creative writing mfa los angeles

Creative Writing

Write in the heart of los angeles.

The two year, 36-unit MFA in Creative Writing Program at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles, is an artist-training program for students who want to write professionally in the genres of novel, short story, playwriting, poetry, screenplay and non-fiction. We are ideal for working adults. Our format of meeting every other weekend, six times per semester , lets you fit into your life a graduate degree while keeping your other commitments.  

What gives our program its special character?  We develop writers in multiple genres, believing that you can excel in more than one.   We are interested in the whole writer, an expert who isn't narrow.  Our integration of the humanities into our course of study reflects commitment to intellectual rigor and liberal arts as the cornerstone of human understanding.  We pay close attention to your needs as a developing artist.  The courses are demanding, disciplined, and the level is high.  In short, we give you your money's worth.  

The teachers in our program put a premium on helping our students into their professional careers, through continued mentoring.  This means not only teaching the techniques that make you the best writer you can be, but also preparing you for the publication market.  Our writers and director, combined, have a long track record of helping students to national and international literary prizes and book-length publications.  Whatever your career path, our job is to help you write stories, novels, plays, poems, or screenplays, at the highest level, and get them into print or staged before an appreciative public.  In that, we are practical minded and the curriculum is set up to get you there.  

Our students are of all ages and from many different educational backgrounds.  You do not need to have taken a degree in literature in order to apply to us.    

Combining humanistic depth, intellectual rigor, multicultural and bilingual study, technology, a flexible weekend format, cross-training in multiple genres, and practical preparation-that is what makes our MFA in Creative Writing stand apart.  Come study with us on the Mount Saint Mary's campus, a gem right in the heart of Los Angeles.  

Mission and Values  

The MFA in Creative Writing values its cooperative relationship with the MA in Humanities. Our student writers are schooled in cultural, historical and literary traditions that must be an integral part of the intellectual repertoire of the professional writer.  We put a premium on complementing knowledge of modern and contemporary Western and non-Western traditions with those that precede us by centuries.  Likewise, preparation in a broad spectrum of humanistic thought helps MFA students become critical thinkers.  Our program is truly multicultural in embracing world literature as well as the absorbing and exciting range of ethnic literature within the U.S.  Our status within a Hispanic-serving institution also is meaningful to the MFA in Creative Writing, as well as Mount Saint Mary's undergraduate historical dedication to the success of women in our co-educational graduate program.  We put a premium on nurturing the whole student with a holistic approach to the shaping of a writer.  

The MFA in Creative Writing at Mount Saint Mary’s University takes an inclusive approach to teaching and mentoring its writers.  Freedom of artistic expression and mutual tolerance are at the heart of serving the multiplicity of its international student body.  Each writer is encouraged to take aesthetic risks, while seeking understanding and showing a willingness to respect discrepant points of view in and out of the classroom.  

The artist by nature is often a dissenter. When this act is undertaken with sympathy of mind, differences in outlook get expressed in a range of ideas and practices. The spirit of imaginative dissent, individual conscience and collaboration informs all endeavors of the MFA: the classroom; mentoring; our international literary conference; the Parlor reading series; The Rush magazine; and our multi-faceted, ethnically and culturally adventurous curriculum.  

The MFA teaches the concept of Literary Citizenship, in which the contribution to the Republic of Letters is important: supporting our fellow writers in spirit and in practice; supporting the world of independent publishing and reviewing; bringing a selfless/ethical component to building a community of writers; working for the overall literacy and betterment of the literary culture at large. MSMU’s Catholic (and catholic) mission emphasizes these very values and our mission is congruent with it.  

Take your next step

2022-2024 Catalog

• Mount Saint Mary’s University Catalog 2022-2024
• The University
• General Information
• Academic Policies and Procedures
• Designation of Credits and Courses
• American Sign Language
• American Studies
• Applied Ethics
• Asian Studies
• Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Business Administration
• Child Development
• Computer Science

Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing

• Creative Writing Certificate in Editing and Publishing
• Creative Writing Certificate in Latin American/Latinx Creative Studies
• Creative Writing Certificate in Writing for Media
• Criminology
• Cultural Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• Film, Media and Communications
• Film, Television & Photography
• Film and Television Producing
• First-Year Seminar
• French Studies
• Geospatial Criminology
• Geographic Information Systems
• Gerontology
• Global Politics
• Health and Human Services
• Healthcare Administration
• Healthcare Policy
• Italian Studies
• Journalism and New Media
• Language and Culture
• Liberal Arts
• Liberal Studies
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Physical Science
• Physical Therapy
• Political Science
• Pre-Health Science
• Pre-Nursing
• Professional Photography
• Religious Studies
• Social Justice and Sexual Diversity
• Social Work
• Spanish Studies
• Special Programs
• Women and Gender Studies
• Women’s Studies and Leadership
• Trustees and Administration
• Agencies/Affiliates
• Catalog Home
• All Catalogs

2022-2024 Catalog > Courses of Instruction > Creative Writing > Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing

MFA in Creative Writing Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study. Applications from candidates in any field will be considered. Admission is based on samples of creative writing in the student’s chosen genre (10-20 pages), academic record, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation, one of which must come from a creative writing instructor or professional writer.  Please do not send letters from friends or any other non-professional contact.

Program Description

The Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles is an artist-training program for graduate students who want to write professionally in the genres of novel, short story, playwriting, poetry, screenplay and non-fiction. Ideal for working adults, the degree program can be taken fully online, fully on-campus, or a combination of the two. Utilizing the latest technology in remote learning, the MFA in Creative Writing offers students the freedom to fit a graduate degree into their lives while maintaining other commitments. Students may pursue the degree in Spanish as well as English.

What gives our program its special character? We develop writers in multiple genres, believing that you can excel in more than one. We are interested in the whole writer, an expert who isn't narrow.  Our integration of the humanities into our course of study reflects commitment to intellectual rigor and liberal arts as the cornerstone of human understanding. We pay close attention to the needs of developing artists in courses that are innovative and demanding.

The teachers in our program put a premium on helping our students into their professional careers, through continued mentoring. This means not only teaching the techniques that make you the best writer you can be, but also preparing you for the publication market. Our writers and director, combined, have a long track record of helping students garner national and international literary prizes and book-length publications. Whatever your career path, our job is to help you write stories, novels, plays, poems, or screenplays, at the highest level, and get them into print or staged before an appreciative public. In that, we are practical minded. Our curriculum is set up to get you there.

Our students are of all ages and from many different educational backgrounds. You need not have completed a degree in literature in order to apply. Combining humanistic depth, intellectual rigor, multicultural and bilingual study, technology, a flexible online format, cross-training in multiple genres, and practical preparation--Mount Saint Mary's MFA in Creative Writing truly stands apart.

Degree Requirements

15 units of Creative Writing courses

6 units Thesis ( CRW 296 x 2)

Creative Writing Workshops (15 units)

Complete 15 units of Creative Writing Workshops.

• CRW 220 Novella (3)
• CRW 222 Memoir (3)
• CRW 223 Latin American Chronicle (3)
• CRW-230 " title="http://msmu.smartcatalogiq.com/2018-2020/2018-2020-Catalog/Courses/CRW-Creative-Writing/200/ CRW-230 "> CRW 230  Fiction Writing I (3) 
• CRW 231 Poetry Writing I (3)
• CRW 232 Writing for the Screen I (3)
• CRW 233 Non-Fiction Writing I (3)
• CRW 234 Writing for Screen and Television (3)
• CRW-236 "> CRW 236  Playwriting I (3) 
• CRW-240 " title="http://msmu.smartcatalogiq.com/2018-2020/2018-2020-Catalog/Courses/CRW-Creative-Writing/200/ CRW-240 "> CRW 240  Fiction Writing II (3) 
• CRW-241 "> CRW 241  Poetry Writing II (3) 
• CRW 242 Writing for the Screen II (3)
• CRW 243 Creative Writing Non-Fiction Writing II (3)
• CRW-246 "> CRW 246  Playwriting II (3) 
• CRW-248 "> CRW 248  Special Topics in Creative Writing (3) 
• CRW 249 Studies in Genre (3)
• CRW 253 Writing Screen-Play-Mexican Cinema  (3)
• CRW 254 Latinx Memoir (3)
• CRW 256 Latin American Novel (3)
• CRW 257 Latin American Novella: Boom and Post Boom (3)
• CRW 258 Latin American Short Story and Poetry (3)
• CRW 299C Studies in Publishing: Independent Publishing  (3)
• CRW 299D Studies in Publishing: Book Arts  (3)
• CRW 299E Studies in Publishing: Editing  (3)
• CRW 299F Studies in Publishing: Agents and Representation  (3)
• CRW 299G Studies in Publishing: Marketing and Sales  (3)

Poetics (3 units)

Poetics ( CRW 244 ) in the first year.

Literature and Thought (9 units)

Any courses in the CRW 299 sequence

CRW 232 or CRW 242 (Screenwriting--only one Screenwriting course may count for the block)

Courses with the prefix CRW in:

• CRW 250 Afro-LatinX/ Mixed Genre, 3 units CRW 252 Border LatinX American Writing CRW 244 The Creative Habit, 3 units CRW 299C Studies in Publishing: Independent Publishing,   3 units CRW 270 Syntax, Structure and Stylistics ,   3 units
•       CRW 271 Auteur Theory
•       CRW 248 Special Topics 

Elective (3 units)

• 3 units of an elective from HUM or FLM

Thesis (6 units)

Complete 6 units of Thesis ( CRW 296 ). These are taken in consecutive semesters, normally in the last two semesters of the student's course of study.

• CRW-296 " title="http://msmu.smartcatalogiq.com/2018-2020/2018-2020-Catalog/Courses/CRW-Creative-Writing/200/ CRW-296 "> CRW 296  Thesis (3) 
• CRW-296 "> CRW 296  Thesis (3)

Thesis continuation is for students who take a third semester.

• CRW 297A Thesis Continuation (1)
• CRW 297B Thesis Continuation (1)
• CRW 297C Thesis Continuation (1)
• CRW 297D Thesis Continuation (1)

Required for completion of the degree is submission of a 150-250 page manuscript in one genre – fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, play, or screenplay; or 50 pages of poetry – closely reviewed, edited and refined with the assistance of the student’s Thesis Committee. The Creative Writing Thesis can be written in English and/or Spanish. For more information on the Thesis proposal and approval process, contact the MFA in Creative Writing Program office. 

Total Credit Hours: 36

Graduate Creative Writing (MFA)

Advance your storytelling skills in our MFA program

Genres to choose from: fiction, nonfiction, or poetry

Award-winning literary journals on campus

Credit hours

About the Graduate Creative Writing Program

At Emerson College, we understand that writing is your life. That’s why our on-campus Creative Writing MFA program focuses on the actual practice of writing, as well as its literary foundations. By the time you graduate, you will have completed a professional thesis, a novel or novel excerpt, a nonfiction book or excerpt, or a collection of poems, short stories, or essays—ready for consideration by agents and publishing houses or for digital publication.

Housed in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing in the School of the Arts, our MFA program boasts some of the most impressive faculty in writing and publishing. It is also home to two award-winning literary journals and is strongly connected to the Boston publishing community. 

Pursue your passion, choosing from the genres of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and explore writing as both an art form and a professional career.

Program Highlights

• Explore different forms of writing through your electives, including poetry to screenwriting, digital to traditional publishing, and more
• Experiences outside of the classroom include teaching creative writing in our Writing Studies Program and editing on-campus journals such as Ploughshares and Redivider
• No GRE requirements to apply
• Full-time and part-time options; classes are offered in the evenings to fit your schedule

Request More Information

Program details.

• Curriculum Requirements
• Emerson Advantage
• Tuition & Financial Aid

Upcoming Events

Explore similar programs.

• Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing (MFA–Online)
• Writing for Film and Television (MFA–Low Residency)
• Publishing and Writing (MA)

Emerson Today

Popa ’24 to study romanian folklore on fulbright grant.

Emerson Sets Record for Study Abroad Scholarships

Photos: seniors say goodbye at sendoff reception.

• For Current Students
• For Parents
• For Faculty
• For the Media

MFA in Creative Writing Location:  AU Los Angeles Credits for Degree:  48 semester credits Standard Mode of Instruction:  Low-residency Standard time to completion: 25 months

Program Overview

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree is offered by the Creative Writing Department of the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies, and represents the study of literature from the perspective of the writer. The reading and analytical components of each semester project, and the lectures offered during the residencies, provide opportunities for a well-integrated humanities-based curriculum, without sacrifice of direct creative manuscript work and criticism. The MFA in Creative Writing graduate is well-prepared in literature (especially the student’s primary genre) as well as in writing. While the MFA is a terminal degree and can help a student achieve their career goals, the MFA in Creative Writing program’s goal is not to credential, but rather to help students with their writing and their creative education.

Special Emphases of the MFA in Creative Writing Program

The MFA in Creative Writing program is devoted to the education of literary artists, community engagement or service, and the pursuit of social justice. The program helps writers develop the skills of their craft and teaches them about the various roles of the writer in society. The program also develops awareness of and appreciation for culturally diverse writers and traditions.

Degree Options

This low-residency MFA program for adult students is designed to provide writers with a high level of professional training and an appreciation for the multifaceted relationship of the arts and artists to society. Creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and young people are offered as primary genres for study, and literary translation is offered as a secondary genre for study. There are three options for completing the MFA degree:

• Single genre option - the student chooses one genre as the designated field of study and works in that genre for four terms (two years)
• Mixed genre option - the student chooses to spend three terms in a primary genre and one term in a second genre (two years). This is referred to as a ‘Genre Jump’.
• Dual concentration - the student spends three terms in the primary genre and two terms in a second genre (two and one half years). Before the beginning of their fourth residency, students seeking this option, 1) must have spent one term in the second genre, and 2) must have declared their intent to pursue a dual concentration.

Degree Requirements

The decision to grant the MFA degree is made by the MFA Faculty Committee upon recommendation of the faculty mentor. The student’s record must demonstrate the following:

• Full participation in five residencies (six for the dual concentration option)
• Successful completion of four project periods (five for the dual concentration option)
• Completion of the Art of Translation Seminar and online Art of Translation Course
• Completion of the Critical Paper
• Working with at least three different faculty mentors (during the project periods) during the course of the program
• Completion of a Core Faculty-approved Field Study
• Broad reading and the preparation of a cumulative annotated bibliography in creative writing, literature, and the dramatic arts
• Successful completion of the final semester requirements: the graduating student presentation, graduating student reading, and the final manuscript

The criteria for granting the degree includes completion of all the above degree requirements, creative writing ability, engagement with perennial questions of literature and the social role of the writer, experience in applied criticism, and knowledge of the genre/genres studied in the program. It is expected that developing mastery in these areas will be demonstrated in each residency and project period evaluation, as well as documented specifically in responses to and evaluations of the student’s work for each project period, including monthly packets of creative writing, critical papers, the field study, the final manuscript, and at the end of the student’s final residency, the graduating student presentation.

Sample Curriculum Plan

Students are required to participate in all learning activities specified as “required” for their specific cohort in the Student Handbook. The following curriculum plan illustrates a typical program of study. Bracketed items may be taken during any residency or project period in which they are offered. This is a representative plan, but each student’s progress through the program is designed individually in consultation with her or his faculty mentors.

Residency 1:

New Student Orientations, Parts I & II New Student Orientation of Online Resources Arts, Culture and Society I: The Writer at Work: The Writer as Literary Citizen

Arts, Culture and Society II: Unbuild the Wall: Self, Society & Writing Antiracism [Orientation to the MFA Field Study] [Writers at Work] Reading Like a Writer Mentor panel and selection Writing Workshop Seminars/readings/panels/graduating student presentations Residency Student Learning Analysis and Project Period Contract

Project Period 1:

Monthly submission of creative work to mentor Selected reading and written annotations Submission of workshop material for Residency 2 MFA field study preparation Book Circle Discussions on Zoom Project Period Student Learning Analysis and Student Evaluation of Mentor

Residency 2:

Mentor panel and selection [Arts, Culture and Society II (topic varies each residency)] Writing Workshop Seminars/readings/panels/graduating student presentations [Orientation to the Field Study] Art of Translation Seminar Residency Student Learning Analysis and Project Period Contract

Project Period 2:

Monthly submission of creative work to mentor Selected reading and written annotations Art of Translation Course Field study completed Bool Circle Discussions on Zoom Submission of workshop material for Residency 3 Practice Critical Paper Project Period Student Learning Analysis and Student Evaluation of Mentor

Residency 3:

Mentor panel and selection Critical Paper Seminar Writing Workshop Seminars/readings/panels/graduating student presentations Residency Student Learning Analysis and Project Period Contract

Project Period 3:

Monthly submission of creative work to mentor Selected reading and written annotations Critical Paper Book Circle Discussions on Zoom Submission of workshop material for Residency 4 Project Period Student Learning Analysis and Student Evaluation of Mentor

Residency 4:

Submission of Critical Paper to MFA Program Office How to Prepare and Teach a 20-Minute Presentation/Orientation to the Final Term Mentor panel and selection Writing Workshop Seminars/readings/panels/graduating student presentations Residency Student Learning Analysis and Project Period Contract

Project Period 4:

Performance workshop for graduating students

Preparation of the Final Manuscript Preparation of graduating student presentation and public reading Selected reading and written annotations Preparation of Cumulative Annotated Bibliography Book Circle Discussions on Zoom Submission of workshop material for Residency 5 Project Period Student Learning Analysis and Student Evaluation of Mentor

Residency 5:

Submission of final manuscript to MFA Program Office Submission of cumulative annotated bibliography to MFA Program Office Writing Workshop Life After Antioch Seminars/readings/panels/graduating student presentations Present graduating student presentation Perform graduating student reading of creative work Residency Student Learning Analysis

Semester 5 (for dual concentration students only)

Project Period 5:

For Dual Concentration students, same as Project Period 4

Residency 6:

For Dual Concentration students, same as Residency 5

Final Semester Requirements

At the end of at least three successful semesters (four for dual concentration students), and with faculty mentor approval of the Critical Paper, the student proceeds into the final semester’s projects. During the final residency, the student is also expected to offer a 20-minute conference-style presentation under faculty supervision and to present a reading of his/her/their work. Final semester work focuses primarily on the preparation of the Cumulative Annotated Bibliography (a complete listing of everything the student has read and studied during the program) and the Final Manuscript, described below.

The Final Manuscript

The Final Manuscript is a volume of the student’s best creative work produced in the MFA program, reflecting proportionally the genre(s) the student has studied under the supervision of his/her/their mentors each project period.

For students who concentrate in a single genre, the requirements are as follows:

• Creative Nonfiction: At least 100 manuscript pages
• Fiction: At least 100 manuscript pages
• Poetry: At least 40 manuscript pages (one poem/page unless poem is multi-pages)
• Young People: At least 100 manuscript pages
• Writing for the Screen: At least 100 manuscript pages
• Playwriting: At least 100 manuscript pages  

For students who pursue a mixed concentration (3 semesters in a primary genre, 1 in a secondary genre), the minimum page requirements are listed below. Note: Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Young People, and all genres offered by the AUSB program are each calculated as “prose.”

• Poetry (primary) and prose (secondary): 30 pages of poems, 25 pages of prose
• Prose (primary) and Poetry (secondary): 75 pages of prose, 10 pages of poems
• Prose (primary) and different genre of prose (secondary): 75 pages of primary genre, 25 pages of secondary genre
• Prose (primary) and Writing for the Screen / Playwriting (secondary): 75 pages of primary genre, 25 pages of secondary genre
• Poetry (primary) and Writing for the Screen / Playwriting (secondary): 30 pages of poems, 25 pages of dramatic writing
• Writing for the Screen / Playwriting (primary) and Prose (secondary): 75 pages of primary genre, 25 pages of secondary genre
• Writing for the Screen / Playwriting (primary) and Poetry (secondary): 75 pages of dramatic writing, 10 pages of poems

For students who pursue a Dual Concentration (3 semesters in a primary genre, 2 in a secondary genre), the minimum page requirements are as follows:

• Poetry (primary) and prose, including writing for the screen and playwriting (secondary): 30 pages of poems, 50 pages of prose
• Prose (primary), including writing for the screen and playwriting, and Poetry (secondary): 75 pages of prose, 20 pages of poems
• Prose (primary), , including writing for the screen and playwriting, and different genre of prose (secondary): 75 pages of primary genre, 50 pages of secondary genre  

Current Tuition and Fees

University Tuition and Fees    

Plan of Study

• CRW-5100: Residency & Project Period I
• CRW-5200: Residency & Project Period II
• CRW-5300: Residency & Project Period III
• CRW-5400: Residency & Project Period IV

• Support the Mount
• Meet the Mount
• Degrees & Programs
• Admission & Aid

MFA or Certificate

Creative writing, it's time to tell your story..

Ready to Put Your Passion to Work?

Complete the form below to receive more information about the Master of Fine Arts or Graduate Certificate programs in Creative Writing at MSMU Los Angeles.

By providing your email and mobile number, you consent to receive email and SMS messages from Mount Saint Mary's University.

About the Program

The MFA and certificate programs in Creative Writing at the Mount are artist-training programs for students seeking to write professionally across multiple genres and who wish to integrate different areas of academia into their work. We believe that a foundation in intellectual history and the humanities are essential qualities of any artist. Our low-residency MFA and certificate programs offer working professionals the flexibility to enroll in online or on-campus courses, or both! Classes meet every other weekend and are designed to prime students for a productive artistic future.

• Writing for Screen & Television
• Playwriting
• Latin American & LatinX Creative Studies
• Writing for Media
• Weekend Residency
• Cross-Training on Multiple Genres
• Bilingual Study
• Summer Study Abroad

Weekend or fully online courses

Designed for working professionals, classes meet every-other weekend, for a total of 6 weekends per semester. Students can take classes in-person or online. This flexible format allows students to balance work and family while completing their MFA or certificate in 2 years.

Interdisciplinary education

Integration of the humanities and other disciplines into our course of study reflect commitment to intellectual rigor and liberal arts as the cornerstone of human understanding.

Bilingual study

To reflect the cultural diversity of our Los Angeles location, we created a unique Bilingual Study program. Students can take courses in both English and Spanish and complete their culminating thesis in Spanish.

Masters in Creative Writing Programs in the Los Angeles Area

1-11 of 11 results

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

Graduate School

University of Southern California ,

Graduate School ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

UC Irvine School of Humanities

Irvine, CA •

University of California - Irvine •

University of California - Irvine ,

IRVINE, CA ,

Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts

Loyola Marymount University •

Blue checkmark.

Loyola Marymount University ,

College of Health and Community Well - Being - University of La Verne

University of La Verne •

Graduate School •

LA VERNE, CA

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2

San Francisco State University

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

• • Rating 4.19 out of 5   52

The New School

NEW YORK, NY

• • Rating 4.46 out of 5   37

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Orange, CA •

Chapman University •

Chapman University ,

ORANGE, CA ,

College of Liberal Arts - California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA •

California State University - Long Beach •

California State University - Long Beach ,

LONG BEACH, CA ,

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Riverside, CA •

University of California - Riverside •

• • Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: I hope to learn a lot from the Teacher Education Program at UCR! I love the opportunities that are offered to me and my peers. ... Read 4 reviews

University of California - Riverside ,

RIVERSIDE, CA ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I hope to learn a lot from the Teacher Education Program at UCR! I love the opportunities that are offered to me and my peers. .

Read 4 reviews.

• Find college scholarships

School of Critical Studies - California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA •

California Institute of the Arts •

California Institute of the Arts ,

VALENCIA, CA ,

Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles

• • Rating 4.54 out of 5   46 reviews

Master's Student: The professors are very professional and care about their students. The faculty and staff including the dean are very caring and interested in there there students. There business program is awesome! ... Read 46 reviews

46 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The professors are very professional and care about their students. The faculty and staff including the dean are very caring and interested in there there students. There business program is... .

Read 46 reviews.

California State University - San Bernardino College of Arts and Letters

San Bernardino, CA •

California State University - San Bernardino •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: This tight knit community is surrounded by students, faculty, and staff who encourage and uplift each other in order to reach personal and acadmic goals. It is just as connected inside the classroom as it is outside. There is not trouble reaching out to other for questions and concerns as it is always an open door. ... Read 2 reviews

California State University - San Bernardino ,

SAN BERNARDINO, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says This tight knit community is surrounded by students, faculty, and staff who encourage and uplift each other in order to reach personal and acadmic goals. It is just as connected inside the classroom... .

Read 2 reviews.

Otis College of Art and Design

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: It’s a great school, and I’m glad I was accepted based upon my art portfolio. This is my dream school to attend, and the courses are very well organized, and educational. This contribute s to my knowledge, and prepares me for a great career in my field. ... Read 3 reviews

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says It’s a great school, and I’m glad I was accepted based upon my art portfolio. This is my dream school to attend, and the courses are very well organized, and educational. This contribute s to my... .

Read 3 reviews.

Antioch University Los Angeles

Culver City, CA •

• • Rating 4.44 out of 5   18 reviews

Master's Student: I am a new student to Antioch University & so far my experience has been wonderful. They have provided multiple resources such as a writing workshop for the admissions letter. Additionally, the orientation was very informative & helpful for getting my courses selected. ... Read 18 reviews

CULVER CITY, CA ,

18 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am a new student to Antioch University & so far my experience has been wonderful. They have provided multiple resources such as a writing workshop for the admissions letter. Additionally, the orientation was very informative & helpful for getting my courses selected. .

Read 18 reviews.

University of North Texas

• • Rating 4.61 out of 5   129

Houston Christian University

HOUSTON, TX

• • Rating 4.2 out of 5   25

Miami University

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   25

Showing results 1 through 11 of 11

CalArts offers a variety of unique programs at the undergraduate and graduate level within its six world-renowned Schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater.

Undergraduate core courses are the foundation of BFA studies at CalArts, providing a strong general education and opportunities to deepen every student's artistic practice.

• Interdisciplinary
• International Engagement Opportunities
• Open Learning
• Coursera for Campus
• Academic Calendar
• Course Catalog
• Academic Requirements
• Archived Catalogs

Explore is your first stop if you are considering applying to CalArts. Here you can find information about your program(s) of interest, events the Institute is hosting or attending, a virtual campus map, and much more. Your journey to CalArts starts here.

• Application Process
• Application Deadlines
• International Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• Academic Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation
• Critical Studies
• Center for Integrated Media
• Campus Tours and Information Sessions
• Open Houses
• Accepted Students
• Submit Enrollment Deposit
• Admissions FAQ
• Meet Our Counselors
• Tuition and Fees
• Cost of Attendance
• Net Price Calculator
• Estimated Multi-Year Tuition Schedule
• Health Insurance
• For BFA Students
• For Graduate Students
• Outside Private Scholarships
• International Students
• Federal Work Study
• Student Employment
• Policies & Eligibility
• Self-Service Proxy
• Financial Literacy Resources
• Understanding Your Award
• How to Pay Tuition
• Payment and Refund Deadlines
• Payment Options
• Access Tuition Statement
• Residence Life
• Dining Options
• Student Union
• Campus Maps
• Santa Clarita Tip Sheet
• Health and Wellness
• Disability Services
• Academic Support
• International Student Support
• Sexual Respect
• Office Of Community Rights And Responsibilities
• Basic Needs Center
• Career Fair
• Internship Program
• Bridges to Industry Program
• Campus Safety
• Covid Updates
• Board of Trustees
• Mission and Values
• Strategic Framework
• Equity and Diversity (IDEA)
• Nondiscrimination Policy
• Facts and Figures
• Accreditation
• Consumer Information
• The Herb Alpert Award in the Arts
• Land Acknowledgment
• Institutional Effectiveness
• Giving Opportunities
• Planned Giving
• Impact Stories
• How to Give
• Industry Partnerships
• Advancement Staff
• Annual Report
• Scholarship Impact
• Alumni Council
• Alumni Events
• Benefits and Discounts
• Stay Connected
• Get Involved
• Professional Development Resources
• Parents & Families
• CalArts News
• Event Publicity
• Social Media
• Publications
• Events Calendar

CalArts is located in Santa Clarita, Calif., 30 miles north of Los Angeles. Explore the local area and community.

Offering innovative continuing education arts courses designed to meet the needs of both emerging artists and lifelong learners.

• Request Info

Creative Writing

Program faculty.

• Writing Now Reading Series
• Next Words Reading Series

A defining feature of the Creative Writing Program is hybridity and experimentation, so students are free to take courses in, and to write in, any genre they wish. Poets may take prose workshops to learn narrative conventions and how to deploy or challenge them; fiction and nonfiction writers may benefit from poetry workshops that hone their use of and engagement with language; and still other students may develop multidimensional writing practices. All students graduate with the ability to comprehend and critique work across genres, and an expanded sense of possibilities for their own work.

Students are encouraged to situate their creative practice in a critical context—to engage with the history, theory and politics of contemporary writing, and to think hard about what and why they write. The Program offers graduate students the chance to further develop both their craft and their knowledge base, and workshops combine attentive critique of student work with the discussion of readings on and in the various genres—or on special topics particularly relevant to writing today.

Program Gallery

Gabrielle Civil

Brian Evenson

Carribean Fragoza

Muriel Leung

Anthony McCann

Chris Santiago

Janet Sarbanes

Matias Viegener

Alumni Story

The two most important things about the Writing Program for me were the mentorship—being pushed by, and being championed by, faculty—both while I was at CalArts and after I graduated. Also, the peer group with which I’m still in contact. We had daily workshops; a handful of people working on the same projects for two years, who knew each other’s work really well. Taking criticism and learning how to communicate better based on that feedback, is important, because most of the time you’re trying to write on your own; you’re in a vacuum. You have no idea whether readers are going to pick up what you’re putting down. It’s valuable to learn that you can build from that criticism rather than being destroyed by it.

CalArts is a great place to be if you’re not sure exactly what you’re doing yet, and you want the room to grow and find your style or your niche. You’re encouraged to experiment, and there are some great faculty members that say, ‘What you've done here is good, but you need to go further.’ Or, maybe, ‘What you’ve done here isn’t so good.’ I gained a lot of confidence. When I came out of the Program I felt like I was no longer a dabbler. It also taught me discipline and good habits–having to produce work on a weekly basis.

Similar Programs

Aesthetics and Politics

Follow the creative writing program.

Home • Programs • Creative Writing

School of Critical Studies

661-253-7803  phone 661-255-0177 fax Room E123J

Creative Writing

Develop creative writing skills in multiple genres of interest including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more. This customizable program culminates in a capstone project in which students make significant progress on a polished collection of work. This certificate can be completed online or in the classroom.

This program is perfect for...

• Those new to writing who want to explore various genres while cultivating their skills
• Writers looking to hone their craft and develop a solid portfolio of work in a particular genre
• Writers considering graduate-level writing study, including those who wish to polish pieces for submission to MFA programs
• Individuals who want to become part of a vibrant and supportive community of artists who share their passion

What you can learn.

• Identify your creative writing goals and develop a plan to achieve them
• Deepen your practice within a chosen genre, or explore various forms of creative writing
• Discover techniques of powerful storytelling, craft compelling characters, and write memorable scenes and stories
• Receive guidance from successful writers and workshop in a group of supportive peers

Achieve results and reach your writing goals.

Whether you are new to writing, have a specific project you'd like to get off the ground, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Certificate in Creative Writing is an immersive program for developing professional writing skills.

Our fully customizable certificate honors each individual student’s journey, allowing you to pursue the coursework that is most meaningful to your specific writing goals and level of expertise. 

The program offers the opportunity to specialize in genres like poetry, short stories, novel writing, essay writing, memoir writing, or to explore writing across genres, hybrid genres, and new forms without the limitation of a prescribed curriculum. 

The only required course, the Creative Writing Certificate Capstone , allows you to compile and further refine your writing from prior coursework into a final portfolio representing the finest examples of your craft. 

Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses in this certificate program can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both. 

Expect more from your education.

MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. 

4-DAY IN-PERSON INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS

Writers Studio 

Join a community of aspiring writers and jumpstart your creativity. Choose from 9 workshops taught by professionals in the fields of feature film, television, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing.

August 1 - 4, 2024 THURSDAY-SUNDAY, 10am-6pm

My UCLA Extension coursework, teachers, and colleagues have shaped my writing life, fueled the creation of my novel, and provided continual inspiration.

Certificate Curriculum

The Certificate in Creative Writing is fully customizable. You may follow a Writers’ Program sample curriculum plan based on specific writing goals, or design your own program of study.

Students must complete 21 total units comprised of the 3-unit Creative Writing Certificate Capstone course and 18 units of 400-level Creative Writing coursework.

Sample Program Tracks:

Novel I WRITING X 411.1

Novel II WRITING X 411.2

Novel III WRITING X 411.3

Novel IV WRITING X 411.4

Novel V WRITING X 411.5

Dialogue and Point of View WRITING X 462.1

Creative Writing Certificate Capstone WRITING X 460

Personal Essay I WRITING  X 422.1

Personal Essay II WRITING X 422.2

Personal Essay III WRITING X 422.3

Storytelling for Social Justice WRITING X 424.21E

Writing the Thinkpiece WRITING X 424.15E

The Art of Creative Research WRITING X 461.23

Poetry I WRITING X 431.1

Poetry II WRITING X 431.2

Poetry Toolbox WRITING X 432.10E

Prose Poetry WRITING X 432.11E

Reframing the Form WRITING X 432.7E

The "F" Word: Innovative Poetic Forms WRITING X 432.8E

Cuento Poems WRITING X 432.32E

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Students must complete 18 units of elective coursework. Select from courses numbered WRITING X 400-499 in the following areas:

Students may select courses in the following area with advisor approval:

Editing and Publishing

How to Get Started

Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each course is paid for individually.

Sequential courses should be taken in numerical order, starting from the lowest course number and progressing to higher numbers.

You may take Creative Writing courses without committing to the entire program.* However, by establishing candidacy in the program, you will receive  many benefits exclusive to our certificate students such as priority placement on waitlists and access to the UCLA Career Center's job board. Creative Writing Certificate students can also receive a customized curriculum tailored to your writing goals.

Need assistance? If you have any questions or need advice on course selection, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] .

Benefits exclusive for Writers' Program certificate students:

• Advising : Receive a 30-minute, one-on-one goal-setting consultation with a Writers’ Program advisor. During this consultation, the advisor will customize a certificate program curriculum tailored to your experience, interests, and writing goals.
• Enrollment Advantages : Receive quarterly notice when Writers’ Program courses open for enrollment each quarter and receive preferential placement on wait lists.
• Manuscript Consultation : Within six months of completing certificate program coursework, receive 50% off a one-on-one manuscript consultation with a Writers' Program instructor. Learn more .

Advanced standing at Antioch University*

Students who complete the Certificate in Creative Writing can receive Advanced Standing in Antioch University Los Angeles’s MFA in Creative Writing .

Advanced Standing allows a student to enter the MFA program with the equivalent of one semester completed. In addition, you may be eligible for Antioch’s fellowships and scholarships.

Additional benefits exclusive to all UCLA Extension certificate students:

• Career Resources : Access UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops, networking events, and other resources.  Learn More .
• Handshake Access : Explore thousands of job and internship postings through UCLA Career Center’s online job board. Learn More .
• UCLA Alumni Association Membership : Upon completing your certificate, join the nationwide Bruin family as a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Learn More .
• Graduation Celebration : Attend the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate your achievements. Learn More .
• UCLA Recreation Facilities : Enjoy access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate. Learn More .
• Bruin ID Card : Obtain an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card for additional student-related benefits. Learn More .

How to Apply - Establish Certificate Candidacy

• Click the Apply Now button below
• Login or create a new student account
• Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
• On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application. 
• Proceed to checkout and pay the nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application. 

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

Estimated program tuition, estimated program textbook/materials.

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships Available

Approved for International Visa

VA Benefit Eligible

Federal Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our  Financial Aid page.

Programs you may also like...

Corporate Education

Learn how we can help your organization meet its professional development goals and corporate training needs.

Donate to UCLA Extension

Support our many efforts to reach communities in need.

Innovation Programs

Student Scholarships

Coding Boot Camp

Lifelong Learning

• Accounting & Taxation
• Architecture & Interior Design
• Business & Management
• Design & Arts
• Digital Technology
• Engineering
• Entertainment
• Environmental Studies & Public Policy
• Finance & Investments
• Health Care & Counseling
• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Landscape Architecture & Horticulture
• Legal Programs
• Osher (OLLI)
• Real Estate
• Sciences & Math
• Writing & Journalism
• Specializations
• Online Courses
• Transfer Credit Courses
• Conferences & Boot Camps
• Custom Programs & Corporate Education
• Instruction Methods
• Environmental Studies
• Accounting Fundamentals
• Business and Management of Entertainment
• College Counseling
• Data Science
• Digital Marketing
• Feature Film Writing
• Human Resources Management
• Marketing with Concentration in Digital Marketing
• Personal Financial Planning
• Project Management
• Sustainability
• User Experience
• Payment Options
• How to Purchase Parking
• Enrollment Conditions
• Concurrent and Cross-Enrollment Programs
• Bruin ID Cards
• UCLA Recreation
• Course Drops, Transfers, and Withdrawals
• Accessibility & Disability Services
• Textbooks & Libraries
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Military & Veterans Benefits
• Tuition Discounts
• Tax Advantages
• Grading Scale
• Credit Options
• Course Numbers
• Transcripts and Enrollment Confirmation
• Receiving Your Academic Credentials
• Instructors & Staff
• Parking & Lodging
• Keynote Speaker
• Career Resources
• Alumni Benefits
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Career Services
• Featured Jobs
• Browse Certificate Programs
• Certificate vs. Master’s Degrees
• Dates and Fees
• How to Apply
• Academic Requirements
• OPT, CPT, and Internships
• Upon Completing Your Certificate
• Hummel Scholarship
• Program Details
• Online International Programs
• International Student Services Office
• New Student Orientation
• Maintaining Your F-1 Visa
• Health Insurance
• Academic Advising
• Frequently Asked Questions
• UCLA Campus Amenities & Activities
• Daily Needs
• Public Transportation
• Request a Proposal
• Board of Advisors
• Instructors
• Join Our Team
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Accreditation
• Student Home
• Canvas Log In
• Student Log In
• Instructor Log In

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience, including personalizing content and to store your content preferences. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy .

  Interest Areas

Creative writing.

• Graduate Students

Bedient, Calvin B

D’aguiar, fred, huneven, michelle, kessler, jascha, mullen, harryette r., simpson, mona, snelson, daniel, stefans, brian kim, torres, justin, wilson, reed, yenser, stephen, alvarado, jo, solis, samantha, torres, joseph, williams, alexander.

Department of Creative Writing

The Department of Creative Writing at UCR offers the only Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing in the University of California system and the MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts . It is a growing and dynamic program made up entirely of established writers and poets. Courses at UCR are designed for all students in the language arts, and they emphasize developing each student's skills and talents. Through writing fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and/or drama, students examine language and meaning both as practitioners and as readers as they develop and hone essential writing techniques.

Every writer needs to develop a critical sense to augment creative ability. For this reason, the Creative Writing Department offers two types of courses. Workshop courses are seminars that focus on writing and on the discussion of student work. Reading courses for writers focus on aspects of literature presented from a writer's point of view. Frequently, they employ writing in imitation as one of several approaches to understanding the craft of writing. Upper-division workshop courses are offered at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels in poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. Several reading courses link two genres such as fiction and poetry, and poetry and drama.

Give to Creative Writing Department

Announcements

Katie Ford 's sequence of poems The Anchoress — set as a monodrama by composer David Serkin Ludwig — was performed this summer at Chamber Music Northwest.

Laila Lalami published the New York Times Magazine cover story “A State of Uncertainty” and was named a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard for 2023-2024.

Charmaine Craig ’s  My Nemesis  has been published this year by Grove Press.

Thalia Williamson ’s “The Silent Part” was published this summer in Joyland .

Quyen Pham ’s “Such Good Girls” was published this past spring in Room .

Emily Doyle  published “Thursdays for Haru” earlier this year in the Sun.

Tom Lutz 's  1925 A Literary Encyclopedia  is being published by Rare Bird Lit, and his novel  Archipelago  is coming out from Red Hen Press. His essay "Gravy Donuts" was published in Iowa Review .

Reza Aslan 's  An American Martyr in Persia was longlisted for the PEN/Jacqueline Beograd Weld Award.

Allison Benis White won the 2022 Pushcart Prize and the Lucille Medwick Memorial Award.

Allison Hedge Coke  was a 2022  National Book Award finalist for  Look at This Blue ,  a 2023 finalist for  CLMP Firecracker Award  and  ASLE Best Creative Book of the Year .   Look at This Blue , was awarded the  Emory Elliott Book Award  by CHASS Center for Ideas and Society and Hedge Coke was awarded the  2023 Thomas Wolfe Prize & Lecture  by the University of North Carolina and the [http://Thomas Wolfe Endowment Fund]Thomas Wolfe Society in  fall 2023 .

Susan Straight 's  Mecca was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize and named a Top Ten California Book of the Year by the New York Times and one of the best books of 2022 by NPR, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times.

Juan Felipe Herrera  was a recent recipient of the Poetry Foundation’s Pegasus Award and the LARB/UCR lifetime achievement award. The Fresno Unified School District named its latest school Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary.

Conversations With Steve Erickson has been published by the University Press of Mississippi as part of a series that includes Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, James Baldwin, William Burroughs and Toni Morrison.

Employment Opportunities

None at this time.

Statement of Solidarity with the Asian American Pacific Islander Community

We are grieved by the recent killings in Atlanta, as well as by all other anti-Asian bigotry and violence, and stand in solidarity with our AAPI colleagues, students, and, more broadly, all AAPI across the nation. We stand against all anti-AAPI hate crimes, discrimination, and dehumanization, knowing that the group Stop AAPI Hate has reported 3,975 hate incidents against Asian Americans between March 19, 2020 and February 28, 2021.

To take action:

• Educational resources and petitions to sign: HERE .
• Report hate incidents HERE and HERE .
• Attend a bystander intervention training to learn ways to stop anti-Asian American and xenophobic harassment.  [ March 29 at 3 p.m. ] [ April 20 at 2 p.m. ]
• Send a message to elected officials.

To learn more:

• The New Yorker : Ed Park, "Confronting Anti-Asian Discrimination During the Coronavirus Crisis"
• The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Discrimination and Violence Against Asian Americans

Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. The brutal killings of George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia are part of a pattern of state violence against Black people, which too often remains invisible and unpunished when it is not blamed on the victims themselves.

America’s institutionalized practice of settler colonialism, genocide, slavery, and segregation continues in the form of continued occupation, discrimination, mass incarceration, and racist policing.

The nationwide protests we are witnessing this week are an expression of anger at police violence, a rejection of white supremacy, and a call to our leaders that they live up to the nation's founding proclamation of equality. We demand accountability from the police, disinvestment from law enforcement in favor of education, housing, and community services, and, above all, justice for the victims.

Recognition of Native Lands Statement

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the original and traditional territory of Tongva people [ Tongva and Cahuilla people] and within Tongva, Cahuilla, Luiseño & Serrano original lands and contemporary territories.

In the spirit of Rupert and Jeanette Costo’s founding relationship to our campus, we would like to respectfully acknowledge and recognize our responsibility to the original and current caretakers of this land, water and air: the Cahuilla , Tongva , Luiseño , and Serrano peoples and all of their ancestors and descendants, past, present and future. Today this meeting place is home to many Indigenous peoples from all over the world, including UCR faculty, students, and staff, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these homelands. Please also visit our university founder's  legacy page, Cahuilla Scholar Rupert Costo ,  California Indian Studies & Scholars Association , UCR's  California Center for Native Nations ,  Native American Student Programs  (NASP), and the page of UCR's  Rupert Costo Chair, Dr. Clifford Trafzer .

Download UCR Native American Student Programs Land Statement

Faculty Publications

Writers Week