Program Overview

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Creative Writing (MFA)

The MFA Program in Creative Writing consists of a vibrant community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive. This stimulating environment fosters the development of talented writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.

Program Description

The program is not defined by courses alone, but by a life built around writing. Through innovative literary outreach programs, a distinguished public reading series, an exciting public student reading series, special literary seminars with visiting writers, and the production of a high-quality literary journal, students participate in a dynamic literary community actively engaged in all aspects of the literary arts—writing, reading, teaching, publishing, and community outreach.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation
• A non-refundable application fee

Program Requirements

The program requires:

• Select four graduate creative writing workshops (16 credits)
• Select one to four craft courses taught by the members of the CWP faculty (4-16 credits)
• Select courses from any department (12-16 credits)
• Total Credits: 32

Additional Program Requirements

Special Project

A creative special project in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction consisting of a substantial piece of writing—a novel, a collection of short stories or essays, a memoir, a work of literary nonfiction, or a group of poems—to be submitted in the student's final semester.

Program Information

The MFA degree may also be earned through the Low Residency MFA Writers Workshop in Paris. Under this model, degree requirements remain the same, although Craft courses and Workshops take the form of intensive individualized courses of study with the faculty.

Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study for a student enrolled in the poetry track is provided, with fiction and creative nonfiction plans of study paralleling the poetry track.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

1. Mastery of the basic elements of the craft of fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry.
2. A broad practitioner's knowledge of literature in their declared concentration.
3. The ability to read carefully and critically, and to acquire a broad knowledge of literature.
4. Completion of a creative thesis—a novel, a collection of stories or essays, or a collection of poems.

Policies

Program Policies

Grading and GPA Policy

To qualify for the degree, a student must have a GPA of at least 3.0, must complete a minimum of 24 points with a grade of B or better, and may offer no more than 8 points with a grade of C.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.