master's degree in creative writing online

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Online MFA in Creative Writing Programs Focus Your Future in Fiction

Cost per credit $637

Total courses 16

Term length 10 Weeks

Program Overview Why get an MFA online?

Share your story with the world with an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing . Throughout the program, you'll learn from talented writers who will help you sharpen your skills. Not only will you graduate from the program with a completed novel, but you'll also learn about the business side of creative writing — so you can feel prepared to market your work.

And 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.

Skills you'll learn:

• The business and technical sides of professional writing
• Navigating the publishing ecosystem, identifying agents and editors, and marketing your work
• Using social media to gain a following and build your brand
• Teaching writing in a classroom setting

Courses & Curriculum Put pen to paper with online MFA Creative Writing courses

Explore genres, develop your writing skills and learn how to market yourself with an MFA in Creative Writing from SNHU. By the end of the program, you'll have written and revised a complete novel in one of four genres: contemporary, young adult, romance and speculative.

And with embedded certificates in either online teaching of writing or professional writing , you'll have the skills to support your writing career – no matter where you're headed next.

MFA Creative Writing course curriculum

In the MFA Creative Writing program, you'll study the craft of writing, selecting novels for close study of the elements of writing, authorial techniques, genre conventions and creative decisions.

And as one of the only programs of its kind that encourages a focus on genre fiction, our online MFA lets you hone your craft in an area specific to your strengths and interests. This culminates as your thesis project – a completed novel in the contemporary, young adult, romance or speculative genre.

At SNHU, we also know there's more to a career in writing than perfecting your craft. That's why the online MFA Creative Writing program puts a strong focus on the practical skills you'll need to succeed in the industry. This includes studying the publication process, helping you make informed decisions to get your work into readers' hands.

Courses may include:

Visit the course catalog to view the full MFA in Creative Writing curriculum .

PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements

Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements

Additional Information:

• 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. 

Licensure and Certification Disclosures

SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page .

Earn a career-focused writing certificate before graduating

In addition to a focus on your creative interests, part of our 48-credit online MFA curriculum requires you to choose from 2 certificate offerings. These certificates are included as part of your MFA program and are thoughtfully designed to round out your education and better prepare you for a multitude of writing-related careers.

The Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing could be the right fit for you if you're interested in teaching in an online classroom setting — a great supplement to a writing career. You'll learn approaches to editing and coaching, as well as how to establish a virtual instructor presence and cultivate methods for supporting and engaging students within online writing communities.

Alternatively, you might be more drawn to 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 content generation, learning many of the freelancing skills integral to today’s project-driven economy.

Graduate with a completed and revised novel

Every graduate of Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA program will leave the program with a 50,000-word manuscript for a novel in one of the four genres the program covers – contemporary, young adult, romance or speculative genre.

If you'd rather combine elements of the four offered genres, you can do that, too. For example, you might write a YA speculative fiction novel. Throughout your tenure in the program, you can choose to work on a singular idea that you will develop during the three thesis courses, or begin a new project for your thesis.

"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."

Apply for free in minutes

Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: January 06, 2025 | March 24, 2025

Next term starts: Oct. 14, 2024

Online student experience what’s it like going to snhu.

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

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You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

• Schedule of weekly assignments
• Discussion boards
• Instructor announcements

What support services are available?

• Chat with your advisors Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors.
• Drop in for tutoring Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary.
• Learn from industry professionals Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away.
• Use the online library Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7.
• Reach out for accessibility help Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities.
• Focus on your well-being Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.

Learn from published authors and award winners

Our online MFA program is taught by a diverse and accomplished faculty  of professional writers, who bring with them decades of experience and exhibit strong leadership both in the classroom and in their professional careers. This experience informs the development of courses and curriculum that can help position MFA graduates for success, wherever they go next.

Featured Faculty

Melissa hart.

Melissa Hart is the author of seven books. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian, CNN, The Los Angeles Times and more. She was a contributing editor at The Writer Magazine for 15 years and is a frequent contributor at writing conferences across the Northwest.

Position Adjunct Instructor, MFA

Joined SNHU 2017

• BA in Literature from the College of Creative Studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara
• MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College

"This is a smart, well-crafted program designed for diverse writers who may work full-time and be involved in caregiving, as well. Kind-hearted, talented instructors guide you every step of the way, from a basic study of genre fiction to preparing a polished thesis manuscript for professional publication."

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• U.S. News & World Report Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North
• The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology
• Google.org Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth

Founded in 1932 , Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

All it takes is 3 simple steps

It's easy, fast and free.

Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

Additional requirements:

Additional requirements for the online MFA include a creative writing sample (8-12 pages) and a personal statement. Writing samples will be evaluated on narrative technique and structure, character and setting, and the command and execution of language. The personal statement asks you to explain how someone else’s story – such as a novel, movie, or a personal account – has impacted their life and influenced their drive to become a writer.

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU  | [email protected]

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) , which means we meet certain standards of academic quality, and have the tools and resources necessary for students to be successful. The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online graduate tuition

*before previously earned credits are applied

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 vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199

If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377

If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. This master's degree requires 48 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 36 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Ways to save on online tuition

Transfer credits toward your master's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.

Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)

Earn credits in leadership, technology and more – while taking advantage of an online graduate tuition discount for active-duty service members and spouses.

Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Bring in credits from popular options like CLEP, Sophia Learning, Google and other common credit for prior learning (CPL) experiences.

Receive an online tuition discount if your organization has partnered with SNHU for educational benefits. And consider asking your employer about tuition reimbursement.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online MFA?

If becoming a novelist is your dream, the online MFA in Creative Writing program is a great stepping stone. You'll sharpen your writing skills and apply critique to your work, finishing the program with a complete and publishable novel.

At SNHU, embedded certificates prepare you for even more career opportunities. You’ll graduate with skills needed to make a living as a professional writer in a variety of fields – from marketing, public relations and content writing to grant writing, publishing and teaching.

In addition to careers as authors or editors, MFA graduates can find roles in a wide array of industries, including:

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

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

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

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

Increase in postsecondary teaching positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1

Median annual salary for writers and authors as of May 2023. In the same timeframe, editors made $75,020 and postsecondary teachers made $84,380. 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.

What SNHU students are saying

I came out of the MFA program with a whole toolbox of writing skills, a solid idea of how the business side of writing works, a finished manuscript — and the confidence to go forward with publishing.

Tara Lynn Conrad '21G

I was attracted to the program because it was fully online. I work full time and have two small children – I did not have time to attend in-person classes. This program gave me the flexibility that I needed to attend school and live my life.

Felicia Warden '20G

Frequently Asked Questions

A well-designed MFA in Creative Writing will build solid writing skills and a foundation in the business of many writing-related careers. Southern New Hampshire University’s online MFA in Creative Writing is one such practical, business-focused program. It teaches students to revise and reflect on their art while learning the print and digital business models — even digital tools — they need to support their creative endeavors.

Graduates of SNHU’s program come away knowing how to use business tools like project management software and online freelance editing resources.

Publishing industry expert and “Publishers Weekly” columnist Jane Friedman – and a subject-matter expert who helped develop the program at SNHU – points to another important aspect of business-oriented programs: writing in the digital age. Most MFA creative writing programs, she said, “are concerned only with artistic excellence. That's fine up until the point you start thinking about how to build a paying career."

Friedman went on to say, “I have a special interest in how the digital age is transforming writing careers, publishing and storytelling. Rather than taking a dark view of how the Internet era has affected writers’ livelihoods, I'm more interested in how revolutionary change can inspire new business models and how authorship will ultimately evolve.”

Yes. SNHU’s MFA in Creative Writing requires no specific undergraduate background. You could have a degree in accounting, as long as you have a passion for writing and your writing sample shows potential.

Because we understand that people start or change careers at any point across their lifetime, we want to ensure access to all of our programs to any student who wishes to learn more about that area of study and earn a credential in that field.

According to Poets & Writers, there are more than 200 MFA in Creative Writing programs throughout the United States. Of those, the vast majority are either full-residency or low-residency programs. 2

Determining which is the best creative writing program comes down to how you answer this question: Which one is best for you ?

Once you’ve narrowed your options by reviewing rankings, school reputations and course offerings, consider the demands on your life: Can you take time off from work to pursue a traditional MFA with a residency requirement? Do you have responsibilities at home that will limit how much time you can devote to your studies? How quickly do you want to earn your degree? And, last but not least, what’s your budget?

Many elite literary programs require 2-year residency commitments. Some welcome only traditional literary fiction – not a wide range of genres. SNHU’s online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online with no residency requirement. It’s also one of the only programs that welcomes genre writers, which means you can hone your craft in an area tailored to your strengths and interests.

You'll also have a sense of community – even in an online environment. So if you're looking for the chance to get involved as an online student, SNHU's the place for you. Our opportunities to join the ranks of fellow writers include:

• Submitting to, and being published in, our online literary journal, the Penmen Review
• Joining Word for Word, our bimonthly live-streamed event, to hear published authors read their work aloud and discuss both their creative process and their path to publishing success
• Entering our annual short-story competition (known as the Fall Fiction Contest ) for the chance to win SNHU scholarships, publication in the Penmen Review and other prizes
• Viewing, or participating in, our Student Writers Spotlight, a live-streamed event where our talented creative writing students share their work

Finally, our program gives you the option to pursue one of 2 graduate writing certificates – online teaching of writing and professional writing – making it a pragmatic choice for a wide variety of career directions.

To MA or to MFA? Once you've decided to earn an advanced degree in creative writing, you need to drill down into the specifics to know which option best fits your needs: What do you want to learn? What skills do you want to acquire? What are your career aspirations?

Practically speaking, a Master of Fine Arts differs from a Master of Arts in a few fundamental ways:

• MFAs generally have higher credit requirements and take longer to complete
• MFAs tend to be more “studio-based” or writing-intensive than MAs, culminating in a manuscript-length thesis
• MAs typically have more of an English literature focus, often containing more literary analysis and theory in addition to reading and writing

Kathleen Harris '21G completed both her MA and MFA at SNHU.

"Both programs were wonderful not only because of the capable professors and instructors, but mainly because I felt I was working toward a goal of both writing and teaching in the field," said the graduate, who finished her MFA in 2021.

Read more about  MA vs MFA .

Yes. The MFA is considered a terminal degree, which is similar to professional degrees granted in other fields, such as the PhD or the EdD, according to guidelines established by the College Art Association of America. 3 For that reason, most universities view it as a qualification to teach creative writing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

In fact, the curriculum for the online MFA degree at Southern New Hampshire University may set you up for success in this area. Students in the program are required to choose one of two embedded certificate offerings – one of them being a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing.

The certificate requires 4 courses:

• Storytelling
• Editing and Coaching
• Engaging Online Writing Students
• Seminar in Writing Instruction or Online Teaching Experience

Throughout your courses, you'll learn how to develop your own approach to teaching the craft. You'll explore tools for web-based courses and writing workshops, and you'll practice effective approaches to editing and coaching.

Once completed, you should be able to create a positive and influential virtual instructor presence and methods for supporting and engaging students within online communities.

Yes, you can earn your MFA online, but many schools require a face-to-face residency component – meaning time away from your current job and busy schedule. Many, but not all.

In fact, SNHU’s program is one of the few 100% online MFAs available. The university assembled a who's-who from the world of professional writing to build the program, bringing together authors from a diverse range of genres in the process. The result is an online MFA program that embraces the perspectives of many different writers and students.

For many students, earning an MFA online is the only way they'd be able to make it happen. Learning online certainly doesn't mean you'll be isolated – especially at SNHU. No matter the type of fiction they want to write, MFA students will find teachers and fellow students who share their interests.

It depends on how you define “worth it.” Whether it's an undergraduate creative writing degree  or a master's, a degree in the subject is worth pursuing if your goals include becoming a better writer and increasing your chances of successfully publishing your work.

SNHU’s online creative writing MFA is designed to teach students how to adapt to an evolving literary and publishing landscape. In their courses, students embrace the digital tools that will help them forge successful writing careers.

Our curriculum creators and faculty also know the road to becoming a successful author is not always easy. That's why our creative writing program has a dual focus:

• To help you develop your writing skills while finishing your studies with a novel that's ready to be published.
• To give you the tools you need for professional success – no matter where your writing career takes you.

Related Programs

Related articles.

Sources & Citations

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (viewed June 20, 2024)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/editors.htm (viewed June 20, 2024)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm (viewed June 20, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

2 Poets & Writers, MFA Programs Database, on the internet, at https://www.pw.org/mfa (viewed June 20, 2024).

3 College Art Association of America, Guidelines for the MFA Degree in Art and Design, on the internet, at https://www.collegeart.org/standards-and-guidelines/guidelines/mfa (viewed June 20, 2024).

FALL COURSE REGISTRATION  is open through August 29. Explore courses today.

• Academics /

Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program

Unlock your creative potential and hone your unique voice.

Online Courses

11 out of 12 total courses

On-Campus Experience

One 1- or 3-week residency in summer

$3,340 per course

Next Start Term: Fall 2024

Registration open through August 29

Program Overview

Through the master’s degree in creative writing and literature, you’ll hone your skills as a storyteller — crafting original scripts, novels, stories, and works of creative nonfiction.

In small, workshop-style classes, you’ll master key elements of narrative craft, including characterization, story and plot structure, point of view, dialogue, and description. Rigorous literature courses, many of them taught by Harvard College faculty members, will deepen your skills as a writer and scholar.

Program Benefits

Instructors who are established screenwriters, novelists, and nonfiction writers

A community of writers who support your growth in live online classes

Writer's residency with agent & editor networking opportunities

Personalized academic and career advising

Thesis or capstone options that lead to publishable creative work

Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

As you work through the program’s courses, you’ll enhance your creative writing skills and knowledge of literary concepts and strategies.

You’ll hone your voice as a writer in courses like Writing the Novel and Advanced Memoir. You’ll explore the possibilities of the screen in courses such as Advanced Screenwriting and Comedy Sketch Writing.

Within the creative writing and literature program, you will choose between a thesis or capstone track. You’ll also experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.

11 Online Courses

• Primarily synchronous
• Fall, spring, January, and summer options

Writers’ Residency

A 1- or 3-week summer master class taught by a notable instructor, followed by an agents-and-editors weekend

Thesis or Capstone Track

• Thesis: features a 9-month independent creative project with a faculty advisor
• Capstone: includes crafting a fiction or nonfiction manuscript in a classroom community

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

First, you’ll register for and complete 2 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.

Enroll for your first admission course this fall. Course registration is open July 22–August 29.

To get started, explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

A Faculty of Creative Writing Experts

Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are established and award-winning writers and scholars. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Bryan Delaney

Playwright and Screenwriter

Talaya Adrienne Delaney

Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University

Elisabeth Sharp McKetta

Our community at a glance.

Most of our creative writing and literature students are enrolled in our master’s degree program for either personal enrichment or to make a career change. Over half are employed full time while pursuing their degree and work across a variety of industries.

Download: Creative Writing & Literature Master's Degree Fact Sheet

Average Age

Courses Taken Each Semester

Work Full Time

Would Recommend the Program

Professional Experience in the Field

Pursued for Personal Enrichment

Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes

Graduates of our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Program have writing, research, and communication jobs in the fields of publishing, advertising/marketing, fundraising, secondary and higher education, and more.

Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Boston University, Brandeis University, University of Pennsylvania, and Cambridge University.

Our alumni hold titles as:

• Marketing Manager
• Director of Publishing
• Senior Research Writer

Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:

• Little, Brown & Company
• New York University (NYU)
• Bentley Publishers

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs like the annual on-campus Harvard Humanities, Media, Marketing, and Creative Careers Expo.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Creative Writing and Literature.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).

Harvard is closer than one might think. You can be anywhere and still be part of this world.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

Learn more about the cost of attendance .

What can you do with a master’s degree in creative writing and literature?

A master’s degree in creative writing and literature prepares you for a variety of career paths in writing, literature, and communication — it’s up to you to decide where your interests will take you.

You could become a professional writer, editor, literary agent, marketing copywriter, or communications specialist.

You could also go the academic route and bring your knowledge to the classroom to teach creative writing or literature courses.

Is a degree in creative writing and literature worth it?

The value you find in our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program will depend on your unique goals, interests, and circumstances.

The curriculum provides a range of courses that allow you to graduate with knowledge and skills transferable to various industries and careers.

How long does completing the creative writing and literature graduate program take?

Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.

For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.

While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.

What skills do you need prior to applying for the creative writing and literature degree program?

Harvard Extension School does not require any specific skills prior to applying, but in general, it’s helpful to have solid reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills if you are considering a creative writing and literature master’s degree.

Initial eligibility requirements can be found on our creative writing and literature master’s degree requirements page .

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

The 20 Best Online Master’s in Creative Writing

Krystle Dodge

Managing Editor

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In this article, we will be covering…

As any writer will know, the craft of the scribe is one that requires a lifetime of honing skills and directing efforts at self-improvement. Few writers in the history of our species were granted such raw talent as to require no tutelage or training. So statistically speaking, chances are that you or I will need to work at the craft to become a top tier writer. 

Thankfully in 2021 there are more options than ever before to hone the writer’s craft–no matter the level of your skill. Online writer’s bootcamps, fully digital undergraduate, graduate, and even doctorate programs empower writers from all walks of life to pick up the pen professionally. But even as an indulgence of hobby or passion, the quality and variety of creative writing programs available is sure to meet the needs of your desires. 

Particularly for writers interested in graduate-level education, a staggering number of the country’s best programs have moved program offerings online. Whether in response to the unique demands and challenges of the world pandemic, or as a demonstrative embrace of the digital age, more top-tier creative writing programs have online options than ever before. 

Thankfully, our researchers provide the assist when it comes to sorting through all your available options–they have done the legwork and compiled 20 of the most promising options available. The below programs all offer fully-online graduate creative writing degrees that have been ranked according to metrics we believe will be most meaningful to prospective students–that is, overall prestige of the institution, graduating rate, tuition cost, specialization options, as well as aggregate scores from parallel education rankings. 

1 Harvard University

Harvard University is one of those schools whose name carries the weight of tremendous achievement just by the merit of having earned a degree there. Harvard University is one of the most formidable entities in higher education in the world–it’s faculty and students represent the best of the best, and are often positioned at the forefront of their fields, conducting paradigm shifting research and establishing benchmarks for the rest of the higher education industry.

Harvard University’s Extension Program offers a number of creative writing programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. And surprisingly, the cost of Harvard’s online programs are extremely reasonable after factoring in financial aid, which makes this the premier option on this ranking–given the prestige and professional clout conferred by a degree from Harvard.

Any student holding a four year bachelor’s degree is welcome to apply. It should be noted that the curriculum does avoid–to some extent–discussions surrounding poetry and any thesis work concerning it, as it is not a primary focus of the program.

Net Price : $16,000

Learn more about Harvard’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing degrees here

2 National University

National University was founded on the idea of providing career-centric programs to students interested in quality, efficient, affordable professional advancement amidst full-time employment. As such, National University has become a leader in online education, whose specialty is servicing adult and distance learners who wish to progress through top notch degree programs without sacrificing a healthy work-life balance. 

National University’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online, and at a pace that best accommodates the busy lives of individual students. Moreover, National University was the first program of its kind in the nation–so students can enjoy the confidence that National University is a successful innovator in this area. 

Students of the program will learn from published authors and acclaimed authors who have demonstrated continued professional success. Instructors look to pass on their skills and knowledge to help aspiring writers actualize their goals and professional aspirations–whatever they might be. 

Net Price : $18,319

Learn more about National University’s top online Masters of Creative Writing degrees here.

3 University of Houston – Victoria

The University of Houston at Victoria is a well-respected branch of the University of Houston system. UH Victoria specializes in offering students a selection of degree programs designed to offer both flexibility and affordability. The University’s earned accolades demonstrates the success of this chosen specialization. 

UH Victoria offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, which is designed around a student-centric ideal. Students of the program will note that the program’s systems have been designed with convenience in mind–so that students can complete the program without the burden of unwanted stress. 

Students of the program will be able to progress through coursework on a schedule that best matches individual circumstances and goals, which is probably ideal for creatives who are notoriously poor micromanagers of schedules and time.

Net Price : $10,000

Learn more about University of Houston’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

4 University of Denver

The University of Denver is a prime example of a school that has devoted its resources to meeting the diverse array of needs of students in vastly different life-circumstances. On the one hand, the University of Denver displays the large network and resources of a state institution, but on the other hand it demonstrates the level of personalized care and attention you might expect from a small liberal arts college. 

This is particularly true for the University of Denver’s professional creative writing program. Students can choose from a variety of program format options in order to choose the one that best matches their intent and goals. For example, students can choose from any of three following program paths: 

• 4 course certificate that can be completed in as little as 6 months ($11,680 before aid)
• 6 course certificate that can be completed in as little as 12 months ($17,520 before aid)
• Master’s degree track that can be completed in as little as 18 months 

Net Price : $10,319

Learn more about University of Denver’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

5 Bay Path University

Bay Path University is an upcoming independent, not-for-profit university that is a formidable member of the feminist community, and is an active member in the Women’s College Coalition. The University prides itself on being able to provide women with the necessary skill set needed to succeed in a challenging world. 

This is particularly true for the Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Creative Writing that can be completed entirely online. The program’s focus on nonfiction writing allows instructors to narrow their focus to only the most meaningful information, as the nonfiction and fiction industries play by totally different rules. 

To this end, the program’s instructors are all at the top of their game as memoirists, food and travel writers, journalists, editors, and publishers with years of real world experience. Graduates of the program will be armed with a repertoire of skills and tools to succeed in bringing their written work to the masses. 

Net Price : $20,000

Learn more about Bay Path University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

6 Mount Saint Mary’s University

Mount Saint Mary’s University has been offering graduate degrees since the 1930’s and have carried forth the rich history into meaningful modern policies and practices. MSMU’s degree programs are designed to propel men and women into the next phase of their careers and goals. As such, programs are designed to cultivate a sense of leadership and service to society in students. 

MSMU offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing that is designed to support writers with a variety of interests and professional aspirations. A distinguishing component of this program is that it supports study in a variety of genres and writing-formats under the belief that writers can succeed in multiple genres–something on which not all MFA creative writing programs will agree.

Students will progress through the program’s following coursework in order:

• Fiction 
• Writing for Screen and Television
• Creative Nonfiction Writing
• Advanced Screenwriting
• Playwriting I 
• Fiction Writing II
• Poetry Writing II
• Screenwriting II
• Creative Nonfiction Writing II
• Playwriting
• Publishing Seminar
• Thesis Continuation

Net Price : $28,000

Learn more about Saint Mary’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

7 Oregon State University Cascades

Oregon State University Cascades is a school that invests in each of its students by fostering the unique strengths of the individual while teaching students how to compensate for weaknesses. This is particularly valuable for aspiring writers whose entire craft is based off of cultivating the unique strengths that make up their writing talent.

Oregon State University Cascades offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. A distinguishing element of this program is commitment of program faculty to cultivating the unique development of each student. In the program description, it states that students will be developed professionals across all the complex vectors that make up an individual–including the social, aesthetic, spiritual, physical, and political.

Students will be asked to commit to a genre, but will be free to study cross-genre and to engage a cross-genre thesis. Coursework and thesis options can be organized in the following categories: 

• Creative Nonfiction

Learn more about Oregon State University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here

8 University of Texas El Paso

The University of Texas El Paso offers a robust catalogue of online degree programs that are designed with convenience and flexibility in mind. Even graduate programs can be completed online from anywhere in the world. The University of Texas El Paso designs its graduate programs to reflect market needs, so that graduates of these programs can capitalize on the needs of the job market. 

The University of Texas El Paso offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The degree’s program format can be broken up into the following components: 

• 48 hours of coursework
• 42 hours of workshops 
• 14 hours of literature classes 
• 6 hours of thesis

Students progress through coursework in a variety of topics that is meant to adequately represent the depth and complexity of literature and its vast array of subjects. As such, coursework covers radically different topics from “Form of the Short Story” to topics in “Asian American Poetry.”

Net Price : $9,000

Learn more about University of Texas El Paso top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

9 Bennington College

Bennington College is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian college that is fully accredited by the appropriate governing bodies, specifically the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Bennington distinguishes itself through a demonstrable commitment to building a strong understanding of theory combined with practical skills and execution. 

Bennington College is a prestigious school known specifically for producing skilled and successful professional writers and novelists, and offers a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in a rigorous two-year exploration of the writing craft. Students can direct their studies in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and may work in a dual-genre as well. 

It should be noted that this program does have low-residential requirements, so some campus visits will be required to maximize the value of the program. 

Net Price : $29,000

Learn more about Bennington College top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

10 Fairfield University

When evaluating potential degree programs, prospective students often look to recent graduates to demonstrate what the program has to offer. In the case of Fairfield University, alumni go to demonstrate a high level of professional success, particularly in the writing industry. In the past three years alone, graduates of Fairfield’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing have published over 80 books–not to mention hundreds of articles, stories, poems, and essays. 

Fairfield University’s low-residential Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative program offers a number of degree paths that will cater to a variety of unique career aspirations. The program’s studies can be organized into the following areas: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and screenwriting. 

Within these genres, students can further fine tune specialization by pursuing one of the following concentration tracks–some of which are not found in many, if any, other programs: 

• Publishing/Editing
• Spiritual Writing
• Literary Health
• Healing 

Net Price : $40,000

Learn more about Fairfield University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

11 Emerson College

Emerson College offers hospitable degree programs for students at every level of skill and professionality with many of its online graduate programs forgoing GRE requirements. Among these is a Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing. The program is ideal for aspiring novelists who want an education that informs a strong understanding of publishing dynamics. 

One of the biggest roadblocks for new writers is bringing their work to the masses. Self-publishing was a boon in many ways but it has also led to a highly congested market, meaning traditional publishing can be superior in many situations. This program is designed specifically to help students understand how to take advantage of the current market’s environment to maximize one’s chances for success. 

This is one of the few programs that builds in publishing to the program itself. If students are working on a piece of work, they will be paired with an advisor who will assist in lining up a publishing process. In this case, the high tuition could pay for itself if students have a promising piece of work to build off of. 

Net Price : $44,000

Learn more about Emerson College’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

12 University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of Nebraska at Omaha combines a number of flexible degree programs to accommodate students from different backgrounds and circumstances. As such programs are delivered in residential, online, and low-residential formats. Low-residential means that programs are completed online for the most part, but will require some on-campus components. 

The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a Master of Fine Arts in Writing with low-residential requirements. The majority of courses are completed through 4 semesters of 16 weeks that are completed online at-home, combined with 5 ten-day conference-style residencies. 

Students of the program will be able to build speciality in poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, creative nonfiction, or young adult genres. 

Net Price : $14,000

Learn more about University of Nebraska’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

13 Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University has earned many accolades over the years, most notably grouped into recognition of its affordability and flexibility. Programs can be completed online, on-campus, or through a combination of formats designed to offer the most flexibility for students who might be working full-time or have equally demanding commitments. 

Lindenwood University offers a Master of Fine Arts in Writing program that can be completed entirely online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. Classes are led by instructors who are published authors, journalists, and editors with demonstrable real-world success. 

Countless ranking institutions have recognized this program as one of the best of its kind. And given its reasonable tuition costs, this program is an ideal consideration for any aspiring writer looking for graduate education. 

Net Price : $18,000

Learn more about Lindenwood University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

14 Queens College of Charlotte

The Queens College of Charlotte College of Arts and Sciences offers top-tier programs helmed by award-winning faculty who have demonstrated success in the real world, and bring their unique experiences to the classroom for the benefit of students. The College’s curriculums are designed to offer research opportunities, innovative coursework, and mentorship. 

The Queens College of Charlotte College of Arts and Sciences offers an online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program that has some low-residency requirements. The program offers an amazing selling point of a 4:1 student:faculty ratio, so that students can receive the level of attention and care befitting a true mentorship program.

This level of care is exceedingly rare in higher education unfortunately, so this factor alone makes it a tremendous option for aspiring writers who want a little more investment on the part of program faculty and instructors. 

Net Price : $21,000

Learn more about Queen College’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

15 Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University offers a unique approach to tutelage of aspiring writers. Beyond a host of traditional writing degree programs, the University hosts a graduate level program through the Bluegrass Writers Studio™ that seeks to develop innovative solutions to historical shortcomings of similar programs. 

Students pursuing a program through the studio will participate in a variety of group web-classroom discussions, community engagement projects, residency workshops, and even international cultural experiences. Faculty at the studio take an active role in facilitating the success of students, and will help aspiring writers make the necessary connections to actualize their dreams and professional desires. 

Learn more about Eastern Kentucky University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

16 Drexel University

Drexel University is a premier player in the online education space, and was among the first universities to build a university entirely based on the distance education model. As such, Drexel has one of the most robust catalogues of online degree offerings at every level–associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. Among these are several english and writing degree programs to consider. 

Specifically, Drexel offers a fully online Master’s of Creative Writing that is completed through four 10-week quarters per year, which means students take more courses in a shorter time period than similar programs. Students work closely with peers and faculty, many of whom are esteemed authors, established film industry screenwriters,  and successful writers. 

Net Price : $34,000

Learn more about Drexel University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

17 Lesley University

Lesley University brandishes a unique commitment to developing the humanitarian component in students. The University’s programs are most notably located at the intersection of education, counseling, and the visual arts–with particular attention allocated to those in the fine arts, particularly those in english and creative writing. 

Lesley University offers a mostly online Master of Fine Arts with some low-residential requirements in the form of on-campus workshops and conference-style residencies. Students of the program will learn from top-tier instructors who are award-winning writers themselves. 

Students at the program will work closely with highly invested faculty, who will function as mentors in the cultivation of students. 

Net Price : $32,000

Learn more about Lesley University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

18 Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University has demonstrated continued success in producing top-tier writers who go on to achieve the goals that many of us dream of. Despite the relatively small size of the program and resulting alumni groups, over the past five years alone graduates have produced 28 book-lengths of award-winning fiction. Graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s have landed the following awards and accolades for their works: 

• New York Times Bestseller
• African American Book Prize
• Colorado Book Prize for Biography

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing which can be completed mostly online. Students will want to evaluate the residential components because they do have some unique values. 

The close proximity of the school to New York City which is the publishing heart of the world means that students will be plugged into the ideal environment for professional networking. 

Net Price : $22,000

Learn more about Fairleigh Dickinson University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

19 Savannah College of Art and Design

SCAD is a school that is a well-known and respected name in any field relating to arts and design, as chances are there is an influential SCAD graduate in that field. This is likely due to the fact that SCAD has chosen its niche and speciality, and continually invests in delivering the best education programs in this capacity. SCAD is an ideal candidate for consideration for aspiring writers who want a career-centric program with industry-awareness outside the bounds of traditional writing programs. 

SCAD offers an online Master of Fine Arts in Writing that covers an array of subject matter in the arts. This unique approach is positioned in such a way so that students learn to view writing as an artform, and as such will delve into topics surrounding the history and nuance surrounding all the various elements of a career as a professional artist. 

For example, students will delve into coursework organized into the following curriculum:

• Contemporary Art
• Art Criticism
• Writing for Digital Communication
• Nonfiction I: Analysis of Creative Nonfiction
• Nonfiction II: Mastery of Style, Voice, and Subject
• Persuasive Writing
• History of Rhetoric
• Professional Writing for Business Applications
• Freelance Writing for Publication
• The Publishing Process
• Public/Media Relations Writing and Strategy
• Graduate Internship
• Writing M.F.A. Thesis

Net Price : $42,000

Learn more about Savannah College of Art and Design’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

20 Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a premier institution in the online education space, and brandishes one of the largest online student bodies in the world. SNHU is a private, non-profit university that holds more than 130,000 online students currently. As such, SNHU was named one of the most innovative universities in the country in 2020. 

Among its other degree program offerings in english and writing are a fully online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. No application fees or GRE scores are required for admission. The program is 100% online without any residential requirements and is completed through a total 48 course credits.

Throughout the program students will learn how to excel in the following areas of professional writing:

• Business and technical aspects of professional writing 
• Navigation of the publishing ecosystem
• Brand development
• Marketing work to decision makers
• Book promotion
• Identify agents, editors or other industry professionals for publishing
• Teaching writing

Learn more about New Hampshire University’s top online Master’s in Creative Writing here.

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• Master's in Professional Writing Online

Master's (MS) in Professional Writing Online

100% online study option.

Fully online and 36 credits, the MS in Professional Writing pairs the convenience of learning from any location with the quality of an NYU graduate degree. Real-world assignments in core and elective courses allow you to build a comprehensive, digital writing portfolio before you graduate. MS in Professional Writing students develop their creative abilities with a focus on dynamic careers across a range of industries and evolving fields. Our curriculum encourages students to leverage new technologies while they confidently craft content that has measurable impact.

You are the future of writing. We are your people.

It’s almost impossible to explain the odd, wonderful, frustrating compulsion that drives the creative writing impulse. If you are a pocket-journal scribbler, a life-long learner, or a lover of words (of arranging them, deleting them, and sometimes even inventing them), the MS in Professional Writing is the gold-standard to level up or pivot into a passion-fueled career. 

Our flexible, online MS in Professional Writing prepares the next generation of writers for a broad spectrum of senior-level  writing careers , preparing students with irreplaceable expertise in a world of A.I. innovations. 

Develop the skills for innovative full-time and freelance writing careers in technical writing/UX writing, science writing, business communications, writing for digital media/content creation, medical writing, financial writing, grant writing and more.

Degree Advantages

Anyone can learn writing skills, but not everyone is born with the drive and instinct to tell stories. We go beyond typical writing instruction to elevate your writing practice and natural storytelling abilities.

• Be the human voice: In a world of AI-generated content language, learn to champion humanity in your work.
• Precision in every word: Craft messages, strip away jargon, break down complexity, and let your message shine.
• Radically empathetic writing: Step into your audience's shoes, immerse yourself in their world, and track how well your messages resonate with them.
• Weave integrity into your words: Use your talents ethically and respect your audiences with a commitment to honest and accurate content.
• Be a chameleon of communication: Shape-shift your style for the canvas at hand. Develop an unstoppable command of unique tones, styles, and voices for traditional and digital spaces.
• Proofreading finesse: Edit, refine, revise, and polish prose to create content that wins hearts and minds.

Program At-A-Glance

• Flexible, fully online
• Complete in 3 semesters (full-time) or 6 semesters (part-time)
• Core curriculum : Foundational courses give you the safety and confidence that comes with a firm command of the basics, allowing you to dive deeper into your writing and editing practice.
• Electives: Elective courses provide an extensive and nuanced understanding of your industry specific styles, supporting your personal, professional writing goals.
• Internship or Directed Study: Earn course credit for real-world experiences with professional internships or a mock-freelance-directed study.
• Thesis and Digital Portfolio: Your hard work culminates in your final semester with an original thesis project and an individual digital writing portfolio, showcasing your unstoppable work.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

You can find the full curriculum details for this program on this page of the University Bulletin. All other content, including this web page is for informational purposes only.

Quick Links:

Explore graduate opportunities at nyu sps.

Join an upcoming online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs including the MS in Professional Writing. As an attendee of an Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS session, you will meet members of our team and have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and application process.

6:00 PM until 7:30 PM EDT  

Application Deadlines

Want to start in the Fall, Spring, or Summer? Make sure your application is complete and submit before the deadlines below:

Fall: July 1  Spring: January 5 Summer: March 1

What is the application process?

• This isn’t required but is a great way to get more information on the program and application process. We’ll also waive the $150 application fee when you attend an Information Session.
• Complete the online application
• Request one reference letter
• Upload your college/university transcripts
• Upload your resume
• Upload your personal statement (500 words)
• Pay $150 application fee (waived when you attend an Information Session!)
• Upload a writing portfolio with samples of your work (submit 10-15 pages of writing that you are proud of)

For additional application details, visit the NYU SPS Admissions page or contact the team at 212-998-7100 or  [email protected] .

Flexible Courses

Our master’s degree in professional writing offers a weekly guided structure that keeps you on track with optional opportunities to engage live, around your schedule. In each of our tech-forward and small-sized online writing classes , you get the most from our flexible workshop-model curriculum.  Guided by industry-expert faculty members, you will work through assignments that target corporate, academic, and real-world audiences to build your professional-quality writing portfolio.

Career-Focused Curriculum

It’s an exciting time for professional writers! Over the next 10 years, career opportunities for professional writers are projected to grow at a faster rate than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our core courses equip you with powerhouse writing skills while our electives prepare you to be a fiercely competitive applicant for specific industries like:

• Environment
• Public Relations
• Corporate Communications
• Advertising
• Grants and Fundraising

Writing Community

Mirroring the increasingly digital, global, and collaborative work environment of today’s professional world, the MS in Professional Writing brings faculty members, students, and guest lecturers together as part of an interactive, online educational community. Learn, write, edit, and revise writing projects with a cohort of classmates from NYC, across the country, and around the world.

Students join our program from all academic, professional, creative writing, and technical backgrounds. So whether you are hoping to graduate into senior writing positions, to feel confident about your writing skills, to advance your current career, or to pivot into a new professional path that feeds your passion, our professors support and mentor you towards your personal and professional goals.

Connect With Us

Your request has been submitted, department highlights, finding a place to rest: fostering brave spaces to find and utilize our voices, mspw guest speaker: kavitta ghai, co-founder and ceo at nectir, 2024 nyu mspw convocation award recipients, embracing every hue: liberating imposter syndrome, intersectionality, & borders through storytelling, ms in professional writing (mspw) celebrates 10th anniversary, joining the mspw teaching team: introducing sophie plitt, scribe at spirit week: the translated and queer/banned book expo, 2023 website prototype projects by ms in professional writing students, mspw student spotlight: vivian udeh’s ux writer internship at google, nyu sps club owls wins community engagement prize, ai in the professions: professional writing, translation, and the new face of content creation, joining the mspw teaching team: introducing simon mullin, joining the mspw teaching team: introducing patrick gray, professional writer at work: interview with megan diamondstein, acting deputy director of marketing and communications & digital director for the center for reproductive rights, mspw & msti academic directors awarded faculty innovation and antiracism microgrant, frequently asked questions, what is professional writing.

Professional writers are employed in many job titles and professional writing is everywhere! Just consider how much writing you see all day long. Depending on the context, professional writing can be clear and concise or creative and expansive. It can be organized for quick access or meandering for maximum storytelling impact. From brand voice to SEO keywords, professional writers are hard at work shaping messages, persuading audiences, and measuring impact.

From the marketing email in your inbox, to the political policy being read on TV, to the brand experience campaign in Times Square, to the website you're reading right now: all of that is professional writing.

Ranging from creative writing to technical writing, professional writers are paid for travel writing, blogging, documenting research, writing pamphlets, developing white papers, producing public relations strategies, sellings products with ad copy, creating annual reports, working on communication plans, and cracking jokes on social media.

In full-time writing positions, part-time jobs, and freelance writing careers, professional writers produce strategic copy for companies and clients in ways that leverage new and emerging technologies to reach target audiences.

What is an MS in writing?

An MS in Writing is a Master of Science degree in Writing. Earning this degree prepares graduates with advanced education and training in writing, style, and rhetoric with in-depth explorations of emerging communication practices, document design, and the principles of effective communication. We pride ourselves on a curriculum that has real-world relevance and prepares confident writers with the skills to craft strategic, ethical copy for companies and clients across industries.

Who should apply for the MS in Professional Writing?

Turn your passion for writing into a lucrative career. A masters in professional writing is a springboard to a myriad of flexible career opportunities. Our workshop-model curriculum is an exciting fit for English majors, journalists, liberal arts majors, creative writers, educators; those working in technology, medicine, and the sciences; as well as individuals in the fields of digital media and advertising or business communications.

If you love writing and want to build a career with your words; if you are ready for communication leadership roles; or if you are looking to pivot full-time to a passion project/industry you care about, we look forward to reviewing your application.

You can also use your time in the program to try a range of industries and writing roles before launching a career that matches your writing strengths and interests.

Is a professional writing degree worth it?

For those looking to make a career in writing, higher education is a wise investment to unlock new career paths and secure better job opportunities. As technology advances to produce lazy, canned copy in seconds, the world recognizes the value of better writers with a mastery of different styles now more than ever. While many feared AI-generated content would cannibalize writing jobs, employment opportunities are projected to increase over the next 10 years for talented and creative writers with technical skills and proven abilities. However, now that generative language can do the job of a junior role in seconds, the labor market will likely require writers to come in with a powerful human voice and unique command of language. Our faculty know this and our curriculum is geared for these shifts. Our classes help students leverage new technologies while they hone advanced storytelling techniques, precise editing skills, and critical communication practices. Words have power and professional writers have impact.

What industries hire professional writers?

Almost all industries have a need for writers. Our master’s degree prepares graduates for active and engaging  professional writing careers in sectors that include: technical writing, government, technology, education, financial, grant writing, nonprofit/fundraising, marketing copywriting, medical/healthcare/wellness, science/environment/energy, and corporate communications.

What kind of jobs do people with a master's in professional writing apply for?

The alumni from the MS in Professional Writing program at NYU SPS have moved into the following job titles:

• Technical Editor/Technical Writer
• Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships
• Content Designer/UX Writer
• Senior Medical Editor/Writer
• VP, Marketing & Communications
• Head Writer, In-house Marketing
• Head of Content 
• Assistant Director of Communications & Engagement
• Freelance Writer/Editor
• Marketing Copywriter

Why do I need a graduate degree in Professional Writing?

Earning an MS in Professional Writing from NYU will move you forward in your professional writing career—at any stage. Our coursework will help you improve your craft as a writer and you will graduate with a professional-quality writing portfolio and access to a network of professional peers. For those looking to make a career in writing, higher education is a wise investment to unlock new career paths and secure better job opportunities. Find out why in the “Is a professional writing degree worth it?” question above.

Does every student graduate with a writing portfolio?

Yes! Every MS in Professional Writing student curates their most exciting writing projects into an engaging, digital, professional-quality portfolio in their final semester to showcase their expert writing skills. Every class has multiple real-world assignments that could be included in a digital writing portfolio.

How long does it take to earn an MS in Professional Writing?

The MS in Professional Writing is a 36 credit degree program. If you choose to study full-time, you can complete your degree in as little as 3 semesters. Most part-time students complete the MS in Professional Writing degree in 6 semesters.

Is Financial Aid available for the MS in Professional Writing?

Yes! We encourage our applicants to  explore the financial aid and resources available to them. This includes a unique  scholarship opportunity for first-semester MS in Professional Writing students.

What’s unique about the MS in Professional Writing program at NYU School of Professional Studies?

Our students! With each class you take, you will build connections and cultivate an online writing community that will grow into your professional network. Students join the MS in Professional Writing program with a variety of interests, experiences, and individual goals. They know that their writing can foster understanding, communicate important messages, and create change in the world. And they have fun along the way.

A few other things that make our MS in Professional Writing unique:

• High-touch, innovative workshop curriculum designed to match the flexible scheduling and tech-forward working life of professional writers. Learn more about the  online courses available in the MS in Professional Writing.
• Specialized electives for industry exploration allow students to explore a range of interests and different styles of writing in their coursework. If students know what industry they're interested in, they can cluster their electives in that area to do a deep dive. 
• Industry-experienced faculty members who are leaders in their professions and care deeply about impacting the next generation of writers in their fields. Faculty and industry leaders work together to continuously update our courses, preparing you with the latest communication skills and technical writing abilities needed to be a trailblazer in your work.
• Technology-infused and career-focused curriculum combines traditional writing development and communication theories with emerging writing practices and platforms. While in the program, students explore media making and AI content generating tools, developing their ability to think strategically and lead communication projects confidently as they hone their writing craft.

We partner with the  NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS to provide career coaching and connection to a global network of peers and professionals.

What are the benefits of our online Master's degree in Professional Writing?

• Advance your skills to unlock new and exciting job opportunities for writers
• Pursue your individualized career goals
• Leverage the 600,000+ member NYU alumni network
• Expand your writing skills, styles, and portfolio range
• Transform creative writing skills and personal interests into lucrative career options
• Learn to use technology and AI content generating tools to speed and support your writing practice

What will you learn in the online Master's degree in Professional Writing?

You will learn the elevated skills to graduate into senior-level writing positions in a variety of industries. Our core courses equip you with a firm writing foundation, while our electives sharpen your skills to be fiercely competitive in the job market as an in-house full-timer or a powerhouse freelancer.

Is it OK to get an online Master's degree?

In today's dynamic educational landscape, advancing your knowledge has evolved beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings. Online learning provides unparalleled flexibility, increases access, and enables diverse communities of writers from across the globe to collaborate and learn together. Experienced faculty members leverage interactive forums and the latest technology to engage the classroom. Learning in the digital space also gives students essential technical skills vital to modern writing jobs. From navigating version control across remote teams to mastering online research techniques, students in online programs develop proficiencies that are directly applicable to the ever-evolving landscape of writing and communications.

Accredited online programs maintain the same curricular rigor and employ the latest innovative technology to instruct, inspire, connect, and prepare students for the professional world. Today, many higher education institutions leverage online degrees to meet increasing demand for flexible learning options.

What master's degree do you need to be a writer?

There are lots of programs for aspiring writers. The best option for you depends on your career goals.

The best writing degree for someone who wants to work in a professional setting (marketing, public relations, medical writing, corporate communications, research, policy, technical writing) is a master's in professional writing.

Should I get a master's degree in writing?

Pursuing a master's program in writing can be a smart strategy to future-proof your career and take advantage of a growing demand for expert writers. While AI-generative technology may encroach on junior-level writing positions, the career outlook for skilled writers is strong. Master’s degree graduates will be equipped with the portfolio-proven skills to be fiercely competitive in a growing labor market for experts in writing, editing, content strategy, and communications. The most successful employers know that investing in powerhouse writing skills is essential for success. Businesses depend on professional writers to create change-making policy documents, engaging social media posts, stand-out website copy, persuasive grant writing, influential annual reports, and the list goes on and on. Our workshop-model curriculum is designed to help writers hone their skills and develop nuanced understandings of specific industries.

Take the next step

Learn more about your program of interest and apply.

Best Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs of 2024

Written by Chris Snellgrove

Updated: April 28, 2024

Compare School Options

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Students who participate in an online master’s in creative writing program will further their knowledge of existing literature and the composition of new poetry and prose. The collaborative environment helps to perfect the craft of storytelling.

These programs typically require 36 credit hours to complete, so full-time students can usually earn their degree within two years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the average annual tuition for graduate degree programs is $20,513.

How to Choose an Online Master’s in Creative Writing Program

Choose your area of study.

Typically, creative writing master’s programs award a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), which is a terminal degree in fine arts-related fields. Many programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field, such as fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screenplay writing. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.

Research schools and programs

Aspiring master’s in creative writing students have many online programs to choose from, so it’s important to narrow down the list of prospective schools as soon as possible.

You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a  DOE-recognized  regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.

Students can immediately eliminate any schools that are not accredited and should strongly consider eliminating those that are too expensive for their budget. While such schools may offer a good education, it’s important to minimize the amount of post-graduation debt. It’s also helpful to research which professors will teach the courses online. Professors who are successful writers may offer important insight into skills such as marketing and publication, as well as writing and editing stories.

To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.

Prepare for tests and applications

Application requirements vary by school and program. While many online master’s in creative writing programs do not require students to submit GRE test scores , these scores are still a prerequisite for admission at many schools. Students should carefully consider whether the GRE is required. It can take up to three months to study and 15 days to receive test results, which may make a difference in whether students can meet application deadlines.

It’s also important to carefully review the application for other requirements, which may include undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing samples, and a personal statement. Before submitting an application, always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.

Select your program

Most students only have so much time and money and must be selective about which online master’s in creative writing program(s) they apply to. Students should consider which programs are most affordable and which seem to be led by the most prominent writers. Because creative writing is very collaborative, prospective students may favor classes that offer digital writing workshops and other ways to interact with fellow writers regularly.

Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.

Determine how you’ll pay for your degree

To help pay for an online master’s in creative writing program, students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. After completion, students may be able to use federal loans to help pay for their educational costs. Filling out the FAFSA may also be required to qualify for additional grants, scholarships, or other aid available through the school or the state.

Because it can be challenging to research all potential aid opportunities, students should contact the financial aid offices of schools they are interested in to get the most accurate and up-to-date answers regarding aid. Those who already work in the field should see if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits as well.

Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs

intelligent score 99.74

#1 Best Colleges #1 Degree Query

School Information

Cambridge, MA

Graduation Rate: 98%

Admission Rate: 5%

Urbanicity: City

School Size: Medium

Delivery Format Online, On-Campus

Required Credits to Graduate 48

Estimated Cost per Credit $775

accreditation New England Commission of Higher Education

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-495-4024

intelligent score 99.25

#2 Best Colleges #17 Degree Query

Graduation Rate: 63%

Admission Rate: 84%

School Size: Small

Required Credits to Graduate 49

Estimated Cost per Credit $875

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-349-8300

intelligent score 99.08

#2 Degree Query #5 Best Colleges

La Jolla, CA

Graduation Rate: 34%

Admission Rate: 89%

Required Credits to Graduate 58.5

Estimated Cost per Credit $442

accreditation WASC Senior College and University Commission

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 619-563-7123

intelligent score 99.07

#4 Best Colleges #13 Degree Query

Saint Charles, MO

Graduation Rate: 54%

Admission Rate: 92%

Delivery Format Online, On-Campus, Hybrid

Estimated Cost per Credit $550

accreditation Higher Learning Commission

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 636-949-2000

intelligent score 99.01

#5 Degree Query #6 Best Colleges

Longmeadow, MA

Graduation Rate: 55%

Admission Rate: 78%

Urbanicity: Suburban

Delivery Format Online

Required Credits to Graduate 39

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 413-565-1331

intelligent score 98.84

#3 Best Colleges

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Graduation Rate: 59%

Estimated Cost per Credit $675

accreditation Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 570-408-4527

intelligent score 98.3

#3 Degree Query #8 Best Colleges

Victoria, TX

Graduation Rate: 53%

Admission Rate: 67%

Required Credits to Graduate 36

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $367 Non-Resident: $775

accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 361-570-4110

intelligent score 98.07

#7 Best Colleges #18 Degree Query

Madison, NJ

Graduation Rate: 57%

Admission Rate: 86%

Required Credits to Graduate 60

Estimated Cost per Credit $623

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 973-443-8632

intelligent score 96.76

#4 Degree Query #5 OnlineU

Graduation Rate: 74%

Admission Rate: 61%

Delivery Format Hybrid

Estimated Cost per Credit $766

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 303-871-2706

intelligent score 95.12

#2 The Best Schools #10 Best Colleges #12 Degree Query

Graduation Rate: 51%

Admission Rate: 82%

Estimated Cost per Credit $514

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 402-554-3857

intelligent score 94.88

El Paso, TX

Graduation Rate: 49%

Admission Rate: 100%

School Size: Large

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $855 Non-Resident: $1,947

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 915-747-5237

intelligent score 94.27

Los Angeles, CA

Graduation Rate: 67%

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,108

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 310-954-4000

intelligent score 93.92

Graduation Rate: 66%

Admission Rate: 77%

Required Credits to Graduate 54-74

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $539 Non-Resident: $1,011

accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 541-322-3100

intelligent score 92.45

Bennington, VT

Graduation Rate: 72%

Admission Rate: 60%

Urbanicity: Town

Required Credits to Graduate 64

Estimated Cost per Credit $366

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 802-442-5401

intelligent score 92.33

Fairfield, CT

Graduation Rate: 80%

Admission Rate: 56%

Estimated Cost per Credit $715

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 203-254-4000

intelligent score 90.14

Florence, AL

Admission Rate: 83%

Estimated Cost per Credit $350

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 256-765-4238

intelligent score 89.05

Graduation Rate: 81%

Admission Rate: 41%

Estimated Cost per Credit $338

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-824-8500

intelligent score 87.69

Charlotte, NC

Admission Rate: 68%

Delivery Format Online, Hybrid

Estimated Cost per Credit $759

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 704-337-2200

intelligent score 86.82

Richmond, KY

Graduation Rate: 50%

Admission Rate: 98%

Estimated Cost per Credit $617

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 859-622-2106

intelligent score 85.69

Lynchburg, VA

Admission Rate: 50%

Estimated Cost per Credit $565

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-424-9595

intelligent score 85.28

Manchester, NH

Graduation Rate: 40%

Admission Rate: 94%

Estimated Cost per Credit $627

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 888-387-0861

intelligent score 85.17

Saint Leo, FL

Graduation Rate: 44%

Admission Rate: 73%

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-334-5532

intelligent score 84.74

Philadelphia, PA

Graduation Rate: 68%

Estimated Cost per Credit $671

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 215-895-1285

Pensacola, FL

Graduation Rate: 52%

Admission Rate: 58%

Required Credits to Graduate 33-36

Estimated Cost per Credit In-State: $384 Out-of-State: $1,044

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 850-474-2230

intelligent score 83.38

Savannah, GA

Graduation Rate: 65%

Required Credits to Graduate 30

Estimated Cost per Credit $1,335

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-869-7223

intelligent score 82.43

Ellensburg, WA

Graduation Rate: 62%

Required Credits to Graduate 45

Estimated Cost per Credit Resident: $224 Non-Resident: $525

more program information Email: [email protected] Phone: 509-213-1813

Discover More Options

How we rank schools.

We set out to find the best online programs in creative writing to ensure accessibility for all students, regardless of location and availability. In these programs, most coursework can be completed online, with minimal on-campus or in-person requirements.

All of the institutions on this list are regionally accredited schools, which are widely recognized as meeting high standards for postsecondary education.

Once we narrowed our list of programs, we evaluated each based on reputation, flexibility, cost, faculty, and outcomes. We then calculated an Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology .

What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Creative Writing Program?

Students entering into an online master’s in creative writing program can expect a workshop-based approach that centers around receiving regular writing critiques from both the teacher as well as other students in the class. In addition to various writing and editing exercises in different courses, this graduate degree typically requires students to complete a longer-form writing thesis before graduating. The form of the thesis may vary by area of study. For example, fiction writers may have to complete a short story of 30 pages, whereas poets may need to complete a miniature chapbook consisting of 15 poems.

Because of the workshop-based approach and the need to have enough time to create good work, most master’s in creative writing programs can be completed in two years by full-time students. However, some students might be able to participate in accelerated programs and graduate in as little as one year.

Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in creative writing program

Technical Seminar in Poetry: Urban Image and Poetic Play. This course helps familiarize students with the literary canon and the historical importance of urban poets throughout history. From the 19th century to the present day, this course reviews the development of urban poetics and how economic and cultural forces have shaped it. Technical Seminar in Fiction: 3D Character Builder. This course teaches aspiring writers how to create complex characters that resonate with readers long after they have finished the story. To this end, students will study famous works of literature to identify and understand how authors use conflicts to create the struggles from which great characterization is born. Advanced Nonfiction Workshop: The Trouble With Trauma. This course helps students learn more about psychology and how the human mind is shaped by trauma so that they can write more honestly and authentically about the subject. The goal is to help writers craft stories in which the exploration of trauma leads to personal epiphanies for readers and writers alike. Thesis/Major Projects in Poetry. This course is for students working towards completing a thesis in poetry. Because of this, classes focus on practical strategies for completing a major project, including organizing it, establishing a proper poetic sequence, and actually publishing a chapbook of collected poetry.

What Can You Do With an Online Master’s in Creative Writing?

Career outlook.

Those with a master’s degree in creative writing have many different industries where they may find work, including publishing, advertising and marketing, journalism, education, and more. In addition, many jobs outside the writing field require individuals with superior communication skills, making it possible for those with this degree to work in just about any industry or business sector.

Here are a few possible career paths a person may take when they earn a master’s degree in creative writing:

Writer or author — Develop novels, screenplays, advertisements, and other pieces of writing. Median annual salary: $73,690 Projected employment growth (through 2032): 4% New job openings projected: 15,500 annually News analyst, reporter, or journalist — Research topics, conduct interviews, and write stories to keep the public updated on noteworthy information. Median annual salary: $57,500 Projected employment growth (through 2032): -3% New job openings projected: 6,000 annually Advertising, promotions, or marketing manager — Plan promotional campaigns and supervise marketing staff. Median annual salary: $156,580 Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6% New job openings projected: 34,000 annually

Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Frequently Asked Questions

How do i apply to an online master’s in creative writing degree program.

To apply to an online master’s in creative writing degree program, students must first visit the university website. From there, they can complete the application, and reviewing all the requirements is essential. For example, the application will specify if students must submit GRE scores , letters of recommendation, and writing samples or application essays along with their undergraduate transcripts.

Prospective students should consider contacting the admissions counselors for the schools they are interested in to verify the exact application requirements and to receive answers to other questions about the school or program.

How much does an online master’s in creative writing degree cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the average tuition for graduate degree programs is $20,513 per year.

Students may end up paying more or less than that depending on several different factors, including whether they attend a private school or public school and whether they are considered an in-state student or an out-of-state student. Additionally, the number of credits required by the program and how long the student stays enrolled in courses will ultimately impact how much they have to pay for their graduate education.

How long does it take to earn an online master’s in creative writing degree?

In most cases, an online master’s in creative writing program is designed to be completed in two years by full-time students.

While students can complete the required coursework in an accelerated program in as little as one year, many students and professors recommend the traditional approach because it allows for more time to compose stories and poems and receive feedback from others in the workshop. As always, the most important thing for prospective students is to find an online program flexible enough to accommodate their existing schedule, no matter how busy it is.

Is an online master’s in creative writing worth it?

Earning an online master’s in creative writing can be a worthwhile investment for those passionate about writing. It enhances writing skills and opens doors to various writing-related careers. The degree’s value depends on individual goals and aspirations, but it can certainly lead to fulfilling and financially rewarding opportunities in the world of words.

The adaptability of creative writing skills means graduates can explore opportunities in diverse sectors, leveraging their storytelling abilities to communicate effectively and creatively in various professional contexts. From ghostwriting to video game writing, there are many professional options for a person with a degree in creative writing.

Earning a degree online allows for increased flexibility over on-campus programs, as students can study from anywhere, often at their own pace and at times that are convenient to them. There can be financial benefits since there is no need for on-campus housing or transportation costs. Job candidates with online degrees may also stand out because of their demonstrated time management and networking skills.

Read More about Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degrees

• Creative Writing Degree Program Guide

Related Degrees

Best Master’s in Creative Writing (MFA) Online

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Best Master’s in Creative Writing Online

Master’s in creative writing programs are ideal for students who love writing and aspire to make a living through the craft.Creative writers build worlds, develop stories, and create characters that engage and entertain readers. Writers often choose genres and stories that relate to their own interests. For instance, a traveler may write creative nonfiction pieces about tourist locations, and writers who are interested in the American West often write western novels.

Creative writing graduates can also pursue careers in other fields. For example, they may write marketing advertisements, political speeches, or technical pieces for instructional manuals. Over half of writers and authors are self-employed.

These careers require editing, writing, and research skills. Editors must also have an understanding of genre fundamentals. To gain the necessary knowledge, students can earn a master’s in creative writing online.

The following guide provides information about the top online writing programs in the country and what you can do with a creative writing degree after graduation.

Featured MFA Programs

Best master’s in creative writing programs online, the university of texas at el paso.

• Campus + Online
• In-State $7,193
• Out-of-state $22,556
• Retention Rate 75%
• Acceptance Rate 100%
• Students Enrolled 25,177
• Institution Type Public
• Percent Online Enrollment 40%
• Accreditation Yes

University of Nebraska at Omaha

• In-State $6,224
• Out-of-state $19,488
• Retention Rate 74%
• Acceptance Rate 83%
• Students Enrolled 15,153
• Percent Online Enrollment 53%

Saint Leo University

• In-State $23,100
• Out-of-state $23,100
• Retention Rate 69%
• Acceptance Rate 72%
• Students Enrolled 10,912
• Institution Type Private
• Percent Online Enrollment 72%

Central Washington University

• In-State $6,318
• Out-of-state $21,999
• Retention Rate 71%
• Acceptance Rate 85%
• Students Enrolled 11,658
• Percent Online Enrollment 92%

What Is an Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree?

A master’s in writing develops research, writing, and editing skills and explores story elements in different genres. For example, poetry learners study rhyme and meter, while children’s writers explore child psychology and common writing techniques. Required courses often cover character development, setting research, and publishing.

Creative writing programs often include literature courses in which learners analyze famous works for writing insights. Students also create new pieces and critique classmates’ work in writing workshops. These workshops hone writing, editing, and proofreading skills and increase students’ professional networks. Additional requirements may include a thesis, portfolio, or internship.

Admission requirements often include writing samples and personal statements. Ideal applicants have previous writing experience.

Choosing an Online Program

Prospective students should consider program quality and flexibility when choosing a master’s in writing. Learners may prefer departments with published authors as faculty, or they may prefer a program that offers the flexibility of asynchronous courses. They should also consider concentration options, completion times, and tuition costs.

The following guide provides more tips on finding the right program.

What Else Can I Expect From a Master’s in Creative Writing Program?

Online MFA in creative writing programs usually offer concentrations in poetry, fiction writing, and creative nonfiction. Most programs include workshops and lectures on writing concepts like character building and plot development. These programs also introduce learners to different genres and often require a thesis.

Below are three common courses in online writing programs.

Master’s in Creative Writing Curriculum

Literary genres for writers.

This course covers fiction and related subgenres, such as fantasy, romance, and historical fiction. Students explore the structures and general expectations of these genres. The course may also focus on a single type of writing, such as poetry, memoir, or nonfiction.

Character Development

This course trains students to create effective, believable characters. Coursework may prioritize character realism, consistency, and psychology within the story’s context. Students examine the necessary traits of major and minor characters and build a portfolio of several character outlines.

Writing a Short Story

Learners in this course study short stories and analyze elements of writing styles. Additional topics may include syntax and short story structures. Students create a short story and undergo peer review to receive feedback. Programs may offer similar classes focused on other forms of writing, like nonfiction, poetry, or television writing.

Association of Writers and Writing Programs

AWP provides an online tool that allows users to search for writing programs by location, genre, and degree. The association connects website visitors with writing contests, funding, job opportunities, and avenues to publication. Professionals can also attend the annual AWP book fair and conference or browse the online database to find other meetings.

The Authors Guild

The Authors Guild supports writers by offering panels, book launches, and book expos. Website visitors can browse contests in fiction, poetry, and translations, or they can seek out fellowships and workshops. Members receive legal assistance for book contracts, access to writing resources, and insurance against copyright disputes.

The Writer’s Center

The Writer’s Center offers writing workshops for specific age groups, including adults, teenagers, and children. Members can also attend book launches and an annual poetry reading. This organization offers editing and project advising and maintains a blog that covers industry topics like publication practices, genre word counts, beta readers, and author experiences.

Careers in Creative Writing

Earning a master’s in creative writing online prepares students to craft creative messages for books, articles, advertisements, speeches, scripts, and social media posts. Graduates can pursue any field that involves message creation and delivery.

The best candidates for writing careers are creative and have a strong grasp on writing structure and effective communication. Creative writers should also understand research methods, work well within deadlines, and be able to accept constructive criticism from editors. Below are a few creative writing jobs that graduates can pursue.

Writers and Authors

Writers and Authors research and write pieces for magazines, websites, publishing houses, and blogs, and may also create scripts for television, movies, or plays. They may write books for traditional or self-publishing in genres like fantasy, romance, mystery, and nonfiction.

Authors often polish their works based on editor critiques and may need to market their work as well. Companies usually expect writers to have a college degree and writing experience.

Median Annual Salary

Projected Growth Rate

make publication decisions for companies and help writers develop stories into polished products. These professionals may review small writing issues, like spelling and grammar, or larger issues, like structure, factual accuracy, continuity, and clarity.

Specific job titles include copy editor, publication assistant, and executive editor. Editors often work at newspaper and book publishing companies, or they work freelance.

Earning a master’s in creative writing online gives prospective editors an advantage when competing for jobs.

Public Relations Specialists

help organizations create and uphold a positive image for the public, affecting their relationship with customers and investors. These professionals create press releases, write speeches, and research consumer preferences through social media. Public relations specialists may also review advertisements and communicate with media outlets about publicity opportunities.

These professionals can find work at advertising, educational, business, and government organizations. They need a bachelor’s in a field like English, journalism, or communication. Employers may also require a portfolio and field experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete a master’s in creative writing program.

Most students can earn a master’s in writing in around two years.

What Can I Do With a Master’s in Creative Writing?

This degree prepares students for careers as authors, editors, reporters, and public relations specialists. Graduates can also teach creative writing at colleges.

Is a Master’s in Creative Writing Worth It?

Many writing careers do not require a master’s degree. However, online writing programs help students polish writing skills, which can improve their salary and career prospects.

Can I Teach English With a Creative Writing Degree?

Earning a master’s in writing online qualifies graduates to teach English courses at many colleges, as an MFA is often the minimum qualification for these roles. However, some schools require a doctorate for teaching positions.

What Is a Master’s in Creative Writing?

Online MFA in creative writing programs explore brainstorming, writing, and editing practices for different genres. These programs often culminate in a thesis or portfolio.

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Ma in writing.

You bring the passion for storytelling, we’ll help you develop your craft, tap into your creativity, and increase your network. Our goal is that you will leave our program ready to write, publish, and edit at the highest levels possible.

MA in Writing Program Overview

The Johns Hopkins MA in Writing program reflects our university’s international reputation for academic rigor and creative innovation. Rooted in craft and led by working writers, our high-quality program is both challenging and supportive: We’re here to offer clear, straightforward, thoughtful feedback while creating a culture that encourages risk-taking.

At JHU, you will not only boost your writing, revision, and editing skills, but also learn how to read like a writer, to give and receive feedback, to find publishing opportunities, and to live the writing life.

Explore Many Genres and Styles

We offer areas of concentration in nonfiction or fiction writing, each offering its own core courses and required electives that will explore craft elements like form, voice, structure, and style.

• Nonfiction: pursue long-form literary journalism, personal essays, and memoir
• Fiction: focus on short stories, novellas, and novels in a variety of genres

In addition to classes in your selected concentration, you’ll get to dabble in other genres like poetry, drama, playwriting, and screenwriting. Flesh out your schedule with classes from across genres, eras, themes, craft elements, and even from our science writing graduate programs.

Live the Writing Life: Summer Residency

The optional residency courses bring together our community for a week of sessions, workshops, readings, outings, receptions, and, of course, personal writing time. After all, you’re likely to be inspired by your surroundings!

Residency locations vary from year to year. We’ve been to Bar Harbor, Maine; Dublin, Ireland; and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Sometimes our writing residencies are integrated with the JHU science writing master’s program, giving you a chance to connect with even more writers and faculty members.

Complete a Manuscript, Build Your Portfolio

You will leave JHU with a solid, publishable portfolio. You’ll bring together the best of you for your thesis project. This could be part of a novel or memoir, or a collection of essays or short stories. You will work under the guidance of a faculty mentor to revise your project, while also taking a capstone workshop where you’ll discuss the writing life and practice and conduct public readings.

Learn on Your Terms

The MA in Writing program is one of the most flexible at JHU. You can complete your degree online in a dynamic and interactive learning environment, with the option to incorporate residency experiences into your studies.

What It’s Like to Study Writing at AAP

Upcoming Events

MA in Writing Information Session

Ma in science writing information session, student insights.

MA in Writing students share their perspectives about the program:

Torrence Boone  '22

“I had written a novel and struggled, but since coming to the program I feel empowered, with a new set of tools and approaches to writing and work. ”

Elissa Collins '23

“I knew I wanted to go back to grad school, and with Johns Hopkins I knew you could work full time and complete the program. So I was very excited about that. ”

Anne Haddad '24

“With its thought-provoking methods and structure, this program has empowered me to feel confident to return to writing the stories I’ve always wanted to write.“

Catherine Smart  '24

“Every professor is accessible and candid and wants to see you develop. I have never had that in a program before, which is why I would stay here above any other program. ”

Why to Pursue an MA in Writing at Hopkins

Surround yourself with other creative writers: Your classmates and faculty members all have a story to tell.

Study With Prolific Writers

Our faculty has been published in Education Week, The New York Review of Books, Time, and many literary journals and major newspapers. Research interests include pop music, Icelandic literature, digital media, creative writing, and multilingual writers.

Grow Your Writing Community and Network

Meet emerging and established writers from all professional backgrounds. Join a successful network of alumni with work in esteemed literary journals, major magazines and newspapers, and on the shelf at your local bookstore.

Write on Location: Travel Opportunities

Our exciting summer residency option rotates locations. You could write near our campus in D.C. or Baltimore, on the rocky shores of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, near Acadia National Park, or in the mountains near Shenandoah National Park, or even Dublin, Ireland.

Customize Your Studies Based on Writing Goals

Choose from a variety of workshops and electives, such as Children's Book Writing, Screenwriting, Sentence Power: From Craft to Art, The Essence of Place, Writing the Other, Travel Writing, Completing the Novel, Memoir and Personal Essay – plus a variety of fiction and nonfiction workshops.

Connect With Us

We love to share updates about our students and faculty, as well as links to new publications.

Writing News

Take the Next Step

Study creative writing online or on campus at Johns Hopkins University, among a community of writers dedicated to their craft.

Contact Us for More Information

Advanced academic programs admissions, audience menu.

• Extended University
• UTEP Connect
• Online Programs
• Master's Programs

Program Highlights

48 credit hours |  In-state tuition: $490/credit hour | Out-of-state tuition: $575/credit hour

• One of the only 100% online MFAs in Creative Writing 
• Designed for writers with great talent and drive in fiction and poetry who need a master’s in Creative Writing to teach at University level 
• Provides access to a stellar faculty including world-renowned poets and fiction writers 

PROGRAM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Why Creative Writing at UTEP?

The online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is the only one of its kind and single-minded in its focus to help students become better writers at their own pace. We do this by creating an exclusive community that includes well-known literary personalities and published authors; students also learn the practical skills needed to hone their craft.

This is a highly competitive program for serious writers with the potential for great literary significance.  

A master’s degree in creative writing is perfect for students who

• Work full-time and want to go on to pursue a career in writing or teaching at the university level
• Are serious writers who want to publish
• Need to learn strategies to become better writers
• Want to be a part of an international community of writers without borders

We also offer an optional low-residency opportunity every summer in Europe, in such cities as London, Paris, and Madrid. The UTEP Career Center provides graduates with resources to help them pursue their career goals.

Our student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers. These are the Edge experiences Creative Writing students will have and the Edge skills they will graduate with:

Edge Experiences

• Online Experiences
• Creative Activities
• Research and Scholarly Activities
• Learning Communities
• Study Abroad/Study Away

Edge Skills

• Social Responsibility
• Global Awareness
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Problem Solving

Learn more about UTEP Edge

  " It has been a great experience. I could learn and study from home, in my own time. I got to know really interesting people whom I am still in touch with, even if we never met in person. The professors were flexible, kind, and all of them experts in their field . " - Ana Cagnoni, Graduate MEET MORE STUDENTS

Still wondering if this degree can help you get a job? Here's some info that might help you make up your mind .

Learn With Award-Winning Faculty 

Our department is filled with world-renowned, award-winning, bilingual faculty who bring their talent to the classroom; among our ranks are Andrea Cote Botero, José de Piérola, Tim Z. Hernandez, Sasha R. Pimentel, Jeff Sirkin, Lex Williford, Sylvia A. Zéleny and Daniel Chacón. We currently have two visiting faculty members: Jessica Powers and JD Pluecker, who teach children's/YA literature and poetry respectively. In the past, we have had award-winning writers who have served as visiting faculty and shared their expertise with our students:this list includes Natalie Diaz, Laurie Ann Guerrero, Heather Hartley and Carolina Ebeid.

Listen to the program's brand new podcast "Technically Literate" on your favorite podcasting app.  This is the first ever show to blend Creative Writing (poetry fiction writing, memoir) with technology.

Course Overview

The online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a highly competitive program that requires a total of 48 semester credit hours; this includes 42 semester credit hours of workshops and literature classes, and six hours of thesis during which students complete a publishable manuscript in poetry or fiction.

A detailed list of courses is available at https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/creative-writing/academic-programs/online/curriculum.html

Like what you see? Here are some tips to get you accepted and on your way to becoming a successful writer!

CONNECT WITH US

Top 10 Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs 2024

Find your perfect school.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Texas-El Paso placed #1 on our list of the top online master’s in creative writing , followed by the University of Houston-Victoria .
• From grant writer to ghost writer , author to publisher , and teacher to journalist , there are many career options for a master’s in creative writing graduate. Your career path will determine which online creative writing program is for you.
• According to PayScale, the average salary for master’s in creative writing graduates can vary from $35k to $113k , depending on the career path you choose.

For many aspiring writers, a master’s degree in creative writing might seem out of reach. Perhaps they’ve always wanted to pursue their craft but couldn’t justify the cost. Or maybe they were too busy holding down a day job to fully indulge in their writing work. An affordable online master’s in creative writing program could be just what these budding authors need to embrace the profession of writing.

Methodology

To develop this ranking of the top master’s degrees in creative writing online, our editors performed an exhaustive online search of the active programs currently available from U.S. colleges and universities. This search yielded precisely 20 programs. After applying the affordability filter and then our site-wide graduate program methodology , we were able to narrow the pool to just 10 programs. Below, you will find our picks for the top online master’s in creative writing degree programs.

Featured Programs

#10—southern new hampshire university, manchester, new hampshire, ma in english & creative writing.

Tuition : $19,467

Southern New Hampshire University offers the most accelerated online master’s in creative writing in our ranking. This 15-month program is available fully online and features four concentration options:

• Screenwriting

Course titles may include:

• Contemporary Writers & Publishers
• Seminar in Writing Instruction
• Studies in Place & Setting
• Fiction and Film

SNHU is fully accredited to confer the online master’s degree in creative writing by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

• Accelerated format
• Diverse curriculum
• Fully online
• Less affordable
• Less diverse

#9—Bay Path University

Long meadow, massachusetts, mfa in creative nonfiction.

Tuition : $19,235

Bay Path University offers a rare online MFA in Creative Nonfiction. The program is a fully online option featuring three distinct concentrations:

• Teaching Creative Writing
• Narrative Medicine

The 39-credit hour curriculum consists of online classes such as:

• Travel and Food Writing
• Learning to Teach
• Spiritual Writing Through the Ages
• Writing About Culture, Race, and Identity

Bay Path University is accredited to award this online master’s in creative writing by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

• Mentorship program
• Small class sizes
•  Less affordable

#8—Liberty University

Lynchburg, virginia, online master of fine arts in creative writing.

Tuition : $7,740

The creative writing MFA from Liberty University is a convenient program that can be completed entirely online. It is a transfer-friendly program, enabling students to transfer in up to half of the required credits. Courses are 8 weeks in length and include titles such as:

• Writing Fiction
• Writing as Cultural Engagement
• Editing & Publishing
• Research Methods and Bibliography

A thesis is also required for this 48-credit hour program. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award this online MFA in creative writing.

• 100% online
• Transfer-friendly
• High acceptance rate

#7—Tiffin University

Tiffin, ohio, master’s in humanities: creative writing.

Tuition : $14,000

The online creative writing master’s program from Tiffin University is technically a Master of Humanities with a concentration in creative writing. This accelerated degree option can be completed entirely online within just 18 months of full-time study. Sample course titles include:

• Graduate Rhetoric and Composition
• Creative Writing: The Short Story
• Ethics in Business and Technical Writing
• Marketing for Publication

Tiffin University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission to confer this online master’s degree in creative writing.

#6—Lenoir-Rhyne University

Hickory, north carolina, mfa in creative writing.

Tuition : $12,240

The online MFA in Creative Writing from Lenoir-Rhyne University is a flexible graduate degree program that features a unique certificate in narrative healthcare. Students can pursue the program on a part-time or full-time basis and attend lectures synchronously. The curriculum for this 45-credit hour online option includes course titles such as:

• Literary Studies Seminar
• Workshop in Writing Poetry
• Workshop in Writing Fiction
• Workshop in Creative Nonfiction

A creative thesis is also required at the program’s conclusion. Lenoir-Rhyne University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the online creative writing MFA.

• Dynamic curriculum
• Part-time option
• A Top-40 regional university (South)
• Less flexible

#5—Concordia University – St. Paul

St. paul, minnesota, creative writing mfa.

Tuition : $8,550

The online creative writing MFA offered by Concordia University-St. Paul is a dynamic program that prepares graduates for an array of different careers in writing. This workshop-based program features course titles such as:

• Studies in the Craft of Creative Writing
• The Culture of Writing, Editing, and Publishing
• Studies in Contemporary Poetry
• Research and Writing about Literature

Each course is taught by a published writer/faculty member. The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Concordia University-St. Paul to confer the online master’s degree in creative writing.

• Top-ranked regional university
• Prescribed curriculum
• Required thesis

#4—Lindenwood University

St. louis, missouri, mfa in writing.

The online MFA in creative writing from Lindenwood University is offered in both a fully online and hybrid format. Available through the university’s College of Arts and Humanities, the 48-credit hour graduate program features four distinct concentrations:

• Creative Nonfiction
• Young Adult/Middle Grade

Depending on the emphasis they choose, enrolled students may take online courses such as:

• Nonfiction: The Poetics of Memoir
• Poetry: The Contemporary Narrative Poem
• Fiction: The Elements of Short Fiction
• Submitting Work for Publication

In addition to online coursework, a thesis is required as the culminating element of the program. Lindenwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

• Multiple concentrations available
• Flexible delivery
• Thesis required

#3—University of New Orleans

New orleans, louisiana, online mfa in creative writing.

Points : 10

Tuition : $6,090

The flexible online MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Orleans can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The 45-credit hour program is studio/research-based and taught by the same faculty members as the on-campus program. Once enrolled, students will take classes such as:

• Craft of Fiction
• Remote Poetry Workshop
• Revisiting Southern Gothic
• The Long Poem

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited the University of New Orleans to award this master’s program in creative writing online.

• Affordability
• Nationally ranked fine arts program
• Competitive admissions

#2—University of Houston – Victoria

Victoria, texas, master’s in creative writing.

Points : 11

Tuition : $6,618

The University of Houston-Victoria offers an elective-rich online master’s in creative writing that can be customized to your career goals. Students can choose a fully online or low-residency program as they work toward the 36-credit hour requirement. Aside from the required thesis courses, the curriculum is self-designed through the selection of elective classes. Some of these electives include:

• Introduction to Publishing
• Style and Editing
• The Business of Books
• American Literary History

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited UH-Victoria to award this master’s in creative writing online or on campus.

• A Top-50 public school
• Rigorous admissions requirements
• Less structured

#1—University of Texas – El Paso

El paso, texas.

Tuition : $5,865

Offered through the university’s College of Liberal Arts, the online master’s in creative writing program from the University of Texas-El Paso is both rigorous and highly competitive. Designed for writers with aspirations to teach at the university level, the program requires 48 credit hours of online coursework. Required course titles include:

• Forms and Techniques of Fiction
• Writing the Novel
• Advanced Creative Nonfiction
• The Politics of Narration

To fulfill the thesis portion of the program, students will submit an original full-length manuscript of poetry or prose. Those who wish to study abroad may also consider UTEP’s low residency program in creative writing. UTEP is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

• Diverse student body

About Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs

Writers today have more professional opportunities than ever before. With the advent of internet publishing came myriad applications for digital content, which transformed this occupational field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for writers and authors are now growing about as fast as the average for other occupations. There are many different types of writers, including fiction writers, screenwriters, bibliographers, journalists, bloggers, copywriters, and more.

Creative Writing Master’s Programs: Admissions Requirements

The application process for an online master’s in creative writing may be a bit different compared to that of other graduate programs. Though some of the requirements are similar, there tends to be more of an emphasis on the writing samples and statements of purpose as opposed to other parts of the application. Here are some of the most common admissions requirements for these types of programs:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
• Undergraduate transcript
• Completed application and fee
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Portfolio of professional writing
• Resume or CV

Many master’s of creative writing programs prioritize the writing portfolio as the most important part of the application, followed by the statement of purpose. For these programs, schools want to ensure they have a cohort of driven, talented writers with the most promise for successful writing careers.

Online Master’s Degree in Creative Writing: Curriculum

You can expect the curriculum for your master’s in creative writing program to be unique. Most of these programs are highly curated, and it’s not likely you’ll take the same courses as someone attending a different school, even if they’re enrolled in the same degree program. Moreover, these creative writing programs are often customizable, enabling students to select a concentration or area of emphasis. Even so, we’re listing some sample courses taken from real online master’s in creative writing programs to give you an idea of the breadth and scope of the kinds of courses you can expect to take.

Sample Courses

• Forms and Techniques of Poetry
• LGBTQ Literature and Theory
• Nature and Environmental Writing
• Literary Theory and Practice
• Studies in the Contemporary Novel
• Researching and Writing About Literature
• Digital Publishing
• Contemporary Women’s Stories
• Editing, Layout, and Publishing
• Genre Studies
• Nonfiction: Writing a Nonfiction Book
• MFA Goes to Work: Creative Writing in Careers

Concentrations/Areas of Emphasis

Many online master’s in creative writing programs allow students to elect a specific concentration or area of emphasis. Usually, these specialties are aligned with the genre of writing the student focuses on or their career goals in the writing profession. Here are some examples:

• Young Adult

When you think of a thesis, you typically imagine a long, in-depth research paper. The thesis element of a master’s in creative writing program is somewhat different, though. This type of thesis is a piece of original creative writing authored by the student. It could be a book of poetry, a memoir, or even a novel. It may also include commentary from the writer and/or a description of the writing process. Not all online creative writing master’s programs require a thesis, but many do.  

Types of Creative Writing Master’s Programs

Part-time programs.

As you peruse the programs in this ranking, you might notice that some colleges and universities offer their online master’s in creative writing on a part-time basis. If you have a busy schedule already, then these programs may be ideal for you. Just keep in mind that a part-time degree program will inevitably take longer to complete than a full-time or accelerated option.

Hybrid or Low-Residency Options

For this ranking of online master’s in creative writing programs, our editors took care to only include those programs that can be completed entirely online. Be aware, though, that there are programs out there that are advertised as online master’s degrees in creative writing but actually require some on-campus visits. Be sure to read the fine print or, better yet, speak to an admissions counselor about the possibility of on-campus residencies, workshops, or orientations.

Synchronous Programs

Even those programs that are offered 100% online can differ in terms of their flexibility. Be on the lookout for master’s degree programs in creative writing that are delivered synchronously. While it can be a benefit, it can be helpful to know ahead of time that these types of programs require students to attend live lectures and other class meetings at specific times of the day. As a result, synchronous programs can be less convenient than asynchronous master’s in creative writing programs.

Frequently-Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs

It’s not uncommon to have questions about your degree program prior to enrollment. After all, the more information you have, the better your position to make an informed decision. Here are some of the most common questions prospective students ask about master’s degrees in creative writing online. The information provided below is intended as general information. It does not replace advice from an admissions counselor or information gathered from a specific program’s website.

Q: How much does an online master’s degree in creative writing cost?

A: As with other types of degree programs, tuition will vary from one school to the next. In the research for this ranking, our editors identified programs with costs ranging from less than $6,000 per year to more than $60,000 annually. Scholarships and other forms of financial aid may be available, depending on the program and school.

Q: How long does it take to earn a creative writing master’s degree online?

A: Master’s degree programs typically take two years to complete, but this can vary. Some online creative writing master’s programs follow accelerated formats and can be completed in as few as 15 months. Others are part-time programs that may take much longer to finish.

Q: Are master’s programs in creative writing hard to get into?

A: They can be, yes. Some programs are more selective than others. You can expect to be required to demonstrate some talent and proficiency in creative writing as part of the application process.

Career Questions for Master’s in Creative Writing Graduates

Q: what can i do with a master’s in creative writing.

A: There are many different career paths you can take with a master’s in creative writing. For example, you can teach creative writing at the university level, work for a publishing agency, or embark on a freelance career.

Q: Will I be able to get a job as a writer?

A: There is a growing need for authors and writers, thanks to the bourgeoning field of online publishing. The BLS projects this occupational field will expand by 4% by 2032. This is an average growth projection compared to other industries in the United States.  

Q: How much will I make with a master’s degree in creative writing?

A: Your earnings will vary depending on where you work. The BLS estimates that authors and writers make $73,690 annually, on average. The top 10% of earners make almost double, though. With an advanced degree in the field, you’ll be positioned to earn the most competitive wages.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
• National Center for Education Statistics: College Navigator
• English Degrees Online: Top 15 Values
• How to Become a Speech Writer

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• Get in touch

MA in Creative Writing (Online)

Transform your passion for reading into the ability to produce prose worthy of public recognition . 

• WHAT YOU LEARN
• COURSE MODULES
• HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED
• ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• CAREER PROSPECTS

Course details

Additional costs:   due to the nature of the subject, and copyright restrictions placed on institutional libraries by some publishers, students will need to purchase some core texts.

Support with your application:   Contact our adviser team today for application advice.

Why this MA in Creative Writing?

It was Hull where Philip Larkin lived and worked at the University's Brynmor Jones Library for 30 years, writing most of his best work. A seafaring city that connected outwards and brought some of the exotic back to northern England.

Embracing Hull's global-facing outlook, MA Professor and accomplished author Martin Goodman describes the University's MA Creative Writing as an inspiring and collegial environment for online students who want to develop their distinctive voice as a creative writer.

There is also the option to attend face-to-face events , as you seek public recognition and become a valued, active member of a vibrant international creative writing community.

The University of Hull was ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction with Creative Writing in The Complete University Guide 2024 .

What you learn

Transform your passion for reading into the ability to produce prose worthy of public recognition. Whatever your genre of preference, be it literary fiction, nonfiction, or the likes of fantasy, mystery or romance – you will have the opportunity to hone your creative writing skills and discover the techniques seminal writers have used to significant effect:

push your creative boundaries and give shape to a strong and original creative voice

expand your knowledge of the literary canon and acquire the art of reading as a literary writer 

gain an in-depth knowledge of structure which will help you towards a deeper understanding of your writing process 

become conversant with a range of textual elements such as the use of dialogue, point of view, perspective and sensory detail and apply learned technique to your preferred writing genre 

take your place within the international creative writing community. Critique the work of others and engender the view of published writers as colleagues from who you can learn 

• develop your practice as a creative writer, understand the editing and re-drafting process necessary to produce prose of a publishable standard.

Your questions answered Programme Director Dr Chris Westoby answers some key questions about the course, including which modules you'll study, how you'll learn online, and the entry requirements.

[upbeat music plays throughout]

Dr Chris Westoby: So there are five modules over the course of two years. You're introduced to the programme with The Writer's Craft, which is designed by our programme founder, Martin Goodman. The Writer's Craft teaches you key writing concepts at MA level, how to analyze the work of exemplary authors and locate what makes their writing successful, so that you may apply such skills within your own practice, and you work upon and strengthen your unique writing voice.

This acts as your your foundation, your springboard, from which you launch into the central three genre specific modules. So you have Writing the Short Story, Writing from Life and Writing the Novel where you study and practice specific modes of writing in-depth.

By the end of these four taught modules, you'll be well equipped and raring to embark upon The Writer's Portfolio. This double length and double weighted module sees you liftoff into an extended writing project of your own design.

With the support of a supervisor chosen to help bring out the very best in your work. You learn through a a combination of writing exercises, lectures, guided critical reading, discussion, forums, workshops and webinars.

Well, this is hard to quantify because everyone works at different speeds, which is absolutely fine and part of what we're proud to accommodate. There are also extra elements to each model, which some students may wish to engage in such as further recommended reading.

Our standard entry requirements are a 2:2 BA honours degree or international equivalent.

However, we also recognize other forms of prior experience and therefore encourage anyone who is interested in the programme to get in touch.

Your application may discuss where your career has taken you so far and why this equips you with the skills designed to join this program. You might discuss other writing courses you've attended, which have provided a strong foundation. You might discuss inroads you have made into publication, all of which shows that you are ready to start sharing your work and have practiced polishing it.

Or you may simply demonstrate the strength of your potential as a writer through your creative writing sample.

Even without the standard entry requirements, you may be the ideal candidate for this programme. There are a number of non standard ways in which you may be considered, so please do get in touch.

Your assigned course advisor will help you form an application that lets your unique strengths shine.

Student work

Dear Isobel

Bedtime Stories for Kids

The Watcher Of The Night Sky (Book 1)

Post-Midnight Blues

Festa: A Year of Italian Celebrations - Recipes and Recollections

Mental Health Home Group Material

Into Your Blues

Pack of Lies

The Twinkling Of An Eye

Distant Voices: An anthology of stories

Course modules.

This masters degree allows you to develop your confidence and craft as a writer within a supportive, creative environment.

You study the following compulsory modules.

Because writing takes fire in the readers' mind, in this module, you will examine a wide range of literary works. Focusing primarily on textual elements including; sentence length and flow, perspective, choices of tense you will develop an understanding of how writers achieve their effects. Presented with sections of exemplary writing, you will move from your own visceral responses (e.g., excitement, intrigue, fear) to tracking how the writer deploys elements of craft to trigger desired emotions and atmosphere.

Short stories allow emerging writers to complete narrative arcs and establish a reputation through published works before tackling the longer form of a novel. In this module not only will you develop an appreciation of short stories from a range of international writers, but you will take the short story form and make it your own. Note that this module will also cover two sub-genres within the form; micro-fiction and flash fiction.

This module will introduce you to a wide range of nonfiction prose with a particular focus on travel writing, the essay, memoir, nature writing, and true-crime. You will produce your portfolio of work while practising a range of narrative nonfiction forms within a supportive, peer-driven environment.

What is it about an opening chapter of a novel that makes it virtually impossible to put it down? Throughout this module, you will improve upon your novel writing skills. The critique of your writing in a workshop setting will help you develop a keen awareness of narrative and narration along with a deep understanding of archetypes as an essential part of storytelling. As you develop plot and structure, you will employ editing and redrafting techniques to produce work you are proud to publish.

Creative writing is a rewarding process which requires immense personal discipline. In this module, you will receive guidance on how to structure your writing practice in this respect. Your prose portfolio (up to 15,000 words) represents the culmination of your MA Creative Writing programme. Here you will demonstrate your originality of ideas, grasp of technique and craft, presenting a unique and accomplished body of work to a publishable or near publishable standard.

Hear from our Alumni

Hear their stories, discover their motivations and the obstacles they overcame, and gain valuable insider perspectives.

Join us in Sep 2024

What are the entry requirements.

A minimum 2.2 Bachelor Honours degree  or international equivalent . Applicants who do not meet this requirement may still be considered, but will need to present examples of relevant prior experience, courses, job roles, or published work.

A creative writing sample (fiction or non-fiction) of 1,500 to 2,000 words

• A personal statement of around 300-500 words. Click here for details of what should be included

An IELTS 6.0 score (with minimum 5.5 in each skill) if your first language isn’t English (or other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull )

One professional or academic reference

If you're unsure whether you're eligible to apply, please get in touch with our friendly course adviser team for advice:

“I chose Hull because I wanted to study somewhere where I would be pushed to break free from my comfort zone."

How you're assessed.

All assessments for the course are based on coursework and submitted online. There are no exams. 

Assessment methods

Your performance on the course will be assessed through a range of methods including:

ongoing tutor and peer feedback

practical work, including group projects and discussion forums

Written assessments

You’ll also be asked to complete a variety of written assessments including:

Critical and creative responses, where you provide examples of crafting skills in work that interests you, and then provide short writing samples that utilise those techniques in your own work

Prose portfolios, comprising one or two pieces of original work

Commentary pieces, describing your ambitions and intent for your prose portfolios

Get more detailed information on the course assessment methods page:

Teaching team

Professor Martin Goodman

Dr Christopher Westoby

Dr Mick Jackson

Dr Kate Horsley

Barbara Henderson

Tim Hannigan

Dr Megan Hayes

Dr Elizabeth Watkinson

KR Moorhead

Broaden your horizons with face-to-face events.

At the University of Hull, we believe it’s important for students to feel a sense of connectedness, whether they’re studying on campus or online. This is why we hold up to two face-to-face events per year with creative workshops, talks from visionary academics, and a glance into the UK’s thriving creative writing community. Students from previous events have:  

• Formed lasting friendships with fellow creatives  
• Refined their creative writing style on the back of discussion and constructive criticism  
• Drawn inspiration from new perspectives and literary genres  
• Picked up insider knowledge on how to get their work published   

Want to flex your creative muscles, meet your tutors in-person, or form a rapport with like-minded people? You can do all this and more, while exploring topics outside of your course modules. Stay tuned for updates on our face-to-face events – we’d love to have you join us!  

What makes this course stand out? Hear from Programme Founder Professor Martin Goodman about what sets this Creative Writing masters degree apart.

[inspirational music plays throughout]

Hello I'm Martin Goodman, Professor of Creative Writing here at the University of Hull. I'm Director of this MA Online Creative Writing program. And I'm a writer like you. So part of our program here is to welcome fellow writers and encourage you to be the best writer you can be. This course for anybody who wants to take their creative writing seriously, for whom it's something very important. It's probably been very private 'til now, but you're ready to share it, and you're ready to share it, ideally in this online environment. This suits you. Writing is quite a private thing that happens on paper. But we know we have to share it at some times if we're going to reach other readers. So this is what we aim to do with you. The way this course works is to bring you through several different modules. The first one is writer's craft, where we will examine other writers and exemplary pieces of writing and their techniques, how they make their writing work and other readers' minds. And then you build up these skills as you're going through modules about writing the story of writing the novel, writing from life, and then you're released into an extended piece of writing, and that is where you're following the form that most appeals to you. We designed this course to help you build yourself into being the complete prose writer. For me, it's actually been very important to try out all of these fields. So I write novels, I write short stories. I also write non-fiction, I write biographies, I write travel pieces, I write reviews. All of these things are part of what makes a writer able to sustain a living in the world. And you don't have to always be working from your imagination. There's always something you can go to. And in each of these, you're also building up your own skills. So if your main desire in life is to be a novelist, the skills that you can find from learning how to write the creative nonfiction, writing from life, or how to build a little character arc within a short story. These are all essential to you. Every little piece of skill that you develop in writing any form will go into the form of your choosing. It's very important to me that we create a protected space around you. So you're not writing according to what some publisher takes as being that fits my box. You're writing the best work that can emerge from yourself inside this protected space, so it's not judgmental at all. We're completely free. We're saying, begin to yourself and write from that hidden space inside of you. I know that a lot of students are really bursting with their creative writing and looking for feedback, but they find it very hard to get into the classroom. Sometimes it's not good if you're a quiet person to have to face the bustle of a classroom, to have to put out your writing at this particular moment. It's much simpler to do that in your own time, to sort of breathe in. You post it online, and then other people can review it in their own time. That's really what this online course is doing. It is connecting the world through brilliant writers. 

Career prospects

By studying this course, you should gain the confidence and practical skills necessary to produce creative writing of a publishable or near-publishable standard, in your genre of choice.

Want to get published?

Programme Director Dr Chris Westoby discusses how studying creative writing at Hull led to his first book:

You'll also gain valuable transferrable skills which are in-demand across the creative industries and beyond.

MA Creative Writing graduates often go into successful careers in a broad range of industries, such as

professional writing/authorship

marketing and PR

heritage and tourism

journalism and broadcasting

museum curating

Ready to apply?

Our step-by-step application process is easy to follow.

The University of Hull and its digital courses provider, Hull Online Limited, delivered in partnership with Cambridge Education Group Digital (CEGD), will only use your personal data to contact you in relation to our courses. For further information, please see the privacy policy .

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Waitlist/course, withdrawals and refunds, more resources you may be looking for:, professional creative nonfiction writing: master’s degree.

Capture the attention of your audience with creative nonfiction writing that sparks interest and inspires action. From personal essay to memoir, literary journalism to travel writing, find your voice and tell your story. You’ll progress toward mastering the fundamentals of narrative nonfiction that connects with an audience while discovering and cultivating behavior to sustain your creative efforts.

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Top-ranked, career-focused education in a flexible format.

At a Glance

Classes Begin September 9

Term Length 10 Weeks

Master's Degree Tuition $40,032

Format Asynchronous and Hybrid Online

Duration As few as 18 months

Top-Ranked University

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Chris Heriza 303-871-4785 Schedule an appointment Email me

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University College is committed to educational access, and given the difficult circumstances currently impacting millions of people, we are waiving application fees.

Skills You’ll Learn

Identify and analyze key elements of creative nonfiction writing

Define your audiences and write in ways that move and entertain them

Assess your own writing and learn how to enhance its strengths and eliminate its weaknesses

Annual Schedule 5

Master of Arts in  Professional Creative Writing with a concentration in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing  requires completion of 48 credit hours (12 courses).

Core Courses

Concentration courses, elective courses.

Learn the scope of activity, historical development, and future direction of the industry. These courses provide a foundation that you'll draw on throughout your concentration and elective courses. The capstone serves as the culminating academic experience in which you'll explore a problem of practice in your field of study.

Focus on a specific professional area within the larger industry sector and master the skills needed to excel in that area.

Elective courses may be chosen from among non-core and concentration courses in the academic program, and you may also select courses in other University College graduate programs. Your academic advisor will help you select electives that align with your career and personal goals.

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Featured Instructors

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Traci Cartwright

Joseph Hutchison

Hilary Leftwich

Emily Vizzo

Annie Dawid

Sample schedule.

Plan out your schedule and determine your preferred timeline for completing your master's degree —finish in as few as 18 months or take up to five years.

Interested in a graduate certificate?

Explore our four and six course graduate certificates in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing .

Take a Course Before You Apply

We know how important it is to get started when you’re ready and that’s why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.

Career Outcomes

Predicted outcomes for graduates of professional creative nonfiction writing.

Nonfiction writing is on the rise and consumers are even willing to spend more on nonfiction titles, according to a Smashwords survey. According to Publishers Weekly, adult nonfiction had the largest gains in sales compared to other genres.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for writers and authors is projected to grow 9% through 2030. Writers and authors who adjust their work for online content and social media may have an advantage.

Writer and Author Salary: National Average

(u.s. bureau of labor statistics), get ahead with career services.

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Professional Creative Writing

Flexible online classes.

We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.

Accreditation

University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.

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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Online

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Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing

Grow your passion for writing into a career with liberty’s online mfa in creative writing.

Do you want to become the best creative writer you can be and get your work into the hands of readers? Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing can help you develop your writing passion into a career so you can set your works free to impact culture and the world.

Our online MFA in Creative Writing is designed to help you build on your writing skills with specific workshops dedicated to the craft of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or screenwriting. With a progress-focused approach to writing practice combined with mentorship from our faculty of experienced writers and scholars, you can learn the specific skills you need to make your writing stand out.

What Will You Learn in Our Online MFA in Creative Writing?

• How to market your projects and receive new writing opportunities
• How to write compelling stories that engage readers
• Organizing writing and adapting it to different types of writing
• Tailoring writing to specific audiences and markets
• What makes art effective, compelling, and impactful

The MFA in Creative Writing program is designed to help you learn to be an excellent creative writer across the genres of creative fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, and poetry. You will learn how to produce aesthetically and culturally engaging creative works while gaining professional knowledge and practice. You will also study foundational contemporary literature so that you have a background in studying important works to draw on for your writing. To help you in your professional writing, you will also study many essential skills like editing, layout, and the business of publishing so that you can best position yourself for success in the market.

Through your creative writing courses and workshops, you will develop your craft so that you will be ready for your capstone project. This capstone will demonstrate your writing achievements and provide you with a guided process to help you complete a creative work you can be proud of.

Career Opportunities for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Graduates

• Book and magazine writer
• Business communications specialist
• Creative writing instructor
• Publications editor
• Screenwriter
• Website copy editor and writer
• Writing manager

Highlights of Our Online MFA in Creative Writing Degree

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online MFA degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
• Liberty University has partnered with New York Times bestselling author and Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury to create the Karen Kingsbury Center for Writing. Your curriculum includes content developed by Kingsbury herself.
• With creative writing workshops and a capstone that will guide you through the completion of a major work of writing, you will have support and guidance to become the best writer you can be.
• You can complete the MFA in Creative Writing in as little as 2 years!

Master’s in Creative Writing Military Benefits

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you.

Liberty’s military benefits are available to:

• Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

Credit Hours

Available Online

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer Credits

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Date

Aug 19, 2024

Accreditation

Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC

Areas of Interest

Choose your area of Interest:

Training Champions for Christ

Liberty’s promise to you is an education that expertly brings knowledge and faith together. Here, education is designed around you. It connects you to people and opportunities that help you develop the skills and confidence you’re looking for. At Liberty, you’ll find the knowledge, experience, and mentorship you want to make your career — and life — a fulfilling one.

Why Liberty

Liberty University is not just another school. It is the realization of a dream, the product of thousands of prayers. It was built to invite students into a bigger, better story. Discover the Liberty difference for yourself.

Scholarships

When it comes to choosing a college, finances make a difference. That’s why at Liberty, we believe in offering you a top-notch education — that’s also affordable. Discover how Liberty can help you keep your college costs down.

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At Liberty University, we believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, and it's our job to keep private education affordable. Explore the many ways a Liberty education can be an affordable one.

For online students

Academic Excellence

Liberty University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and certain programs have earned additional field-specific accreditation as well.

Earning A Master’s In Creative Writing: What To Know

Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 1:51pm

Do you want to create written work that ignites a reader’s imagination and even changes their worldview? With a master’s in creative writing, you can develop strong storytelling and character development skills, equipping you to achieve your writing goals.

If you’re ready to strengthen your writing chops and you enjoy writing original works to inspire others, tell interesting stories and share valuable information, earning a master’s in creative writing may be the next step on your career journey.

The skills learned in a creative writing master’s program qualify you to write your own literary works, teach others creative writing principles or pursue various other careers.

This article explores master’s degrees in creative writing, including common courses and concentrations, admission requirements and careers that use creative writing skills. Read on to learn more about earning a master’s degree in creative writing.

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What Is a Master’s in Creative Writing?

A master’s in creative writing is an advanced degree that helps you develop the skills to write your own novel, poetry, screenplay or nonfiction book. This degree can also prepare you for a career in business, publishing, education, marketing or communications.

In a creative writing master’s degree program, you can expect to analyze literature, explore historical contexts of literary works, master techniques for revising and editing, engage in class workshops and peer critiques, and write your own original work.

Creative writing master’s programs usually require a thesis project, which should be well-written, polished and ready to publish. Typical examples of thesis projects include poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, short story collections and novels.

A master’s in creative writing typically requires about 36 credits and takes two years to complete. Credit requirements and timelines vary by program, so you may be able to finish your degree quicker.

Specializations for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are a few common concentrations for creative writing master’s programs. These vary by school, so your program’s offerings may look different.

This concentration helps you develop fiction writing skills, such as plot development, character creation and world-building. A fiction concentration is a good option if you plan to write short stories, novels or other types of fiction.

A nonfiction concentration focuses on the mechanics of writing nonfiction narratives. If you plan to write memoirs, travel pieces, magazine articles, technical documents or nonfiction books, this concentration may suit you.

Explore the imagery, tone, rhythm and structure of poetry with a poetry concentration. With this concentration, you can expect to develop your poetry writing skills and learn to curate poetry for journals and magazines.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is an excellent concentration to explore if you enjoy creating characters and telling stories to make them come alive for television or film. This specialization covers how to write shorts, episodic serials, documentaries and feature-length film scripts.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are some typical admission requirements for master’s in creative writing degree programs. These requirements vary, so check with your program to ensure you’ve met the appropriate requirements.

• Application for admission
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Transcripts from previous education
• Writing samples
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay

Common Courses in a Master’s in Creative Writing

Story and concept.

This course focuses on conceptualizing, planning and developing stories on a structural level. Learners study how to generate ideas, develop interesting plots, create outlines, draft plot arcs, engage in world-building and create well-rounded characters who move their stories forward.

Graduate Studies in English Literature

Understanding literature is essential to building a career in creative writing. This course prepares you to teach, study literature or write professionally. Expect to discuss topics such as phonology, semantics, dialects, syntax and the history of the English language.

Workshop in Creative Nonfiction

You’ll study classic and contemporary creative nonfiction in this course. Workshops in creative nonfiction explore how different genres have emerged throughout history and how previous works influence new works. In some programs, this course focuses on a specific theme.

Foundations in Fiction

In this course, you’ll explore how the novel has developed throughout literary history and how the short story emerged as an art form. Coursework includes reading classic and contemporary works, writing response essays and crafting critical analyses.

MA in Creative Writing vs. MFA in Creative Writing: What’s the Difference?

While the degrees are similar, a master of arts in creative writing is different from a master of fine arts in creative writing. An MA in creative writing teaches creative writing competencies, building analytical skills through studying literature, literary theory and related topics. This lets you explore storytelling along with a more profound knowledge of literature and literary theory.

If you want your education to take a more academic perspective so you can build a career in one of many fields related to writing, an MA in creative writing may be right for you.

An MFA prepares you to work as a professional writer or novelist. MFA students graduate with a completed manuscript that is ready for publishing. Coursework highlights subjects related to the business of writing, such as digital publishing, the importance of building a platform on social media , marketing, freelancing and teaching. An MA in creative writing also takes less time and requires fewer credits than an MFA.

If you want to understand the business of writing and work as a professional author or novelist, earning an MFA in creative writing might be your best option.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Creative Writing?

Below are several careers you can pursue with a master’s in creative writing. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Postsecondary Creative Writing Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $74,280 Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. or another doctoral degree; master’s degree may be accepted at some schools and community colleges Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors or faculty, teach students at the college level. They plan lessons, advise students, serve on committees, conduct research, publish original research, supervise graduate teaching assistants, apply for grants for their research and teach subjects in their areas of expertise.

Median Annual Salary: $73,080 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field Job Overview: Editors plan, revise and edit written materials for publication. They work for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies, media networks, and motion picture and video production companies. Editors work closely with writers to ensure their written work is accurate, grammatically correct and written in the appropriate style for the medium.

Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field Job Overview: Journalists research and write stories about local, regional, national and global current events and other newsworthy subjects. Journalists need strong interviewing, editing, analytical and writing skills. Some journalists specialize in a subject, such as sports or politics, and some are generalists. They work for news organizations, magazines and online publications, and some work as freelancers.

Writer or Author

Median Annual Salary: $73,150 Minimum Required Education: None; bachelor’s degree in creative writing or a related field sometimes preferred Job Overview: Writers and authors write fiction or nonfiction content for magazines, plays, blogs, books, television scripts and other forms of media. Novelists, biographers, copywriters, screenwriters and playwrights all fall into this job classification. Writers may work for advertising agencies, news platforms, book publishers and other organizations; some work as freelancers.

Technical Writer

Median Annual Salary: $79,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Technical writers craft technical documents, such as training manuals and how-to guides. They are adept at simplifying technical information so lay people can easily understand it. Technical writers may work with technical staff, graphic designers, computer support specialists and software developers to create user-friendly finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Master's in Creative Writing

Is a master’s in creative writing useful.

If your goal is to launch a career as a writer, then yes, a master’s in creative writing is useful. An MA in creative writing is a versatile degree that prepares you for various jobs requiring excellent writing skills.

Is an MFA better than an MA for creative writing?

One is not better than the other; you should choose the one that best equips you for the career you want. An MFA prepares you to build a career as a professional writer or novelist. An MA prepares you for various jobs demanding high-level writing skills.

What kind of jobs can you get with a creative writing degree?

A creative writing degree prepares you for many types of writing jobs. It helps you build your skills and gain expertise to work as an editor, writer, author, technical writer or journalist. This degree is also essential if you plan to teach writing classes at the college level.

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Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.

Master of Humanities

• Creative Writing

improve your writing for publication

30 credit, 18-month program.

If you have a passion for writing and seek to publish your work, Tiffin University’s Master of Humanities in Creative Writing can help you improve your writing skills and reach your goals. In our program, students work in writing workshops with fellow students and instructors who themselves have published texts. You will learn to write in different genres and explore your writing voice as you develop a portfolio working towards your capstone project.

The Master of Humanities in Creative Writing is designed to improve your writing skills and help you work towards publication. It will also prepare you to lead creative writing workshops or other teaching opportunities open for creative writers. You will learn how theory turns into practice by participating in writing workshops with instructors and other students. In addition to improving your writing skills, our students enjoy creative assignments that build critical thinking and analysis skills in all courses.

As a graduate of the program, you will be prepared to inspire others and continue your creative endeavors as you seek publishing opportunities. Our faculty will guide you through courses and help you reach your potential.

Tiffin University’s MH in Creative Writing was designed for anyone who enjoys writing and seeks to publish their work and anyone who wants to share that knowledge and love of writing with others.

professional Creative writing training

• All faculty within the program hold a terminal degree (M.F.A. or Ph.D.) in the field.
• Class sizes are small, allowing professors to provide timely, productive feedback and interactions with students.
• A graduate advisor is specific to the program and will work one-on-one with you to determine your individualized pathway to graduation.
• The program prepares you for writing and publishing your own work or for further graduate study.
• 100% online, with a combination of 7-week courses
• Students have options to begin their program at three different times throughout the year (January, May, and August).
• As a full-time student, you can complete your program in less than two years.

Each instructor within the Master of Humanities program brings experience in their field of study. They bring this real-world knowledge to their teaching, to the building of our curriculum as subject matter experts and to their interactions with students on a daily basis.

As part of our professional program, you’ll learn career-ready skills that will prepare you for a job within the field of Creative Writing. Courses are relevant, and all content is focused on practical skills. You’ll apply your knowledge as you engage in creative assignments, working both individually and in group discussions and projects.

The program will prepare you to be an effective communicator in the field, as well as an accomplished creative writer in a variety of genres who can share their knowledge effectively with others. If you enjoy writing, then the MH in Creative Writing is for you.

Within the Creative Writing program, you’ll actively engage through discussions with your peers and instructors. Each week, you’ll engage with classmates and complete a creative writing assignment. You’ll apply your learning as you participate in writing workshops and discuss ideas with others.

Within the program, you’ll continuously work on your communication and problem-solving skills as you take part in weekly discussions and assignments. These assignments, focused on writing in multiple genres, will require you to critically think about how texts are created and how ideas are communicated.

You’ll participate in a capstone project that allows you to create more texts and/or revise work you’ve already completed. By the end of the capstone project, you will have a polished writing sample that you can use for future graduate applications and/or seek to publish.

Online – Offered in 7-week courses, starting in January, May and August

SAMPLE COURSES

• Creative Writing: The Novel (Parts 1 and 2) (ENG542 and ENG642) – This course is the a two-part sequence. The focus of both course will be on writing an original novel or a good portion of a novel over the course of the two classes, using the creative writing workshop tradition, with the advantage of being online. Students will write and criticize each other’s work with suggestions for improvement.
• Creative Writing: Screenwriting (ENG545) – This course develops skills in the art and craft of telling stories through film, e.g., screenwriting. Through writing tightly focused exercises, scenes, and a script for short a film, students will learn correct screenplay format, develop a “feel” for screenwriting style, enhance their powers of description, their skills in writing dialogue and action, and in constructing scenes and plot. The overarching emphasis of the course is on learning how to translate mental moving images (the film that the writer sees in his or her head and all it encompasses or evokes), to words on the page in a way that those words create approximately the same (or at least very similar) moving images in the reader’s mind.
• Business of Publication (ENG654) – This course will discuss options for publishing students’ work. Approaches to the market will be discussed, including networking, approaching publishers and agents, trends in publishing, and alternative areas and modes of publishing. Students will also explore different types of publishing such as book publishers, magazine publishing, vanity presses, self-publishing, etc.
• Marketing for Publication (ENG652) – This course will focus on how students can market their own work in the world of publishing. There are many different options for writers to publish their work, and each option requires a different marketing strategy. Therefore, students will build on what they learn from the Business of Publishing class to decide on appropriate marketing and networking strategies for their particular strengths.

All MH concentrations offered:

• Art & Visual Media
• Film Studies
• Rhetoric & Composition

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. The median annual wage for writers and authors was $67,120 in May 2020.

The online Masters in Humanities in Creative Writing program prepares you for positions related to:

• Community College & CCP Education – English & Creative Writing
• Freelance Writing
• Publication Assistance
• Public Relations/Advertising
• Technical Writing

what is creative writing?

Creative writing is any form of writing that exists outside of journalism, business writing or academic writing. Creative writing expresses an author’s unique voice, writing style, thoughts and ideas in an imaginative and engaging manner.

what is a master’s in creative writing?

A master’s in creative writing helps students improve writing skills and reach writing goals. In this program, students work in writing workshops with fellow students and instructors who themselves have published texts. Students will learn to write in different genres and explore their writing voice as they develop a portfolio working toward their capstone project.

what can i do with a degree in creative writing?

With a degree in creative writing, you will be qualified for a variety of career opportunities, including community college and CCP Education – English and Creative Writing, authoring, editing, freelance writing, journalism, publication assistance, public relations and advertising, technical writing and more.

MH Creative Writing Program Requirements

Master’s programs.

• MBA Data Analytics

MBA Finance

• MBA Forensics & Fraud Examination

MBA Healthcare Administration

Mba human resource management, mba international business.

• MBA Leadership & Change

MBA Sports Management

• MBA Strategic Brand & Digital Marketing
• M.Ed. Higher Education Administration
• M.Ed. Instructional Design
• MH Art & Visual Media

MH Creative Writing

Mh film studies.

• MH Rhetoric & Composition

MS Clinical Exercise Physiology

Ms cybersecurity, ms psychology, ms in cj crime analysis, ms in cj crime science, ms in cj criminal behavior, ms in cj forensic psychology, ms in cj homeland security, ms in cj homeland security administration, ms in cj justice administration, calculate your monthly tuition payment, mba data & analytics, mba forensics & fraud examination, mba leadership & change, mba strategic brand & digital marketing, med higher education administration, med instructional design, mh art & visual media, mh rhetoric & composition, at a glance.

• Prepare to be an author
• Emphasis on creative writing workshops
• All faculty hold a terminal degree (M.F.A or Ph.D.) and have worked and/or published in the field
• Hands-on curriculum provides career-ready skills

“The courses are very interactive, giving students many opportunities to get to know their professors and classmates. While the courses are not in person or live, I have had excellent conversations with my professors and peers.”

What Can You Do with a Master of Humanities Degree?

Where a Master of Humanities Degree Can Take You

Alumni Spotlight: Christina Chilelli, Master of Humanities in Creative Writing

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Master's Degree in Creative Writing

Why earn your creative writing degree at saint leo university.

Whether your dream is to share your personal story as a memoir, to write a fantasy novel, or to create a lyrical collection of poetry, our low-residency Master of Arts in Creative Writing program can take your creativity and professionalism to the next level within a supportive community of peers and mentors.

Our low-residency format provides extreme flexibility for working adults, active-duty military members, veterans, and parents, meaning that you can pursue your writing goals online without interrupting your existing commitments to career, community, and family. You’ll spend one week each summer in an intensive residency, located at our beautiful university campus here in Saint Leo, Florida. Because the residency is scheduled to minimize its impact on student lives by beginning and ending on the weekend, it’s possible to enroll in our graduate program and spend just five business days away from home each year. You’ll then return home energized and inspired to work on your own creative project and enroll in semester online courses taught by members of our core faculty, all of whom are published writers of national reputation.

Designed to be completed in just two calendar years, this 36-hour master’s degree requires three summer residencies, four semesters of study, and a book-length thesis of the student’s creative work.

• The 2024 summer residency will be held from Monday July 8th to Saturday July 13th on University Campus. View Preliminary Summer Residency Schedule  
• The Saint Leo MA offers an affordable way for apprentice writers to explore and enhance their creative lives and to become part of a vibrant literary community.

The Master of Arts in Creative Writing is an advanced program that offers genre specializations in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. We especially acknowledge the needs of active-duty military members and veterans.

Take the Next Step

Master's creative writing program details, learn your way: what are the benefits of earning your creative writing degree online.

Saint Leo University’s online learning experience  provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility  to tailor your course of study to meet your individual  needs. We know our students have lives outside  school, and we seek to meet them where they are.  Online students can count on receiving excellent  academics as well as opportunities for hands-on  learning.

Learn About the Online Experience  

Visit Online Admissions

Our MA program’s online courses blend writing and literary studies with an emphasis on individualized instruction according to your genre (poetry, fiction, or nonfiction). Semester study plans not only provide structure and accountability but also are self-paced and flexible enough to accommodate a full-time job and other daily responsibilities.

View in Course Catalog

How the Creative Writing Program Works

The program begins with a one-week annual summer residency, held on the beautiful Saint Leo University Campus, located north of Tampa. The residency is designed as an immersive and contemplative retreat. Each day includes a workshop where a faculty mentor leads small groups of students in discussing their own creative work. The rest of each day allows for bonding time with peers and mentors as well as discussions and activities led by a faculty member, a distinguished visiting writer, or a professional in the writing field, such as an editor or publisher. Past visiting writers have included Benjamin Busch, Amina Gautier, Jesse Goolsby, Beth Ann Fennelly, Allison Joseph, David Kirby, Adam Johnson, and Aimee Nezhukumatahil. We conclude each day with readings by faculty members or visiting writers, which are free events that are open to the public. Students also get the chance to share and celebrate their own writing-in-progress with each other during informal open mics. You’ll return home energized and inspired to tackle your coursework and that dream project.

During the fall and spring semesters, students complete coursework from home, communicating with peers and faculty mentors online. In a writing workshop course, each student creates and refines original work in fiction, poetry, or nonfiction. Each workshop is paired with a foundations course, where students read both contemporary and classic examples of writing in their chosen genre of study. In their third and final summer, students work on compiling, revising, and editing their creative work into a master’s thesis: a novel or short story collection, a memoir or essay collection, or a poetry collection, all of publishable quality.

Students Can Expect To:

• Produce a substantial, revised body of original creative work
• Thoughtfully engage with the workshop process of peer critique
• Demonstrate an understanding of various forms and structures of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry
• Critically analyze literature, making connections among texts, authors, and historical periods of the works
• Closely read and demonstrate an understanding of the historical context, literary influences, and traditions of canonical and contemporary prose and poems
• Demonstrate knowledge of editing and revision techniques
• Generate original scholarship on the literary texts explored in this program

Some of our MA students enter the program with no expectation of pursuing further advanced degrees or traditional academic careers. Some will already be immersed in careers that may or may not be linked to the creative arts. Some will wish to wholeheartedly pursue the writing life. No matter your end goal, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert faculty mentors, and support from our community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful writing career or continued studies upon graduation. Plus, our Career Services center on campus is always available to help connect you with a variety of experiential learning opportunities to fit your individual career goals.

Several of our MA students have pursued further graduate coursework in MFA programs in Creative Writing or MA programs in Literature. Others have gone on to teach English courses to undergraduates as adjunct instructors at community colleges or universities, including at Saint Leo.

How to Apply

This page covers everything you need to know in order to put together your best possible application to our program.

For most graduate programs in creative writing, including ours, the most important part of your application is a sample of your creative work. We base admission decisions primarily on a written sample of the prospective student’s creative work submitted in the genre the student intends to study. If you want to study fiction, you should send us a short story or a section of a novel. Poets should send poems; nonfiction writers should send their best narrative nonfiction.

We read applications on a rolling basis until June 15th every year. Once your file is complete, we try to make a decision on your application within one week. Our upcoming academic year begins on July 1st, 2024.

Supporting materials that accompany an application (including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement identifying the student’s reasons for pursuing graduate study) are used to help consider the other positive attributes a student might contribute to the university and program communities respectively.

Visit Graduate Creative Writing Admissions

Advice on applying to the Saint Leo M.A. in Creative Writing

For the writing sample:.

All writing samples should be a minimum of 10 pages, and a maximum of 25.

Your writing sample should be in the genre in which you hope to be admitted; once you have been admitted to the program, you’ll have a chance to explore other kinds of writing, but you should start in one genre. If you aren’t sure yet what your primary genre should be, make sure to mention this conflict in your personal statement. 

We like to be able to read your work comfortably: all work should be in a 12 point font, such as Times New Roman, Garamond, or Cochin, etc., and prose manuscripts should be double-spaced. A minimum one-inch margin on all sides is necessary, too. Please don’t shrink the margins to fit more pages. A smaller number of good pages beats a greater number of average ones every time.

Proofread. Check your spelling. This is a graduate program taught by professors of English. In other words, the rules apply, and spelling counts!

We’re looking for potential implicit in the writing, even if that piece is unfinished. Your strategy should be to send work that best represents you as a writer.

For the Personal Statement:

In this 1-2 page double-spaced narrative, give us a sense of why you love to write, your writing or career goals, and why you want to dedicate two years of study to poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Try to be as specific as possible, and tell us which genre you wish to pursue. If there’s a reason that the low-residency approach especially appeals to you, include that in your statement. Basically, we want to know who you are and what you might contribute to our literary community.

Pay for the January Mini-Residency:

Your education at Saint Leo University is an investment in your future, and the January Mini-Residency is no exception. To secure the top-tier payment option for this prestigious program, simply use the add to cart button provided below, and embark on a transformative journey at Saint Leo University.

(The Mini-Residency is free for current MA in Creative Writing students, MA in Creative Writing alumni, and current Saint Leo undergraduate students.)

Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Anne Barngrover, Ph.D.

Ms. Gianna Russo, M.A.

Brooke King, M.F.A.

Vedran Husić, Ph.D.

Tony D’Souza, M.F.A.

From the creative writing faculty:.

Our Master of Arts in Creative Writing program is supportive, warm, and affordable. Students range from recent college graduates to long-time working professionals: veterans and active-duty military members, teachers, stay-at-home parents, nurses, visual artists, retirees, and so on. Regardless of background, each student shares the desire to improve their writing and become part of a vibrant literary scene.

We pride ourselves on our personalized, detailed, caring feedback on your writing and the close literary relationships that we’ve built here at Saint Leo, and we hope that you will consider becoming a part of our community. Our admissions team stands ready to help you with the application process, and we as faculty would love to talk with you about your story, your writing goals, and how our program can help you achieve those goals. All you need to do is reach out.

The MA in Creative Writing Faculty

Please contact Dr. Anne Barngrover, Program Director, at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

FAQs About the MA in Creative Writing Program

All admitted students begin our program by attending the one-week July residency. We accept applications on a rolling basis through June 15th each year.

What does “low-residency” mean?

Saint Leo’s low-residency degree is a family- and career-friendly option for graduate study. Instead of relocating to attend a full-time graduate program, you attend classes on campus for just one week annually in July. The remainder of your coursework is completed online from home.

Low-residency degrees are particularly attractive to students who have career, community, or family commitments that make quitting a job and relocating across the country impractical or even impossible. Many low-residency programs require two residencies per year; the Saint Leo MA requires just one, making it that much more accessible.

When is the residency?

The 2024 summer residency will be held from Monday July 8th to Saturday July 13th on University Campus.

What does a typical residency day look like?

Each day is divided into several different sessions and goes from around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Students attend a workshop of their peers where they provide feedback on each other’s in-progress fiction, poetry, or nonfiction. We eat lunch together as a community on campus. Our faculty and visiting writers lead lectures, craft talks, and discussions on topics ranging from writing techniques to publishing strategies, all with a focus on teaching you how to enter the world of professional writing. On some days you’ll attend readings by faculty mentors and distinguished visiting writers, and on others you’ll have the option to share your own work with each other at informal open mic events. We like to begin the week with a dinner out together in Tampa, and we end with a celebratory reading from our graduating students and a graduation ceremony and reception on campus.

What can I expect from a low-residency program?

Students who choose a low-residency program for graduate study do not come from any specific demographic. They range from recent college graduates who wish to continue their academic studies, to working professionals seeking to explore new career options, and to retirees pursuing the long-deferred dream of creative writing.

How long is the program?

Our program is designed to be completed in just two calendar years. It requires 36 graduate credit hours of study. Students attend four semesters of study, plus three summer residencies.

What will I write for my workshops?

We offer tracks of study in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Within each of those genres, the possibilities are endless. We do not favor any particular school of writing; we are excited by both literary and genre-specific styles (fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, YA, etc). No matter your genre or style, our main focus is to help you improve your writing through workshop and literature courses and personalized attention from core faculty members.

Why does Saint Leo award a Master of Arts (MA) instead of a Master of Fine Arts (MFA)?

The ability to produce concise and thoughtful written work is a fundamental skill not just for fiction writers, essayists, and poets, but also for successful professionals in almost any field. This is in keeping with the mission of Saint Leo University, which fosters a student-centered environment in which the love of learning is of prime importance.

The reasons someone pursues a graduate degree in the arts are as varied as the students who seek those degrees. Our degree is aimed primarily at students who are approaching writing as a type of personal development, or those who are just beginning their exploration of the writing life. That means our community is one that offers mentorship and supportive critique, and provides models of the professional writing life in all its various forms, helping students build a base of skills in the study of both writing and literature.

The MA program at Saint Leo offers a broad approach to preparation for a possible writing career, requiring not only creative work but also the study of literature. These literature courses, called foundations courses, give an MA student a sense of both the historical and contemporary trends in their chosen genre of study. While the MFA has been considered a terminal degree in the past, many writers—especially those who wish to teach at the university level—elect to continue their studies through the doctoral degree.

I’ve been out of college for a long time. Is the Saint Leo MA right for me?

Saint Leo is a national leader in providing educational options for students of all types. All our programs are designed to assist professionals in meeting challenging career goals, and to prepare them for the rapidly changing world in which they live and work. But there is no “typical” low-residency student; the community is necessarily diverse in age and background, but it is very much a community, bound together by a shared love of writing and support for each other’s creative endeavors.

How can I pay for my Master’s degree?

As you explore your continuing education, costs need not be an obstacle. The Saint Leo MA is an affordable advanced degree, costing as much as fifty percent less than degrees at other institutions.

Financial aid programs are available and there are ways to help you finance your educational investments. It may be helpful to know that there are federal student loan programs for graduate and professional students. Graduate students may be eligible for up to $20,500 in Unsubsidized Direct Loans.

Applying for financial aid is easy! The only application you need is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov .

Alternate ways to finance your education:

• Employer assistance
• Military tuition assistance
• Veteran benefits (352) 588-7534 or (352) 588-8980

Accreditation

Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Student Stories

"What if, two years ago, I could have seen my future? What if that opportunity allowed a peek at who I'd become after completing Saint Leo's Creative Writing MA Program? What would I tell myself? Well, self—indubitably, you made the right choice! The tools in your writer’s toolbox were obtained from a team of well-versed faculty, like-minded peers, several residency programs, assignments, and academic reviews. Creative Writing MA graduate, you made the right choice." Violetta Deloatch-Woods ( Fiction, 2023)

"Pursuing my MA at Saint Leo was the scariest decision I ever made; it also turned out to be one of the best. I have grown exponentially within this community of honest and talented writers, and I couldn’t have asked for better peers." Derora Williams ( Poetry, 2023)

"Saint Leo's Creative Writing MA program genuinely changed my life for the better. I learned so much about myself as a reader, writer, and human being with every assignment, and I was constantly challenged to grow outside of my comfort zone. My professors and peers were always there to celebrate achievements and overcome obstacles, making the program feel like my second family. I wouldn't be the person I am today without Saint Leo." Emmett Ferree ( Poetry, 2023)

"Saint Leo's Creative Writing MA program helped me immensely as a reader  and  a writer. Learning to read not only  what  is in a story, but paying careful attention to  how  it's written, is just one of the memorable gifts I received from this program's helpful faculty and encouraging environment." Janna Correa, (Fiction, 2022)

This program allows growth as a writer and as a person. The experience was absurdly personal. Absurd because of the organic evolution fostered by its leadership and absurd because of the personal touches from the instructors. Why expect that? St. Leo is invested in its students. You get more than you bargained for. Jimmy Sutman, (Poetry, 2022)

It can be intimidating to go back to school after decades of being in the workforce. But as a non-traditional student, I felt nothing but a warm welcome from Saint Leo faculty and my classmates. I started my first semester at another university and wasn't happy. I transferred to Saint Leo and learned more than I could have ever imagined in this program. Best decision I ever made. Thanks to my studies there, I'm getting ready to release my first book at the end of this year! Lisa Moody, (Nonfiction, 2021)

Find your Advisor

Creative Writing & Publishing

The Master’s University’s Creative Writing & Publishing (CWP) program is designed for students who are passionate about content creation across the changing and expanding spectrum of communicative media, including fiction and non-fiction, photography, videography, journalism, and podcasting. CWP students choose from a wide variety of courses that provide opportunities to develop their unique creative interests, and they graduate with content creation skills that are increasingly in-demand across diverse industries.

A key characteristic of the CWP program is that our students learn by doing. Classes are hands-on and provide regular opportunities for feedback and publication. CWP students graduate with not just a degree, but also a portfolio of creative work to show prospective employers and clients. If God has gifted you with a creative spark, and if you love inspiring others through what you create, the CWP program may be the perfect place for you to hone your talents and discover why God gave them to you in the first place!

Communication Core Courses

For a complete list of requirements for this degree please see our academic catalog .

In a day and age when on-the-street experiences are documented and shared worldwide, this class will explore the best go-to tool: the phone in your pocket. Students will create ready-to-be-viewed short video productions using minimalist technology. Throughout the course, students will focus on elements such as story structure, camera angle, lighting, editing, and sound. Finished productions will be viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor.

An exploration of podcasting as a form of journalism. Students will be introduced to the various types of podcasts and podcast outlets. They will work with classmates to research a podcast concept and then regularly produce and publish it. Components of marketing and attracting subscribers will also be discussed. Computer expertise is not required.

Theories and techniques of social influence. Course content includes motivation, attitude change, ethics, credibility, nonverbal persuasion, logic and argumentation, emotions, and cultural influences.

An introduction to the dynamics of technologically mediated social discourse with a look at both individual implications as well as larger processes within society including culture, polity, and commercial enterprise.

An exploration of journal keeping and autobiographical writing. Students will read and write various types of personal essays and memoirs and share them in small group settings.

An introduction to the styles, techniques, content, and forms of screenwriting. Student work is considered for the department annual short film production.

This course will examine the entrepreneurial power shift in the world of business and what it means for media practitioners, entrepreneurs, and technologists. The disruptive nature of the Internet, open-source technologies, and lower barriers-to-entry have prompted a shift in the power from large media companies toward smaller organizations and individuals.

Students will study the extended short story form (novella), including plot, characterization, and dialogue. The course will include regular writing for peer review, offering ample time for revision and completion of a polished extended short story (novella).

Grammar basics and sentence structure are reinforced. However, the bulk of the course covers the real-world issues writers encounter in college and beyond. Issues such as word choice, antecedents, plurals, possessives, punctuation, clarity, conciseness, and self-editing. Chicago, MLA, and Associated Press style formats will be explored. Reading and coursework are also geared for those looking at editing as a career or see it as an important aspect of a chosen job field. Additional topics covered include “editing well means writing well,” the editor-writer relationship, and using style guides. Students learn by dissecting weekly news articles, editing articles for the campus newspaper, and self- and peer-editing various writing assignments.

Theories and methods of evaluating persuasive communication, including public address, contemporary drama, and other categories of written discourse.  Prerequisite: C371 or C391.

Students will explore the genre of science fiction short stories—how to read them critically and how to write them effectively. The course will cover the nuances and history of the different forms and motifs of science fiction to help students develop their writing skills across each of those forms and motifs. Prerequisite: C351.

Students will practice the craft of writing in the genre of fantasy fiction, with special emphasis placed on the novel and novel series formats. The course will focus on traditional fiction writing components such as plot, character, tone, setting, narrative, point of view, scene building, etc. Additionally, students will engage in discussion and guided practice surrounding genre-specific elements such as world building, history creation, systems of myth and magic, etc.

This course explores the history and impact of the graphic novel, both as a form of entertainment and social/cultural commentary. Additionally, the course will explore the process of creating a graphic novel and of visual storytelling. Students will participate in the creation of a graphic novel concept. Prerequisite: C351.

Students learn the techniques of novel writing, including plot outlining, character development and arcing, conflict, complication, and resolution. Techniques of dialogue and narration will also be explored.

Introduction to the video technical language and creative and aesthetic elements of the production process. Students will gain understanding of lighting, sound, camera operation, composition, and design of visual elements.

This class introduces the students to the concepts of Desktop Publishing. Topics covered will include color theory, page layout, composition, print requirements, and other production-related techniques. The applications used in this class are Adobe™ Photoshop™ for image editing, Adobe™ Illustrator™ for logo design, and Adobe™ InDesign™ for page layout and composition.

Visual storytelling through making, selecting, processing, and disseminating photographic images. Technical, artistic, and professional topics are covered, including composition, lighting, portraiture, photo essays, and reproducing and publishing images, as well as legal and ethical issues.

An introduction to the arena of multimedia journalism. Students will learn the process of combining text, images, sound, videos, and graphics to tell an engaging story on an online platform. Students will produce finished pieces to be viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor. Prerequisite: C261 or C311.

Students are introduced to the basics of professional journalism to gain an understanding of how a publication works; develop instincts as an interviewer, reporter, and writer; and understand the various genres associated with journalistic writing. Students will also learn to develop editing skills by using the Associated Press Stylebook and write on deadline to prepare for writing for the campus publication and beyond.

From handheld to professional SLR cameras, students will learn the basics of equipment and advanced methods to make photographs look more professional. This class will cover how to connect, download, and upload your digital images to CDs, the web, or for print. Everything from file management to composition, this class covers a wide range of techniques to make students better, more effective photographers.

• Publication
• Screenwriter
• Film/TV Editor

The Master’s University is committed to providing quality Christian education to believers around the world.

To be admitted as an undergraduate, bachelors degree-seeking student in the Online School of Education, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have a clear profession of faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. 
• Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate. 
• Demonstrate college-level writing ability. 
• Submit official transcripts from all other colleges and universities attended. 

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Southern Illinois University

Graduate degree programs, on this page, degree programs, certificate programs.

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Last Updated: Aug 06, 2024, 03:59 PM

Are you ready to take your education and personal growth to the next level? Look no further than Southern Illinois University! We offer a wide range of options for those seeking post-baccalaureate certificates, online Master's programs, and residential Master's or Doctoral programs. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills in a specific field, advance your career, or delve into cutting-edge research, SIU has plenty of available options to suit your ambitions.

Accountancy - M.Acc.

Degrees offered:.

• M.Acc. in Accountancy
• Concurrent Degree Program: Law (J.D.) / M.Acc.
• See Business Administration for Ph.D. in Accounting

Areas of Interest: Auditing and Accounting Information Systems - M.Acc. Taxation - M.Acc. General - M.Acc.

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - None

Visit the Accountancy Program for Full Details

Agribusiness Economics - M.S.

• M.S. in Agribusiness Economics
• Concurrent Degree Program - M.B.A. / M.S.
• See Environmental Resources Policy for Ph.D.
• See Agricultural Sciences for Ph.D.

Areas of Interest: Agribusiness Economics - M.S. Agricultural Services - M.S. Concurrent Degree Program with Business Administration (COB) - M.S. / M.B.A.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - None

Visit the Agribusiness Economics Program for Full Details

Agricultural Sciences - Ph.D.

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences

Areas of Interest: Agricultural Economics - Ph.D. Agricultural Systems and Education - Ph.D. Animal Science - Ph.D. Crop Science and Environmental Management - Ph.D. Food and Nutrition - Ph.D. Forestry - Ph.D. Horticulture - Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - None

Visit the Agricultural Sciences Program for Full Details

Animal Science - M.S.

• M.S. in Animal Science

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - Fall - March 1 Spring - September 2

Visit the Animal Science Program for Full Details

Anthropology - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Anthropology  (currently unavailable)
• Ph.D. in Anthropology  (currently unavailable)

Areas of Interest: Archaeology - M.A., Ph.D Physical / Biological - M.A., Ph.D. Sociocultural - M.A., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - None Tests Required - GRE (600/250/100 TOEFL required for all internationals) Deadlines - None

Visit the Anthropology Program for Full Details

Architecture - M.Arch.

• On-Campus Degree Path starts in the Summer term – 15 month program
• Online Degree Path starts in the Fall term

Areas of Interest: General

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - February 1

Visit the Architecture Program for Full Details

Art and Design - M.F.A.

• M.F.A. in Art and Design

Areas of Interest: Ceramics - M.F.A Design - M.F.A Drawing - M.F.A Glass - M.F.A Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing - M.F.A Painting - M.F.A Printmaking - M.F.A Sculpture - M.F.A

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - Fall - Feb 15 Applications accepted for Fall ONLY

Visit the Art and Design Program for Full Details

Aviation Management - M.S.

• M.S. in Aviation Management  – Online Program

On Campus - No Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - None

Visit the Aviation Management Program for Full Details

Behavior Analysis and Therapy - M.S.

• M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy (on-campus and 100% online options available)
• Ph.D. in Psychology available

Areas of Interest: Autism Child Abuse and Neglect Experimental Analysis of Behavior Behavioral Economics Applied Behavior Analysis Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE required for the Psychology – Behavioral Analysis and Therapy Specialization Ph.D. program Deadlines - Feb. 1, 2024 is last day to submit applications for Fall 2024 admission.

Visit the Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program for Full Details

Biological Sciences / MEDPREP - M.S.

• M.S. in Biological Sciences

Areas of Interest: MEDPREP - The concentration in MEDPREP / MS program is the only area of interest available through the Biological Sciences program. All other areas of the Biological Sciences program remain closed. If you have not applied to the MEDPREP program, you cannot apply for the Biological Sciences MS program.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - May 1 - Accepting Applications for Summer ONLY

Visit the Biological Sciences Program for Full Details

Biomedical Engineering - M.S., M.E.

• M.S.in Biomedical Engineering
• M.E. in Biomedical Engineering

Areas of Interest: Bioinformatics Computational Medicine - M.S., M.E. Biomedical Imaging - M.S., M.E. Biomedical Instrumentation - M.S., M.E. Biomechanics and Biomaterials - M.S., M.E. Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Processes - M.S., M.E.

On Campus - Yes Online - M.E. only Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - None

Visit the Biomedical Engineering Program for Full Details

Biomedical Science - M.S.

• M.S. in Biomedical Science

Visit the Biomedical Science Program for Full Details

Business Administration - M.B.A., Ph.D.

• M.B.A.: Master of Business Administration - Online Only
• Ph.D. in Business Administration

M.B.A. Concentrations: General Analytics for Managers

Ph.D. Areas of Interest: Finance Marketing Accounting Management

On Campus - Ph.D. only Online - M.B.A. only Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - Ph.D. - GMAT (preferred score 600) or GRE Deadlines - Ph.D. admissions in even numbered years for Fall entry term ONLY Online M.B.A. admissions annually for Summer entry term ONLY

Visit the Business Administration Program for Full Details

Business Analytics - M.S.

• M.S. in Business Analytics - Online Progam

Visit the Business Analytics Program for Full Details

Chemistry - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Chemistry
• Ph.D. in Chemistry

Areas of Interest: Analytical - M.S., Ph.D. Biochemistry - M.S., Ph.D. Inorganic - M.S., Ph.D. Materials - M.S., Ph.D. Organic - M.S., Ph.D. Physical - M.S., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE General Exam Deadlines - Fall - February 1 Spring - August 1

Visit the Chemistry Program for Full Details

Civil and Environmental Engineering - M.S., M.E.

• M.S. in Civil Engineering
• M.E. in Civil Engineering
• See Engineering Science for Ph.D.

Areas of Interest: Environmental - M.S., M.E. Geotechnical - M.S., M.E. Hydraulic and Water Resources - M.S., M.E. Structural - M.S., M.E.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE for M.S. Only Deadlines - Fall - March 1 Spring - September 1 Summer - March 1

Visit the Civil and Environmental Engineering Program for Full Details

Communication Disorders and Sciences - M.S.

• M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences

Areas of Interest: Speech and Language Pathology - M.S.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE is optional Deadlines - Summer - February 1st Applications accepted for Summer Term only

Visit the Communication Disorders and Sciences Program for Full Details

Communication Studies - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Communication Studies
• Ph.D. in Communication Studies
• *Theater Applicants - For M.F.A. admission, apply to the Theater department. For Ph.D. level admission, apply to the Communication Studies Ph.D. program and note a specialization in Theater on the departmental application. ALL theater applicants (M.F.A. and Ph.D.) should contact Professor Jacob Juntunen in Theater (phone: 618-453-5747 or email:  [email protected] ) for information about the application process and procedures.

Areas of Interest: Intercultural Communication and Pedagogy - M.A., Ph.D. Gender, Sexuality and Communication - M.A., Ph.D. Performance Studies - M.A., Ph.D. Rhetoric and Society Theater - M.A. Theater-Playwriting - Ph.D. Theater-History and Criticism - Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE is optional. Students wishing to be considered for fellowships with the Graduate School should submit GRE scores. (600/250/100 TOEFL required for all international students) Deadlines - Fall - January 1 Applications accepted for Fall ONLY. Theater applicants can apply for any term.

Visit the Communication Studies Program for Full Details

Computer Science - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Computer Science
• Ph.D. in Computer Science

Areas of Interest: Artificial Intelligence, Soft computing and Multi-Agent Systems - M.S., Ph.D. Bioinformatics - M.S., Ph.D. Computer Graphics and Human Computer Interaction - M.S., Ph.D. Data Management - M.S., Ph.D. Distributed and Parallel Computing - M.S., Ph.D. Networks and Security - M.S., Ph.D. Pattern Recognition, Visualization and Multimedia Processing - M.S., Ph.D. Software Engineering - M.S., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE for Ph.D. only Deadlines - Master's - Fall - February 15 Master's - Spring - September 15 Ph.D. - Fall - December 31

Visit the Computer Science Program for Full Details

Counseling and Rehabilitation Education - M.S.

• M.S. in Counseling and Rehabilitation Education

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - None Deadlines - Fall - 1st Friday in July Spring - 1st Friday in October Summer - 1st Friday in March

Visit the Counseling and Rehabilitation Education Program for Full Details

Creative Writing - M.F.A.

• M.F.A. in Creative Writing

Areas of Interest: Poetry - M.F.A. Fiction - M.F.A.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE recommended but not required Deadlines - Fall - February 1

Visit the Creative Writing Program for Full Details

Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Areas of Interest: Corrections - M.A., Ph.D. Crime Prevention - M.A., Ph.D. Juvenile Justice - M.A., Ph.D. Law and Society - M.A., Ph.D. Policing - M.A., Ph.D. Policy Analysis and Evaluation - M.A., Ph.D. Spatial Analysis of Crime - M.A., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE (not required for admission to the MA program) Deadlines - None

Visit the Criminology and Criminal Justice Program for Full Details

Curriculum and Instruction - M.S.Ed., Ph.D.

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
• M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
• Ph.D. in Education : Curriculum and Instruction

Areas of Interest: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment - M.S.Ed., Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies- Ph.D. Learning Systems Design Technology - M.S.Ed., Ph.D. Language, Literacies, and Culture - Ph.D. Mathematics Education - Ph.D. Science Education - Ph.D. Secondary Biology, Chemistry, English-Language Arts, History, and Mathematics - MAT Social Science Education - Ph.D. STEM Education - Ph.D. Teacher Leadership - Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE - Ph.D. ONLY Deadlines - MAT - Fall - April 15 M.S.Ed - Fall - July 1/Spring - October 15/Summer - April 1 Ph.D. - Fall - February 1/Spring - September 1/Summer - February1

Visit the Curriculum and Instruction Program for Full Details

Cybersecurity and Cyber Systems - M.S.

• M.S. in Cybersecurity and Cyber Systems
• Interdisciplinary program between the School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering and the School of Computing

Areas of Interest: Cybersecurity Cyber Systems

On Campus - Yes Online - Coming Soon Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - None

Visit the Cybersecurity and Cyber Systems Program for Full Details

Doctor of Medical Science - DMSc

• Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Areas of Interest: Doctorate Education for PAs

Application Criteria: PA degree from an ARC-PA accredited PA program Active or maintained NCCPA certification Curriculum vitae or résumé Personal Statement 1-3 letter(s) of recommendation

On Campus - No Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - NCCPA Board Certification Deadlines - Two cohort start options per year: Summer semester (May/June) and Spring semester (January) Deadline to apply is 8 weeks before each cohort start

Visit the Doctor of Medical Science Program for Full Details

Economics - M.A., M.S., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Economics
• M.S. in Economics
• Ph.D. in Economics

Areas of Interest: Economic Development - M.A., M.S., Ph.D. International Economics - M.A., M.S., Ph.D. Monetary Economics - M.A., M.S.

Visit the Economics Program for Full Details

Education - Ph.D.

Areas of Interest: Curriculum and Instruction Educational Administration Workforce Education and Development, currently transitioning to… Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development

Visit the Education Program for Full Details

Educational Administration - M.S.Ed., Ed.D., Ph.D.

• M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration
• Ph.D. in Education: Educational Administration
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration

Areas of Interest: Educational Administration - M.S., Ph.D. Endorsement Program (requires M.S.Ed.)

Visit the Educational Administration Program for Full Details

Electrical and Computer Engineering - M.S., M.E., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Concurrent Degree Program - Law (J.D.) / M.S. in ECE

Areas of Interest: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Instrumentation - M.S., Ph.D. Computer Engineering and Embedded Systems - M.S., Ph.D. Electromagnetics and Optics/Photonics - M.S., Ph.D. Nano Electronics and Emerging Technologies - M.S., Ph.D. Networks - M.S., Ph.D. Power Systems and Control - M.S., Ph.D Security - M.S., Ph.D. Telecommunications and Signal Processing - M.S., Ph.D. VLSI and Design Automation - M.S., Ph.D JD/ECE Concurrent Degree Program - M.S.

On Campus - Yes Online - M.E. only Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE - Required for Ph.D and M.S. Deadlines - None

Visit the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program for Full Details

Engineering Science - Ph.D.

• Ph.D. in Engineering Science
• Ph.D. Coop Program Available with SIUE - See Department for Details

Areas of Interest: Civil and Environmental Engineering - Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering - Ph.D. Industrial and Quality Engineering - Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes - Ph.D.

Visit the Engineering Science Program for Full Details

English - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in English
• Ph.D. in English

Areas of Interest: Literary Studies - M.A., Ph.D. Rhetoric and Composition - M.A., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - M.A. - January 1 Ph.D. - January 1

Visit the English Program for Full Details

Environmental Resources Policy - Ph.D.

• Ph.D. in Environmental Resources and Policy

Areas of Interest: Earth and Environmental Processes - Ph.D. Energy and Mineral Resources - Ph.D Environmental Policy and Administration - Ph.D. Forestry, Agricultural and Rural Land Resources - Ph.D. Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modeling - Ph.D. Water Resources - Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - Fall Admission ONLY

Visit the Environmental Resources Policy Program for Full Details

Forestry - M.S.

• M.S. in Forestry

Areas of Interest: Forest Resource Management – M.S. Ecological Restoration – M.S. Fire Science – M.S. Recreation Ecology – M.S. Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management – M.S. Wildlife Conservation and Management – M.S. Watershed Management – M.S. Hydrology and Soil Science – M.S.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - Fall - Second Saturday in July Spring - Last Saturday in November Summer - Last Saturday in March

Visit the Forestry Program for Full Details

Geography and Environmental Resources - M.S.

• M.S. Geography and Environmental Resources
• See Environmental Resources and Policy for Ph.D.

Areas of Interest: Agricultural Geography - M.S. Applied Cartography and Geographic Visualization - M.S. Climate and Water Resources - M.S. Climatology - M.S. Conservation - M.S. Environmental Sustainability - M.S. Geographic Information Science - M.S. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - M.S. Land Use - M.S. Natural Hazards - M.S. Natural Resource Management - M.S. Remote Sensing - M.S. Rural Geography - M.S.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE recommended but not required Deadlines - Fall Admission ONLY - February 1

Visit the Geography and Environmental Resources Program for Full Details

Geology - M.A., M.S.

• M.S.in Geology (Fall Admission ONLY)
• M.A. in Geology
• See Geosciences for Ph.D.

Areas of Interest: Active Tectonics - M.A., M.S. Applied Seismology and Potential-Field Geophysics - M.A., M.S. Coal and Energy Resource Geology - M.A., M.S. Environmental Geology - M.A., M.S. Environmental Geochemistry - M.A., M.S. Environmental Geophysics - M.A., M.S. Geomorphology - M.A., M.S. Hydrogeology - M.A., M.S. Low-Temperature Geochemistry - M.A., M.S. Ore Deposits and Economic Geology - M.A., M.S. Organic Geochemistry - M.A., M.S. Paleontology, Micropaleontology, and Paleoecology - M.A., M.S. Petrology - M.A., M.S. Pleistocene Geology - M.A., M.S. Sedimentation and Stratigraphy - M.A., M.S. Structural Geology - M.A., M.S.

Visit the Geology Program for Full Details

Geosciences - Ph.D.

• Ph.D. in Geosciences

Areas of Interest: Biogeochemistry - Ph.D. Earth Surface Processes - Ph.D. Energy and Mineral Resources - Ph.D. Geophysics and Tectonics - Ph.D. Paleobiology - Ph.D.

Visit the Geosciences Program for Full Details

Health Administration - M.H.A.

• Master of Health Administration

Areas of Interest: Health Administration

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting an approved English Language Competency Test score with their application. These applicants must have one of the following minimum scores for consideration:

• 550 on the paper-based TOEFL
• 80 on the internet-based TOEFL
• 6.5 on the IELTS
• 105 on the Duolingo English Exam

This applies to all international applicants. No waivers or exemptions will be provided. Students must provide a copy of their scorecard, verifying test results, with their application to the MHA.

Given the accelerated nature of the MHA, the academic program does not agree to or approve late arrivals. Deadlines - None

Visit the Health Administration Program for Full Details

Health Informatics - M.H.I.

• Master of Health Informatics

Areas of Interest: Health Informatics

Visit the Health Informatics Program for Full Details

Higher Education - M.S.Ed.

• M.S.Ed. in Education
• Certificate in College Teaching

Areas of Interest: College Student Personnel (CSP) - M.S.Ed.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE or MAT Deadlines - None

Visit the Higher Education Program for Full Details

History - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in History
• Ph.D. in Historical Studies

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE (no longer required), TOEFL required for all internationals Deadlines - Fall - January 15 Spring - November 1

Visit the History Program for Full Details

Human Sciences - M.S.

• M.S. Human Sciences

Areas of Interest: Exercise Science Nutrition and Dietetics Sport and Recreation Studies Interdisciplinary

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - Fall - July 15 Spring - November 15 Summer - April 15

Visit the Human Sciences Program for Full Details

Linguistics - M.A.

• M.A. in Linguistics

Areas of Interest: Phonetics and phonology Morphology and syntax Sociolinguistics and applied linguistics

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - 90 on TOEFL (internet-based) or 7.0 on IELTS for international students who are not native speakers of English Deadlines - January 15 - to be considered for fellowships February 25 - to be considered in the first round of funding for teaching assistantships April 25 - to be considered in the final round of funding for teaching assistantships July 25 - to seek admission without funding

Visit the Linguistics Program for Full Details

Mass Communication and Media Arts - M.F.A., Ph.D.

• M.F.A. in Mass Communication and Media Arts
• Ph.D. in Mass Communication and Media Arts

Areas of Interest: Interdisciplinary Media Arts (film, photo, video, sonic, intermedia) - M.F.A. Mass Communication and Media Arts - Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE - Ph.D. ONLY, 100 TOEFL required for all internationals Deadlines - Fall - March 1

Mathematics - M.A., M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Mathematics
• Ph.D. in Mathematics
• Certificate in Dual Credit Mathematics

Areas of Interest: Applied Math - M.S., Ph.D. Probability and Statistics - M.S., Ph.D. Pure Math - M.S., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE recommended but not required Deadlines - Fall - January 31 Spring - October 1 Summer - January 15 *Late applications will be considered if there are openings for admission / assistantships

Visit the Mathematics Program for Full Details

Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes - M.S.

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Areas of Interest: Chemical Engineering - M.S. Energy and Fuels - M.S. Material Engineering - M.S. Material Science - M.S. Mechanical Systems - M.S. Thermal and Fluid Science - M.S.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - Fall - March 1 Spring - October 1 Summer - March 1

Visit the Mechanical Engineering Program for Full Details

Media Theory & Research - M.A.

• M.A. in Media Theory and Research

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE, 600/250/100 TOEFL required for all internationals Deadlines - Fall - February 1

Visit the Media Theory & Research Program for Full Details

Medical Dosimetry - M.S.

• M.S. in Medical Dosimetry

On Campus - No Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - no test required Deadlines - Fall Semester Admission Only January 1 for Track One applications and No Deadline for Track Two applications

Visit the Medical Dosimetry Program for Full Details

Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry
• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry

Areas of Interest: Bacteriology - M.S., Ph.D. Biochemistry - M.S., Ph.D. Biophysics - M.S., Ph.D. Cancer Biology - M.S., Ph.D. Cell Biology - M.S., Ph.D. Developmental Biology - M.S., Ph.D. Genetics - M.S., Ph.D. Immunology - M.S., Ph.D. Microbial Physiology - M.S., Ph.D. Microbiology - M.S., Ph.D. Molecular Biology - M.S., Ph.D. Mycology - M.S., Ph.D. Public Health Laboratory Science - M.S., Ph.D. Structural Biology - M.S., Ph.D. Virology - M.S., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE recommended but not required Deadlines - None

Visit the Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry Program for Full Details

Molecular, Cellular, and Systemic Physiology - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Molecular, Cellular and Systemic Physiology
• Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Systemic Physiology

Areas of Interest: Cancer Biology - M.S., Ph.D. Endocrinology - M.S., Ph.D. Metabolism - M.S., Ph.D. Neuroscience - M.S., Ph.D. Reproductive Biology - M.S., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE Deadlines - January 31

Visit the Molecular, Cellular, and Systemic Physiology Program for Full Details

Music - M.M.

• M.M. in Music

Areas of Interest: Collaborative Piano - M.M. Music History and Literature - M.M. Music Education - M.M. Performance (Orchestral Instruments, Guitar, Piano, Vocal, Orchestral Conducting, Wind Conducting, Choral Conducting) - M.M. Music Theory and Composition - M.M.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - None Deadlines - February 15th (for priority consideration)

Visit the Music Program for Full Details

Occupational Therapy

• OTD in Occupational Therapy

Accreditation Status:

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, offered through the School of Health Sciences within the College of Health and Human Sciences, has been granted candidacy status for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is  www.acoteonline.org .

Consistent with ACOTE policy, the OTD program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted accreditation for students to be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, (NBCOT) Certification Examination. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. 

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE requirement waived for Fall 2022 and Fall 2023, will be required for Fall 2024. See admission criteria . Deadlines - Applications are now open

Visit the Occupational Therapy Program for Full Details

Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development - M.S.Ed., Ph.D.

• M.S.Ed. in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development (online only)
• Ph.D. in Education : Workforce Education and Development

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required - GRE required for Ph.D.

• Contact Program for details
• M.S.Ed. - Applications accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer
• Ph.D. - Applications accepted for Fall

Visit the Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development Program for Full Details

Pharmacology & Neuroscience - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Pharmacology & Neuroscience
• Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Neuroscience

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required:

• GRE: Required for international applicants, optional but recommended for domestic applicants.
• English proficiency test (International students only - TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo accepted)

Deadlines - February 15 for Fall semester admission

Visit the Pharmacology & Neuroscience Program for Full Details

Philosophy - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Philosophy
• Ph.D. in Philosophy

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required:  GRE Deadlines - February 14

Visit the Philosophy Program for Full Details

Physician Assistant - M.S.P.A., D.M.Sc.

• M.S.P.A. in Physician Assistant Studies
• (For D.M.Sc. please see Doctor of Medical Science)

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required:  None Deadlines :

• Summer Admission ONLY. Apply by November 1 (unless extended with notice).
• Complete and submit a PA program application at  https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
• Courses begin either during the last week of May or during the first week of June, depending upon the calendar year.

Visit the Physician Assistant Program for Full Details

Physics - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Physics
• Ph.D. in Applied Physics
• Experimental Physics : Magnetism, Magnetocaloric materials, Gas Adsorption, Nanomaterials, Transport properties, Energy Storage Materials, Novel Functional Nanostructures, Semiconductor Physics, Laser Spectroscopy, Optical Physics, Biomedical Optical and Laser Spectroscopy Research, Optical spectroscopy, Spintronics, Thin Film Heterostructures, Quantum materials - M.S., Ph.D
• Theoretical Physics: Soft Condensed Matter Theory, Quantum Computing, Quantum Error Correction, Quantum Information Theory, Computational Materials Physics - M.S., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required: GRE required for Ph.D. only Deadlines :

• Fall semester: Jan 15th
• Spring semester: Oct 15th

Visit the Physics Program for Full Details

Plant Biology - M.S., Ph.D.

• M.S. in Plant Biology
• Ph.D. in Plant Biology

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required: 550/213/79-80 TOEFL required for all internationals Deadlines : None

Visit the Plant Biology Program for Full Details

Plant, Soil and Agricultural Systems - M.S.

• M.S. in Plant and Soil Science

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required: None Deadlines : None

Visit the Plant, Soil and Agricultural Systems Program for Full Details

Political Science - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Political Science
• Ph.D. in Political Science
• Expects Verbal and Quantitative scores sum to 300 or higher
• 600/250/100 TOEFL required for all internationals

Deadlines : Fall - January 15

Visit the Political Science Program for Full Details

Population Health - Ph.D.

• Ph.D. in Population Health - Fall admission only

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None Deadlines : April 1st

Visit the Population Health Program for Full Details

Professional Media & Media Management Studies - M.S.

• M.S. in Professional Media and Media Management Studies

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : 600/250/100 TOEFL required for all internationals Deadlines : Fall - February 1

Visit the Professional Media & Media Management Studies Program for Full Details

Psychology - M.A., M.S., Ph.D.

• Accelerated M.S. in Applied Psychology ( only current SIU undergraduate students can apply)
• Ph.D. in Psychology – Applied Psychology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and Clinical Psychology (Adult/Child)

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : GRE required for the Psychology – Behavioral Analysis and Therapy Specialization Ph.D. program Deadlines : 

• December 1st for Clinical Psychology is last day to submit applications for Fall 2024 admission
• February 1st for Applied Psychology and Brain and Cognitive Sciences is last day to submit applications for Fall 2024 admission

Visit the Psychology Program for Full Details

Public Administration - M.P.H.

• M.P.A. in Public Administration - Online only
• Concurrent Degree Program - Law (J.D.) / M.P.A.

On Campus - No Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None Deadlines : N/A

Visit the Public Administration Program for Full Details

Public Health - M.P.H.

• M.P.H. in Public Health
• Concurrent Degree Program - Ph.D / M.P.H.
• Concurrent Degree Program - M.D. / M.P.H.

On Campus - No Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None Deadlines : Summer - May 1 (Summer Admission Only)

Visit the Public Health Program for Full Details

Public Safety Administration - M.S.

• M.S. in Public Safety Administration

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None Deadlines : Fall - July 15 Spring - December 1 Summer - May 15

Visit the Public Safety Administration Program for Full Details

Quality Engineering and Management - M.S.

• M.S. in Quality Engineering and Management

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None Deadlines : Fall - April 1 Spring - October 1 Summer - February 1

Visit the Quality Engineering and Management Program for Full Details

Radiological Sciences - M.S.

• M.S. in Radiological Sciences

Visit the Radiological Sciences Program for Full Details

Social Work - M.S.W.

• M.S.W. in Social Work
• Concurrent Degree Program - Law (J.D.) / M.S.W..

On Campus - Yes Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None

Visit the Social Work Program for Full Details

Sociology - M.A., Ph.D.

• M.A. in Sociology
• Ph.D. in Sociology

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : GRE Deadlines : January 1

Visit the Sociology Program for Full Details

Speech Communication - M.A., Ph.D.

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required :

• GRE - optional. Students wishing to be considered for fellowships with the Graduate School should submit GRE scores.
• 600/250/100 TOEFL or IELTS score of 7 required for all international students, unless from a country on the  exempt list

Deadlines : Fall - January 1 Applications accepted for Fall ONLY. Theater applicants can apply for any term.

Visit the Speech Communication Program for Full Details

Strategic Analytics - M.S.

Visit the Strategic Analytics Program for Full Details

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - M.A.

• M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : 90 on TOEFL (internet-based) or 7.0 on IELTS for international students who are not native speakers of English Deadlines : January 15 - to be considered for fellowships February 25 - to be considered in the first round of funding for teaching assistantships April 25 - to be considered in the final round of funding for teaching assistantships July 25 - to seek admission without funding

Visit the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program for Full Details

Theater - M.F.A.

• M.F.A. in Theater
• Ph.D. - Visit Communication Studies for information

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : None Deadlines : N/A

Visit the Theater Program for Full Details

Workforce Education and Development - M.S.Ed., Ph.D.

On Campus - No Online - Yes Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : GRE required for Ph.D. Deadlines : M.S.Ed. - Applications accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer Ph.D. - Applications accepted for Fall Contact Program for details

Visit the Workforce Education and Development Program for Full Details

Zoology - M.S., P.S.M., Ph.D.

• P.S.M. in Zoology
• M.S. in Zoology
• Ph.D. in Zoology

On Campus - Yes Online - No Application Fee - $65 Tests Required : GRE optional Deadlines : N/A

Visit the Zoology Program for Full Details

Discover how our specialized certificates will equip you with the skills and knowledge to stand out in your desired field. Unleash your potential and make a meaningful impact in today's competitive professional landscape.

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English - Creative Writing Emphasis

Focus on the craft of writing with the support and instruction of an array of well-published, award-winning faculty.

Tell Your Story

This growing major is an excellent choice for those who love to read and write, and are passionate about expressing themselves through language. Classes include multi-genre writing workshops, as well as those that focus on specific types of writing such as playwriting, novel writing and creation of essays, short stories, and poetry. Through unique projects and class discussions, you'll foster creativity, insight and empathy — skills that are highly sought after by writers. A variety of electives and course topics throughout the emphasis allow you to study the areas that interest you and best align with your career goals.

While pursuing your degree, you'll experience the incredible benefits of small class sizes. Our courses allow for personalized learning, individualized mentoring, and the formation of meaningful, lasting connections. Your professors and classmates will know you by name and do all they can to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

Graduates of the program leave with the knowledge and skills to create original and effective poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction works.

Whether you dream of publishing a novel, sharing your poetry, crafting blogs or writing a play, a bachelor's degree in creative writing from UW-Eau Claire can help make anything possible. 

Program Details

As a creative writing major or minor, you'll have the unique opportunity to work as an academic apprentice. Facilitate class discussions, assist teams with group work, answer questions, provide input for class activities, and assignments and teach part of a class session. Or tutor other students outside of the English department by becoming a Center for Writing Excellence writing assistant. These experiences provide a chance for you to build skills in leadership, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving, while also enhancing your writing abilities.

Endless undergraduate research opportunities are available to students at UWEC. Some of the exciting projects taken on by students and faculty in English involve conducting research and interviewing research subjects. Your work could lead to presentations at local and national research conferences, providing you with even more learning and networking opportunities.

Joining a student organization at UWEC builds your skill set — and your resume. You may mentor current and potential students, organize events, or give back to the community. You'll also meet students who, like you, are interested in English and all that it offers. A popular student org for creative writing majors is NOTA, or None of the Above, which is a campus literary magazine — entirely student-run — that publishes a biannual collection of the top student submissions in the categories of art, poetry, and prose.

Writing in a new and different environment can lead to some pretty incredible work. Find inspiration while studying abroad in places like England, France, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, South Korea, South Africa, or Japan. Or join faculty on a cultural immersion program to renowned places right here in the U.S. These enriching academic experiences are exactly the kind of high-impact practices that set UW-Eau Claire apart from other institutions, making UWEC an excellent place to pursue your creative writing degree. 

Blugold Stories

Some people might stay away from English classes because they think they're bad writers. I would say no one is a bad writer. Writing, like art, is very subjective, and I promise you there is someone out there who will share your story and see the light in your writing. If you're interested in expressing yourself or just have feelings you need to work through, creative writing is something that you should try.

I had no idea how much I would be welcomed and how much all of my professors genuinely care about me. They are so willing to just have a chat or I can come to their office hours. It's just something that is so nice and I didn't know I was going to have that.

Just the facts

100% Employed or Continuing Education Every 2022-2023 graduate from this major is currently employed or continuing their education.

5 Majors, 4 Minors, 3 Certificates Our personalized curriculum builds your skillset and talent for the future you want.

Where can the english - creative writing emphasis program lead me after graduation?

Graduates of UW-Eau Claire's English - creative writing emphasis degree leave with the knowledge, tools, skills, and passion to become successful, published authors. 

Example Careers

• Content manager
• Content writer
• Technical writer
• Social media director
• Freelance writer

The English - creative writing emphasis bachelor's degree includes countless opportunities to create and evaluate forms of verbal art, including poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Coursework throughout the program will help you to become a better reader and writer of imaginative literature. Pair your studies with a minor or another major in areas like history, marketing, journalism, public relations, communication studies, political science or graphic design for even more career opportunities. 

Here are a few courses in English - Creative Writing Emphasis at UW-Eau Claire.

Introduction to Creative Writing

Introduction to creative writing with opportunities for the student to create and evaluate several forms of verbal art (poetry, fiction and/or nonfiction).

Creative Writing Workshop - Fiction

Special emphasis on class discussion and personal conferences for advanced writers of fiction.

Creative and Narrative Nonfiction

Survey of nonfiction works (reportage, autobiography, travel, and nature writing) which combines factual reporting with literary techniques to reveal American society.

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University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

105 Garfield Avenue  P.O. Box 4004  Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 

715-836-4636