MFA in Creative Writing

The MFA in creative writing at the University of Nevada, Reno, is a three-year residency program which culminates in the submission of a thesis (a novel, a collection of stories, or a collection of poems).

Program director

Christopher Coake, MFA

Phone: (775) 682-6385
Email: cjcoake@unr.edu

Start an application

January 15 is the deadline for fall enrollment consideration.

Program handbook

Review the MFA handbook to find out if the program is right for you.

Program overview

The program typically admits up to ten graduate students each year — ideally, we admit five fiction writers and five poets.

The program requires a series of rigorous workshops, classes in editing and publishing, and electives in literary history, critical theory and craft, as well as a thesis created under the close mentorship of a faculty committee.

The residential MFA in creative writing also offers students opportunities to engage in public outreach. Our students help organize the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl and gain experience in editing and publishing via partnerships with Black Rock Press, Baobab Press, and the University of Nevada Press.

Numerous nationally prominent writers visit the University every year to read and to meet our students. Recent visitors include Camille Dungy, Manuel Gonzales, Aaron Hamburger, Fonda Lee, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Srikanth Reddy, Cedar Sigo, Justin Torres, JJ Amaworo Wilson, and Robert Wrigley.

MFA in creative writing application and degree requirements

MFA in creative writing faculty

Fiction
Christopher Coake
Christopher Coake, MFA
Professor
(775) 682-6385
FH 017
6696
Poetry
Steven Gehrke
Steven Gehrke, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
FH 119
6695
Poetry
Ann Keniston
Ann Keniston, Ph.D.
Professor; Director of Undergraduate Studies
(775) 682-6399
FH 110C
6695
Fiction
Claire Stanford
Claire Stanford, Ph.D., MFA
Assistant Professor
(775) 682-6374
FH 215
6696
Poetry
Jared Stanley
Jared Stanley, MFA
Assistant Professor
FH 030
6695

Apply to the MFA in Creative Writing