Program Overview

Three-Year M.F.A. in Creative Writing

The three-year M.F.A. program in Creative Writing gives promising fiction writers and poets an opportunity to practice and study their art with dedicated fellow writers. We accept six students in fiction and six students in poetry each year. We have no non-fiction track. All students receive a full tuition waiver and a yearly stipend (currently $24,000 per year). All students have undergraduate teaching duties in their second and third years.

Program Description

The M.F.A. program is committed to creating a supportive environment for its students. As a program that aims to nurture new voices, we particularly want to welcome writers from underrepresented communities. We encourage people of color to apply. We believe a program is at its best when it is comprised of strong writers from a full spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. Our program strives to be a comfortable and supportive environment for POC-identified students, LGBTQ+ students, international students, veterans, first-generation college students, disabled students, and for everyone who chooses to join us.

Notable Alumni

• "Forest of Noise," by Mosab Abu Toha '23
• “Chain Gang All-Stars,” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah ’16 (longlisted for the National Book Award)
• “House of Cotton,” by Monica Brashears ’22
• “Grace Engine,” by Joshua Burton ’19
• “Tomb Sweeping,” by Alexandra Chang ’18
• “Their Divine Fires,” by Wendy Chen ’17
• “How It Works Out,” by Myriam Lacroix ’20
• “Last Acts,” by Alexander Sammartino ’18
• “Songs on Endless Repeat,” by Anthony Veasna So ’20
• “We’re Safe When We’re Alone,” by Nghiem Tran ’20
• "Mood Swings," by Frankie Barnet '19

Program History

During its nearly 50-year history, the creative writing program has produced an outstanding array of writers whose work has been published by major presses and magazines and won prestigious awards. Distinguished alumni include George Saunders, Lily King, Tom Perrotta, Julia Alvarez, Cheryl Strayed, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Chaon, Rebecca Curtis, Keith Gessen, Jay McInerney, Deb Olin Unferth, and Claire Messud.

Program Details

• Duration: Three years
• Tracks: Fiction and Poetry (no non-fiction track)
• Admission: Six students in fiction and six students in poetry each year
• Financial Aid: Full tuition waiver and a yearly stipend (currently $24,000 per year)
• Teaching Duties: Undergraduate teaching duties in the second and third years

Course Catalog

• Course Catalog: Creative Writing, M.F.A.

Documents and Forms

• phd-exam-reading-lists.pdf

Related Links

• Creative Writing M.F.A. Program
• Books by M.F.A. Alumni
• M.F.A. Alumni Book Authors
• Coursework
• Funding and Financial Aid
• Raymond Carver Reading Series
• Application Instructions
• Salt Hill
• Creative Writing Faculty
• M.F.A. Creative Writing Students
• Awards and Opportunities
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Statement of Solidarity