MFA Program Director
Contact Christopher Coake, MFA if you have questions about our program.
Application deadline
Complete your application by December 15 for Fall admission.
Residential MFA in Creative Writing
Fully-funded MFA in Creative Writing
Immerse yourself in a supportive, close-knit residential community where you'll craft a novel, story collection or poetry collection under the guidance of award-winning faculty and nationally acclaimed visiting writers.
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Application requirements
Candidates will be accepted for fall semester admission only and must submit applications by the Department of English's December 15 deadline. Applicants are required to submit, for the Department of English graduate Committee approval:
- a creative writing sample of 30 pages in function or 10 pages in length of poetry, demonstrating the student's strongest work in the genre of application;
- a scholarly writing sample of ca/ 15 pages in length, demonstrating readiness for graduate study in English;
- a 2-3 page statement of intent, including a declaration of study
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
Why choose our MFA program?
Our MFA program is designed to support and empower creative writers with:
- Expert mentorship: Work closely with accomplished faculty and visiting writers to refine your craft.
- Collaborative community: Join a small, supportive cohort that fosters meaningful connections with peers and faculty.
- Professional preparation: Teach three courses per year (typically Core Writing) while honing your skills and building your portfolio.
Develop your own unique voice in fiction or poetry
Our program typically admits up to 6 students annually—five fiction writers and five poets—offering personalized guidance and an emphasis-specific curriculum outlined in the Graduate Student Handbook.
To complete your MFA, you’ll fulfill our general degree requirements and the additional emphasis-specific curriculum outlined in the Graduate Student Handbook:
Fiction
Hone your writing through workshops, interdisciplinary coursework, and mentorship that situates your work within a broader literary context. The program welcomes writers from diverse backgrounds and styles, celebrating originality and vision, and we are open to all approaches to literary fiction, including work in genres such as fantasy, science fiction, horror, and others.
Poetry
Develop your voice through workshops, interdisciplinary coursework, and close mentorship that encourages innovation and depth. Explore forms ranging from lyric to narrative to experimental, with space to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities of poetic expression.
Graduate school admission requirements
Graduate school admission requirements vary for domestic, international, and graduate special applicants. Select from the options below to learn more.
Virtual open houses
Each fall and spring semester, the Graduate School hosts multiple free, online Virtual Open Houses. Register in advance to learn about the University’s on-campus and online graduate programs and get questions answered by faculty, staff and current graduate students.
Graduate student housing
Interested in living on campus? Learn more about Ponderosa Village, an on-campus community for graduate students and their families.
MFA in Creative Writing faculty
Professor, Director of Residential MFA Program in Creative Writing
(775) 682-6385
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