee, Annabel Lyon, Maureen Medved, Alix Ohlin, A. E. Osworth, Linda Svendsen, Timothy Taylor, John Vigna Children/YA : Emily Pohl-Weary, Jordan Scott, Tanya Kyi Nonfiction : Mandy Catron, Alex Marzano-Lesnevich Graphic Novel : Sarah Leavitt Screenwriting : Sara Graefe Playwriting: Frances Koncan Writing for Television : Zac Hug Speculative Fiction : Nalo Hopkinson Indigenous Writing : Billy-Ray Belcourt New Media: Jen Moss

The program offers partial funding. The program offers teaching assistantships, graduate supportive initiative scholarships, and endowed scholarships.

This Optional-Residency (Distance) MFA program was the first distance education MFA program in Canada and remains the only full MFA which can be taken completely online. The program offers courses in graphic novel writing, playwriting, writing for television, screenwriting, and writing for children. Students are required to take coursework in three genres during the degree.

Most students attend an optional ten-day residency that is offered each July at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver.

Paulette Bourgeois, Amy Jones, Ellen Keith, Amy Stuart, Sarah Selecky, Shyam Selvadurai, Shauna Singh Baldwin, Katherena Vermette

For students registering for courses starting in September 2024, UBC has switched to a new system, Workday . Please check your email for setup instructions. Summer Session students should continue using SSC .

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Fine Arts - Creative Writing Optional Residency, M.F.A. (DIST)

Calculating your course load.

The number of credits you need depends on which program you’re in. Select from the list below to find your program’s course load information.

When you're calculating your course load, the table headings refer to the following:

• Credits: 100% of a full-time course load for September - April
• 60% session: 60% of a full-time course load for September - April
• 60% term: 60% of a 1-term full-time course load
• 40% session: 40% of a full-time course load for September - April 
• 40% term: 40% of a 1-term full-time course load

Full-year course credits are divided into 50% in Term 1 and 50% in Term 2. Make sure you maintain minimum enrolment in each term.

N/A credits: If your program and year level credit requirements are listed as N/A, please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor . ES advisors are available to help all students.

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Film Production & Creative Writing

The Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing is a unique program offering an intensive, diverse and collaborative environment for crafting literary excellence in films and television.

Program Overview

Our master’s program is primarily a film production degree with an emphasis on screen writing. The final thesis for this joint MFA is a completed film that is written, directed and produced by the student.

The degree is designed for students who have a comprehensive background in filmmaking and screenwriting who wish to pursue a specific vision that combines both disciplines.

Students interested in the joint MFA degree must be experienced filmmakers and have completed films on which they were a principal creator to submit as part of their portfolio.

Degree Requirements

The MFA in Film Production and Creative Writing requires students to complete 36 total credits following these guidelines:

• FIPR_V 533: Advanced Problems in Directing (6 credits)
• CRWR_V 506: Advanced Writing for Television (6 credits)
• CRWR_V 514: Advanced Writing for the Screen (6 credits)
• The 12-credit thesis requirement can normally be met with the completion of a professionally finished film 20 minutes long (shorter works to be considered on a case-by-case basis) and full written documentation and evaluation of the process
• Productions longer than 40 minutes may be eligible for 15 or 18 credits on a case-by-case basis
• FIPR_V 534 (6) Producing for Film and Television
• FIPR_V 535 (6) Alternative Cinema Production
• FIPR_V 536 (6) Documentary Development and Production
• CINE_V 534A (3) Seminar in Cinema Studies
• CINE_V 534B (3) Seminar in Cinema Studies
• Alternate courses to fulfill the 0 to 6 credits of electives must be chosen in consultation with the MFA Advisor.

The application portal is currently closed and will reopen in late September, 2025 for entry to UBC in the fall of 2026.

The MFA in Film Production and Creative Writing is a joint program with UBC’s Creative Writing Department. Applicants must apply to the MFA in Film Production & Creative Writing, and completed applications will be sent directly to the Film Production program. Once accepted, the film program will arrange for the application and materials to be sent to the Department of Creative Writing for consideration into the joint degree program.

• Submit your UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies application
• Include a resume of your film and related experience
• Attach a copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended and are currently enrolled in. If your transcripts are in a language other than English you must also provide a certified translation
• Include a portfolio of completed films where you were a primary creator. These must be shared via accessible links, otherwise your application may be rejected.
• A description of each film you have submitted (title, length, production company) and your role on each project.
• A proposal for a thesis film. If your thesis is a feature-length film, you must also submit an alternate proposal for a shorter film. This proposal must include a description of the film, an outline, treatment or draft script and a proposed one-page budget.
• A statement of intent describing your reasons for wanting to complete the MFA Program.
• Applicants must also submit a portfolio of original screenwriting of at least 50 pages. This writing can be from a single screenplay or several different screenplays.
• Three letters of recommendation via UBC’s eReference system

Quick Links

University of British Columbia

Vancouver , BC

https://creativewriting.ubc.ca/graduate/

Degrees Offered

Fiction, Poetry, CNF, CYA, Drama, Screenwriting, Translation, Lyric and libretto, Radio drama, Graphic Novel

Residency type

Full, Low-residency

Program length

36 semester hours (2 years)

Part-time study

Financial aid.

Scholarships and assistantships are available

Teaching opportunities

Creative Writing offers partial Graduate Teaching Assistantship positions for most of our second year classes. Please contact the Program Administrator for more information. Students may also apply for other Teaching Assistantships within and outside of the Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing.

• M. Bayless MFA
• Caitlin Crawshaw MFA 2015
• Tania De Rozario MFA 2020
• Gena Ellett MFA
• Krista Foss MFA (Fiction) 2011
• Caroline Goodwin MFA (Poetry) 1994
• Zac Hug MFA (Screenwriting) 2015
• Amy Jones MFA
• Loghan Paylor MFA
• Zoey Peterson MFA
• Jeff Stautz MFA 2011
• Kelly S. Thompson MFA 2014
• Elaine Van Der Geld MFA

Send questions, comments and corrections to [email protected] .

Disclaimer: No endorsement of these ratings should be implied by the writers and writing programs listed on this site, or by the editors and publishers of Best American Short Stories , Best American Essays , Best American Poetry , The O. Henry Prize Stories and The Pushcart Prize Anthology .

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• MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN CREATIVE WRITING AND THEATRE (MFA) at The University of British Columbia
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Application FAQs

General questions.

MFA (all degrees except MFA in Film Production & Screenwriting):

Applications open mid-October. Deadline: early January.

MFA in Film Production & Screenwriting:

Deadline: mid-January deadline for September start.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies online application system. An application includes transcripts, a portfolio of original writing, a statement of intent and a CV.

Can I apply to both the on-campus and optional-residency MFA?

Yes. You have to apply twice online and pay two application fees to do so. If you do apply twice and we make an admission offer you will have to choose which program to attend before accepting the offer.

How much does the MFA cost?

Tuition fees change over time. To find out the current tuition, see the links below to the UBC Calendar.

Optional-Residency MFA Tuition:

Visit the UBC Academic Calendar Master's Tuition Page and scroll until you see Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance Education) . Fees are per-credit.

The MFA degree is awarded on the completion of 36 credits. Students are considered to be full-time if they are taking 12 credits in the fall/winter term (6 credits per term). Tuition is only charged when students are registered in courses.

On-Campus MFA Tuition:

Visit the UBC Academic Calendar Master's Tuition Page for Standard Programs . Tuition is paid per term on an instalment basis. Students in the on-campus program study full-time and are expected to take two years to complete (6 instalments).

After the second year, if a student remains on continuing status to finish a thesis, domestic fees drop to the continuing fee, which is listed in the fees table.

Please note: tuition does not include student fees; these are listed on the UBC website for on-campus students. Student fees are substantially lower for Optional-Residency MFA students as they do not use campus resources and are exempt from many fees.

Do you have funding for students?

Our MFA students are eligible for Graduate Support Initiative awards, SSHRC funding for Canadian students and affiliated scholarships for international students. There are also additional award possibilities for Indigenous and Black scholars.

We also have internal scholarships, multiple Teaching Assistant positions and several work/learn job opportunities.

Students are fully eligible for Canadian federal and provincial loans and any applicable US educational loans (please note that part-time students may not be eligible for all loans; please also note that US Stafford Loans are NOT awarded to students studying in a non-US institution by telecommunications – so Optional-Residency students cannot receive these loans).

Are there teaching assistant (TA) positions available to graduate students?

What are the academic requirements?

Applicants should have a four-year bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent, with a B+ average in the last two years.

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in English or Creative Writing to apply?

No, the undergraduate degree may be in any discipline. Many of our successful applicants have had degrees in areas unrelated to writing; some have not taken writing courses before.

What if I have not yet finished my undergraduate degree?

If you expect to finish in the spring or summer immediately following the application deadline, you are eligible to apply. Transcripts showing marks for courses completed or in progress are acceptable. If accepted to the program and to UBC, Graduate Studies will grant an acceptance conditional on the successful completion of your undergraduate degree.

Do you accept transfer credit from other optional-residency or residential MFA programs?

No, we cannot accept credits earned at another institution.

What if I don't meet the academic requirements?

In some cases, applicants without a four-year bachelor’s degree but with significant formal training or relevant professional experience may be granted admission on the recommendation of Creative Writing and the approval of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

In these cases, if our faculty recommend admission based on the portfolio submission, we will work with Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies to request a waiver of the requirements.

What is the significance of stating your main genre in the application process? Will this affect my chances of acceptance if I’m mainly working in a popular genre such as fiction?

Knowing an applicant’s main genre helps us with the initial reading of the portfolio – we assume this is your strongest genre, though we do read all genres submitted. Your choice of portfolio genres will not affect your chances of acceptance.

Is UBC an Accredited University?

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a member of Universities Canada . Incorporated in 1908 by an act of the provincial legislature, it operates under the authority of the University Act of the Province of British Columbia. Membership in Universities Canada and operation under the authority of the University Act is equivalent to accreditation in the US system.

UBC is ranked as one of the top 50 public universities in the world and regularly places in the top 5 universities in Canada as ranked by Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Shanghai Ranking Academic Ranking of World Universities, and QS World University Rankings . More rankings here .

Students with degrees from UBC go on to further study and employment at universities across North America and around the world.

Is the MFA accepted as a qualification for teaching the US?

As stated above, a UBC degree will be acceptable as an academic qualification at any reputable university in the world. Although we cannot guarantee that any graduate will receive a teaching position as a result of gaining their MFA here, the reputation of UBC’s Creative Writing program is widely known in Canada, the US and abroad. We believe that this reputation, our cross-genre philosophy and our workshop focus will serve prospective teachers of creative writing well.

I'm primarily interested in poetry. Do I have to take courses in other areas?

Yes. Students are required to write in three separate genre areas during the course of their degree. This doesn’t mean you can’t focus on your primary genre – and indeed you only write a thesis in one genre – but our philosophy is that students will discover a fuller understanding of their capacities as writers in the “cross-training” component of the Program.

This is one of the features of this degree which makes UBC’s program unique – some of our best-known graduates have ended up excelling in genres they had not previously worked in before coming to the program.

Optional-Residency MFA Specific Questions

It is a type of low-residency MFA in which the residency component is optional. As the name suggests, low-residency MFAs allow writers to complete an MFA degree without having to spend the academic year in residence at the university campus. Most other low-residency MFAs require attendance at two 10-day residencies each year and require full-time study.

What is different about UBC's optional-residency MFA?

In addition to our unique cross-genre focus, we are much more flexible than other low-residency programs: we have one 10-day residency each year, which is optional. Students can maintain full-time status by taking as little as 12 credits a year. Students who require more time to complete their degrees may wish to study part-time, but will be ineligible for financial support.

Why does the optional-residency MFA have higher tuition than the on-campus MFA?

This is related to our special status at UBC as a professional program, which enables students to work part-time and to pay reduced student fees. Tuition is charged per-credit registered, not per academic term.

This expense is, however, offset by the absence of many of the hidden costs of taking an on-campus program, such as relocating to Vancouver. Optional-Residency students who study part-time are often able to continue to work during the course of their degree.

My computer is old / I have a slow Internet connection. Will I be able to take part in the online courses?

Yes. If you can read this page on your computer, you can participate in the workshops online. Our technical requirements are modest. The majority of courses will only require a word processor (MS Word is our standard) and access to the Internet. Students with newer computers and high-speed connections do report that these make participating more convenient, and we would recommend these, but they are not a requirement. There is also no requirement for a particular operating system.

Is the Optional-Residency MFA the same as the on-campus MFA?

The optional-residency MFA has separate fees, however, the degree granted is exactly the same as the residential MFA. Application standards and thesis requirements are the same. Most faculty members teach in both the on-campus and online programs.

How do online classes work?

Classes are offered as online workshops. Students submit and discuss their work as part of a small group, using a web-based discussion forum and written commentary. Classes do not meet in ‘real time’ but rather students have a period of just over a day each week in which class discussion is open, and may take part on their own schedule.

The thesis project is carried out using direct one-to-one correspondence between students and faculty members. We also hosting visiting virtual writers in residence and regularly present audio recordings of lectures and readings from the On-Campus MFA program.

How much time does an online workshop take?

We estimate that each online workshop takes a student roughly four to six hours per week in reading and participating in online discussion (depending to some degree on individual reading and typing speed). This does not include personal writing time, which varies from student to student.

What happens during the residency period(s)?

The residencies are held at the Vancouver campus of UBC each summer for approximately ten days. They consist primarily of writing workshops, supplemented by seminars and lectures on aspects of writing craft and business. Residencies are designed to foster creative and social links between students as well as to educate. Residencies are 3 credit courses, and cost the standard 3 credit course rate. There will not be any additional costs, other than applicable UBC student fees, the cost of transportation, meals and accommodation, which each student is responsible for.

I'm an international student: do I need a student visa for the online program?

You will require a study permit in order to attend the residencies in Canada (you do not require one to take any other courses, as they are by distance education). Please see the  Citizenship and Immigration Canada  website for details. We will provide assistance and appropriate documentation where necessary. The process is usually quite straightforward.

How important are the residency periods?

The residencies are an important part of the optional-residency MFA. We understand, however, that for some students, work, location or family issues make it very difficult or impossible to attend residencies. Therefore, though strongly recommended, we do not make residencies mandatory.

• Graduate School

School of Creative Writing

The school offers a student-focused program, we combine the best of traditional workshop and leading-edge pedagogy. Our literary cross-training offers opportunities in a broad range of genres including fiction, poetry, screenplay, podcasting, video game writing and graphic novel.

We strive to create a dynamic and inclusive environment that encourages artistic experimentation and community building. We’re extremely proud of the national and international literary achievements of our many graduates, as well as their generous contributions to the greater creative community.

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2024 Summer Film Showcase: List of Films

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The post All Things Seen and Unseen by RJ McDaniel appeared first on Creative Writing.

UBC Bookstore hosting Summer Residency book sale from July 3 to July 12

The post UBC Bookstore hosting Summer Residency book sale from July 3 to July 12 appeared first on Creative Writing.

UBC professor emeritus George McWhirter receives largest international award for poetry

Left: Cover of Self-Portrait in the Zone of Silence | Right: George McWhirter with Scott Griffin, Co-Founder of the Griffin Poetry Prize (Photo credit: George Pimental) UBC School of Creative Writing professor emeritus George McWhirter recently won the 2024 Griffin Poetry Prize for his English-...

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Graduate studies

Unique in Canada

UVic's grad program is the only one of three in Canada offering an MFA in writing, rather than an MA in English with a creative-writing option.

We are also the only Canadian institution with an emphasis not only on writing but on the  teaching  of writing, which is a specialized area of education. You'll take on teaching assistantships to gain experience in evaluating and assisting undergrads, and to acquire actual classroom teaching skills in the area of writing (rather than in English literature). Our program is designed so that teaching will be one of the skills you'll graduate with, to better prepare you for the job market.

MFA in Creative Writing

Our MFA program offers you:

• a supportive environment in which to create a publishable or producible body of work in one of five genres (fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, film and poetry), and
• training in the teaching of creative writing at the post-secondary level and for community groups.

You will work closely with internationally known and published faculty who respect and encourage their creative visions and voices. Through participation in workshop classes that simulate an editorial environment of critical feedback and positive reinforcement, you can develop a significant body of work in your genre.

Our department is connected to the lively literary community of Greater Victoria through off-campus readings and events, including the Open Word reading series and the Victoria Festival of Authors .

Find out  how to apply or consult our FAQ .

Deadline for applications: December 1.

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Check out our faculty profiles to learn more about the writers you could be working with!

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15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2024

May 15, 2024

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? If you’re considering an MFA, this article walks you through the best full-time, low residency, and online Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

What are the best Creative Writing MFA programs?

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s start with the basics. What is an MFA, anyway?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications typically require a sample portfolio, usually 10-20 pages (and sometimes up to 30-40) of your best writing. Moreover, you can receive an MFA in a particular genre, such as Fiction or Poetry, or more broadly in Creative Writing. However, if you take the latter approach, you often have the opportunity to specialize in a single genre.

Wondering 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. Thesis projects are typically a body of polished, publishable-quality creative work in your genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Why should I 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.

Fourth: resources. MFA programs are often staffed by brilliant, award-winning writers; offer lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and teaching positions; and run their own (usually prestigious) literary magazines. Such resources provide you with the knowledge and insight you’ll need to navigate the literary and publishing world on your own post-graduation.

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 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.

This two-year program offers an incredibly generous funding package: $39,000 teaching fellowships each year. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and the option to apply for a lecture position after graduation. Many grads publish their first book within three years (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Incoming class size: 8 students (4 per genre)
• Admissions rate: 4-8%
• Alumni: Chimamanda Adichie, 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

The only MFA that offers full and equal funding for every writer. It’s three years long, offers a generous yearly stipend of $30k, and provides full tuition plus a health insurance stipend. Fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting concentrations are available. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $4,000 for the summer.

• Location : Austin, TX
• 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

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. All students receive full funding, including tuition, a living stipend, and subsidized health insurance. The Translation MFA , co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years long 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: 2.7-3.7%
• Fantastic Alumni: Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, Garth Greenwell, Kiley Reid, Brandon Taylor, Eula Biss, Yiyun Li, Jennifer Croft

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

4) university of michigan.

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan’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 $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

This is a 2-3-year program in either fiction or poetry, 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.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Incoming class size: 18 (9 in each genre)
• Acceptance rate: 2%
• Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that only occasionally dips into arctic temperatures. All students are fully funded for 2 years, which includes tuition remission and a $32k yearly stipend. 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.  Fiction and Poetry Tracks are offered as well.

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

6) University of Arizona

This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks 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’s dry heat is good for arthritis.

This notoriously supportive program is fully funded. Moreover, teaching assistantships that provide a salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver are offered to all students. Tucson is home to a hopping literary scene, so it’s also possible to volunteer at multiple literary organizations and even do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Incoming class size: usually 6
• Acceptance rate: 1.2% (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 

With concentrations in fiction and poetry, Arizona State is 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. Moreover, it encourages cross-genre study.

Funding-wise, everyone has the option to take on a teaching assistantship position, which provides a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a yearly stipend of $25k. Other opportunities for financial support exist as well.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• 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.

This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU also 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. Concentrations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction are available.

• Location: New York, NY
• Incoming class size: ~60; 20-30 students accepted for each genre
• Acceptance rate: 6-9%
• 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

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. Finally, teaching positions and fellowships are available to help offset the high tuition.

• Incoming class size: 110
• Acceptance rate: not publicized (boo)
• 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 

Sarah Lawrence offers a concentration in speculative fiction in addition to the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction choices. Moreover, they encourage cross-genre exploration. 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, and many teaching and funding opportunities are available.

• Location: Bronxville, NY
• Incoming class size: 30-40
• Acceptance rate: not publicized
• Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11) bennington college.

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. The rest of the time, you’ll be spending approximately 25 hours per week on reading and writing assignments. Students have the option to concentrate in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Uniquely, they can also opt for a dual-genre focus.

The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available. Additionally, Bennington offers full-immersion teaching fellowships to MFA students, which are extremely rare in low-residency programs.

• Location: Bennington, VT
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Incoming class: 25-35
• Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts

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, including screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition, each student is matched with a faculty mentor who works with them one-on-one throughout the semester.

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

• Location: Santa Fe, NM
• Incoming class size : 21
• Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

VCFA is the only graduate school on this list that focuses exclusively on the fine arts. Their MFA in Writing offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; they also offer an MFA in Literary Translation and one of the few MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults . Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, either in-person or online. Here, they receive one-on-one mentorship that continues for the rest of the semester. 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 for the full two-year program is approximately $54k.

• Location : Various; 2024/25 residencies are in Colorado and California
• 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.

UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Accordingly, this program is geared toward serious writers who want to pursue teaching and/or publishing. Intensive workshops allow submissions in Spanish and/or English, and genres include poetry and fiction.

No residencies are required, but an optional opportunity to connect in person is available every year. This three-year program costs about $25-30k total, depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.

• Location: El Paso, TX
• Acceptance rate: “highly competitive”
• Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University

This 2-year online, no-residency program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. Featuring a supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and an optional yearly field trip to Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, narrative medicine, and teaching creative writing. Moreover, core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, food/travel writing, and the personal essay. Tuition is approximately $31,000 for the entire program, with scholarships available.

• Location: Longmeadow, MA
• Incoming class size: 20
• Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs — Final Thoughts

Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded, low residency, or completely online MFA program, there are plenty of incredible options available—all of which will sharpen your craft while immersing you in the vibrant literary arts community.

Hoping to prepare for your MFA in advance? You might consider checking out the following:

• Best English Programs
• Best Colleges for Creative Writing
• Writing Summer Programs
• Best Writing Competitions for High School Students

Inspired to start writing? Get your pencil ready:

• 100 Creative Writing Prompts 
• 1 00 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
• 60 Senior Project Ideas
• Common App Essay Prompts

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

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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