Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Writing program at Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies provides students with the opportunity to grow as artists within the specializations of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. A dual-genre specialization is also offered, as well as a publishing and professional development track that combines publishing industry-related instruction with the creative coursework of the writing workshops.

Graduate Programs

• MA in Writing
  • Curriculum and Specializations
  • Faculty
  • Course Schedule
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Word Cafe
  • Career Options

MA in Writing

The MA in Writing program is designed to help students determine the strengths and weaknesses of their writing, and learn how to evaluate criticism of their work. The program aims to teach students how to take their writing apart, re-think and revise it, and experiment with different styles and forms. The program also guides students in creating a publishable manuscript or portion of one, and teaches students how to read literature as a writer and a critic.

Writing Program Goals

• To help students determine the strengths and weaknesses of their writing, and learn how to evaluate criticism of their work
• To teach students how to take their writing apart, re-think and revise it
• To show students how to experiment with different styles and forms
• To guide students in creating a publishable manuscript or portion of one
• To teach students how to read literature as a writer and a critic
• To train students to teach creative writing, informed by current pedagogy and classroom experience
• To give students the opportunity to edit an international literary magazine with their peers
• To provide students with the tools to create strong applications for jobs in teaching, publishing, and editing

Curriculum for MA in Writing

The MA in Writing program consists of core courses and electives. The core courses include 3-4 workshops in a chosen genre: poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, and 2 graduate-level literature courses. Electives are chosen from the graduate course offerings in the Master of Arts in Literature program, creative writing special topics courses, and seminars and internships in teaching and publishing.

Core Courses

• 3-4 workshops in a chosen genre: poetry, fiction, or nonfiction
• 2 graduate-level literature courses

Electives

• Courses drawn from MCW special topics courses, internships in teaching, publishing, and arts administration, literature courses or liberal studies courses
• Students may also take an independent study course as an elective

Thesis

• MCW 590 Capstone Writing and Revision

MA in Writing Courses

The MA in Writing program offers a variety of courses, including workshops, literature courses, and electives. Students can narrow their course search by day, location, or instructor.

Writing Faculty

The MA in Writing program is taught by a faculty of esteemed writers who facilitate discussions that help students examine and address strengths and weaknesses in their writing, as well as open up possibilities for re-thinking and revising.

Master's in Writing Admission

Candidates for admission to the MA in Writing program must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or its foreign equivalent and possess a strong academic record, preferably in English, writing, or related fields.

Tuition and Financial Aid for Writing

Tuition for the MA in Writing program at Northwestern is comparable to similar US programs. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern.

Registration Information for Writing

Already accepted into the Master's in Writing program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible to ensure maximum efficiency in your progress.

Careers in Writing

Northwestern University's MA in Writing is an art degree. Students pursue the degree in order to become better writers, able to create prose and poetry that draw on a full range of the craft. On a more practical level, MA students become better writers, which prepares them for a variety of careers.

Find out more about Northwestern's MA in Writing

The MA in Writing program at Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies is a part-time program that provides students with the opportunity to grow as artists within the specializations of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The program is designed to help students determine the strengths and weaknesses of their writing, and learn how to evaluate criticism of their work. With a faculty of esteemed writers and a variety of courses, including workshops, literature courses, and electives, the MA in Writing program is an excellent choice for students who want to become better writers and pursue a career in writing.