what is a low residency mfa creative writing

A Guide to Low-Residency MFAs

With the next MFA application season just around the corner, it’s time to start seriously thinking about programs. Writers—are you considering the low-residency option? For those of us anchored into a job, with family, or simply unable to relocate, low-res programs are proving to be a great opportunity to earn your degree.

It’s fair to say that a low-res program may prepare you more quickly for the true world of writing—one in which your writing time must be structured around your job, family, and other commitments. There is no bubble here. Although you’ll meet for residencies (usually held twice a year), for the most part, you’re working on your own.

That being said, one of the biggest benefits to a low-res program is close mentorship. The faculty to student ratio is 5:1 or less for most programs. Mentors create customized reading lists for each student and critique larger volumes of work monthly. So despite the lack of time in physical classrooms, you still receive an extensive amount of support.

Several low-res programs are also now offering a dual-genre degree option for students who want to explore more than one interest. And for those of you who love to travel—many programs provide residencies abroad. You can gather stamps on your passport while participating in intensive workshops in countries such as Spain, Italy, or Slovenia.

So you’re interested. How do you choose which program to go for? I’ve listed some programs below that caught my eye for at least one reason, if not more—whether it be affordability, faculty, or the opportunity for travel or dual-genre studies. Enjoy!

by Julia Mucha

Bard College

Location : Annandale-on-Hudson, New York

Faculty : Renee Gladman, David Levi Strauss, and others.

Annual Tuition : $16,470

Bard’s tuition isn’t the lowest, but it’s worth mentioning this program because over 90% of their students receive at least one type of grant aid (fellowship, scholarship, or both). Their residency is eight weeks and held every summer.

Bennington College

Location : Bennington, Vermont

Faculty : Amy Hempel, Benjamin Anastas, April Bernard, Susan Cheever, David Gates, Major Jackson, Alice Mattison, and others.

Annual Tuition : $19,900

Bennington is consistently ranked as one of the top low-residency programs and has an incredible faculty. They also offer dual-genre degrees. Grants are awarded to exceptional applicants.

Cedar Crest College

Location : Allentown, Pennsylvania

Faculty : Keija Parssinen, Alison Wellford, Robert Antoni Dinaw Mengestu, and others.

Annual Tuition : 12,150 plus $2,750 for each residency (which includes accommodations and activity expenses).

This program offers dual-genre studies. The three required residencies, which are fifteen days each, are held each summer in Europe. Location rotates between Barcelona, Dublin, and Vienna, so you actually won’t be spending much if any time at their home campus.

Institute of American Indian Arts

Location : Sante Fe, New Mexico

Faculty : Jon Davis, Sherman Alexie, Melissa Febos, Pam Houston, Lidia Yuknavitch, Santee Frazier, and others.

Annual Tuition : $12,000

While this program is open to everyone, it does maintain a Native American and First Nations emphasis. They boast an incredible faculty and astoundingly low tuition.

Lesley University

Location : Cambridge, Massachusetts

Faculty : Tony Eprile, Laurie Foos, Rachel Kadish, Hester Kaplan, Michael Lowenthal, and others.

Annual Tuition : $24,000

Lesley offers several merit scholarships that cover up to $15,000 of the total cost. They also highlight interdisciplinary studies, and students gain experience in teaching, publishing, literary non-profits, and community writing groups. Another plus? Each summer they offer a ten-day residency in Wales.

Lindenwood University

Location : St. Charles, Missouri

Faculty : Tony D’Souza, Wm. Anthony Connolly, Zachary Tyler Vickers, Nicole McInnes, Kali VanBaale, and others.

Annual Tuition : $10,872

This school offers a half-tuition waiver to students who are at least sixty years old. Primary and secondary education teachers also receive a discounted tuition. You can meet for the residency either at their campus or choose to complete the program fully online.

University of New Orleans

Location : New Orleans, Louisiana

Faculty : Fredrick Barton, Barb Johnson, Joanna Leake, and others.

Annual Tuition: $12,500

This program offers a residency in Europe each summer for one month. In the past, residencies have taken place in Ireland, Scotland, and Italy. The University of New Orleans has consistently been ranked as one of the most affordable schools in the country.

Sewanee School of Letters

Location : Sewanee, Tennessee

Faculty : Jamie Quatro, Michael Griffith, John Ernest, Nickole Brown, and others.

Annual Tuition : $5,707

This program has an interesting model—you take a combination of writing workshops and classes in literary criticism and history. The residencies are held each summer, and the degree takes four to five summer sessions to complete. Since the program is spread out over four to five years, the tuition is remarkably affordable.

Pacific University

Location : Portland, Oregon

Faculty : Chris Abani, Steve Amick, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Claire Davis, Dorianne Laux, and others.

Annual Tuition : $17,646

This prestigious school offers two Pearl Scholarships worth $7,500 to students entering their MFA program. Partial, merit-based scholarships are available as well.

Vermont College of Fine Arts

Location : Montpelier, Vermont

Faculty : Trinie Dalton, Matthew Dickman, Abby Frucht, Connie May Fowler, and others.

For those of you who love to travel, VCFA offers residencies abroad in Slovenia and Puerto Rico. Dual-genre and translation studies are also available. There are multiple scholarship options available to help offset the tuition.

Warren Wilson College

Location : Asheville, North Carolina

Faculty : Andrea Barrett, Robert Boswell, Karen Brennan, Liam Callanan, Christopher Castellani, and others.

Annual Tuition : $17,350

As one of the older and more prestigious programs on this list, tuition is higher. However, multiple scholarships and grants available that can cover up to fifty percent of tuition. All financial aid is based on need.

Spring Flash Fiction Contest Honorable Mention: “Road Trip” by Rachel Attias

August deadlines: 13 contests and prizes with deadlines this month.

Jump to navigation

• Find People
• Life at Pacific

Forest Grove, Hillsboro & Eugene Campuses Closed

Update: Pacific University’s Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Eugene campuses, and all Pacific healthcare clinics, remain closed all day Friday, Jan. 19. More Details

What is a Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing?

A degree in creative writing can provide unparalleled opportunities for personal growth and creative expression. Pacific’s unique low-residency master’s program enables authors to sharpen their skills and form a close-knit community of authors from anywhere in the world.

Earn your MFA in creative writing and begin a lifetime of making thoughtful, compassionate art. Applications for Pacific’s innovative low-residency program are being accepted until May 15 and financial aid is available .

Creative writing MFA programs are unparalleled spaces for writers to explore and grow. 

However, traditional masters in creative writing degrees can take between two and three years for full-time students to complete, leaving little in the way of career or family flexibility.

Enter the Low-Residency MFA .  

Combining the essential tenets of the best MFA programs — one-on-one instruction , close-knit cohorts , inspiring faculty — with the versatility of a hybrid model, low-residency MFAs don’t force you to choose between school and life .   

An MFA degree can push you to create innovative, compassionate writing projects, which can be more accessible and adaptable with low-residency programs. 

Discover the unique benefits of a low-residency MFA program and how it might be the perfect space to hone your craft.

EXPLORE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

What is a Low-Residency MFA Program?

Unlike most graduate degree programs, the low-residency MFA primarily takes place outside of the classroom.

This allows you to refine your writing process from anywhere in the world while still communicating frequently with your peers and professors.

Low-residency creative writing degrees blend independent, guided study with several in-person residencies that include workshops, lectures, and individual meetings with faculty.

Low-residency MFA degrees are designed to empower those who may not have the time to devote to regular class sessions or who may live far from universities offering writing programs.  

However, anyone, regardless of circumstance, can take advantage of low-residency writing programs, as they provide the same high-quality practicum and faculty insight as comparable traditional degree pathways. 

Whether writing from your dining room table, a local coffee shop, or a tropical beach, a low-residency degree in creative writing offers unrivaled support. 

Do Low-Residency MFA Programs Offer Scholarships?

Scholarships for low-residency writing degrees are available, as well as paid opportunities to teach creative writing at the university level. 

Pacific offers five distinct merit-based scholarships for MFA cohort members, each of which lowers the cost for creative writing students.

In addition to the writing MFA program’s specific scholarships, Pacific offers general scholarships to graduate students of all disciplines , further reducing the cost of your degree.

Is a Bachelor's Degree in Writing Required to Apply to a Low-Residency MFA Program?

Thoughtful creative writing can come from any background, so a bachelor’s degree in creative writing is generally not required to apply for low-residency MFA programs.

While many programs require an undergraduate degree, at Pacific your previous college experience doesn’t need to be related to creative writing as a discipline.

Rather, your writing skill and promise comes through in the portfolio of work and the critical essay that you submit alongside your application. 

Are Low-Residency MFA Programs Taught Online? 

Online MFA programs are becoming more common, especially as the number of schools offering writing degrees continues to increase.

Low-residency MFA programs are not online programs, rather a portion of the instruction is mentor-guided remotely and then augmented with on-site residencies. There are no asynchronous courses or class meetings.

Despite having a significant in-person component, low-residency MFA degrees retain the most sought-after aspects of the best online MFA programs: adaptability.

The constraints that can accompany traditional MFA programs are absent in the low-residency model, enabling your writing practice to mold to your schedule, not the other way around.

What Do the Best Low-Residency MFA Programs Look Like?  

A master’s in creative writing fuses a daily writing practice with intense, careful study of literature and craft guided by celebrated authors in your chosen genre.

What should you look for to help make the most of that experience? 

The best low-residency MFA programs include:

Faculty experts. Award-winning authors form the backbone of the instructional core of any reputable MFA program, and you’ll be working with them closely throughout your degree.

It’s important to search for professors who are not only experts in their craft, but who can speak about the broader publishing space to interested authors.

Demonstrated student success. Whether as educators, community organizers, or published authors, examples of students finding success beyond their MFA program is paramount.

Interdisciplinary opportunities. Learning from other genres and styles of writing is integral in forming creative work, and being a part of a diverse array of professors and peers can help supercharge that process.

Supportive workshops . Feedback is essential to flourishing as an author, and surrounding yourself with a compassionate cohort will help create an environment of growth.

Rewarding residencies. Low-residency writing master’s degrees are unique in that they allow for on-site residencies that include lectures, workshops, and opportunities for connection with faculty and colleagues. 

Pacific’s unique low-residency MFA has admissions windows twice a year, so there’s no wrong time to get your application started .

INQUIRE TODAY

• mfa in writing

15 Best Low Residency MFA Programs

Author: Natalie Harris-Spencer Updated: February 18, 2023

The best low residency MFA programs offer you a more cost-effective way to complete a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The difference between a low residency and a fully remote program is that you’ll be expected to stay on campus for short periods throughout the year, giving you greater flexibility than if you’d have either been living on campus, or full-time in front of a computer screen.

What can you expect from the best low residency MFA programs?

These programs will force you to juggle your writing time around your day job , family, and cats, while still plunging you into that writers’ life you so crave. In many ways, they’re harder than the traditional brick-and-mortar school program, in that they give you a truer flavor of what it’s like to pursue a writing career with a million other things going on in your life. They’re also far more immersive than an online-only program.

You’ll be hit with a combination of remote and in-person learning. A typical school year comprises two semesters, of which there is usually a 10-day intensive residency on campus per semester (so, two residencies per year, for two years). The time in between residencies is remote i.e. spent from your writing desk at home, where you will be paired with a mentor or smaller groups of writers. In fact, the 1:1 mentorship is a huge benefit of a low residency MFA program ; you’ll get closer attention than you would if you were in a traditional college class.

The best low residency MFA programs will offer a variety of genres , including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, popular fiction, scriptwriting, literary translation, graphic novels and comics, and writing for young people, while some allow for a dual-genre path.

While MFAs are not cheap, low residency programs are certainly on the more affordable side. Read on for 15 best low residency MFA programs, listed in alphabetical order.

1. Antioch University

Offered by AU Los Angeles, Antioch University’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program is dedicated to the education of literary and dramatic artists, community engagement, and the pursuit of social justice. It offers two, 10-day residencies in June and December.

2. Bard College

Bard College offers MFAs for artists in a variety of disciplines, not just writing. Each summer session runs for eight intensive weeks (there is no winter residency), and does not follow the traditional semester schedule. Most students receive some amount of financial aid, making it an attractive option for candidates.

3. Bennington College

Bennington College is widely regarded as one of the best low residency MFA programs in the United States. Residencies take place in picturesque Vermont, and their prestigious faculty includes many multi-published authors and literary prizewinners. You can elect to pursue a dual-genre path. Bennington’s residencies take place in January and June.

4. Cedar Crest College

This pan-European MFA offers a single 15-day residency at the beginning of July that rotates between Dublin, Ireland, Barcelona, Spain, and Vienna, Austria, with new locations coming soon. Unlike other programs, you’ll only attend three residencies in total, and you won’t go to the university campus in Allentown, Pennsylvania. But…you get to travel to Europe.

5. Goucher College

The only program dedicated solely to nonfiction writing, this low residency MFA attracts applicants and faculty interested in pursuing narrative, memoir, personal essay, and literary journalism. Literary agents and editors attend the two 10-day residencies in Baltimore, Maryland, and there are sponsored trips to New York to meet top publishing professionals.

6. Institute of American Indian Arts

Now in its tenth year, the emphasis with this particular Creative Writing MFA is on Native writers, voices, texts, and experience, although applications are open to all. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, it offer two 8-day residencies in January and July.

7. Lesley University

While the nine-day residencies take place in the “literary mecca” of Cambridge, Massachusetts, there’s also the opportunity for students to study abroad at a 12-day residency in rural Wales. Lesley has relationships with literary agencies and presses , so that you get a fast-track into publishing on submitting your thesis when you graduate.

8. Lindenwood University

Located in St. Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University is unique in that there is no formal residency requirement: you can take classes fully on campus, online, or choose the low residency model. The program is more affordable than others due to its flexibility, and offers financial aid to teachers and candidates over the age of sixty.

9. New York University

Based on NYU’s campus in Paris, France, there are five, 10-day residencies held in January and July. This is one of the more expensive programs, with limited funding available. However, its faculty line-up is always incredible, and you’re paying for the prestige of Paris.

10. Pacific University

Based in Portland, Oregon, Pacific University’s MFA program places a strong emphasis on craft . It offers multiple full and partial merit-based scholarships to qualifying candidates. Residencies are in January and June.

11. Sewanee School of Letters

The model at Sewanee School of Letters in Tennessee is slightly different: you complete a single, six-week residency over the summer , which in turn is spread over the course of three to five summers, making it more affordable than other low residency programs.

12. University of New Orleans

Despite positioning itself as online MFA, the University of New Orleans is actually low residency, in that it offers a month-long residency every summer at various international locations, including Ireland and Italy.

13. University of Southern Maine (Stonecoast)

My alma mater . Stonecoast at USM offers two 10-day residencies in January and July, alongside a concurrent writers’ conference, in the picturesque town of Freeport, Maine. Its popular fiction program is especially popular with writers of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, and its WISE program (writing for inclusivity and social equity) is at the heart of its ethos. In my humble opinion, it will always be one of the best low residency MFA programs.

14. Vermont College of Fine Arts

Another Vermont entry: proof that this beautiful state inspires creativity. Residencies are nine days and take place in December and July, with past residencies going further afield: Slovenia, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Mexico, Rome, and Asheville, North Carolina. Literary translation and dual-genre paths are available.

15. Warren Wilson College

Established in 1976, Warren Wilson is the original low residency MFA program, introducing the format to North America and the rest of the world. Consequently, it’s on the pricier end, but there are multiple grants and financial aid available. It offers two, 10-day residencies in January and July near the wonderful town of Asheville, North Carolina, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Recommended reading

Here at Aspiring Author , we love recommending bestsellers and fawning over hot new releases. On this real time recommended reading list, you will find a list of top rated books on the publishing industry, craft, and other books to help you elevate your writing career.

The Elements of Style (4th Edition)

Adventures in Volcanoland: What Volcanoes Tell Us About the World and Ourselves

Writing to Learn: How to Write - and Think - Clearly About Any Subject at All

Generative AI for Beginners Playbook: Discover Practical, Simplified, Step-by-Step Applications to Generate Just About Anything You Can Imagine

No Sex In The City

About the author.

Natalie Harris-Spencer

Related articles.

Why You Need an MFA in Creative Writing

What Jobs Can You Get With an MFA in Creative Writing?

How Long Does it Take to Get an MFA in Creative Writing?

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• History and Mission
• University Leadership and Offices
• Strategic Plan – FDU Will Soar
• Faculty and Staff Directory
• Accreditations
• 2024-2025 Self-Study
• Rankings and Distinctions
• Community Outreach
• Program Finder
• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Vancouver Academics
• Online Programs
• Colleges and Schools
• Academic Calendar
• Core Curriculum
• Academic Advising and Support
• Special Academic Opportunities
• University Bulletins
• Centers and Institutes
• Community College Partnership
• Honors at FDU
• Global Education and Study Abroad
• Adult and Continuing Education
• Freshman/First-Year Admissions
• Apply Now to FDU
• Tuition and Fees
• Transfer Student Admissions
• Apply to Online Programs
• Adult/Nontraditional/Part-time Admissions
• International Admissions
• Summer Sessions 2024
• Graduate Admissions
• Vancouver Admissions Services
• Financial Aid
• Florham Campus
• Metropolitan Campus
• Vancouver Campus
• Wroxton College
• Off-Campus Sites
• Dean of Students
• Housing and Residence Life
• Student Wellness Services
• Disability Support Services
• Student Community
• Student Clubs and Organizations
• Policies and Procedures
• Computer Facilities
• Student Publications
• Career Support
• New Student Checklists
• Division I FDU Knights
• Division III FDU Devils
• Giving to FDU
• Student Life Calendar Metropolitan
• Metro Campus This Month
• Student Life Calendar Florham
• Florham Campus This Month
• Vancouver Academic Calendar
• Vancouver Campus This Month
• Information Technology
• Office 365 and Email
• Self-Service
• SAMI Support
• myFDU Connect
• Coursefinder
• Up to Creative Writing

Welcome to the MFA in Creative Writing

• Residencies
• Recent Alumni Books

Find your voice. Hone your craft. Expand your horizons. Join a vibrant writing community. The MFA in creative writing at FDU offers all the rewards of a full-time experience and all the flexibility and affordability of a low-residency program.

Remote coursework over two years with our acclaimed working-writer faculty is complemented by ten-day in-person residencies — summer in New Jersey and winter in a 17th-century abbey in England. FDU’s MFA is renowned for its lively intensity, community spirit, and innovative cross-genre structure. The program is rounded out with author and publishing professional visits.

Mariella Diaz, MFA, Fiction 2016

A low-residency MFA accommodates every writer’s complicated schedule and ambition. Dedicate time to your writing without upending your life in progress, get feedback from acclaimed writers and teachers, workshop online and in person, travel, focus and retreat, read, be as creative as you want to be, meet new people who are as serious about writing as you are, meet great writers in person, learn about the publishing journey, get teaching experience, join a vibrant community of like-minded writers, start your manuscript, finish your book.

Study Your Chosen Genre

• Creative Nonfiction
• Writing for Children and Young Adults
• Literary Translation

Join the low-residency MFA in Creative Writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In the last year alone, our students and alumni have published middle-grade novels, won juried poetry collection prizes, written award-winning nonfiction books and major trade house novels, they’ve launched an international literary magazine, bought a landmark bookstore, brought an original reading series to Symphony Space, NYC, edited anthologies, started an independent press, won an NEA, won an NAACP Image Award… to name just a few of our community’s accomplishments.

Program Highlights

• The residency in Wroxton, England. Explore nearby Oxford and London, while immersing yourself in writing and peaceful retreat at FDU’s 17th-century Jacobean country mansion.
• The FDU MFA is dedicated to cross-genre work. Writers learn from each other and from all different kinds of writing.
• A lively and communal alumni community, with experiences and professional guidance as well as opportunities.
• Option to add a second genre track, for a dual concentration degree over three years.
• Opportunity to study the pedagogy of teaching college composition — a practical preparation that expands earning opportunities for you after your MFA, before you’ve even published.
• A flexible online model that has all the attentiveness and rigor of a full-time residential program.
• Scholarships, graduate assistantships, and teaching assistantships.

For More Information

Email us for more information, including tuition costs.

Gracelyn Weaver, Coordinator Minna Zallman Proctor, Director MFA in Creative Writing Fairleigh Dickinson University 285 Madison Ave. M-MS3-01 Madison, NJ 07940 phone: 973.443.8632

email: [email protected]

Program Curriculum Details

Request Information

• Our Philosophy & Mission
• Programs of Study
• MFA Program for Writers
• Lifelong Learning
• Work Program
• Community Engagement
• Study Abroad
• Career Development
• Academic Support
• Catalogs & Resources
• Online Bookstore
• Accreditation & Licensure
• Academic Calendar

The MFA Program for Writers

The Nation’s Premier Low-Residency MFA Program

Now in its fifth decade, the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College , established in 1976 by master poet and teacher Ellen Bryant Voigt, continues to set the standard for the innovative model it pioneered. This rigorous, nurturing, and highly-selective four – semester graduate program, with study tracks in fiction and poetry, combines ten-day residencies on campus each January and July with five-month nonresident semesters in which students work individually with the country’s finest fiction writers and poets.

Our nationally-recognized MFA faculty encompass a range of aesthetics, and include Pulitzer and National Book Award winners, national and state poets laureate, and NEA, Guggenheim, Fulbright, and MacArthur fellows. Residency lectures and readings are free and open to the public.

Our diverse and close-knit student body come from all over the world, and from a variety of disciplines and occupations. MFA program alumni have won countless major awards and have published well over a thousand books . Application deadlines are March 1 and September 1 via Submittable on the MFA program website .

I am grateful for what the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson offers all its students: the knowledge that allows us to become better and more ambitious readers and writers, and the connection to a community of other writers who will help us continue pursuing our interests throughout our lives. Rose McLarney (Warren Wilson BA, 2003; MFA 2010; Beebe Fellow 2010-11)

An Advantage for Undergraduates

Creative Writing majors at the undergraduate level benefit from the opportunity to attend January residency lectures and readings and to work with graduate-student mentors.

And each academic year, an MFA faculty member is in residence on the Warren Wilson campus for a week to teach undergraduate classes, present a workshop and a reading, and to meet with senior creative majors one-on-one.

More Information

Learn More About the MFA Program Requirements

Rose McLarney (BA ’03; MFA ’10; Beebe Fellow 2010-11), pictured with Matthew Olzmann (MFA ’09; 2012-13 Beebe Fellow) in Pew Library on the Warren Wilson campus

I am honored to serve as Director of the MFA Program for Writers, which has such an illustrious history and has launched the careers of so many talented writers worldwide, and which offers a vibrant, world-class education focused on artistry, rigor, community, and the possibilities of the imagination.

Dr. Gary Hawkins (MFA, 1995)

Gary Hawkins is a 1995 alumnus of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. Dr. Hawkins writes poems, writes on modern and contemporary poetry, and writes and presents on the scholarship of teaching and learning. His debut book of poems, Worker, was published in 2016.

Like this program? You might like these too.

• 0 Shopping Cart

Ellen Bryant Voigt speaking at the MFA Program’s 40th Anniversary Gala

The mfa program for writers.

In 1976, Ellen Bryant Voigt, renowned poet and master teacher, founded the nation’s first low-residency creative writing program. In 1981, the program relocated from Vermont’s Goddard College to one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, Warren Wilson College.  Today, forty-five years after its inception, the prestigious MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College remains one of the top writing programs in the nation.  Students of the program range in age from their early twenties to mid-sixties, in profession from teacher and journalist, doctor and bartender, to lawyer and lumberjack, and join us from all over North America, Europe, and Asia.  Our faculty have won virtually every major honor in the country, including MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships, Pulitzer Prizes, and the National Book Award.  Several have served as state poets laureate, and two have been named national poets laureate.  Our alumni have published hundreds of books, and their work has been featured in The New Yorker  and on the front page of  The New York Times   Book Review .

About the Program

An alternative to the wholly residential workshop, the program is structured to meet students’ needs, to help them recognize specific strengths and address specific weaknesses in their work, and to encourage them to see themselves as active participants in the creation and study of literature.

Every six months, students from across the globe gather here on campus to form a cohesive, non-competitive community that offers camaraderie, direction, and inspiration. The four-semester course of study toward the Master of Fine Arts degree is carried out by alternating on-campus residency sessions with semesters of independent study under close faculty supervision.  The residencies, attended by all faculty and students, are ten days long and take place two times a year, once in early January, and once in early July.

Readings, lectures, classes, workshops, meetings, informal exchange, and conferences all aide in fostering a strong sense of community among peers.  In the classes and team-taught workshops, students will find an environment that is non-competitive, while our low student-faculty ratio (never more than 5:1) ensures that each student will receive personalized attention that will help provide direction for the semester.

Following the residency, correspondence between the student and  the faculty supervisor occur at regular, contracted intervals. This individualized course of study and thorough engagement with faculty, occurring within the context of one’s ongoing adult life, make the Program useful to writers at all stages of their development.

The Master of Fine Arts degree at Warren Wilson represents the study of literature from within the writer’s perspective.  It is not, however, a technical or narrow degree.  The reading and analytical components of each Semester Project, and the variety of classes and workshops offered during the residency periods, provide opportunities for unusually well-integrated, humanities-based curricula–without sacrifice of direct manuscript, work, and criticism.

The Program’s commitment to active teaching and active learning is unshakeable.  While the balanced study of literature and the craft of writing does make its graduates attractive candidates for teaching positions, no one should apply to the program if he/she seeks the degree mainly for employment purposes.  Likewise, while our graduates publish their work widely, no one should apply seeking only an editor for projects in progress.  Our goal is not to supply credentials or technical support but to assist students with their education and their development as writers.

Degree Requirements

The student’s record must indicate the following:.

• Full participation in five residency sessions
• Successful completion of four semester projects, with a minimum accumulation of 60 graduate hours
• Work with at least four different faculty supervisors
• Broad reading in literature and contemporary letters, as demonstrated by a comprehensive bibliography of usually at least 50-60 entries
• The ability to write clear prose, and to articulate cogent response to work by other writers, as demonstrated every semester in brief bibliographical annotations or their approved equivalent
• A substantial analytical essay (30-50 pp.) of intelligence and insight
• A Thesis Manuscript of poetry (30-50 pp.) or fiction (70-100 pp.) of high quality
• An objective assessment of that manuscript by faculty and peers in a one-hour Thesis Interview
• A one-hour graduate class taught to peers during a residency period
• A public reading of his/her work during residency

The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College

701 Warren Wilson Rd. Swannanoa, NC 28778 [email protected]     (828) 771-3715

STUDENT ACCOUNTS       STUDENT ACCESS       FACULTY ACCESS

Low-residency MFA in creative writing

Our low-residency MFA community inspires and sustains a lifetime of creative work.

Concentrations in the MFA in creative writing

Children and young adults.

Work with Pablo Cartaya, Traci Chee, Joe McGee, Isabel Quintero, Jessica Rinker and Kathryn Reiss.

Creative nonfiction

Work with Lidia Yuknavitch, Gayle Brandeis, Brian Turner, Suzanne Roberts, Gina Frangello and Leta McCollough Seletzky.

Work with Lidia Yuknavitch, Alan Heathcock, Brendan Basham, Gayle Brandeis and Peter Mountford.

Work with Brian Turner, Faylita Hicks, Brynn Saito, Lee Herrick, Rick Campbell and Gailmarie Pahmeier.

By writers, for writers

Come lean toward our fire and tell us your stories, poems, essays. We’re listening.

Our program was built entirely by writers, to guide authors organically through the exploration of their craft and thorough preparation for a sustainable life of creation and publication. No other program nurtures a writer from line and sentence to essay, story, poetry collection or novel like ours does.

Our editing semester is a uniquely practical experience in crafting work which is both thrilling and publishable. Our gifted faculty are here because they want to launch unique, individual voices within a global dialogue; to see risks taken, new moves in language braved, and students grow into professional and artistic peers.

How does a low-residency MFA program work?

We’ve made this program so that people who are unable to walk away from jobs and families and service can still become masters of their craft . . . NOW.

Over four distance-learning semesters, and five total 10-day residencies,  students will focus on their chosen genre (fiction, poetry, writing for children and young adults, or creative nonfiction) while exploring new territories of artistic expression.

Faculty meet with their students one-on-one during each residency to set plans, then work with them intensively throughout the semester providing written critiques. With a student-to-mentor ratio never greater than 5:1, students receive creative, focused, individualized feedback.

Each residency is a 10-day intensive period of workshops, seminars, readings and more, in which we explore the wide landscape of the writing life from practical tricks-of-the-trade to subtleties of conceptual nuance. Residencies are in early January and early August.  

Contact the director

June Sylvester Saraceno MFA-CW Program Director [email protected]

Apply to the low-residency MFA in creative writing  

Features of the low-residency MFA in creative writing

The editing semester.

Work a full semester one-on-one with an editor to make your manuscript polished – and publishable.

Approach your manuscript with greater objectivity, master the tools to shape its potential into a great reading experience on the page, and learn about the practical aspects of publishing from start to finish.

Writers in the Woods

Writers in the Woods presents intimate readings and workshops, open to all, with acclaimed authors in all genres.

The program has hosted scores of poets and writers from all over the country, including Carmen Maria Machado, Kaveh Akbar, Kim Addonizio, Rebecca Makkai, Nick Flynn, Tim O’Brien, Patricia Smith and many others.

Sierra Nevada Review

The Sierra Nevada Review is a biannual online literary magazine managed and edited by the MFA-CW students.

The magazine publishes poetry, short fiction, and literary nonfiction “that leans toward the unconventional, surprising, and risky. We appreciate experiments in form and content, and prefer works whose meanings deepen on repeated readings.”

Join us for our events

There are currently no events

We want artists who will write for the rest of their lives. If you are interested in adding your voice to this transformative conversation and intrigued by the possibility of working with teachers and peers who are passionate about the art they love, then please contact us — we look forward to meeting you.

Solstice MFA in Creative Writing

The Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program offers a unique, affordable opportunity for students to act upon their artistic aspirations and embark on lives as serious writers and readers. This hybrid program is designed to be a transformative experience where accomplished faculty instruct students in craft and creative writing techniques that will bring their work to the next level. 

• 5 brief residencies followed by independent study working 1:1 with a mentor allow for more flexibility for the student's schedule
• 5 Concentrations: fiction—including popular fiction and genre fiction—creative nonfiction, poetry, comics & graphic narratives, and writing for children and young adults
• Award-winning writers who are dedicated to helping students find and develop their own, unique voices
• Students make lasting connections with a diverse, nurturing community of aspiring and accomplished writers

REQUEST INFO

Overview & career outcomes.

Lasell University's Solstice Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing is a selective full-time, two-year program that helps you further your writing practice with a high level of professional proficiency while developing your unique voice in a supportive community. This skills-based program combines five short, ten-day residencies—periods that feature literature & craft courses, writing workshops, seminars, readings, and panel discussions with a diverse cadre of writers, editors, and agents—with a 21-week long period of independent study in which each student works 1:1 with a mentor. This terminal degree offers a flexible format to help you fit the coursework into your schedule while providing an encouraging, immersive experience.

The program's mission is to nurture all the voices of America and beyond; to help students reach their full potential as writers through a demanding curriculum that balances the workshop experience with the study of literary craft, criticism, and theory; and to prepare students for the rigors of being a professional writer after graduation. The Solstice Program provides a supportive, welcoming environment in which writers of all backgrounds feel safe and are encouraged to take creative risks. Working with some of the best writers in the country, our students emerge with a deep, well-rounded knowledge of their art, a strategy for continuing the development of their creative vision, and a supportive circle of peers and mentors. We seek to instill in our students an appreciation for the value of community-building and community service, and the belief that engagement with the literary arts is not only a means to personal fulfillment but also an instrument for social justice and real cultural change.

Thanks to the support of founding faculty member and best-selling fiction writer Dennis Lehane as well as the Solstice Institute for Creative Writing, the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program launched at its first home institution—Pine Manor College—in 2006. The program landed at its current home at Lasell University in 2022, beginning its next chapter at an institution that aligns with its mission via the University’s commitment to fostering the next generation of creative thinkers, makers, leaders, and doers.

Hear what makes Lasell's Solstice MFA program different!

Solstice MFA Concentrations & Tracks

Concentrations.

The Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program allows students to focus on their passion by offering 5 concentrations:

• Fiction (including genre & popular fiction)
• Creative nonfiction
• Comics & graphic narratives
• Writing for children & young adults

• Pedagogy Track

Students who not only want to write but also have a desire to teach at the college level will want to consider the Pedagogy Track.  During their internship semester, Pedagogy track students teach their own creative writing workshops in their home communities.

Along with selecting a concentration focus, students in the Pedagogy track learn how to plan and design courses, assess and grade students' work, and manage a classroom.   Find out more.  

Solstice Creative Writing Workshops

Lasell's MFA Program students complete five residencies over a period of two years. Each 10-day residency, held in summer and winter, begins the new semester with a demanding program of craft classes and workshops in which students’ creative work-in-progress is analyzed and discussed. Each of the eight three-hour workshops held during the residencies allows students to experience a variety of pedagogical approaches; to develop constructive critiquing skills; and to enhance their own writing (and artwork, in the case of graphic narrative students) via close study of other students' works-in-progress under the guidance of a faculty mentor. During each residency, students in workshop have the opportunity to work with at least two different faculty mentors, providing the chance for a wider range of perspectives and feedback. Our approach to the writing workshop emphasizes an atmosphere of mutual respect and consideration between students and faculty members. Each residency takes place on Lasell University's beautiful campus (located just 10 miles from downtown Boston).  Take a virtual tour of the Lasell campus!

What is a Low-Residency Format?

Click on the video below to hear Meg Kearney, Founding Director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program.

Benefits of the Low-Residency Format

• Sense of community - These intensive, inspiring residencies help students form a supportive, engaged community and lifelong connections with fellow writers, including faculty members.
• One-on-one communication with faculty mentors during the semester: Because our student-faculty mentor ratio is never more than one to five, students receive highly focused attention from some of our nation’s best authors.
• Flexible learning  - Independent learning, a flexible schedule, and autonomy. Solstice students are able to pursue their writing goals while balancing the demands of work and family.

The Lasell Solstice MFA Difference

• Our faculty are award-winning writers who come from a variety of different backgrounds; are committed to achieving diversity of race, class, and creed in the classroom; and are dedicated to helping students find and develop their own, unique voices.
• Our goal  is to create opportunities for ALL writers to pursue their creative goals.
• Diversity - Our students, faculty, and alum represent a wide variety of ethnic, social, and geographic backgrounds (from 30 different states, Canada, and Dakar, Senegal), creating a truly vibrant cross-section of America.

Maria Luisa Arroyo Cruzado'15,  MFA in Creative Writing, Poetry

 “At Solstice, I found faculty members and peers who understand how to foster each other's growth with compassionate clarity."

Our curriculum is designed to be flexible. Between the residencies, students work on semester-long projects directly (1:1) with a faculty mentor. During this time of independent work and study, students collaborate with their faculty mentors to explore their genres in depth through reading, discussion, craft analysis, and the creation of new work.

This full-time program requires 60 credits—including work done during the residency and the remaining semester—for completion.

Craft Classes & Electives

At each residency, students attend a minimum of five courses in *Craft, Criticism, and Theory, as well as three Elective Seminars & Studies sessions (one- to two-hour classes). These classes are designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the structural, philosophical, and historical underpinnings of the art of writing and include Foundational Craft Courses. Foundational Craft Courses are designed to ensure that students graduate with a shared vocabulary within their genre concentrations and a firm grasp of creative writing essentials. Residencies provide students with an opportunity for immersion in a community of writers as they sharpen their craft and expand their visions of their art.

*Students opting for the Applied Pedagogy Track will be required to take four course units dedicated to pedagogy basics, course design, assessment and grading, and classroom management.

Course and Work Roadmap

Students are expected to devote at least 25 hours per week to independent study each semester. It should be noted that reading, as well as writing, (and, in the case of graphic narrative students, making comics), is a vital component of the Solstice MFA Program at Lasell University. By the time a student graduates, they will have read between 50 and 80 books.

At the close of each residency, faculty mentors work closely with students to draft a semester plan—including a reading list, and a schedule for five packet exchanges in which students receive feedback to their creative and critical work. 

First & Second Semester

In the first and second semesters, students are encouraged to draft new material and expand their knowledge, submitting five packets of creative and critical work for feedback from their mentors.

Second-semester students can explore working in another genre—enhancing their craft by exploring the possibilities and constraints of another form—before selecting a focus for the third- and fourth-semester projects.

Third Semester

Third-semester students complete a 30- to 35-page critical essay, an essential part of developing into mature writers. This work builds on the critical writing and thinking skills students have developed in their first and second semesters, during which they applied close reading, analytical, and interpretive skills to the drafting of short literary essays on single texts. The critical thesis challenges writers to create and build a sustained argument surrounding a single aspect (or a few aspects/elements) of literature and/or literature’s role(s) in the world. Students are expected to choose subjects with some personal appeal; ideally, the thesis topic should have an application to the student’s own creative work.

Third-semester students also have the opportunity to pursue an applied-track internship in arts administration, community programming, or publishing as part of their research for the major critical essay. These optional internships will enrich their experience, broaden their knowledge, and provide necessary research for the essay due at the end of the semester. *The Applied Pedagogy Track also requires students to complete an internship during their second or third semester in the MFA program, during which they will gain valuable teaching experience.

Fourth Semester

During the fourth, creative-thesis semester, students work closely with faculty mentors to revise work created during the MFA program with the goal of producing a book-length manuscript. The fifth and final graduating residency requires the presentation of a 60-minute lecture or course in the students’ specialized area or track, developed in their critical essays. In addition, graduating students deliver a 15-minute public reading from their creative theses.

Students and faculty are required to submit thorough evaluations of the residency and the semester project each semester. These evaluations become part of the student’s permanent record and determine whether credit is granted toward the 60-credit degree.

Alejandro Ramirez '15,  MFA in Creative Writing, Creative Nonfiction

 “At Solstice, I found a community that supported my vision and my voice, full of talented writers -- like you -- who encourage each other to grow."

Requirements & Deadlines

Requirements.

In order to graduate, students must have received a passing grade for 60 credits of course work and must have attended five, 10-day residencies. In addition to receiving passing grades for all course work, students must complete a creative thesis (a novel, graphic narrative, collection of poems, short stories, or creative nonfiction) that is approved by a faculty mentor, give a reading from their creative theses, and teach one-hour-long lecture at the culminating residency.

Please review the MFA application requirements for admission: 

For emailed transcripts, have them sent to [email protected] . For snail mail, have them sent to:

Lasell University Attn: Graduate Admission 1844 Commonwealth Ave Newton, MA 02466

• Two recommendation forms (completed by either former professors or anyone who can attest to the applicant’s dedication to the art of writing and ability to get along well in a community of fellow writers). Note that recommendation forms, located on our application portal, make the process efficient and simple; recommendation letters may be uploaded to supplement the forms, but are not mandatory.
• Your literary influences, including books you’ve recently read, and what you have learned about the craft of writing from these influences
• The strengths and weaknesses of your writing
• Your ability to listen to and use direct criticism of your work
• What you hope to gain from earning your MFA in Creative Writing
• Obstacles that might prevent you from devoting 25 hours per week to your study and corresponding regularly with your faculty advisor
• Your goals and aspirations as a writer and/or artist
• Other things you'd like us to know about you, relevant to this application
• Poetry: 10 typed pages (single spaced, one poem per page) total
• Fiction: 20–25 typed pages (double spaced) total
• Creative Nonfiction: 20–25 typed pages (double spaced) total
• Confident artists : 8–12 pages of sequential fiction or nonfiction
• Confident writers : 20+ pages of graphic narrative script (in standard script form or via “the Marvel Method,” i.e. the general outline of a story, major plot points, + some dialogue); pages of sequential art are not mandatory for confident writers.

*Note: Students in the Comics & Graphic Narratives Concentration are placed in the program as “confident artists” or “confident writers” based on their applications. Typically, confident artists aspire to improve their craft as writers to match their drawing talents, with the ultimate goal of becoming cartoonists who both write and draw their own stories. Confident writers are typically more interested in creating comics/graphic narratives in collaboration with an artist/illustrator. That said, even confident writers who do not consider themselves to be confident artists will be expected to learn and practice the fundamentals of comics art in order to more deeply understand the collaboration process.

A Note on Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology:  Any use of AI is considered plagiarism and prohibited by the Solstice MFA Program in application manuscripts. All critical and creative work should strictly be the work of the applicant. Writing is hard work; it has always been hard work, which has been one of its graces. We believe our students and those seeking to be our students are self-selected lovers of words who, as apprentices to this craft, share the goal of becoming the best, most original writers they can be on their own merit. This is not to say that AI-generated work is not being used in creative ways in certain circles, but we expect our applicants to generate the “inputs” that result in their original “outputs.” In the end, we trust that Solstice MFA Program applicants, along with faculty, staff, and students, believe that academic and artistic honesty are paramount and will live up to those ideals.

Note for prospective international students : At this time, the Solstice MFA Program is not in a position to consider F-1 international students for enrollment. We are able to accept applications from international students who are dual U.S. citizens or permanent residents, as well as those who have other visa types that permit study in the country, such as L2, H1B, and H4 visas. Contact Lasell University’s Office of International Student Admissions for more information.

MFA Deadlines

The Solstice MFA Program accepts applications on a rolling basis. The deadlines below determine your starting residency and eligibility for fellowships. Review our application guidelines as you decide when you want to apply to the program . Students who hope to receive a need-based scholarship  should submit their application and the FAFSA as early as possible, as these awards are granted until funds are depleted.

The Winter/Spring 2025 Semester

The winter 2025 residency, which begins our spring semester, is set for January 10 – 19, 2025. Writers who submit general applications by Monday, November 11, 2024, may be offered a space in the winter 2025 residency/spring semester. Following that date, all acceptances will be for the summer 2025 residency/fall semester. 

Fellowship Deadlines for Winter 2025

Applicants who wish to be considered for the  Francis L. Toner Fellowship for Veterans ,  Dubus Fellowship for Native & Indigenous Writers ,  Michael Steinberg Fellowship for Creative Nonfiction ,  Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent ,  Doug & Betsy Sholl Fellowship for Poetry , or the  Dennis Lehane Fellowship for Fiction  should submit the general application form by Monday, October 28, 2024. Please note that Dubus Fellowship applications require a short essay.

The Summer/Fall 2025 Semester

The summer 2025 residency, which begins our fall semester, is set for July 12 – 20, 2025. Writers who submit general applications by Monday, May 12, 2025 may be offered a space in the summer 2025 residency/fall semester. Following that date, all acceptances will be for the winter 2026 residency/spring semester.

Fellowship Deadlines for Summer 2025

Applicants who wish to be considered for the  Monica Hand Fellowship for Nontraditional Students ,  Kurt Brown Fellowship for Diverse Voices,  or  Billy Still Fellowship for Social Action & Writing  should submit the general application form (check the appropriate box on the form) by April 28, 2025. Please note that Kurt Brown and Still Fellowship applications require a short essay.

10% Lasell Alumni Discount

Alumni can take 10% off all master's and certificate programs. Does not apply if you receive a scholarship.

Form more details about scholarships and fellowships see our financial aid information  and our scholarship page .

Explore Solstice MFA in Creative Writing

Program Overview

• Social Action Writing Track
• Comics & Graphic Narratives Concentration

Faculty & Staff

• Upcoming Guest Faculty

Scholarships & Fellowships

Testimonials

Classes for Audit

Spotlight Poet Program

Graduate Publications

• Solstice Anthology

Professional Development

Post Graduate Opportunities

• Post Graduate Semester
• Post Graduate Certificate

Sign-up to receive The Lasell MFA Newsletter!

Live Q&A Session

Register for our next virtual event . .

• Graduate Virtual Info Session Thursday, June 13th @ 6:00 PM ET

Career Outcomes

60% have published in a literary magazine or journal, 30% have published at least 1 book, 15% have landed teaching or writing-related jobs, request more information.

Stay updated about our program options and start dates.  

Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing

Master of fine arts in creative writing and poetics (low-residency).

Our low-residency MFA provides the structure, support, and professional development you need to take your writing to the next level .

Program Overview

Naropa’s Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing is designed for writers ready to hone their craft and earn their Master of Fine Arts degree through rigorous, cross-genre study. Students who can’t relocate to our Colorado Campus can acquire a quality asynchronous education with in-person residencies.

Whether you have a novel in progress, are preparing for a PhD program, or looking to strengthen your prose, poetry, and hybrid writing, our low-residency creative writing MFA program provides you with resources, accountability, and inspiration that fit your schedules.

Naropa takes traditional low-residency MFA programs a step further with our history of experimental and innovative writing, critical study, and cross-genre publishing. Our unique cross-genre online writing courses, generative residencies, and one-on-one mentorship provide students with a writing community, no matter where they live.

Cross-Genre Curriculum

Unlike other Creative Writing MFA programs, our low-residency MFA is open-genre. This means that writers can work in fiction, poetry, prose, non-fiction, playwriting, and hybrid forms throughout their degree program. Students experiment with narrative structures and forms that fit their unique voices. Writers develop their unique style, critical ear, and vast knowledge of contemporary trends across literary genres.

One-on-One Mentorship

One-on-one mentorship and small online writing classes help writers develop their style, refine their editing skills, and publish their work. Each writer dedicates their final semester to a thesis manuscript. Working one-on-one with their thesis mentor and workshopping with classmates through written exchange, students finish their MFA with a completed manuscript in the genre of their choice.

Generative Residencies

Every semester, our Low-Residency MFA students gather in Boulder, Colorado, for enriching and energizing residencies. MFA students meet one-on-one with mentors, enjoy master classes with guest writers, attend readings, and bond with writers. Residencies also overlap with our spring and fall symposiums, providing students with a rich 4-days of community and inspiration. Each academic year culminates in a week-long writing intensive at Naropa’s Summer Writing Program. This annual festival brings over 60 artists, writers, and thinkers to Boulder, for workshops, readings, panels, and professional development.

Quick Facts

• Fifteen annual days of residency in Boulder, CO
• Open-genre curriculum
• One-on-one mentorship with accomplished faculty
• Unique Experimental Approach
• Participation in the Summer Writing Problem
• Cohort model developing a strong sense of community among MFA students
• Several Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
• Applications open for August 2024

Program Format

Naropa’s Creative Writing MFA is a rigorous, generative, low-residency two-year program with 4 writing residencies in beautiful Boulder Colorado. The program combines asynchronous craft courses with on-campus residencies. 

Annual fall and spring residencies allow writers to connect with other writers and faculty , deepen their craft, and participate in symposium readings and panels with other MFA students in Boulder, CO. Spring and Fall Residencies run from Saturday through Tuesday during the Spring and Fall JKS Symposiums.

The summer residency immerses writers in a full week of the Jack Kerouac School’s world-renowned Summer Writing Program . Here, students attend workshops, lectures, panels, and readings by numerous visiting writers to hone their craft, make connections, speak on student panels, and prepare for the next step in their writing career.

Course Spotlight

Craft of writing: rooting in the archive.

This course delves into the Naropa University Archive and its rich offerings to explore traditions, movements, and/or schools of writing that inform or extend the aesthetic vision of the Jack Kerouac School toward mindful writing. Possible recent historical examples include New American Poetry, the Beats, San Francisco Renaissance, the New York School, Black Mountain Poetics, the Black Arts Movement, and Language poetry, among others.

Degree Requirements

Unlike many online creative writing MFA programs, our asynchronous classes build community through writer-to-writer feedback and a structured curriculum.

26 credits of online asynchronous craft courses

Students work one-on-one with a mentor, exchanging packets —consisting of letters, bibliographies, contemplative reflections, creative manuscripts, and critical essays—throughout the semester.

• WRI-631E Craft of Writing: Rooting in the Archive(6)
• WRI-648E Craft of Writing: Contemplative Experiments(6)
• WRI-678E Craft of Writing: Cultures & Communities(4)
• WRI-735E Craft of Writing: Contemporary Trends(6)
• WRI-700E Professional Development: Writing Pedagogy (4)
• WRI-755E Craft of Writing: Professional Development (4)

6 credits of MFA Thesis

6 credits of MFA Thesis (faculty mentorship on a book-length creative manuscript)

4 credits of the Summer Writing Program

Two eight-day summer residencies are completed at Naropa’s Boulder campus. Choose two of the following:

• WRI-751 Summer Writing Program(2)
• WRI-752 Week Two Summer Writing Program(2)
• WRI-753 Summer Writing Program(2)

4 credits of fall and spring residencies in Boulder, CO.

• WRI-789WE Fall Residency(1)
• WRI-791WE Spring Residency(1)

Why Choose Naropa?

Strong writing tradition.

Founded in 1974 by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman, the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics encourages experimental forms across genres , pushing for innovation inside and outside the classroom.

Career Readiness

Whether a student plans to teach, write, edit, or work in publishing, our low-residency program provides the framework they need to develop their professional skills alongside a vibrant and supportive writing community.

In-house Publishing

The Kerouac School’s student-run Bombay Gin literary journal publishes work from promising students and distributes it nationally through Small Press Distribution. Students interested in fine-craft letterpress printing can learn at Naropa’s Harry Smith Print Shop and Kavyayantra Press.

How this Program Prepares You

Professional dossier.

Graduates from our low-residency Creative Writing MFA emerge from the program with a solid record of written work . The pieces that make up their dossier are workshopped with peers and perfectioned with guidance from their tutor.

Critical Analysis

You’ll emerge from the program with critical analysis skills that go beyond reading between the lines of a written work. The program will teach you to recognize the role of intersectionality in the literary arts, looking at the wider spectrum that surrounds a piece, and identifying bias, assumptions and stereotypes.

Unleashing creativity

Our workshops, classes and Summer Writing Program encourage students to harness their creativity by exploring experimental forms . Low-residency students receive on-on one mentoring to help them develop their creative writing skills to the fullest, as well as feedback from their writing community, be it online or during their residency.

What You'll Learn

Highly developed writing craft.

Hone your voice in every step of the writing process.

Skill in Critical Analysis

Learn to discuss literary works through a variety of critical lenses.

Contemplative Writing Practice:

Use your writing practice as a tool for self-inquiry and discovery.

Social and Cultural Awareness

Recognize the role of race, class, and gender in literary history and works.

Career Preparedness

Graduate with a publishable manuscript and/or professional dossier.

Career Opportunities with a Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing

• Lyricist: write words for songs, matching melody and rhyme.
• Poet: use language to creatively express emotion, ideas and experiences.
• Proofreader: check written work for errors and inconsistencies.
• English Teacher: teach at the postsecondary level.
• Author: craft and publish original material.
• Editor: review and improve written work for publication.

Hear from a Graduate

Jackie henrion, faqs about the low-residency mfa in creative writing, what is a low residency mfa in creative writing, why choose a low residency mfa creative writing program, how long does it take to complete a low residency mfa in creative writing, how is naropa’s low residency mfa in creative writing different from other programs, what types of funding are available.

Students in the low-residency version of the MFA program may receive partial funding by applying for scholarships and Graduate Assistantships. Visit our Graduate Scholarship page for details.

Learn More About the Program

Connect with your counselor

Olivia phipps.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

• [email protected]
• Schedule an Appointment
• Attend An Info Session

Ready to Apply?

Admission requirements.

Naropa University values both academic excellence and critical self-reflection . Our application process not only evaluates academic performance but also candidates’ openness and willingness to engage in contemplation.

Learn more about admission requirements and the application process for our Low-Residency Creative Writing MFA.

Graduate Students

Prospective students who have completed an undergraduate degree are welcome to apply to Naropa. When applying, candidates must submit a transcript of their undergraduate coursework, a statement of interest, a resume, two letters of interest and a creative writing sample. They may also apply for financial aid at this stage. Discover all admission requirements.

International Students

If you obtained your undergraduate diploma from a non-US university, we require additional documentation to review your application. Learn how to apply to Naropa as an international student.

Costs and Financial Aid

Naropa University students have access to several financial aid opportunities and scholarships – over 75% of our graduate students receive some sort of financial support to pursue their studies. Use our calculator to estimate your tuition, housing, materials and other costs.

Graduate Scholarship Opportunities

Interested in our Low-Residency Creative Writing MFA?

Read our blog or listen to our podcast, heartfire festival returns to naropa university, episode 92. andrew schelling: writing as a spiritual practice, womxn of naropa celebrates national poetry month, summer writing program from the archives, together in spirit, student support and resources, academic support, online student support, career services, financial aid, accessibility, related programs, mfa in creative writing, ba in creative writing and literature, request information, plan a visit, about naropa, events & community, user information, support naropa.

2130 Arapahoe Avenue Boulder, CO 80302

1-800-772-6951

[email protected]

Worried about a Student?

© 2024 naropa university. all rights reserved., you are ready..

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

“*” indicates required fields

• Request Info
• Visit Campus
• COVID-19 Updates

Search Naropa University

Naropa campuses closed on friday, march 15, 2024.

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

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

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Data Visualizations
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Homeschool Resources
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Outdoor Adventure
• Private High School Spotlight
• Research Programs
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Teacher Tools
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing

Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing

The Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing program is unique in that it considers language as one among many available materials. Situated in a school of art and design known for its strong support of interdisciplinary practices, our program encourages experimentation within and across writing forms, genres, and mediums along with a variety of publishing formats to include print, digital, sound, performance, and text-image works. This is writing as studio art.

The program offers tracks in prose, poetry, cross-genre, and literary translation. Portland-based residencies in winter and summer are supplemented with mentor-based independent work throughout the rest of the year.

Low-Residency Model

Residency Dates

Low Residency Creative Writing at PNCA: Summer Residency 2024 Talks, Workshops, Readings, Panels, and Performances

From June 20 to June 30, PNCA's Low Residency Creative Writing program hosts its Summer Residency. Here's information on talks, workshops, readings, panels, and performances.

PNCA's Low Residency Creative Writing January 2024 Residency Talks, Workshops, Readings, and Performances

PNCA's Low Residency Creative Writing January 2024 Residency Talks, Workshop, Readings, and Performances include new faculty Jennifer S Cheng, Megan Milks, Lara Mimosa Montes, and Emilly Prado and Guest Artist Gabrielle Civil. 

2023 National Portfolio Day Hosted at PNCA

Launch your future in art and design! Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a portfolio review before applying to colleges or universities.

PNCA Graduate Symposium: Art + Social Consciousness

PNCA welcomes the Portland community to participate in this year’s Graduate Symposium with keynote speakers featuring: Nina Elder + vanessa german!

Amanda Ross-Ho and Catherine Taft, in conversation, hosted by PNCA & ILY2

The Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies, in collaboration with ILY2, is pleased to announce a conversation between artist Amanda Ross-Ho and writer and curator Catherine Taft.

Writing in Portland

Our annual residencies are in the heart of Portland, Oregon where we are deeply integrated into its community of artists and writers who have made a real commitment to making art that is revelatory, experimental, and that advocates for social justice.

The program draws upon our existing strong relationships with partners in our burgeoning Portland literary scene—including Write Around Portland (WRAP), IN TRANSLATION Reading Series, Literary Arts, Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC), Regional Arts & Cultural Council (RACC), Mother Foucault’s bookshop, Powell’s Books, Passages Bookshop, Poetry Press Week, Tender Table, Street Books, along with a host of local, regional, and national small presses, e.g., Tavern Books, Gramma Poetry, New Directions, Wave Books, Hawthorne Books, among others.

Thanks to a Collins Foundation Grant, we are able to fulfill our envisioning principle of encouraging equity in race, gender, and sexual identification/orientation in American literary culture.

For more information or for any questions about the program, email Jay Ponteri , Director of Low-Res MFA in Creative Writing, or Graduate Admissions .

• Back to Hood.edu

Introducing the New Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing

Hood College is excited to launch the low-residency MFA in creative writing beginning June 2024, a 48-credit program in fiction or poetry that includes four remote mentorship semesters and three 10-day summer residencies.

Inaugural Residency Launches June 2024

• English & Communication Arts
• Graduate School
• Graduate Student

Elizabeth Knapp, Ph.D., program director, discusses the new Creative Writing MFA below.

How did you get the idea for the low-residency MFA at Hood College?

The day of my interview in May 2008 (which was also the last day of classes), as I was walking across campus with my future colleagues, I said to one of them, “You know, this would be a lovely place for a low-residency MFA in creative writing,” and with that, the idea for the program was born. It’s been 15 years in the making now.

What’s unique about Hood College’s low-residency MFA in creative writing?

There are several key features of our program that we think make it stand out:

First, we are the only low-residency MFA in the state of Maryland that offers concentrations in both fiction and poetry; second, our program includes summer residencies on Hood College’s beautiful campus, which is within walking distance of Downtown Frederick (and one hour from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.), with its lively historic district featuring great restaurants, shops and a wonderful independent bookstore ; third, for the second of the three summer residencies, students have the option of attending the Prague Summer Program for Writers ; fourth, in addition to scholarships and other funding opportunities, we offer students the chance to help launch and serve on the staff of our new online literary magazine, Pergola ; fifth, our program focuses on literary publishing, and by the end of the program, students will be submitting their work to literary journals and magazines and may even be starting to publish it; finally, our program features dynamic permanent and guest faculty, including award-winning poets and fiction writers.

Students in the program will play an essential role in its development, and we look forward to welcoming writers from a variety of backgrounds and professions.

Why did you choose to partner with the Prague Summer Program?

The nation’s oldest study-abroad program for creative writers in the English language, the Prague Summer Program has been on our radar since the inception of our program. Now operating as an LLC, the Prague Summer Program had been affiliated for many years with the University of New Orleans and then Western Michigan University. As a Ph.D. student at the latter, I attended the PSP in summer 2005 and served as a teaching assistant for the poet Anne Marie Macari , so I have first-hand knowledge of the program’s outstanding faculty , including two MacArthur Fellows and a National Book Award Winner in fiction. In addition to the option of a three-week second summer residency through the PSP, we’ll also be offering teaching assistantships in the program.

What is the program’s philosophy?

Central to our program’s philosophy is the idea of balance—between writing and the demands of everyday life, between periods of solitude and social interaction—as well as the presence of a diverse and cohesive literary community. The latter in particular is essential to our identity as a program, as we believe that while we may write in solitude, we work together as a community to bring our art into the world.

The idea of balance is also central to the way we’ve structured our program. Our 10-day summer residencies are designed to immerse students in activities and subjects central to the writing life and to foster a sense of community and fellowship with other writers. At the end of the residency period, students return to their individual writing lives reenergized and recommitted to the practice of writing. They then commence a period of concentrated reading and writing in the semester between residencies under the close guidance of a faculty mentor.

Along with the residency experience, literary mentorship is a hallmark of our program. The mentorship semester is designed to help students develop close working relationships with experienced teachers and published authors who can direct them in all matters of literary craft, criticism and publishing. As immersive experiences, the mentorship semesters also provide students with a solid foundation in literary history, theory and practice, and students are expected to read broadly and deeply both within their genre and across genres.

Learn more about the new low-residency MFA in creative writing.

Are you ready to say Hello?

Choose a pathway.

Information will vary based on program level. Select a path to find the information you're looking for!

MFA in Writing

Read. Write. Be Read.

One of the top low-residency programs in the country, the Bennington Writing Seminars is a  two-year, rigorous exploration of craft. You commit as much to reading as to writing and critical literary analysis. You create bold new works of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and may work in a dual-genre . You finish with a polished thesis and a critical paper. All this with the expert 1:1 guidance of acclaimed authors who develop a stake in your work. Our alumni, faculty, students, and staff publish work at the highest levels. Applications accepted March 1 and September 1.

What our Alumni Say

“There’s such an unparalleled and unwavering sense of support.”

Models & Mentors

Our faculty-student ratio of 1:1 provides true mentorship. You work closely with a faculty member who is an accomplished writer and a distinguished teacher.

Develop Your Skills

You may focus on one or more genres at Bennington. While most choose to specialize in fiction , nonfiction , or poetry , others work across two genres through our Dual-Genre Degree .

You may apply to begin during either of the 10-day residency sessions in 2025: Winter term (residency: January 9-19, 2025) or Summer term  (residency dates to come). Application deadlines are September 1  to begin in January and March 1 to begin in June.

Inclusive Community

We are committed to increasing access to our program for students from diverse backgrounds and to building community through sustained dialogue and practice. We offer  scholarships, and fund the emerging voices we want to support and read .

Bennington offer a self-directed pace that allows you to develop a sustainable, lifelong writing practice. We know how important it is for MFA students to gain teaching experience so we've developed the Residential Teaching Fellows program—a first-of-its-kind teaching opportunity among low residency MFA programs , among others.

Scholarships, Fellowships, Loans

We offer a range of scholarships  and  federal financial aid loans . All applicants are considered for merit scholarships.  Please contact us with any questions .

What Our Faculty Members Say

Nonfiction faculty member and MFA alum Hugh Ryan explains how the low-residency format worked for him.

@BennMFA_Writing

• Remote Residency Resources
• Academic Calendar
• College Catalog and Student Handbook
• VCFA Stories
• Program Commons
• Webmail Login
• Student Accounts
• Accessibility
• Alumnx Events & Programs
• Benefits & Services
• Registrar & Transcripts
• Magazine: In Residence
• Share Your News
• VCFA Resources
• External Resources
• Music Composition Resources
• Scholar’s Toolbox
• Summer Residency
• Winter Residency
• VCFA Announces Partnership with CalArts
• VCFA Newsletter Sign-up
• Make a Gift
• Graphic Design
• Music Composition
• Writing for Children & Young Adults
• The Center for Arts + Social Justice
• Postgraduate Semesters
• Picture Book Intensive
• Postgraduate Writers’ Conference
• Novel Retreat
• YA Novel Retreat
• Apply to VCFA
• Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid
• What is a Low-Residency MFA?
• International Students
• Tuition Deposit
• Mission & Values
• Land Acknowledgment
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• VCFA at a Glance
• Accreditation
• Honorary Degrees
• Our History
• Faculty & Staff
• Jobs at VCFA
• Rent Our Facilities
• Disclosures & Policies
• Fundraising Priorities
• Ways to Give

MFA in Writing

"Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain, but at the peak we all gaze at the single bright moon." —Jippensah Ikku

On this Page

About the Program

Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, literary translation, hybridization: No matter your interest, we nurture and inspire each student’s unique vision.

Key Information

Residency Dates & Locations

• Summer: July 13-21, 2024 Colorado Springs, CO (Colorado College campus)
• Winter 2025 Valencia, CA (CalArts campus)

Admissions Info » Contact our admissions team at [email protected] .

How will your VCFA experience change you?

Our students tell us that the MFA in Writing program is nothing less than transformative, that after two years they re-enter the world redefined and changed. What was once a fledgling writing practice is now an integral and dynamic part of who they are as artist-writers. VCFA’s insistence on full immersion in words, writing, and literature equips our students with the tools they need to face the human experience head-on and transform life into art.

Limitless Possibilities, Boundless Opportunities

One-on-one mentoring is the backbone of VCFA’s unparalleled writing program. Students work individually with teachers who are also esteemed working writers, bringing each student’s talent into full bloom. Through this collaboration, students’ art, craft, and aesthetic evolve exponentially. More than any other program—low-residency or traditional—our MFA in Writing offers study options for students who wish to explore the intersections of various forms and disciplines, as well as the opportunity to concentrate in a single genre. And, we offer a rarity in low-residency programs: an MFA in Literary Translation.

Virtual Information Session

Join us to learn more about the low residency mfa in writing program and the application process. in these sessions we will discuss: .

•         MFA in Writing Overview
•         What is Low Residency?
•         Curriculum & Faculty Mentorship
•         Preparing Your Application
•         Q&A

Questions? Please email [email protected] .

Click the link below to learn more and RSVP.

Experience VCFA’s low-residency model.

VCFA’s academic calendar is divided into two semesters per year: a summer and winter semester respectively. Each semester begins with a 9-day residency that offers writers  a vibrant time of workshops, lectures, discussions, and readings by faculty, graduating students, and distinguished visiting writers.

Residencies offer a student-centered learning environment that honors diverse perspectives and voices. This close community of writers challenges, inspires, and affirms. During residencies, students and faculty convene together and have ample opportunities for informal exchange over meals or at events, creating powerful relationships and artistic support systems that last long past graduation.

At each residency, students are paired with a faculty advisor and develop an individualized semester study plan based on their goals and intensive dialogue with faculty mentors. 

In addition to their Writing community, students are on campus with our five other MFA programs during residency: Film, Graphic Design, Music Composition, Writing for Children & Young Adults, and Visual Art. Each writer will have the opportunity during residency for interdisciplinary study, work, and networking. 

The MFA in Writing program also offers travel residency opportunities. Past residencies have included Slovenia, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Mexico , Rome, and Asheville, NC.

Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have attended five unique and invigorating residencies that guide their creative work while offering minimal disruption to their professional life and personal schedule.

The MFA in Writing program offers hybrid residencies for all students, meaning that students may elect to participate in person or remotely. Workshops and other residency events are hybrid, meaning some faculty and students will be online and others will be in person. Writing students are required to select a residency mode three months prior to the residency. The number of faculty who participate remotely will be determined by the number of students who elect to participate remotely. The entire staff and faculty of VCFA remain jointly committed to supporting these hybrid residencies and the needs of the students and faculty. It is important to note that all participating students and faculty are required to participate fully in all events at each residency, regardless of whether they are in person or remote.

WINTER 2024 WORKSHOP OFFERINGS

Semester work.

Mentorship & Individualized Study

Following each residency, students return home and devote at least 25 hours per week to their studies. Our 5:1 student-faculty ratio maximizes individual attention and fosters close relationships.

The semester’s main focus is creative work, supplemented by a substantial reading list and critical analysis. Students engage remotely with their faculty advisors through monthly exchanges of creative and critical work and ongoing dialogue about their process and development. Our mentorship model provides more individualized feedback on student writing than most traditional classroom programs. Faculty advisors tailor feedback and critique to meet students’ individual needs, while maintaining an academic rigor that has marked our program’s success.

EXPLORE, EXPERIMENT, EXPAND

First and foremost, being a writer means you are a lifelong student of the human condition. That exploration can take many forms—Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Literary Translation—or an exciting engagement in which forms intersect, creating new hybrids, new ways of looking at who we are.

At VCFA, no matter which path you choose, exemplary writers, thinkers, and teachers will accompany you on your journey. And with opportunities to intern with our renowned literary magazine, Hunger Mountain Review , you will gain professional publishing experience.

It's the best of worlds—the modern classroom and the age-old experience of apprenticeship—a serious, personal, and thrilling way to learn.

Sue William Silverman

Faculty co-chair, mfa in writing [cnf/hybrid forms]; postgraduate writers' conference.

Clifford Thompson

Faculty, mfa in writing [cnf/ hybrid forms]; postgraduate writers' conference.

Chachi Hauser

Faculty, mfa in writing [cnf].

Ellen Lesser

Faculty, mfa in writing [fiction]; director, postgraduate writers' conference.

Faculty, MFA in Writing [fiction/CNF]

Richard Jackson

Faculty, mfa in writing [poetry].

Caleb Curtiss

Robin MacArthur

Faculty, mfa in writing [fiction]; novel retreat.

Adam McOmber

Faculty co-chair, mfa in writing [fiction/hybrid forms]; editor in chief, hunger mountain review.

Harrison Candelaria Fletcher

Natasha Sajé

Faculty, mfa in writing [poetry/cnf].

Fernando A. Flores

Faculty, mfa in writing [fiction].

Nance Van Winckel

Faculty, mfa in writing [fiction/poetry].

Leslie Ullman

Betsy Sholl

Hasanthika Sirisena

Philip Metres

Samuel Kọ́láwọlé

Tarfia Faizullah

Faculty, mfa in writing [poetry], visiting poet, summer 2016.

David Wojahn

Faculty, mfa in writing [poetry]; postgraduate writers' conference.

Clint McCown

Wanjikū Wa Ngūgī

Barbara Hurd

Connie May Fowler

Faculty, mfa in writing [fiction/cnf]; director, novel retreat.

Miciah Bay Gault

Patrick Madden

Faculty, mfa in writing [cnf/hybrid forms], program faculty.

Tere Dávila

Visiting writer, winter 2018.

Dionne Irving

Visiting writer, mfa in writing.

Mary Cappello

Visiting creative nonfiction writer, summer 2017.

Yusef Komunyakaa

Visiting poet, winter 2022.

William Giraldi

Faculty, postgraduate writers' conference; visiting creative nonfiction writer, winter 2023.

Mary Ruefle

Visiting poet, summer 2018, visiting writers, my faculty mentors were amazing—brilliant artists and writers, and supportive, thoughtful mentors who challenged and inspired me., alumnx stories, allison hong merrill, 2018 mfa in writing, ann dávila cardinal, 2007 mfa in writing, literary journal.

Hunger Mountain Review is an annual print journal of the arts, housed at VCFA. We publish fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, visual art, graphic design, young adult/children’s writing, and literary miscellany.

By the Numbers

Frequently asked questions, what is your teaching philosophy.

There is no “one way” to write in our program. The MFA in Writing recognizes that writing approaches and styles are as diverse as our students themselves, and we value and encourage differences while emphasizing a common pursuit of excellence.

The two years students spend in this program invigorate a lifelong commitment to writing and reading. We seek to provide a foundation from which students can continue to refine their craft and expand their knowledge of literature. In addition, our program helps students develop lasting writing practices and processes while becoming part of a close community of writers that acts as a support system for years to come.

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is a distinct and valued genre at VCFA. We believe that all voices, styles, and subject matter are equally valid in the search for emotional and artistic truth. The work of our faculty and visiting writers embodies the broad range of approaches open to our CNF students.

We teach personal, meditative, and lyric essays; the memoir; immersion writing; hybrid and experimental forms; as well as the traditional, more formal essay. Students explore the self within the context of family dynamics and childhood, the natural world, travel, place, and spiritual, social and cultural issues. We work with students individually to discover their most profound work in a safe and nurturing environment.

Meet our CNF faculty !

Henry James once wrote that the house of fiction has many windows. These words could serve as a statement of purpose for the fiction faculty at VCFA.

We teach all forms and style—novels, novellas, short stories, story collections, and flash fiction. Our fiction faculty has, as a whole, published work in every genre, and our aesthetic tastes are eclectic. We aim to help students find a unique voice and vision. We encourage exploration and inventiveness, while emphasizing craft, structure, and the necessity of reading widely and critically.

Meet our fiction faculty !

At VCFA, we understand that we are catalysts to a process that will continue well beyond a writer’s time in our program; we seek to help foster a productive and enduring life of writing and reading poetry.

We encourage exploration and innovation. We also facilitate exposure to elements of craft, literary history, and contemporary poetry. In addition, we encourage our poets to familiarize themselves with the kinds of poems they want to write in a given semester: narrative poems, lyric or meditative poems, poems written in traditional forms as well as in experimental modes, longer works such as suites and sequential poems, and hybrid forms such as “off the page” poetry which combine writing with art and photography.

We also encourage poets to familiarize themselves with translation whether or not they choose to participate in our more structured translation option. Our residencies in Slovenia and Cozumel often present, among many other benefits, opportunities to collaborate directly with poets writing in another language.

Meet our poetry faculty !

What can I expect from workshop?

The creative writing workshop is a core component of the residency experience, one that all students fully participate in. We offer a wide array of workshops, including manuscript-based, theme-based, cross-genre, generative, experimental, hybrid, and more. Workshops are led by one or two faculty members and typically include between six to eight students. Our small workshops allow for optimum creativity and encourage participants to explore with new eyes and open minds their chosen genre(s). These art-based laboratories are dynamic, safe spaces in which to learn, experiment, grow.

What is the difference between the Critical Thesis and the Creative Thesis?

The Critical Thesis, completed by the end of your third semester, focuses on close, critical reading on a topic of your choosing. You will have plenty of time to learn the craft of writing a critical essay as you move through the program. Your Creative Thesis, completed by the end of your fourth semester, is a book-length collection of original work (short stories, a novel, poems, essays, or memoir) completed or substantially revised while in the program.

Online Students

For All Online Programs

International Students

On Campus, need or have Visa

Campus Students

For All Campus Programs

Online MFA in Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts

Earn an MFA in Creative Writing Online

• $637/credit (48 credits total)
• Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
• 100% online – no residency required
• Four fiction genres to choose from
• Career-focused certificate included
• No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required

Online MFA in Creative Writing Program Overview

Share your story with the world and let the power of storytelling take your career to new heights with an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing . As one of the only programs available that encourages a focus on genre fiction, our online MFA lets you hone your craft in an area specific to your strengths and interests. You'll also learn about the business side of creative writing, preparing you to market your work in the real world.

While most MFA programs require a residency, Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online, with no travel necessary.

“Traditional MFA programs, whether full-time or low residency, are out of reach for many writers,” said Paul Witcover , associate dean of creative writing. “The SNHU online MFA was designed to make the MFA experience accessible to all fiction writers, opening the door to diverse voices excluded for too long from the literary conversation. Our program is dedicated to giving writers the tools to succeed on the page and beyond it.”

Graduates leave the program with a completed and revised novel in one of our four offered genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance and Speculative. With the included certificates in either online teaching of writing or professional writing , you'll have the skills to support your writing career, no matter where it takes you.

.st0{fill:#21386D;} What You'll Learn

• The business and technical sides of professional writing
• How to navigate the publishing ecosystem, identify agents and editors, and market your work to appeal to decision-makers
• Using social media to gain a following and build your brand
• How to teach writing in a classroom setting

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

The Value of an Online MFA

Emily Jones ’20 embraced a transformational experience through the online MFA in Creative Writing program, which supported her in taking her writing career to the next level. “I can now say, without even a hint of imposter syndrome, that I am a writer,” said Jones. “And that is because of Southern New Hampshire University.”

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors made a median annual salary of $69,510 in 2021, while editors made $63,350. 1

“Our mission is to give students a degree and associated practical skills they can use to forge successful pathways in academia, business, or by blazing their own career trail,” said Paul Witcover , associate dean of creative writing.

Earning one of the included certificates in online teaching of writing or professional writing will also be an invaluable addition to your resume for part-time, full-time and freelance jobs in a variety of fields, including:

• Higher education. Instruct writing courses in higher education settings. In 2021, postsecondary teachers made a median annual wage of $79,640, and you can expect to see a 12% growth in available positions through 2031, according to the BLS. 1
• Advertising. Use your storytelling skills in a way that influences consumer action. As a copywriter, you could find yourself doing any number of writing projects from crafting emails and ads to writing entire commercials.
• Marketing. If you're more comfortable with long-form prose, many businesses have invested in content writers who create quality content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts to attract and retain customers.
• Entertainment. Good at building suspense or setting up punchlines? From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, being a good storyteller and writer is important to finding success in the entertainment industry.
• History. Every person's life has a plot, but it takes writers like you to tell their stories in a compelling way. Help readers relive the experiences of historic figures and pop culture icons as a biographer.

Higher Education

Instruct writing courses in higher education at a college or university, either in-person or online.

Advertising

Influence consumer action through copywriting, from print ads to digital advertising and broadcast commercials.

Create written content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts to attract and retain customers.

Entertainment

From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, writers often find success in the entertainment industry.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts favorable job growth in postsecondary education. And while statistics are not available for all job settings mentioned above, the BLS reports the following:

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } Job Growth

The BLS predicts an 8% growth in available postsecondary teaching positions through 2032. 1

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } Potential Salary

Writers and authors made a median annual salary of $73,150 in 2022, while editors made $73,080 and postsecondary teachers made $80,840. 1

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Start Your Journey Toward an Online MFA in Creative Writing

If you're looking to earn your Master of Fine Arts online, you've found the right program. Even though there are no residency requirements, you'll still interact frequently with other students and faculty members in asynchronous discussions, critique workshops and within our online writer’s community, where students come together to share industry news, extend writing tips and develop critique partnerships.

"I liked MFA-514 (Advanced Studies in Genre Literature) best," said student Jamilla Geter . "It was a great look into the different genres. It really helped me narrow down what genre I wanted to write in."

"Though it was not writing exactly, its connection to it – especially in our digital world – was made clear almost immediately," she said. "Writing is not just providing content of value to your readers, but also creating avenues of access so those readers can find your content. This course helped me to understand that and to learn how I can create those avenues."

Besides allowing you to focus on your own creative interests, part of our 48-credit online MFA curriculum requires you to choose from 2 certificate offerings designed to round out your education and better prepare you for a multitude of writing-related careers.

The first choice is a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing , which is tailored to those who see themselves teaching in an online classroom setting as a supplement to their writing careers. Students practice approaches to editing and coaching, learning how to establish a virtual instructor presence and cultivate methods for supporting and engaging students within online writing communities.

Learn more about the online teaching of writing graduate certificate .

Students can also choose the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing , which highlights the technical and business opportunities available to writers. Students will develop a range of skills, such as copywriting, social media, marketing principles and/or content generation, learning many of the freelancing skills integral to today’s project-driven economy.

Learn more about the professional writing graduate certificate .

All of our courses are taught by accomplished authors and industry professionals who know both the craft and business of creative writing. They will work closely with you to develop both your creative and professional skill set.

"All instructors within my program were extremely knowledgeable and helpful," Warden said. "I learned a lot about the different career paths my instructors chose. ... The course instruction, along with their anecdotal experiences, helped in offering knowledge in different areas of our field.

MFA Program Thesis

The thesis for the Online MFA in Creative Writing is required to be a novel of at least 50,000 words in one of the four genres the program offers: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, and Speculative.

Every Southern New Hampshire University online MFA student who graduates from the program will do so with a revised novel manuscript in their chosen genre, which is completed in a three-course thesis series. Throughout your tenure in the program, you can either work on a singular idea that you will develop during the three thesis courses, or you can begin a new project for your thesis. You can also combine elements of the four genres offered in the program for your thesis. For example, your thesis might be a YA Speculative Fiction novel.

"My three thesis classes for the MFA degree were the most helpful," said Kathleen Harris '21 . "I was actually writing a book as my thesis, so it was both enjoyable and advantageous for the degree. And it was the end of a very long milestone of accomplishments."

Minimum Hardware Requirements Component Type PC (Windows OS) Apple (Mac OS) Operating System Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. Currently supported operating system from Apple. Memory (RAM) 8GB or higher 8GB or higher Hard Drive 100GB or higher 100GB or higher Antivirus Software Required forcampus students. Strongly recommended for online students. Required forcampus students. Strongly recommended for online students. SNHU Purchase Programs Visit Dell Visit Apple Internet/ Bandwidth 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency Notes:   Laptop or desktop?   Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.  Note:   Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.  Office 365 Pro Plus  is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for  Microsoft 365 plans  for business, education and government.  Antivirus software:  Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.  if (typeof accordionGroup === "undefined") { window.accordionGroup = new accordion(); } accordionGroup.init(document.getElementById('f756dce5bd874c61855f6f6e92d88470')); University Accreditation

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs: Course Materials ($ varies by course). Foundational courses may be required based on your undergraduate course history, which may result in additional cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Academic Spotlight: Liberal Arts Associate Dean Paul Witcover

6 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills at Work

Is a Communication Degree Worth It?

Related programs.

• Search for GO
• Become a Celtic
• By Location
• All Locations
• Satellite Locations
• By Degree Type
• All Degree Types
• Undergraduate
• Certificates
• All Subjects
• Art & Design
• Business & Management
• Data Analytics
• English & Communications
• Law & Criminal Justice
• Psychology & Counseling
• Science & Math
• Social & Behavioral Sciences
• Academic Information
• Professional Development
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Support
• General Education Curriculum
• Course Catalogs
• Honors Program
• Experiential Learning
• Study Abroad
• Faculty & Student Research
• Institutional Review Board
• College in High School
• Apply to Carlow
• International
• Military & Veterans
• For Counselors & Consultants
• Meet our Admissions Team
• Visit Campus
• Schedule Your Visit
• Enrollment Events
• Virtual Tours
• Questions You Should Ask
• Tuition & Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid
• Financial Aid Forms
• Payment Options
• Net Price Calculator
• Scholarships & Awards
• New Student Information
• New Student Checklist
• Helpful Links
• Deals & Discounts
• Carlow Identity
• Mission & Vision
• Core Values
• Diversity Statement
• Philosophy Statement
• Catholic Intellectual Tradition
• Heritage & Mission
• The Sisters Of Mercy
• 90th Anniversary
• Mercy & Justice
• Worship Opportunities
• Campus Ministry
• Mercy Service
• Social Justice Institutes
• Atkins Center for Ethics
• Campus Life
• Equity & Inclusion
• U-Pass Program
• Parking & Public Transportation
• Pittsburgh & Our Neighborhood
• Clubs & Activities
• Campus Safety
• Contact Campus Police
• Download Campus Safety App
• Police & Security Services
• Safety & Security Policies
• Student Services
• Technology Support
• Tutoring & Academic Coaching
• Pittsburgh Promise at Carlow
• TRiO Student Support Services
• Disability Services
• Career Development
• The Mercy Center for Care
• Domestic & Sexual Violence Support
• Health & Wellness
• Health Services
• Counseling Services
• Emergency Care
• Alumni Newsletter: Celtic Connection
• Carlow Connect
• Alumni Events
• Class Ambassadors
• Support Carlow
• Give to Carlow
• Mentorship Program
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Request Transcripts
• President’s Report
• Alumni Benefits
• Career Services
• Continue your education
• About University Advancement & Alumni Engagement
• Meet the Staff
• Alumni Council
• About Carlow
• The Carlow Commitment: Our Five-Year Strategic Plan
• Quick Facts
• Campus & Locations
• Maps, Directions & Parking
• About Pittsburgh
• Center for 21st Century Innovation & Workforce Development
• Administration
• President’s Office
• Board of Trustees
• Departments & Offices
• Faculty & Staff Directory
• Event Rental Space
• Women of Spirit
• Carlow in the News
• Commencement
• University Events
• Carlow Impact Series
• Request Info
• Employee Login
• Student Login
• Request Transcript
• Celtic Leadership Institute

MFA in Creative Writing (Low-Residency)

Reach your full writing potential with your master’s in creative writing.

Join a community of writers from all walks of life on an immersive and personalized educational journey. Our faculty and mentors have uniquely designed a low-residency, personalized program geared toward helping you discover and reach your full writing potential in fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry.  

An integral part of the program are four, 11-day residencies, in Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland, that create an opportunity for you to engage and interface with fellow students, staff, mentors, and visiting renowned writers.

You will work one-on-one with American and Irish Mentors. With their expert guidance and your skill, you will become the writer you were meant to be.

Quick facts

• Sharpen your writing and storytelling skills in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry
• Learn an immersive and supportive community
• Travel to Pittsburgh and Ireland for engaging 11-day residencies with internationally-known writers

Credits Required:

Cost per credit:.

$1,124/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 5 semesters

On campus, some online

Master’s in creative writing curriculum 

You will work one-on-one with mentors both virtually and in person as you explore writing genres and engage in four, 11-day residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland. The residencies include workshops, masterclasses, and mentor conferences as well as opportunities to engage with visiting writers and alumni.

In a required practicum, you will work on a writing and reading plan and submit work for critique, review, and collaborative feedback. By the end of the program, you will produce a publishable body of work.

Choose the creative writing specialization that is best for you

Choose the creative writing area that best fits your career goals and personal aspirations. Each specialization provides you with the opportunity to hone the writing and storytelling skills for that area.

Develop your author’s voice and explore your creativity as you learn to write with a fiction focus. Choose from historical fiction, flash fiction, and young adult fiction. 

Creative Nonfiction

Explore memoirs, personal essays, short narrative work, and lyric essays as you find the voice and structure that best suits your story.

Understand the theories and treatment skills needed to work with a Explore your creativity, refine your voice, collaborate with other students and work with acclaimed and published poets to develop a publishable body of work.

GEORGIA HERTZ '23

“Writing - like any artform - can be a lonely path to tread, but it doesn't have to be done in isolation. Never have I felt such warmth and compassion from a group of writers as I have from my peers and mentors at Carlow University, both in Pittsburgh and in Dublin. We all delight in our growth as writers and we celebrate each other's successes with love, as if they were our own.”

PHILIP BORDER '22

“Every member of the poetry, fiction and CNF programs all feel like extended family members to me. They are always checking up on me to see what's new with my writing and to keep up on all of my forthcoming publications."

20: Carlow University MFA in Creative Writing Program’s 20th Anniversary Anthology

View or download our latest e-newsletter [pdf].

Tess Barry Program Director, MFA

Aimee Zellers, PhD Interim Associate Provost, Associate Professor of Philosophy

Joseph Bathanti Mentor, MFA

Richard Blanco Mentor, MFA

Evelyn Conlon Mentor, MFA

Carlo Gébler Mentor, MFA

Diane Glancy Mentor, MFA

Geeta Kothari Mentor, MFA

Gerry LaFemina Mentor, MFA

Brian Leyden Mentor, MFA

Karin Lin-Greenberg Mentor, MFA

Jean O'Brien Mentor, MFA

Lee Ann Roripaugh Mentor, MFA

Sarah Shotland Assistant Professor, Creative Writing

Judith Vollmer Mentor, MFA

Niall Williams Mentor, MFA

Enda Wyley Mentor, MFA

Jean o’brien mentor, mfa, contact admissions.

If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event .

Support the Next Generation of Writers through our 20th Anniversary Scholarship Campaign.

Get the Reddit app

Discussions about the writing craft.

Insight on low-residency MFAs

Long-time lurker, first time poster hoping to glean some insight on low-residency MFAs.

I am a 30-something working in the climate space. I write a lot in this field, much of it academic in nature. However, since switching jobs last December, I’ve done a lot more climate storytelling pieces that would be considered creative writing. I enjoy this part of my work immensely and have unwittingly developed a portfolio of essays on climate change published on various websites (not literary by any nature, more in the climate campaign space).

As part of my professional development, my manager has suggested to take advantage of my organization’s tuition credit benefit and do an MFA in nonfiction writing. I thought it was out of the question since I could not possibly do a traditional MFA while working full-time, but I did a little bit of research and found that low-residency MFAs exist.

Does anyone have any insight on these kinds of programs or have experience completing one? I’m about to reach out to a few schools for information, but I’d love to learn from all of you to get a more holistic view.

NOTICE: NOTIFICATION — DATE

Virtual Open House

What should you look for when choosing an MFA program? What makes Spalding’s graduate writing programs unique? Sign up today to reserve your spot for our virtual info session on July 16!

Writing Admission Requirements

Email School of Writing

Join us at 12 PM ET (11 AM CT/10 AM MT/9 AM PT) to learn more about the Naslund-Mann School of Writi...

MFA Virtual Open House

Is an mfa in writing worth it.

An MFA in writing lets creative writers develop their craft while building a network of accomplished peers to provide camaraderie, support and practical assistance over a lifetime of writing and publishing. Hundreds of our alumni have published books and produced plays, films and TV shows.

The MFA is also the appropriate degree for writers seeking a career in academia teaching creative writing — although the market for creative writing professors is extremely tight, and landing a tenure-track position also requires significant publications (normally a book or two). Still, many of our alums hold creative writing professorships at top universities.

The MFA can also be useful professionally. While it is not focused on the career search in the way an MBA is, an MFA communicates creativity, independent thinking and intellectual curiosity — all attributes that employers value. Our alums’ job titles include magazine editor, arts administrator, screenwriter, TV producer, speechwriter, podcaster, business proposal writer, grant writer, book publicist, corporate communications director, marketing copywriter — even business analyst.

How hard is it to get into a creative writing MFA program?

It varies widely by program. At the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing, we don’t have a fixed number of slots to award each semester—we can accept as many or as few students as meet our admission requirements. We look for a highly accomplished writing sample, a critically astute commentary on a work the applicant admires, and a thoughtful personal statement demonstrating motivation, and willingness to learn. We don’t require the GRE or letters of recommendation because neither adequately reflects applicants’ readiness for graduate study in creative writing. Our acceptance rate is about 60 percent.

What is the average age of MFA creative writing students?

Many writers come to an MFA program after years, even decades, in an unrelated career or raising a family. Our students’ average age is 44. We also have students as young as 22. And our oldest student was 80 when she graduated and went on to publish as an alum.

Is an MFA a professional degree?

Yes. The MFA is the credential needed for teaching creative writing at the post-secondary level. It also gives writers a significant foundation for creating a successful writing career. MFA students gain insight into the work of editors, publishers, literary agents, and other creative professionals. They graduate with years of experience working one-on-one with mentors who are writers, playwrights, and screenwriters with years of professional experience.

Can you become a professor with an MFA in creative writing?

Yes. The MFA is the degree typically required for creative writing professors at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Does GPA matter for a creative writing MFA?

At Spalding, GPA is not a primary consideration when reviewing applications. The strength of the writing sample is our main concern.

We don’t require an undergraduate degree in English. In fact, many of our students come into the MFA program with established careers in entirely different fields, such as law, medicine, social work, education, business, and journalism, to name just a few.

Is it better to get an MFA or an MBA?

The MFA is the degree of choice for pursuing an artistic or literary career.

An MBA is traditionally the degree for seeking a career in the corporate world. Recently, the MFA has gained cachet in that area as well, because MFA students are taught to think creatively.

Do you need an MFA to be a writer?

An MFA isn’t required for a career as a writer, but it does give writers a thorough understanding of craft and a community or network to support them as they make their way through the world of publication and production.

Is a fully funded MFA better than one where I have to pay tuition?

While a fully funded MFA may sound like the better financial choice, often, students in those programs are required to work for the university, teaching classes while completing their studies. Teaching stipends are often too small to live on, so many students have to take on yet another job outside of the university to pay their bills. This workload can leave little time for writing and reading.

At Spalding, we provide scholarships and assistantships in the form of partial tuition remission. Our students don’t need stipends because they return home after residency and continue their working lives during their independent study. Students can choose the slower pace of our extended independent study option to help fit their studies into an already busy life. This model teaches students to integrate their writing practice into their daily lives—an essential skill for creating a sustainable writing life.

Take the Next Step

	University of Houston
	Jun 28, 2024   2024-2025 Graduate Catalog (Catalog goes into effect at the start of the Fall 2024 semester)     2024-2025 Graduate Catalog (Catalog goes into effect at the start of the Fall 2024 semester) | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences    > Department of English    > Creative Writing, MFA Admission Requirements In addition to meeting the college graduate admission requirements   , applicants to the MFA in Creative Writing program must meet the following minimum requirements for admission to the program and for the degree: The applicant should have completed 12 hours of advanced English with an average of 3.0 or better grade point average. The applicant should have two years of college-level study in one foreign language or otherwise demonstrate, with a passing score on the GSFLT, a reading knowledge of a foreign language. Three letters of recommendation. Submission of a manuscript consisting of a maximum of 10 pages of poetry or 20-25 pages of fiction. A statement of intent (1,000 or fewer words): reasons for pursuing graduate study in creative writing, which writers in the applicant’s genre the applicant is reading, and comments on those writers. On a separate sheet of paper, list awards and publications of the applicant. Two official copies of transcripts from each school attended. The GRE Advanced Subject (Code 64) score is not required for MFA applicants. an overall undergraduate or graduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher (on a 4‐ point scale) from an institution accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations as specified in the UH Minimum Qualifications for Admission to Masters and Doctoral Programs ( General Admission Policy   ), or a grade point average in the top 80% on other GPA scales and a combined IELTS score above 7 or TOEFL score above 79 or a DUOLINGO score above 105. Consult the Creative Writing Program for additional information and more specific requirements. Degree Requirements Students must complete a minimum of 36 hours of approved graduate courses. these courses must be distributed over creative writing workshops and courses in literary studies. Specific requirements are as follows: 15 hours in creative writing, including 9 hours in the primary genre, 3 hours of Master Workshop, and 3 hours of Poetic Forms and Techniques for poetry students, Fiction Forms and Techniques for fiction students, or Nonfiction Forms and Techniques for nonfiction students. Students are strongly encouraged to take the course in Forms and Techniques early in the MFA program. 3 hours of Writers on Literature 12 hours in English or American literature or other literary studies (Students should divide their courses between early and later literatures. Early British literature is defined as British literature before 1800 and early American literature is defined as American literature before 1865.) 6 hours of elective courses (literature or other literary studies, workshop in the primary genre, workshop in a crossover genre, Writers on Literature, or coursework in another department that complements the student’s program). In addition, MFA students must complete a creative thesis for 6 credit hours. In addition, MFA students must complete a creative thesis for 6 credit hours. Undergraduate STUDENT LIFE MFA in creative writing program hosting reading series Randolph College’s Master of Fine Arts in creative writing program is hosting a series of public readings in conjunction with its summer residency. Each reading begins at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 23 in Main Hall: Mira Jacob, Jean Chen Ho, Joy Priest, and Lilly Dancyger Monday, June 24 in Main Hall:  Anjali Sachdeva, Danez Smith, Clare Beams, and Cindy Juyoung Ok Tuesday, June 25 at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College: Jane Wong, Andrés Cerpa, and Ibtisam Barakat Wednesday, June 26, also at the Maier: Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Jos Charles, and John Vercher Friday, June 28 in Main Hall: Angel Nafis, Anthony Cody, and Crystal Hana Kim Saturday, in Main Hall: Eloisa Amezcua, Chet’la Sebree, and Phillip B. Williams Find out more about the MFA in creative writing program at https://www.randolphcollege.edu/mfa-cw/ . Randolph News Vita Abundantior Magazine Events Calendar Athletics Updates For the Media Office of College Relations 264 IMAGES mfa creative writing low residency Buy The Low-Residency Mfa Handbook: A Guide For Prospective Creative Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing > Institute of American Indian Mar 17 What Is A Low-Residency MFA?: How I Got My Degree Without mfa creative writing low residency Inside Lesley’s low-residency Creative Writing MFA program VIDEO Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program Info Session PNCA's Low Residency Creative Writing Program : Faculty Talk : Poupeh Missaghi VCFA MFA in Writing Faculty Interview: Sue William Siliverman Experience the VCFA MFA in Writing Experience the VCFA MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Faculty Voices: Lidia Yuknavitch COMMENTS A Guide to Low-Residency MFAs Faculty: Renee Gladman, David Levi Strauss, and others. Annual Tuition: $16,470. Bard's tuition isn't the lowest, but it's worth mentioning this program because over 90% of their students receive at least one type of grant aid (fellowship, scholarship, or both). Their residency is eight weeks and held every summer. What is a Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing? Low-residency creative writing degrees blend independent, guided study with several in-person residencies that include workshops, lectures, and individual meetings with faculty. Low-residency MFA degrees are designed to empower those who may not have the time to devote to regular class sessions or who may live far from universities offering ... Low-Residency M.F.A. in Creative Writing In the first and second semester, you will focus on drafting new creative material and expanding your knowledge of process and craft. Each semester, you will submit five packets of creative and critical work (roughly once a month). The first semester will focus in particular on the breadth of contemporary work and literary publishing. MFA Creative Writing Programs: Is Low Residency for You? A low-residency Creative Writing MFA combines one-on-one remote mentorships and brief residencies on campus. MFA in creative writing is considered a "terminal degree" in creative writing, which means that you're allowed to teach at accredited MFA programs once you have a degree. Students complete most coursework online under the guidance ... Low-Residency Creative Writing MFAs Many low-residency MFA programs in creative writing offer scholarships, although often of limited amounts—so it only erases a bit of the expense. Other schools may pay for your entire MFA pursuit. A few examples: New England College: 25% tuition discount applied to graduate level classes for NEC alumni. 15 Best Low Residency MFA Programs The best low residency MFA programs offer you a more cost-effective way to complete a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The difference between a low residency and a fully remote program is that you'll be expected to stay on campus for short periods throughout the year, giving you greater flexibility than if you'd have either been living on campus, or full-time in front of a computer ... Low-Residency MFA Creative Writing Degree Drexel University's two-year, low-residency MFA in Creative Writing is designed with the university's commitment to experiential and career-focused education in mind. Online workshops, reading tutorials, and one-on-one packet exchanges with notable published writers will help you deepen your understanding of your craft, while residencies ... Welcome to the MFA in Creative Writing A low-residency MFA accommodates every writer's complicated schedule and ambition. Dedicate time to your writing without upending your life in progress, get feedback from acclaimed writers and teachers, workshop online and in person, travel, focus and retreat, read, be as creative as you want to be, meet new people who are as serious about writing as you are, meet great writers in person ... The MFA Program for Writers The Nation's Premier Low-Residency MFA Program. Now in its fifth decade, the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, established in 1976 by master poet and teacher Ellen Bryant Voigt, continues to set the standard for the innovative model it pioneered.This rigorous, nurturing, and highly-selective four - semester graduate program, with study tracks in fiction and poetry, combines ... Low-Residency MFA An MFA is a degree that specializes in one of the fine arts, including creative writing, visual arts, filmmaking, theater, performing arts or graphic design, among others. ... then an MFA in writing - like the low-residency program at Southern New Hampshire University - certainly could be a good direction to take. Program Overview The MFA Program for Writers. In 1976, Ellen Bryant Voigt, renowned poet and master teacher, founded the nation's first low-residency creative writing program. In 1981, the program relocated from Vermont's Goddard College to one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, Warren Wilson College. Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing The Sierra Nevada Review is a biannual online literary magazine managed and edited by the MFA-CW students. The magazine publishes poetry, short fiction, and literary nonfiction "that leans toward the unconventional, surprising, and risky. We appreciate experiments in form and content, and prefer works whose meanings deepen on repeated ... Low Residency MFA Programs The Solstice Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program allows students to focus on their passion by offering 5 concentrations: Fiction (including genre & popular fiction) Creative nonfiction. Poetry. Comics & graphic narratives. Writing for children & young adults. Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Concentrations - Lasell University. Watch on. Low Residency MFA Creative Writing Naropa's Creative Writing MFA is a rigorous, generative, low-residency two-year program with 4 writing residencies in beautiful Boulder Colorado. The program combines asynchronous craft courses with on-campus residencies. Annual fall and spring residencies allow writers to connect with other writers and faculty, deepen their craft, and ... MFA Programs Database: 256 Programs for Creative Writers Our list of 256 MFA programs for creative writers includes essential information about low-residency and full-residency graduate creative writing programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries to help you decide where to apply. It also includes MA programs and PhD programs. 15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2024 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. Low Residency Creative Writing The Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing program is unique in that it considers language as one among many available materials. Situated in a school of art and design known for its strong support of interdisciplinary practices, our program encourages experimentation within and across writing forms, genres, and mediums along with a variety of publishing formats to include print, digital, sound ... Introducing the New Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Introducing the New Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing. Hood College is excited to launch the low-residency MFA in creative writing beginning June 2024, a 48-credit program in fiction or poetry that includes four remote mentorship semesters and three 10-day summer residencies. MFA in Writing MFA in Writing. Read. Write. Be Read. One of the top low-residency programs in the country, the Bennington Writing Seminars is a two-year, rigorous exploration of craft. You commit as much to reading as to writing and critical literary analysis. You create bold new works of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and may work in a dual-genre. MFA in Writing Our low residency MFA in Writing program was developed by award-winning faculty and published authors to nurture each student's unique passions, visions, and voice. ... The creative writing workshop is a core component of the residency experience, one that all students fully participate in. We offer a wide array of workshops, including ... Online MFA in Creative Writing Program "Traditional MFA programs, whether full-time or low residency, are out of reach for many writers," said Paul Witcover, associate dean of creative writing. "The SNHU online MFA was designed to make the MFA experience accessible to all fiction writers, opening the door to diverse voices excluded for too long from the literary conversation. MFA in Creative Writing (Low-Residency) Award-winning American and Irish writers mentor students in Carlow's low-residency MFA in Creative Writing Program with residencies in Pittsburgh and Dublin. Our MFA mentors are dedicated teachers and writers whose work has been recognized in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Within an inclusive, supportive community, our mentors are ... Insight on low-residency MFAs : r/writing Long-time lurker, first time poster hoping to glean some insight on low-residency MFAs. I am a 30-something working in the climate space. I write a lot in this field, much of it academic in nature. However, since switching jobs last December, I've done a lot more climate storytelling pieces that would be considered creative writing. MFA FAQ The MFA is the credential needed for teaching creative writing at the post-secondary level. It also gives writers a significant foundation for creating a successful writing career. MFA students gain insight into the work of editors, publishers, literary agents, and other creative professionals. Program: Creative Writing, MFA College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences > Department of English > Creative Writing, MFA. Admission Requirements. In addition to meeting the college graduate admission requirements , applicants to the MFA in Creative Writing program must meet the following minimum requirements for admission to the program and for the degree:. The applicant should have completed 12 hours of advanced English ... MFA in creative writing program hosting reading series MFA in creative writing program hosting reading series. Randolph College's Master of Fine Arts in creative writing program is hosting a series of public readings in conjunction with its summer residency. Each reading begins at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 23 in Main Hall: Mira Jacob, Jean Chen Ho, Joy Priest, and Lilly Dancyger PNCA_HallieFord 34 likes, 6 comments - pnca_hallieford on June 21, 2024: "PNCA's Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing program is excited to invite our faculty and guest artist for ... assignment essay homework paper phd report review speech thesis