School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies
Creative WritingMFA
Programs offered in the fall and spring. Review deadlines.
Pursue your writing passion and turn your creative ideas into real-world literature. Emerson College’s on-campus Creative Writing MFA program will improve your writing practice, teach you foundational literary texts, and guide you in completing a long-form piece of writing.
At a Glance
- Focus intensely on your genre of concentration — creative nonfiction, fiction, or poetry — while exploring other types of writing, as well as literature, publishing and teaching, through your elective courses.
- Gain knowledge and experience of publishing by working on both student-run and professional literary journals like Redivider and Ploughshares.
- Pursue opportunities to teach and tutor in various areas of the Writing Studies program, including teaching first year writing to undergraduates or creative writing to high school students with EmersonWRITES, and tutoring in the campus Writing Center or with the Emerson Prison Initiative.
- Complete a novel or novel excerpt; a nonfiction book or excerpt; or a collection of poems, short stories, or essays.
- The curriculum consists of 44 credits with a 40 credit advanced standing path offered to select admitted students.
- No GRE required to apply.
Level up Your Creative Writing Skills
Creative writing is a process. You write, revise, consider feedback, and chip away at the work until you have a finished product you’re proud of. Emerson College’s Creative Writing MFA program will give you the tools to understand that process and to transform your ideas into works that reflect your creativity as you develop your skills through intensive workshops, literary study, and electives.
The program gives you flexibility, offering evening classes, as well as full- and part-time options. As you move through the curriculum and gain expertise in your genre of concentration, you’ll develop a significant writing project to complete by the time you graduate: A novel or novel excerpt, a nonfiction book or excerpt, a collection of poems, stories, or essays. You’ll have the opportunity to gain publishing experience by working on literary journals like Ploughshares and Redivider. You’ll be able to pursue teaching opportunities through Emerson’s Writing Studies Program, including teaching first year writing to undergraduates or creative writing to high school students with EmersonWRITES, and tutoring in the campus Writing Center or with the Emerson Prison Initiative. By the end of the program, you’ll be able to leave with a polished body of work and real-world experience in writing, teaching, and publishing.
Become a Thoughtful Writer
- Write more thoughtfully in your genre of concentration with close mentorship from award-winning faculty who are active and experienced as writers, scholars, and publishers.
- Expand your knowledge and opportunities by exploring areas of writing, publishing, teaching, and scholarship beyond your genre of concentration.
- Benefit from the vibrant literary scene in Boston as well as the active community of graduate students hosting readings, collaborative writing events, and other opportunities to build relationships and connections that will last beyond graduation.
Once you’re enrolled in a graduate program at Emerson College, you’re automatically part of Emerson Edge, a network of peers, alumni, faculty, and staff to ensure you’re getting what you need out of your graduate program. Some of the benefits you’ll get from Emerson Edge:
- Career Development Center: Work with a team who can take your skills and interests and find the best path toward a career.
- Emerge Alumni Network: Join a community of over 50,000 Emerson alumni who can mentor you, share career advice, and make connections in your industry.
- Graduate Career Action Plan: Develop your resume, cover letter, and portfolio with a team dedicated to credential-building, and gain access to exclusive job listings.
Learn from Literary Professionals
Learn the ropes of creative writing, editing, and publishing from award-winning practitioners in those fields.
Enroll Today
Applicants must register for an account with the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies. From there, you’ll log in and upload application materials. No GRE is required to apply.
Learn more about applying to Emerson on our Application Process page.