Today, creative writers have opportunities to write for various platforms. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the median salary for a writer in 2016 was $61,240. A degree in creative writing prepares students for work as fiction writers, script writers, content writers, and academics. Below, we've ranked the best online master's degree in English and creative writing programs, highlighting creative writing programs that are attractive academically and financially. Best Online MFA in Creative Writing Programs:. Harvard University - Cambridge, MA. Lindenwood University - Saint Charles, MO.

• Mfa Creative Writing
• Best Mfa Creative Writing Programs
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Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, PA. The University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso, TX. National University - La Jolla, CA. Collapse All RankSchoolLocationCostGraduation RateDescriptionToggle1Harvard UniversityCambridge, MACost:$$$$$Graduation Rate: 96%Harvard University degrees have high academic prestige. Earning a from the university's extension school requires in-depth study of the liberal arts, literature, and writing. Harvard ascribes to the belief that current academic ability is the best predictor of future success in the program.

Thus, prospective students must register for and complete two graduate-level courses before submitting a formal application. If accepted, students then complete the degree's 10 remaining courses.Harvard's online creative writing master's degree allows for customization according to each student's goals. In addition to core requirements like advanced fiction writing and development of a book-length thesis, students choose from a variety of literature and writing courses.

Popular creative writing course options including writing the middle grade and young adult novel, writing crime fiction, and writing suspense fiction. Literature options include American crime fiction, science fiction, post-apocalyptic novels, and author- and era-focused courses.Nearly all course components offer 100% online completion.

To enhance the overall program experience; however, all students must come to campus for a one-week writer's residency and master class taught by a notable instructor. Students may remain on campus for an optional, additional two weeks to participate in an agents-and-editors weekend, two guest lectures, and a wrap-up session. Harvard allows students to take up to five years to complete all degree requirements.

Graduates earn a master of liberal arts in extension studies: creative writing and literature, and can choose to participate in the Harvard Commencement ceremony held annually in May.Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Liberal Arts, Literature and Creative WritingTuition: $2,750/courseDeliveryFormat: HybridAdmission RequirementsGPA: 3.0 minimumContactPhone: (617) 495-4024Email:Social Media Accounts. 2Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MOCost:$$$$$Graduation Rate: 50%Earning an from Lindenwood University requires the completion of 48 credits in writing craft courses, literature courses, and writing workshops. This truly flexible degree allows students to choose the delivery option that best fits their schedule and preferences: fully online, fully on-campus, or a combination of both. With no residency period required, online students never need to come to campus to complete their degree, but they can gain valuable real-world experience by serving as editorial assistants for the literary journal.Lindenwood MFA students learn from a faculty composed of professional authors, journalists, and editors. Craft and literature courses offer a variety of genres and study focuses, including scriptwriting, longform narrative journalism, magical realism, LGBTQ+ fiction, flash fiction, and author-focused studies.

If desired, students can choose an emphasis in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. Choosing an emphasis requires students to take 27 credits of emphasis-related courses and to complete their thesis in their chosen area. Students who elect not to take an emphasis can choose class and thesis genres freely.An asynchronous delivery format allows students to complete course assignments throughout the week on their own schedule, without set login times.

Lindenwood accepts MFA applications on a rolling basis. The selective admission process relies primarily on the merit of a 7-10 page creative writing sample and 1-2 page statement of purpose. Applicants must also supply transcripts and a resume for university admission. GRE scores and letters of recommendation are not required.Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Fine Arts in WritingAvailable Concentrations: Fiction; poetry; creative nonfictionTuition: $480/creditCredit Requirements: 48 creditsProgram Length: 2 yearsDeliveryFormat: Online or hybridInstruction Style: AsynchronousContactPhone: (636) 949-2000Email:Social Media Accounts. 3Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre, PACost:$$$$$Graduation Rate: 60%Wilkes University offers two: a master of arts and a master of fine arts.

Since the writing program's founding in 2006, graduates and faculty have published more than 400 novels, articles, and short stories; produced more than 60 films and 90 plays; and established four new publishing companies and journals. These low-residency programs allow for online completion of most course components. Students meet on campus for an eight-day residency every six months, in June and January.The MA program requires the completion of 30 credits, while the MFA program requires 48 credits. The 18 additional credits required for the MFA include the revision or reinvention of the MA capstone, one additional on-campus residency, and a semester-long, online or local internship in publishing or arts education.

Each student explores the craft and literature of multiple genres through a set of core creative writing courses, but both MA's require a final project or thesis that adheres to a chosen emphasis area. Specialization options include creative nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, poetry, screenwriting, publishing, and making documentary films.Students progress through the program in cohorts, allowing for close collaboration with peers as well as faculty and mentor writers. Wilkes accepts applications to the writing program on a rolling basis leading up to each January and June start date. Prospective students must submit a current resume, essay, official transcripts, and 15-25 page creative writing sample. Students interested in a graduate assistantship must submit an additional application and two letters of recommendation.Program OverviewProgram Name: MA or Master of Fine Arts in Creative WritingAvailable Concentrations: Creative nonfiction; fiction; playwriting; poetry; screenwriting; publishing; documentary filmmakingTuition: $684/creditCredit Requirements: 30 credits (MA); 48 credits (MFA)Program Length: 1.5 years (MA); 2.5 years (MFA)DeliveryFormat: HybridInstruction Style: AsynchronousContactPhone: (800) 945-5378Social Media Accounts.

4The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TXCost:$$$$$Graduation Rate: 41%Home to one of the best online creative writing master's programs in the U.S., the University of Texas at El Paso also stands out as the only university in the world to offer a. A department of award-winning, bilingual faculty provides students with the opportunity to complete the program by writing entirely in English, in Spanish, or a mix of each. Students can complete UTEP courses fully online, with an optional, low-residency excursion to popular European destinations like London, Paris, or Madrid available each summer.The 48-credit curriculum includes 42 credits of literature courses, writing workshops, and electives, as well as six credits for thesis preparation. Students can expect to study both fiction and poetry in depth, with plenty of room to customize the degree plan according to specific writing interests. Workshop courses provide the option to examine popular writing styles including screenwriting, playwriting, and creative nonfiction.

Literature courses represent multiple genres as well, including the study of children's literature, comics, short story form, literary translation, and writing about popular music. For the thesis requirement, all students produce a book-length manuscript of original fiction or poetry.Prospective UTEP students must hold either a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution and submit a graduate application and official transcripts. This extremely competitive program also requires applicants to supply a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and a professional writing sample composed of 8-10 poems or 20 pages of fiction.Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Fine Arts in Creative WritingTuition: $429/credit in-state; $689/credit out-of-state Credit Requirements: 48 creditsProgram Length: 3 yearsDeliveryFormat: OnlineContactPhone: (915) 747-5713Email:Social Media Accounts. 5National UniversityLa Jolla, CACost:$$$$$Graduation Rate: 42%Since its founding in 1971, National University has worked to provide accessible higher education opportunities to adult learners, both online and at more than 20 campuses in California and Nevada. Today, NU's boasts more than 1,000 alumni.

Thanks to military-friendly tuition discounts and scholarships, servicemembers and their dependents make up approximately 15% of the program's student population.NU's master of fine arts in creative writing offers four areas of specialization and welcomes writers of genre fiction and young adult literature. The 58.5 quarter-credit curriculum builds student understanding of professional writing processes, principles of craft and composition, literary critique, and practical and theoretical models used for teaching and learning writing. All students participate in intensive eight-week workshops with peers and instructors. At the program's culmination, students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to produce a publishable thesis in a specialization area: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting.All NU writing courses adhere to an asynchronous format, and students never need to come to campus to fulfill a residency requirement. Prospective students must meet university graduate admission guidelines, including a cumulative 2.5 GPA in undergraduate work.

The writing program requires all applicants to provide a portfolio of either 20-30 pages of fiction or literary nonfiction, 10-20 pages of poetry, one act of a screenplay, or a collection of work in multiple formats. NU offers rolling admissions throughout the year and allows new students to start at the beginning of any given month.Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Fine Arts in Creative WritingAvailable Concentrations: Fiction; creative nonfiction; poetry; screenwritingTuition: $430/creditCredit Requirements: 58.5 quarter creditsProgram Length: 20 monthsDeliveryFormat: OnlineInstruction Style: AsynchronousContactPhone: (855) 407-9716Email: (Frank Montesonti, Program Director)Social Media Accounts.

Mfa Creative Writing

Creative writing programs strengthen students' writing skills using proven techniques. Many programs offer concentrations in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting. Beyond basic writing skills, creative writing programs teach students about character development, plot structure, and the craft of editing.

Students also learn about the writing industry and how to pursue careers as writers. Graduates have careers as authors, historians, screenwriters, journalists, and more. DO I NEED PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE TO GET IN? Research and preparation are key to finding the right online creative writing program. Applicants should thoroughly research institutions before applying to an English master's degree online program.

On the department's website, students can find an overview of the program, including the curriculum, learning outcomes, tuition, and fees. Meet with an admissions counsellor for in-depth information and to ensure you meet the program's prerequisite requirements. CAN I WORK WHILE I COMPLETE MY ONLINE MASTER'S IN ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING? An online master's in English and creative writing will include syllabi, assignments, projects, and discussions. Many online programs use discussion boards to help students interact, and students can speak to instructors through email, chat, or phone. Below, we outline common features of online English and creative writing programs. CONCENTRATIONS OFFERED FOR AN ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE IN ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING ConcentrationDescriptionCareers this concentration prepares forNonfictionStudents learn to craft stories based on real-life people and events.

They explore autobiographies, personal essays, and magazine writing. Learners also develop journalism skills, which prepare them to work for newspapers, magazines, and broadcast news.Journalist, essayistFictionFiction writers create characters and stories influenced by their imaginations. The fiction concentration centers on the anatomy of storytelling. Students read fiction works by famed authors and create their own pieces.Novelist, playwrightScreenwritingCourses in this concentration are centered around film and video. Students dissect movies, documentaries, and television shows to learn the method behind screenwriting.

Students also learn about scriptwriting for plays and web series and tackle genres such as comedy, romance, and science fiction.Screenwriter, playwrightCURRICULUM FOR AN ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE IN ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING. All master's degree in creative writing online programs require a certain number of credit hours. Required and optional courses vary by program, but below is a sample curriculum. Story and concept: This course delves into story development. Students create detailed outlines, plot arcs, and character sketches.

Students also study fiction works from past and present and develop techniques to strengthen their literary effectiveness. Fiction fundamentals: Students learn how to effectively use imagery, symbolism, and tone. Students examine the key differences between fiction writing and other forms of creative writing, such as nonfiction, screenwriting and poetry. Graduate studies in literary theory: This course covers literary theory as it pertains to the human experience. Students explore ideologies that have shaped the world and how they have affected modern writing and critics interpretations of literary works.HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN ONLINE MASTER'S IN ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING? Department of Education manages government funds given to public and private institutions throughout the country and oversees adherence to federal laws and regulations.

The Department of Education works closely with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which handles accreditation policy and procedures. The CHEA has thousands of members from the postsecondary education community, who attend annual conferences and recommend accreditation policies. For a list of accredited institutions, visit the CHEA website. A bachelor's degree in English or creative writing is ideal for aspiring writers and authors.

The best online master's in English and creative writing programs help students develop the skillset of an experienced writer, as they gain experience through projects and internships. The employment rate for graduates of English master's degree online programs is growing; graduates pursue careers in the communications, journalism, and writing industries. SpecialtyUnemployment Rate for Experienced College Graduates (%)Unemployment Rate for Graduate Degree Holders (%)Communications6.3%4.3%Journalism6.0%3.8%Mass Media7.0%6.7%Advertising and Public Relations6.1%—English Language and Literature6.2%3.9%Composition and Speech4.7%—. There are many writing disciplines, and creative writing graduates have a wealth of career options within the writing industry. The chart below details salary trends for copywriters, English teachers, journalists, and content managers. Job TitleOverall Median SalaryMedian Salary for Entry-Level Employees (0-5 years)Median Salary for Mid-Career Employees (5-10 years)Median Salary for Late-Career Employees (20+ years)$73,721$65,368$80,697$90,017$73,791$68,436$59,953$88,768$58,388$53,750$59,953$71,341$65,144$65,047$65,836$63,826$45,945$41,270$46,262$48,651MASTER'S IN ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING CAREERS.

Collapse All Authorcreate written works, such as essays, short stories, and graphic novels. Their work is published and can be found in bookstores and libraries.Median Annual Salary $61,240Projected Growth Rate 2% English Teacher (Postsecondary)help students improve their reading, writing, and comprehension skills through the study of classic and modern literary works.Median Annual Salary $45,867Projected Growth Rate 1.6% Screenwritercreate scripts for web and television series. Their characters and plots are viewed by wide audiences.Median Annual Salary $61,240Projected Growth Rate 2% Journalistcreate nonfiction articles for publications such as magazines and newspapers.

They conduct interviews and research story developments.Median Annual Salary $37,920Projected Growth Rate 2% Copywritercreate engaging content for print and digital mediums. They work within the marketing department to promote a brand's products or initiatives.Median Annual Salary $48,323Projected Growth Rate 2% PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. Approximately two-thirds of today's college students rely on loans to fund their education, but there are plenty of overlooked financing options you can use to reduce your overall student debt.Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial first step for any student with financial needs.

Our FAFSA guide features a step-by-step rundown on the process and answers to several frequently asked questions.Financial aid for online learning is equivalent to what you'll find for campus-based learning, but that hasn't always been the case. Learn about the changes that have taken place, as well as the different funding opportunities available to online students.Online college programs can be a flexible, affordable option for single parents who are interested in earning a degree and securing their family's financial future.

We've compiled a list of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options geared toward single moms and dads.Millions of dollars in free money is available to U.S. Military personnel, but much of it goes unused.

Learn more about grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities available to veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists. Last Updated: October 30, 2019 BACK TO TOP.

Best Mfa Creative Writing Programs

There is a myth that writing is a solitary endeavor. While it's true that no one but the author can put words to paper, writing is certainly not a solitary practice, especially for students in creative writing workshops at some of the most prestigious writing programs in the U.S. There, writers work with other students and professors to hone their creative works through intensive writing workshops. Over the past few decades, these programs have produced some of America's best-known and best-loved authors, and continue to train the next generation of American literary figures. While every writer has his or her own favorite when it comes to these prestigious writers' workshops, here are a few we think are the biggest and the best in the U.S., listed in no particular order.:The University of Iowa is home to the most prestigious writers' workshop in the nation. A key factor in that prestige is that the program is one of the oldest, starting nearly three decades before any other writing workshop in the U.S.

It was also the first program in the country to offer an MFA in English. Students in the Iowa Writers' Workshop take a small number of classes each semester, the most important of which is a weekly class where students share work and engage in roundtable discussions with teachers and peers to provide constructive criticism and feedback for the author. Having top-notch faculty certainly helps the writing process and in past years the school has boasted literary greats like Kurt Vonnegut, Philip Roth, and John Irving as faculty members.

Whatever the secret of its success, the program is doing something right: alumni of the school have won seventeen Pulitzer Prizes, a handful have been Poet Laureates, and dozens more have won other prestigious awards.:Columbia's creative writing program boasts some pretty impressive alumni, among them J.D. Salinger, Federico Garcia Lorca, Carson McCullers, Eudora Welty, Jack Kerouac, Langston Hughes, and Allen Ginsberg, though that's hardly a complete list. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, the school is situated amid a living, breathing source of inspiration that has helped many great authors to launch successful careers. Of course, the city alone isn't what helps Columbia's students to produce high-quality work; the rigorous writing workshops it requires of MFA candidates, whether they want to become a screenwriter, novelist, or poet, are likely of greater importance.

Through the workshops, students work closely with award-winning faculty and their peers to write, edit, and, hopefully, to create work that makes it into publication, a goal many a Columbia grad has achieved.:When it comes to poetry, few schools can compete with the impressive array of graduates produced by Boston University's writing workshops. Boston University's poetic greats like Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, and George Starbuck and present and past faculty members are prestigious in their own right, like Robert Pinsky, Robert Lowell, and Ha Jin. The program is notoriously intense, critical, and structured, and is designed to get students used to the harsh criticisms they'll face in the real world and help them to build the skills to produce great work. While students will take an assortment of literature courses, the crux of the program are the writing workshops, offered in fiction, poetry, or drama, where most of the writing and critiquing takes place.:This Tallahassee school offers students the chance to work with Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning professors in intensive workshops. The school may not boast the same high-profile alumni as others on this list, but that's in part because the writing program has seen a near complete reinvention over the past two decades under the leadership of the programs's top-notch professors and dedicated administrators. In 1997, FSU's writer's workshops languished at 37th in the U.S.

According to U.S. News and World Report rankings. Today, FSU is ranked among the best places in the nation for writers to hone their skills, and as time goes on, the program will undoubtedly produce some big names in literature as its workshops hone the skills of America's aspiring writers.:The University of Michigan is among one of the best public universities in the United States, so it should come as no surprise that the school also boasts one of the top writing programs. The MFA program at the university takes two years to complete, much of which is spent in writing workshops and crafting a master's thesis. All students also get a $6,000 stipend for the summer semester that allows them to spend time writing and honing their skills rather than having to worry about working to pay bills and rent. The school's workshops have produced a number of notable writers, with some even winning National Book Awards.

Many of Michigan's successful writers have specialized in science fiction and fantasy writing, making it an ideal place for students interested in those genres to hone their skills.:The UC Irvine programs have some seriously high-profile alumni among their ranks, some of whom produced successful works while students still in the school's MFA program. Michael Chabon's MFA thesis would get him a book deal and he would later go on to win a Pulitzer Prize. Alice Sebold's memoir about her rape began as a writing assignment in her Irvine courses, and would later be published after her graduation. Other notable alumni include Pulitzer winners Robert Ford and Yusef Komunyakaa, with many other grads going on to score book deals and win awards. The high profile of the program allows it to be selective, accepting just 10 to 12 writers into its programs each year, though applications can sometimes number 500 or more.

Workshops at UC Irvine aren't just for grad students, however as the school also offers writers' workshops to undergrads who are interested in becoming professional writers.:A big part of the prestige of NYU's writers' workshops comes from the professors who guide them, among them E.L. Doctorow, Yusef Komunyakaa, Sharon Olds, and Zadie Smith with elite visiting writers like Jonathan Safran Foer, Charles Simic, and Anne Carson also lending a hand. While prestigious faculty help the workshops at the school stand out, so does progressive coursework and a wide range of specializations that allow students to tailor their writing instruction to their particular goals and styles. To graduate from the program, students must take at least four creative writing workshops and use them to help to produce a creative thesis, either a novel, collection of short stories, or a group of poems. With reading, writing, and editing at the core of the program, many grads go on to produce works that make it into publication.:With a 1% acceptance rate, the University of Virginia's creative writing program is one of the most selective in the United States. Its selectiveness, as well as the high esteem both graduates and faculty are held in, have made it one of the most prestigious programs in the U.S.

Download California Mfa Creative Writing Programs Software 2017

Alumni of the program include Char Harbach and Charles McLoed, both successful fiction writers, though UVA is most famous for its poetry writing workshops, which provide intensive instruction that has helped numerous aspiring writers get their works published. Named by Poets & Writers magazine as the third best school in the nation for getting an MFA in creative writing, UVA takes educating its students seriously, requiring 12 hours of workshopping and 24 hours of research related to the construction of a creative thesis.:The MFA program at UW Madison is relatively new, having been started in 2002, though the school had offered other graduate degree studies in English previously. It's unique among many other writing programs because of its alternating admissions, accepting fiction students in odd-numbered years and poets in even-numbered years. Further distinguishing it is that students can take workshops outside of their area of concentration, studying fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwrighting, and screenwriting as it strikes their interest. This flexibility is perhaps why the school's program is held in such high regard, and has been ranked among the best in the nation for several years running. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have prize-winning faculty, generous financial aid, and a great track record of published alumni either.:While not an alum, author James Michener played a major role in shaping the creative writing program at UT Austin. Michener founded the MFA program in writing at the school, which is now named after him, and left the school a generous donation that has enabled it to provide substantial fellowships to admitted students.

The result has been the establishment of a prestigious program that allows students to work closely with published authors and their classmates in workshops throughout their three years at the school, focusing on either fiction, poetry, screenwriting, or playwriting with the opportunity to choose a second area of interest as well. Alumni of the school have done well, capturing elite fellowships, prizes, and awards for a wide range of work and the program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation for creative writing.Post navigation.