Best Online MFA in Creative Writing Programs

OverviewA public university in northeastern Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg was founded in 1893. It’s part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university’s key principles include collaboration, innovation, and quality. ESU enrolls 6,742 students and offers 79 degree programs. The school provides opportunities for accelerated graduation, alternative-campus learning, and online education. ESU offers an online MA in Writing.Program FeaturesESU’s 30-credit Master of Arts in Writing offers students an innovative master’s program in English. Students first complete 12 credits of core courses, followed by 15 credits of electives. Electives are selected in consultation with an advisor. Courses give candidates the opportunity to examine theory, practice, and style. These courses include:

• Theory and Craft of Writing
• Studies in Journalistic Literature
• Theories of Electronic Writing
• Currents in American Journalism

OverviewTexas Tech is a public university in Lubbock, Texas. The university was founded in 1923 and currently serves over 36,500 students. TTU appears on the “Best Value” college list by Forbes and is ranked by PayScale for its high return on investment. It’s also consistently ranked among top public universities by Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report. Texas Tech offers an online MA in English.Program FeaturesTexas Tech’s Master of Arts in English is a 36-hour program. Students hone their writing and critical thinking skills and increase their knowledge of literature. The program is designed to be rigorous, accessible, and affordable. The curriculum is flexible, but you can expect to take courses like:

• Studies in Linguistics: Compositional Semantics
• Writing for Publication
• Teaching College Literature
• Studies in 17th Century British Literature

OverviewLocated in Danbury, Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University specializes in high quality fine arts and professional programs. Enrollment totals 5,642 students. Founded in 1903, WCSU is a member of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities System. WCSU offers roughly 100 degree programs in total. This includes an online MFA in Creative and Professional Writing.Program FeaturesStudents complete online workshops and individual, student-driven mentorships. In each course, students work with a faculty member to design a syllabus, create a reading list, and define the writing workload. Each candidate selects one creative genre and one practical genre. A teaching practicum or internship is required, along with a thesis. Sample courses include:

• Reading for Writers I and II (in the two selected genres)
• Writing in the Primary Genre I, II, and III
• The Individual and Aesthetic Process
• Online Multi-Genre Workshops
• Thesis (book-length piece of writing in the primary genre)

OverviewLindenwood University is a private liberal arts university in Saint Charles, Missouri. The university was founded in 1827 and is rooted in Judeo-Christian values. These values include dignity, integrity, and citizenship. Lindenwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves approximately 10,000 students and offers 131 degree programs. One option is a highly flexible online MFA in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesLindenwood’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing can be taken fully online, fully on campus, or through a combination. The 48-credit program offers craft classes, literature classes, and workshops focused on the study and practice of creative writing. Classes are taught by experienced writers and are available in a wide variety of genres. These classes include:

• Fiction Craft & Workshop
• Flash Fiction Workshop
• Fundamentals of Contemporary Fiction
• Publishing Creative Writing
• The Art of the Sentence

OverviewFounded in 1897, Bay Path is a private university in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Although its undergraduate programs are exclusively for women, BPU offers co-educational graduate programs. The university’s goal is to provide students with a practical, affordable, and career-oriented education. BPU has 3,298 enrolled students. The school offers an MFA in Creative Nonfiction.Program FeaturesThe 39-credit Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction Writing is designed to help aspiring writers craft publishable prose. Students workshop with small peer groups online and work closely with award-winning faculty mentors. They may choose between a teaching track or a publishing track. Courses include:

• Nature and Environmental Writing
• Travel and Food Writing for Publication
• Creative Nonfiction Writing: Form and Theory
• Generational Histories: Writing About Families
• Immersion in Publishing

OverviewA private liberal arts college in Buckhannon, West Virginia, West Virginia Wesleyan College has a proud history spanning over 120 years. The college serves 1,400 students and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Its mission is to develop students’ intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and leadership potential. Among WVWC’s over 60 academic programs is an online MFA in Creative Writing. Program FeaturesThe two-year Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is focused on working toward a manuscript of publishable quality. Candidates study craft and theory, write extensively, and work closely with faculty mentors. Students are asked to attend ten-day summer and winter residencies over the course of the program. WVWC offers courses such as:

• Craft and Theory of Fiction
• Craft and Theory of Creative Nonfiction
• Poetry Workshop
• Semester Project in Fiction, Poetry, or Creative Nonfiction
• Thesis Manuscript Preparation

OverviewOregon State is a public research university in Corvallis, Oregon. OSU continues to advance its 150-year mission to provide access to higher education. Current enrollment is more than 24,000 students. OSU has an additional 6,565 eCampus students. It appears on U.S. News and World Report’s list of both best public universities and “Best Value” colleges. The university offers over 200 degree programs, including an online MFA in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesThe Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year program. Students select a genre, but write and study across genres to broaden their abilities. They also have the option to write cross- or hybrid-genre theses. Candidates complete coursework, self-directed study, and mentorships. They read and write extensively and participate in a variety of online writing workshops. Sample course topics include:

• Reading as a Writer
• Compositional Improvisation
• Poetry for Prose Writers
• Narrative Theory
• Publishing

OverviewConverse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina offers an undergraduate education for women and co-ed programs for graduate study. According to U.S. News and World Report, Converse is the best regional university in South Carolina and among the Top Ten Best Value. Thirty-five academic programs are available to the college’s 1,450 students. One of these programs is an online MFA in Creative Writing. Program FeaturesConverse’s 48-hour Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year program for serious and passionate independent writers. It provides advanced instruction in poetry, fiction, young adult fiction, creative nonfiction, and environmental writing. The program emphasizes the mastery of writing skills and contemporary literature and craft through mentorships, projects, and a customizable curriculum. Required activities for graduation include:

• 16 credit hours of on-campus residencies (four nine-day residencies)
• 16 credit hours in chosen genre
• 16 credit hours in craft topics
• Completion of book-length creative thesis
• Evidence of broad reading and an annotated bibliography of required reading list

OverviewA San Diego-based nonprofit university, National University was founded by veterans. It aims to provide achievable, accessible higher education for working adults. In addition to 20 campus locations, National University offers over 100 online programs. The school’s alumni network totals 15,000 and counting. NU has a fully online MFA in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesThe Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a studio degree offering workshops that focus on crafting fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and/or screenwriting. Students critique the work of their classmates, read modern texts from the writer’s perspective, and participate in generative writing activities and advanced workshops. In this program, you’ll take courses such as:

• Textual Strategies
• Pedagogy of Creative Writing
• Writing for Young Adults
• Multicultural Literature
• Composition Pedagogy

OverviewQueens University of Charlotte offers all the advantages of a private university with a commitment to making education affordable. The liberal arts university is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1857, Queens provides an innovative education rooted in tradition. It emphasizes a creative synthesis of the liberal arts with the workforce and lifelong education. QUC students have the opportunity to earn an MFA in Creative Writing. Program FeaturesThe two-year Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing provides a highly personalized course of study. Candidates may study fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and writing for stage and screen. The program is designed for students who want to become published writers and/or teach at the university level. Course requirements include:

• 24 credit hours of Workshop or Tutorial courses
• Craft or Gateway seminars
• Guided Reading
• Thesis/Capstone

OverviewLocated in Winter Park, Florida, Full Sail University is a private university focused on entertainment, media, and arts. Its approach is centered on real-world experience and creative problem-solving. Full Sail’s degree programs are available at an accelerated pace, and the school began offering online programs in 2007. Online students receive high-quality access to industry experts and creative, current curriculum. One of Full Sail’s online programs is an MFA in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesStudents can earn a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Full Sail in just 12 months. Full Sail’s program uniquely teaches students to incorporate visual elements into the writing process. Candidates write across mediums and genres, explore a variety of narrative structures, and learn to build stories and characters that come to life. At Full Sail, you’ll take courses like:

• The Art of Visual Storytelling
• Character Creation and Development
• Multimedia Adaptation
• Episodic and Serial Writing
• The Business of Creative Writing

OverviewBased in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern is one of the nation’s leading private research universities. According to U.S. News and World Report, it is among the top ten universities in the country. The school’s 21,000 students have access to a wide variety of academic programs taught by award-winning faculty. Northwestern offers an online MA in Writing. Program FeaturesThe part-time Master of Arts in Writing provides in-depth knowledge of writing, editing, and publishing. Students experiment with different styles and forms and learn how to evaluate criticism of their work. They’re guided in the creation of a publishable manuscript by award-winning, published faculty. In addition to workshops, courses include:

• American Storytellers and the Theological Imagination
• 20th Century Experimental Fiction
• Poetry for Prose Writers
• American Novel: Big Books
• The Publishing Industry

OverviewWilkes University is a private university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A total of 4,400 students are enrolled at WU. It’s recognized by both Money magazine and The Economist as one of the best value educations in the nation. Ninety percent of students receive financial aid, and the school’s job placement rate is 96 percent. Wilkes offers an online Creative Writing MFA.Program FeaturesThe Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing focuses on both the craft and business of writing. Areas of study include fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, creative nonfiction, publishing, and documentary films. Students are asked to participate in eight-day residencies in January and June. Courses include:

• Writing in Education/Publishing
• Writing in Fiction (or other selected genre)
• Genre and Context in Fiction (or other selected genre)
• Drafting Project in Fiction (or other selected genre)
• Final Project

OverviewApproximately 2,700 students are enrolled at New England College, a private non-profit college in Henniker, New Hampshire. The NEC experience is described as collaborative, supportive, and highly diverse. Over 40 percent of students receive some form of financial aid. Students can choose from 50 degree programs, including a four-semester MFA in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesThe 64-credit Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program offers four tracks: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Dual-Genre. Students are individually mentored by talented, award-winning faculty. Each semester begins with a brief on-campus residency. Students both study and produce literary art. Sample courses include:

• Craft, Theory, and Practice
• Creative and Critical Process
• Creative Writing Workshop
• Professional Practice
• Form and Theory

OverviewArcadia University is a private university in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. U.S. News and World Report ranks it among the top regional universities in the North. Arcadia enrolls 4,000 students. The job placement rate is 98 percent, and 99 percent of full-time students receive need-based or merit-based financial aid. Since 1853, the university has promised to provide personalized, real-world education. Arcadia has an online MFA in Creative Writing and English.Program FeaturesArcadia University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year program. Students may choose to specialize in fiction or poetry. The program emphasizes online workshops and personal attention from faculty. It prepares students to become published writers and/or teachers at the secondary or university level. The program requires a minimum of 39 credits as follows:

• 12 workshop credits
• 12 practicum credits
• 6 credits of Literature courses
• 9 residency credits
• Thesis

OverviewBased near Emmitsburg, Maryland, Mount St. Mary’s is a private, liberal arts Catholic university. Nicknamed “The Mount,” the university prides itself on providing both high challenge and high support. It empowers students to think critically, make ethical decisions, and lead others in tackling tough challenges. Total enrollment is 2,131 students. The university offers over 90 academic programs, including an MFA in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesThe Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing guides talented, passionate writers in crafting work of literary merit. It offers a cross-genre curriculum in fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, poetry and playwriting. Students also take complementary electives in literature, history, and cultural studies. The program can be completed in two years. Courses include:

• Religion and History
• Apocalyptic Literature
• Fiction Writing
• Poetry Writing
• Cinematic Language

OverviewBennington College is a private liberal arts college in Bennington, Vermont. Founded in 1932, the college emphasizes self-directed learning and hands-on experience. Students work with faculty to design the content, structure, and sequence of their study. Although it’s a small college, Bennington graduates make a big impact. Bennington is the home of one of the nation’s top MFA programs in Creative Writing.Program FeaturesBennington’s two-year Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing was founded in 1994. Students create reading lists to broaden their knowledge, critically analyze literature, and craft works of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Along the way, students are guided by acclaimed authors. The student-faculty ratio is an astounding 1:1. Degree requirements include:

• Five packet exchanges per term, with ongoing work and revisions
• 50-70 books read in total
• Responses to half the books read
• Two critical essays (one 10-page and one 20-page)
• A creative thesis

OverviewFounded in 1942, Fairfield University is a private Jesuit Catholic college in Fairfield, Connecticut. It’s part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university takes a “liberal humanistic” approach. It emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and ethical and religious values. Fairfield has five academic schools and enrolls 5,000 students. One program option is an online MFA in Creative Writing. Program FeaturesFairfield’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a two-year, 60-credit program. Candidates study fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting. While studying these genres, they can also pursue concentrations in spiritual writing, publishing/editing, or literary health and healing. Award-winning faculty mentor students one-on-one. Students must complete the following requirements:

• Two independent study semesters involving creative writing, reading, and analysis
• A critical thesis (critical paper OR semester-long experiential learning opportunity)
• Creative thesis
• Four nine-day residencies

OverviewAntioch University has four campuses located in five states, in addition to an online campus. All campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The private non-profit university system is headquartered in Culver City, California. Throughout its 165-year history, Antioch has been passionate about inclusion, equality, and social justice. AU tries to make education accessible to all through its flexible, affordable programs. One of these programs is an online MFA in Creative Writing. Program FeaturesPublished authors attend classes to give one-on-one mentoring sessions to each student. Each semester consists of a ten-day residency and a five-month online project period. Coursework includes:

• Arts, Culture, and Society I & II
• Genre Writing Workshops
• Reading as a Writer
• Teaching of Creative Writing
• Genre Studies

OverviewEmerson College is located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. The private college was originally founded in 1880 as a “school of oratory.” Today, Emerson focuses on arts and communication and offers nearly 40 degree programs. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. U.S. News and World Report places Emerson in the top ten regional universities in the North. Emerson offers an online MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing.Program FeaturesThe Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing consists of online writing workshops and courses in publishing and literature. It is designed for students who want to write science fiction, horror, fantasy, young adult, mystery, or thrillers. Students learn the history of these genres while exploring key fiction markets. This 36-credit hour program requires:

• 16 credits of writing workshop
• 8 credits of literature courses
• 8 credits of publishing courses
• 4-credit master’s thesis