creative writing majors in new york

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The NYU Creative Writing Program

is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature.

Graduate Program

The graduate Creative Writing Program at NYU consists of a community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive.

Low Residency MFA Workshop in Paris

The low-residency MFA Writers Workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their craft in one of the world's most inspiring literary capitals.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program offers workshops, readings, internships, writing prizes, and events designed to cultivate and inspire.

Spring 2022 Reading Series

The lively public Reading Series hosts a wide array of writers, translators, and editors, and connects our program to the local community.

Creative Writing Program

Low-residency mfa writers workshop in paris, undergraduate, washington square review, literary journal, a sample residency calendar, write in paris, scholarships and grant opportunities, program of study, dates and deadlines, creative writing, recent highlights from the mfa community.

• Alum Bruna Dantas Lobato   won the 2023 National Book Award in translation

• Faculty member Sharon Olds received the Joan Margarit International Poetry Prize from King Felipe VI in July 2023

• Alumni  Tess Gunty  and  John Keene   each won a 2022 National Book Award in fiction and poetry , respectively

• Books by faculty members  Sharon  Olds  and  Meghan O'Rourke;  and alums  Tess Gunty, John Keene ,  and  Jenny Xie  were named finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards; books by alum  Rio Cortez and faculty member Leigh Newman were also longlisted

• Alum  Ada Limón   has been named the nation's 24th Poet Laureate  by the Library of Congress

• Alum  Amanda Larson 's debut poetry collection  GUT  was selected by Mark Bibbins as the winner of the Poetry Society of America Norma Farber Book Award

• Alum  Sasha Burshteyn  was named a 2022 winner of the 92Y Discovery Prize. Alums Jenna Lanzaro and JinJin Xu were also named semi-finalists for the prize.

• Alum Clare Sestanovich was selected as a  2022 5 under 35 Honoree  by the National Book Foundation

• Alum  Maaza Mengiste  was awarded a  2022 Guggenheim Fellowship

• Visiting graduate faculty member  Brandon Taylor 's collection  Filthy Animals  was named a 2021/22  finalist for The Story Prize  and was shortlisted for the  2022 Dylan Thomas Prize

• Alum  Raven Leilani  won the 2021 Clark Fiction Prize, Dylan Thomas prize, the 2020 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for her debut novel  Luster,  and was named a finalist for the 2021 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, the Gotham Book Prize, the 2021 PEN/Hemmingway Award for Debut Novel, the 2021 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award

• Alum Desiree C. Bailey 's debut poetry collection  What Noise Against the Cane  was longlisted for the 2022 Dylan Thomas Prize and was also named a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award in Poetry and the 2022 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and was published as the winner of the 2020 Yale Series of Younger Poets

• Senior faculty member  Sharon Olds  was named the 2022 recipient of the Poetry Society of America's Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry

You can read more MFA Community news here and find a list of forthcoming and recently published books by alumni here .   NYU CWP alumni include  Aria Aber, Amir Ahmadi Arian, Julie Buntin, Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Isabella Hammad, Ishion Hutchinson, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Maaza Mengiste, John Murillo, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, Nicole Sealey, Solmaz Sharif, Peng Shepherd, Ocean Vuong, Jenny Xie,  and  Javier Zamora. 

Announcements

Ocean Vuong joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Mary Gabriel, Author of “Ninth Street Women”, Receives the NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize

Claudia Rankine joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Classic podcasts from the lillian vernon reading series.

Anne Carson

Zadie Smith and Jeffrey Eugenides

Terrance Hayes

Where to find us.

Faculty Spotlight

Darin Strauss is the author of several acclaimed novels, including the most recent The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story.

Katie Kitamura’s most recent novel Intimacies was longlisted for the National Book Award and named a Best Book of 2021 by numerous publications.

Hari Kunzru is the author of six novels, including the most recent Red Pill, and White Tears, a finalist for the PEN Jean Stein Award.

Ocean Vuong is the author of the bestselling novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and the poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds.

Jeffrey Eugenides is the author of acclaimed novels The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, and The Marriage Plot. His latest collection is Fresh Complaint. 

Sharon Olds is a previous director of the Creative Writing Program. Her 2012 collection Stags Leap was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize and a Pulitzer.

Foer was listed in Rolling Stone's "People of the Year," Esquire's "Best and Brightest," and The New Yorker's "20 Under 40" list.

Terrance Hayes’s most recent publications include American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin and To Float In The Space Between.

Claudia Rankine is a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, and the author of six collections including Citizen and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

2024 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in the New York City Area

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1-15 of 15 results

Columbia University

New York, NY •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   1,366 reviews

Alum: As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This interdisciplinary approach enriched my understanding and fostered critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my communication skills and deepened my commitment to public health. Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre performances to Wallach Art Gallery exhibitions, provided a rich cultural balance to my studies. Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. ... Read 1,366 reviews

• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 4%

Net price $22,058

SAT range 1490-1580

#1 Best Colleges in New York City Area .

Blue checkmark.

NEW YORK, NY ,

1366 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This... Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my... Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre... Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. .

Read 1366 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $22,058 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1580 ,

Yeshiva University

• • Rating 3.85 out of 5   291 reviews

Alum: YU gives a great education, especially on the pre-medical track. The classes, faculty, and networking are all top-tier. Living in Midtown is really fun and there are so many volunteering opportunities around both through the school and external organizations. Definitely recommend YU! ... Read 291 reviews

• grade  A minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 63%

Net price $35,912

SAT range 1250-1500

#7 Best Colleges in New York City Area .

291 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says YU gives a great education, especially on the pre-medical track. The classes, faculty, and networking are all top-tier. Living in Midtown is really fun and there are so many volunteering... .

Read 291 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 63% ,

Net Price : $35,912 ,

SAT Range : 1250-1500 ,

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY •

• • Rating 3.55 out of 5   2,896 reviews

Freshman: Stony Brook has always been on my radar for potential colleges, but ever since becoming a student there, I would say it is my dream college. The students there aren't judgmental and mind their own business, but are active and willing to help; the professors there are often renowned for research and publications, but are mostly friendly and good at teaching; the campus is lively with plenty of people, but nature is prevalent - deer can be spotted once in a while! Transportation is convenient and accessible, which is great when the weather isn't good for walking outside. The only thing I want updated is the technology used for sharing and assigning class content, but that will come with time! Stony Brook University is always moving forward. ... Read 2,896 reviews

Acceptance rate 49%

Net price $17,213

SAT range 1320-1500

#9 Best Colleges in New York City Area .

STONY BROOK, NY ,

2896 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Stony Brook has always been on my radar for potential colleges, but ever since becoming a student there, I would say it is my dream college. The students there aren't judgmental and mind their own... .

Read 2896 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 49% ,

Net Price : $17,213 ,

SAT Range : 1320-1500 ,

NEW YORK, NY

• • Rating 3.85 out of 5   291

Caldwell University

CALDWELL, NJ

• • Rating 3.61 out of 5   460

St. Thomas Aquinas College

SPARKILL, NY

• • Rating 3.49 out of 5   164

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ •

• • Rating 3.74 out of 5   2,189 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed my time here at Seton Hall very much! I am a part of the Education program, as well as an on-campus resident for four years. The program I am in has furthered my interest in the field greatly and has allowed me to expand my knowledge about the topic. SHU has allowed me to student teach 3 out of the 4 years I have been here, which has allowed me to gain hands-on and first-hand experience in a classroom. I also enjoy living on campus, as I feel connected to my campus community. With 150 clubs and organizations on campus, there are many great ways to get involved and meet new people! NYC is also a very close train ride away, so it is always fun to go to the city with my friends. It also allows for fun guest lecturers like Billie Jean King and Alex Rodriguez! I have loved my time here at Seton Hall and am glad I can call it my home. ... Read 2,189 reviews

• grade  B+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 75%

Net price $33,472

SAT range 1230-1390

#17 Best Colleges in New York City Area .

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ ,

2189 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I have enjoyed my time here at Seton Hall very much! I am a part of the Education program, as well as an on-campus resident for four years. The program I am in has furthered my interest in the field... .

Read 2189 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 75% ,

Net Price : $33,472 ,

SAT Range : 1230-1390 ,

CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY •

• • Rating 3.67 out of 5   1,286 reviews

Sophomore: How I would describe Brooklyn College is like a one-and-done go. I picked only two days to go to campus because I recently moved away from Brooklyn and it's a 2-hour commute from where I live now. My day there is attending my 4 classes and with the breaks in between them, I like to study in the library or finish up work that needs to be done during the weekend, have some lunch with my classmates, etc. The student life here I would say is very inclusive, most people have their groups and just stay to themselves. What I would like to see change is the conditions of the buildings and the club & association environment. The conditions are manageable but could be better, most of the time the elevator doesn't work, very bad wifi, and not too many areas to have lunch, hang out, or study (besides the library). But what I love about Brooklyn college is the diversity and professors, you will see people from all countries here and your professors care about your grades and wellbeing. ... Read 1,286 reviews

Acceptance rate 55%

Net price $5,972

SAT range —

#21 Best Colleges in New York City Area .

BROOKLYN, NY ,

1286 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says How I would describe Brooklyn College is like a one-and-done go. I picked only two days to go to campus because I recently moved away from Brooklyn and it's a 2-hour commute from where I live now. My... .

Read 1286 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 55% ,

Net Price : $5,972 ,

Pratt Institute

• • Rating 3.56 out of 5   866 reviews

Junior: Great education, and a great location. It provides a great environment for me to learn and grow my skills. The professors are good and the coursework is always of high expectation. It's facilities are always easy to use and are improved frequently. Allowing the students to be able to produce their projects the best way possible. There is always new and great technology in the labs and production facilities. The course work that is assigned always helps you improve and produce better work throught your time at Pratt. The campus is safe and inclusive as the public can walk in to enjoy the campus garden and sculptures. Safety is always great for the students that live there. The housing is good too with a wide variety of options from townhouses to other options for dorming. The campus is gated with a few buildings outside of the main blocks that are very nearby. Overall the environment is very friendly and its location is one of the best as it is located in Brooklyn with a nearby subway . ... Read 866 reviews

• grade  B Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 51%

Net price $47,326

SAT range 1160-1430

#37 Best Colleges in New York City Area .

866 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Great education, and a great location. It provides a great environment for me to learn and grow my skills. The professors are good and the coursework is always of high expectation. It's facilities... .

Read 866 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 51% ,

Net Price : $47,326 ,

SAT Range : 1160-1430 ,

• Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

The New School

• • Rating 3.58 out of 5   653 reviews

Alum: The New School was a creative hub that drew in different types of people all on their own journeys. Due to the nature of the Greenwich Village campus, student life/socializing was lackluster, and there was little community organizing. I felt liberated in the open-ended curriculum but also not set up to join the work force. ... Read 653 reviews

• grade  B minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 57%

Net price $55,480

653 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The New School was a creative hub that drew in different types of people all on their own journeys. Due to the nature of the Greenwich Village campus, student life/socializing was lackluster, and... .

Read 653 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 57% ,

Net Price : $55,480 ,

Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus

Madison, NJ •

• • Rating 3.54 out of 5   863 reviews

Senior: I had a fantastic experience with FDU. I’ve had great experiences taking courses, as well as the clubs and student activities were fun experience. I’ve invited some close friends to visit the campus, and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet people and attend events. ... Read 863 reviews

• grade  C+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 89%

Net price $21,408

SAT range 1040-1310

MADISON, NJ ,

863 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I had a fantastic experience with FDU. I’ve had great experiences taking courses, as well as the clubs and student activities were fun experience. I’ve invited some close friends to visit the campus,... .

Read 863 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 89% ,

Net Price : $21,408 ,

SAT Range : 1040-1310 ,

SUNY Nassau Community College

Garden City, NY •

• • Rating 3.66 out of 5   1,121 reviews

Senior: My time at Nassau Community College has been transformative. Professors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, readily offering guidance and understanding. Navigating the campus was seamless, and the staff across departments were professional and empathetic, ensuring a smooth academic journey. Though encountering a discouraging remark from a staff member in fall 2023 was a setback, it only fueled my determination. Today, I proudly stand accepted into the nursing program at LIU Post, a testament to my resilience and the unwavering support of Nassau Community College. In essence, Nassau Community College fosters academic excellence and empowers students to overcome obstacles, shaping individuals ready to thrive in their chosen paths. ... Read 1,121 reviews

Acceptance rate 100%

Net price $5,575

GARDEN CITY, NY ,

1121 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says My time at Nassau Community College has been transformative. Professors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, readily offering guidance and understanding. Navigating the campus... Though encountering a discouraging remark from a staff member in fall 2023 was a setback, it only fueled my determination. Today, I proudly stand accepted into the nursing program at LIU Post, a... In essence, Nassau Community College fosters academic excellence and empowers students to overcome obstacles, shaping individuals ready to thrive in their chosen paths. .

Read 1121 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 100% ,

Net Price : $5,575 ,

Sparkill, NY •

• • Rating 3.49 out of 5   164 reviews

Sophomore: Once acclimated to the environment it’s only a matter of time before you start making friends. It’s a good campus to network on as well. The academics are great and the staff and faculty are focused on student success during and after graduation. ... Read 164 reviews

Net price $21,745

SAT range 920-1270

This school participates in Niche Direct Admissions

SPARKILL, NY ,

164 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Once acclimated to the environment it’s only a matter of time before you start making friends. It’s a good campus to network on as well. The academics are great and the staff and faculty are focused... .

Read 164 reviews.

Net Price : $21,745 ,

SAT Range : 920-1270 ,

SUNY Purchase College

Purchase, NY •

• • Rating 3.43 out of 5   1,173 reviews

Freshman: While I am definitely enjoying my time at Purchase, there are a few things that I would like to see change. First, the food. There are not enough options for meals and most of time, the food is hit or miss. It is hard to find healthy food as well. Some berries would be greatly appreciated! The dorms are also not great, but could be worse. ... Read 1,173 reviews

• grade  C Overall Niche Grade

Net price $19,434

SAT range 1190-1350

PURCHASE, NY ,

1173 Niche users give it an average review of 3.4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says While I am definitely enjoying my time at Purchase, there are a few things that I would like to see change. First, the food. There are not enough options for meals and most of time, the food is hit... .

Read 1173 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C ,

Net Price : $19,434 ,

SAT Range : 1190-1350 ,

Manhattanville College

• • Rating 3.43 out of 5   879 reviews

Sophomore: My overall experience is a positive one. I find Manhattanville to be a great please to get make friends. Since the classes are small I get to know the other students better. We are able to have study groups to help us with our test and have someone to turn to when needing help in class. The teachers really get to know me also. I feel I can voice my opinion and not be made fun of or belittled. My teachers are around if I have a question and they are always willing to help. They even will talk about what we did in class if we want to continue the discussion outside of the class. There are many activities and clubs to be part of. For me I play lacrosse, flag football, dodgeball, and represent the school in a local lacrosse clinic to give back to the community. ... Read 879 reviews

Acceptance rate 84%

Net price $24,702

879 Niche users give it an average review of 3.4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My overall experience is a positive one. I find Manhattanville to be a great please to get make friends. Since the classes are small I get to know the other students better. We are able to have study... The teachers really get to know me also. I feel I can voice my opinion and not be made fun of or belittled. My teachers are around if I have a question and they are always willing to help.... There are many activities and clubs to be part of. For me I play lacrosse, flag football, dodgeball, and represent the school in a local lacrosse clinic to give back to the community. .

Read 879 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 84% ,

Net Price : $24,702 ,

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Bloomfield College

Bloomfield, NJ •

• • Rating 3.33 out of 5   499 reviews

Sophomore: My overall experience while attending Bloomfield College has been amazing. The campus life is great and thriving everyday. The area around Campus is very calming and beautiful. Everyone is friendly and supportive from the staff to the students themselves. The College Dorms are fairly big depending which building you reside in and the Campus food is great. There are many resources on campus, such as TRIO or the OTWASS building that can help students achieve greatness and become the best student they can be. There are many activities being held on the quad, as well as school trips and also the new merger with Montclair State University. Overall, a very welcoming community and a great place to pursue your studies. ... Read 499 reviews

Acceptance rate 78%

Net price $20,320

SAT range 770-960

BLOOMFIELD, NJ ,

499 Niche users give it an average review of 3.3 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My overall experience while attending Bloomfield College has been amazing. The campus life is great and thriving everyday. The area around Campus is very calming and beautiful. Everyone is friendly... .

Read 499 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 78% ,

Net Price : $20,320 ,

SAT Range : 770-960 ,

Marymount Manhattan College

• • Rating 3.33 out of 5   783 reviews

Freshman: I am a 1st year freshman starting Fall 2024. I am from Hoover, Al and I am very excited about my college experience. I enjoy dancing, reading, fashion and make-up. I have worked for Ulta Beauty for the past 8 months and I love it. I have also had the opportunity to work with our local water/sewer company, The Birmingham Water Works Board. I was a member of the Junior Varsity Dance Team of Hoover High School. I am also a member NSHSS. ... Read 783 reviews

• grade  C minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 72%

Net price $39,442

SAT range 1080-1280

783 Niche users give it an average review of 3.3 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I am a 1st year freshman starting Fall 2024. I am from Hoover, Al and I am very excited about my college experience. I enjoy dancing, reading, fashion and make-up. I have worked for Ulta Beauty for... .

Read 783 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 72% ,

Net Price : $39,442 ,

SAT Range : 1080-1280 ,

CUNY Graduate School & University Center

• • Rating 4.04 out of 5   47 reviews

Graduate Student: Despite my Master's degree being fully online, the Professors are extremely involved and accessible. CUNY does a great job of fostered a positive learning environment! ... Read 47 reviews

• grade  unavailable Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate —

Net price —

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

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Despite my Master's degree being fully online, the Professors are extremely involved and accessible. CUNY does a great job of fostered a positive learning environment! .

Read 47 reviews.

Austin College

SHERMAN, TX

• • Rating 3.51 out of 5   868

University of Puget Sound

• • Rating 3.5 out of 5   801

Millsaps College

JACKSON, MS

• • Rating 4 out of 5   238

Showing results 1 through 15 of 15

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2024 Best Creative Writing Schools in New York

College Factual looked at 23 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Creative Writing Schools in New York ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 841 degrees in creative writing during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

• Best Overall Creative Writing Schools List

Choosing a Great Creative Writing School

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Creative Writing Degree Level

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings , including this Best Creative Writing Schools in New York list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state .

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology .

Featured Creative Writing Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

BA in Creative Writing & English

Develop your creativity and gain practical skills with a creative writing degree program –featuring 100% online classes – through a bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

MFA in Creative Writing - Online

Embrace your passion for storytelling and learn the professional writing skills you'll need to succeed with our online MFA in Creative Writing. Write your novel or short story collection while earning a certificate in the Online Teaching of Writing or Professional Writing, with no residency requirement.

MA in English & Creative Writing

Refine your writing skills and take a step toward furthering your career with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.

Best Schools for Creative Writing in New York

The schools below may not offer all types of creative writing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top New York Schools in Creative Writing

It's difficult to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you wish to pursue a degree in creative writing. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 174 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

New York University is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in creative writing. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 66 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

Syracuse University is a great decision for students interested in a degree in creative writing. Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse. A Best Colleges rank of #132 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Syracuse is a great university overall.

There were roughly 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent data year.

University of Rochester is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in creative writing. Located in the city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #104 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Rochester is a great university overall.

There were approximately 13 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year.

Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, SUNY Stony Brook is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #253 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means SUNY Stony Brook is a great university overall.

There were approximately 25 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent data year.

New School University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #208 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means New School University is a great school overall.

There were about 94 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent year we have data available.

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were approximately 7 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year.

Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 37th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 1 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra in the most recent data year.

Hamilton is a small private not-for-profit college located in the midsize suburb of Clinton. A Best Colleges rank of #131 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Hamilton is a great college overall.

There were roughly 15 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Hamilton in the most recent year we have data available.

Located in the large city of New York, CCNY is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 40th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 31 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at CCNY in the most recent data year.

Related Programs

Learn about other programs related to Creative Writing that might interest you.

Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction

Harness your passion for storytelling with SNHU's Mountainview Low-Residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction. In this small, two-year creative writing program, students work one-on-one with our distinguished faculty remotely for most of the semester but convene for weeklong intensive residencies in June and January. At residencies, students critique each other's work face-to-face, meet with major authors, agents and editors and learn how to teach at the college level.

Best Creative Writing Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region

Explore all the Best Creative Writing Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.

Other Rankings

Bachelor's degrees in creative writing, master's degrees in creative writing.

View All Rankings >

Creative Writing Related Rankings by Major

Creative Writing is one of 4 different types of Writing Studies programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Creative Writing

View All Creative Writing Related Majors >

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO .

More about our data sources and methodologies .

Popular Reports

Compare your school options.

Best Creative Writing colleges in New York 2024

Best creative writing colleges in new york for 2024.

Columbia University in the City of New York offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 174 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 124 Master's degrees, and 50 Bachelor's degrees.

Cornell University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 7 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 7 Master's degrees.

New York University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 66 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 66 Master's degrees.

Binghamton University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2022, 44 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 44 Bachelor's degrees.

Stony Brook University offers 4 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 25 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 21 Master's degrees, and 4 Bachelor's degrees.

Syracuse University offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 12 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 10 Master's degrees, and 2 Bachelor's degrees.

University at Buffalo offers 3 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 10 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 10 Certificates.

University of Rochester offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 13 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 13 Bachelor's degrees.

CUNY Hunter College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 16 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 16 Master's degrees.

CUNY City College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 31 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 31 Master's degrees.

Find local colleges with Creative Writing majors in New York

List of all creative writing colleges in new york.

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The 17 best writing classes in NYC

Harness your inner Zadie Smith at these stellar writing workshops for every type of writer on every type of budget

Whether you want to write the next murder mystery and hope it gets picked up by Hollywood directors, or  you want to ensure that your work emails and reports are concise, grammatically correct and rhetorically sound , these writing classes in NYC will help you put those ideas onto paper. And hopefully into some of the best independent bookstores and NYC libraries (fingers crossed!). The remarkable literary institutions employ authors-cum-teachers to teach courses in everything from personal essays to poetry, so you’re sure to find a discipline that suits you. And if you need inspiration, re-reading the best books about New York should do the trick. Enjoy.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to classes in NYC RECOMMENDED: The best BYOB painting classes in NYC

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .

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NYC writing classes

1.  Advanced Business Writing

Once you have your grasp on the essentials of grammar and writing (like knowing what a semicolon actually does), you’ll want to enroll in a more advanced course to ensure every word you write is chosen with precision. In this course, you’ll learn how to analyze your audience, shape your tone and message for persuasion, education or communication and you’ll work on various strategies for planning your writing and ensuring that you are utilizing rhetorical tools and informative structures properly. At the end of the course, you’ll have sample writing projects that you can add to your job portfolio and you will be ready to use your writing as a tool to further your career.

2.  Effective Business Writing

While creatives may want to learn how to write the next great American novel, there are a lot of professional reasons that one might want to improve their writing skills. Virtually every job will require some form of communication between individuals and departments and the ability to write coherent emails, proposals, memos or updates is an important skill if you want to survive in an office environment. Learning the fine art of grammar and the practical skills needed to communicate cleanly will pay dividends in the long-term.

3.  Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks

One of the most inviting aspects of creative writing is how diverse of a field it is once you scratch the surface. Whether you are interested in writing poetry, short-fiction, long-form prose or even creative non-fiction or memoirs, you won’t need to look hard to find a vibrant community of fellow writers. In this introductory creative writing course, you can learn fundamental skills that can be applied to almost any genre of writing and you can get hands-on experience working in fictional and non-fictional styles to acclimate yourself to the variety of different styles of writing that you can learn and practice.

4.  Fiction Writing Level 1: 10 Week Workshop

If you are interested in flexing your creative muscles, you can enroll in an introductory fiction and poetry workshop to start looking for your own personal muse. In this course, students will all about the process of writing fiction and poetry. No one writes a world-changing poem on their first go and this class is about learning the art of revising, editing and expanding on your work in order to take the germ of an idea and turn it into a completed piece that expresses your own creative desires. Whether you are looking to write short form poetry or you want to write a 13-book series in your favorite brand of genre fiction, learning these basic techniques will be a vital boon to your work.

5.  Grammar Essentials

English grammar is incredibly (and often needlessly complicated). Did you know that the reason you aren’t supposed to split infinitives is because someone in the 19th century wanted English to sound more like Latin? Well, if the basics of grammar continue to give you problems, you should consider enrolling in a course like this one. Here, you’ll get practical lessons in the art of writing clean sentences that clearly communicate your intended message and ensure that your writing isn’t giving readers the wrong impressions.

6.  Just Write

One of the biggest stumbling blocks that new writers face is that they overthink the preparation work and skimp on the writing work. Like any skill, you learn to write by practicing and the best way to do that is to write. In this regularly-held three-hour seminar, writers are encouraged to do just that: sit around a table and bang out some words while enduring the silent judgment of their peers (who are also using this as a time they are forced to write). While there is time for discussion, critique (and socializing), the outline of this program is simple: Just write.

7.  Business Writing Bootcamp

If you want a complete business writing education, consider enrolling in a business writing bootcamp. This course pairs the grammar lessons and technical writing skills of an introductory course with the rhetorical and persuasive writing training of an advanced writing course. This makes it a one-stop experience for students with minimal writing experience to start to master the important aspects of business writing. Improve your career opportunities and help improve the quality of your persuasive and informative projects with one of these immersive bootcamps.

8.  Personal Essay Writing Intensive

The personal essay has become a rather popular form of writing for mass consumption in recent years, particularly as the barriers to publishing short form content have been lowered (were one truly inclined, social media platforms make it almost effortless). In this class, you’ll learn how to brainstorm ideas and plan out the structure of the personal essay and how to build both pathos and ethos in your experiences and arguments. Similar to memoir writing, personal essay writing is about leveraging your own personal experience as a rhetorical tool and it is practical whether you are trying to persuade an audience, sell yourself to a company or institution or make a profession out of Op-Ed writing.

9.  Stand-up Comedy One Day Intensive

Do you want to perform? Want to make people laugh? Want to tour the country? Well, consider learning stand-up comedy. While professional stand-up comedians make it look off-the-cuff, the process of writing a good stand-up routine involves a lot of fine-tuning and revision, particularly as you workshop jokes and tighten the set. In this intensive course, you’ll get a chance to try out some new material, get feedback and start the process of refining your jokes in front of professional comedy writers. Whether you are hoping to punch up a bit or start your first routine, this intrusive course will help you start refining your comedic voice.

10.  The Editor’s Eye Intensive

Not all aspects of writing are about being creative. Making sure that your work is properly edited, free of errors and written as tightly as you would prefer is an essential step to getting your work published. This course will help students learn the basics of editing so that they can identify things like improper grammar, incorrect word usage, clunky and awkwards sentences and overly verbose writing. This program also aims to help students develop the professional skills needed to work as an editor (since companies hire professional editors and freelance writers who don’t like editing will pay a pretty penny to have someone else handle it).

11.  Screenwriting I: 10-Week Workshop

If you have an idea that you think would be perfect for the big screen, you should consider enrolling in this immersive screenwriting workshop. Writing a screenplay isn’t like writing other forms of long-form fiction, so you’ll want to get focused training on how to write scripts that are cinematic, compelling and, most importantly, marketable. You’ll learn the art of writing dialogue, stage directions and providing actors and directors with the information they need to bring your vision to life. Whether you are interested in arthouse cinema or want to pen the next famous blockbuster, you’ll benefit from taking this course.

12.  Memoir Writing Intensive

If the personal essay aims to make an argument, then the memoir aims to tell a story. In this course, you’ll learn the art of transforming your personal experience into a compelling narrative that entices readers and helps make a broader point about how your experiences tell us something about the world. Slightly distinct from creative non-fiction, memoir writing is possibly the most personal style of writing that you can engage in. While memoirs have traditionally been associated with powerful heads of state and significant thinkers, the genre has become more welcoming to the perspective of the everyday, and in  this course, you’ll learn how your own lived experiences can become the thing of memoir greatness.

13.  Songwriting Intensive

Acclaimed songwriter Taylor Swift was recently named Time Magazine ’s Person of the Year, suggesting that writing music can have globe altering implications. If you want to learn the basics of professional songwriting and emulate your favorite music icon, consider enrolling in this songwriting course. This course will teach students how to write popular music, how to craft a perfect tune to go along with the lyrics and how to market the music to studios, producers and labels. This course covers a range of different genres, so whether you want to write R&B, pop, rockabilly, hip-hop or smooth jazz, this course will help you develop your skills and start writing the next great earworm.

14.  Playwriting Intensive

Live theater is one of the oldest forms of creative writing, dating back, at least to the early Grecians (and likely existed in some form even before the development of systematized writing). If you want to flex your inner Shakespeare, Beckett or Tennesse Williams, consider enrolling in this intensive playwriting course. You’ll learn how to transform the empty stage into a real world and you’ll learn how to write your plays to give the actors the tools they need to deliver the best performances possible. Writing for the stage is its own unique challenge and this course will give you the experience you need to start staging your own masterwork. Plus, for any aspiring Hammersteins, the course can also help you begin to write musicals.

15.  Plot 1: Mechanics 3-week Intensive

Hollywood screenplays, like all narrative, rely on structure to scaffold the story and build audience investment. Whether you are working with the traditional three-act structure most common to feature films, the five-act structures of classic stage plays or the one or two act structures common to modernist works, you’ll want to understand why narratives are structured in certain ways and how to use these structures to your advantage when writing a screenplay. This course will teach students the math that goes into writing a structured screenplay and give them hands-on practice scaffolding their story beats.

16.  Social Media Content Marketing: Blogs & Twitter at Noble Desktop

A lot of professional writing for mass audiences is now done online, with blogs and Twitter being important places to communicate and persuade your audience (like this article is doing now and in this class you’ll learn whether or not meta commentary like this helps your content marketing). In this class, you’ll get hands-on experience working with professional content writers to help you set goals, build marketing strategies and create a voice for your company or organization. You will also learn how to create a coherent brand identity for your online content and how to use platforms like Twitter to expand your reach, build a customer base and keep that base engaged with your content.

17.  Character Creation

Characters can really make or break a story. This Character creation class is a compact workshop for character creating and development, to help give you the skills to make your story work. The workshop will focus on areas like principles of characterization, consistency and effects of dialogue, plus more to help with your character-building and storytelling. It's a two-hour session with a teacher, working anywhere that suits you both and 1-2-1 to ensure you have thorough guidance and help. 

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Published September 13, 2023

A Tale of Three Cities: NYU’s Summer Creative Writing Programs

Staff Writer

• Aspiring writers can spend a month honing their craft in Paris, Florence, or New York City.
• These summer programs are open to current NYU undergrads as well as visiting students.
• Writers immerse themselves in their cities and learn from leading literary and creative minds.

Writers draw inspiration from their own experiences, and for many, global cities become their muse. At NYU, aspiring poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers can enroll in a monthlong immersive summer program through the College of Arts and Science . Participants choose between Paris, Florence, and New York City, and then hone their creative writing skills against the backdrop of an iconic city. Below, three aspiring wordsmiths share their experiences living a writer’s life.

Enjoy a Moveable Feast in Paris

NYU English and American Literature major Isean Bhalla chose to study in Paris because a friend completed the program and loved it. Their endorsement? “‘It was the greatest month of my life,’ word for word,” Isean recalls. “Plus, one does not say no to Paris. Ever.” Reflecting back, Isean credits growing as a creative writer to the program’s high-quality faculty and “excellent” nightly readings from “world-class writers.” “It gave me a greater understanding of my own voice as well as things I want to write about in the future,” Isean affirms.

Most importantly, however, Writers in Paris connected Isean to an inspiring community that was rich in writing talent and friendship. “The program put me in constant contact with other writers who were better than I was. They pushed me in ways I couldn’t. Being around writers 24/7 doesn’t sound like it’s that important, but I found it more stimulating for my writing than anything else. That’s all anyone ever talked about or thought about. So we’d feed off each other and get better.” And, of course, being in Paris didn’t hurt. Isean says, “Paris is a muse; Paris has always been a muse; and I suspect Paris will always be a muse.”

Get a Room with a View in Florence

Katherine Ertman always considered writing a hobby, but after attending Writers in Florence , she realized it could be a career. The NYU Vocal Performance major is training to be an opera singer, but in Florence, she found that “writing my own stories instead of performing stories written by others was a refreshing experience.” In fact, Katherine spent the past summer completing a Creative Writing minor by enrolling in both Writers in Florence and Writers in Paris. “It seemed like an amazing opportunity to complete all 16 credits while exploring two inspiring European cities,” she explains.

In Florence Katherine drew inspiration from a day trip to Castello di Fosdinovo, a Tuscan medieval castle. In Paris she attended readings by renowned authors outside the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. “The locations really influenced me, and I ended up writing a few stories set in both locations,” Katherine says. In the end, she urges anyone interested to enroll, even if they’ve never shared their creative writing with others. “Just try it!” she exclaims. “Writing was a hobby for me, and I went in without any prior workshop experience. Also, I was intimidated because I’m not an English major. However, my fears were unfounded because the faculty and students alike were so supportive. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

A Writer Grows in New York City

Esmé Warmuth grew up close to New York City, admiring the city from afar but never spending much time there. So when the English major learned that she could join NYU’s Writers in New York program as a visiting student , she jumped at the chance. “I’ve been a longtime admirer of NYU’s creative writing faculty,” she adds. Living in Greenwich Village, Esmé connected with published authors, literary agents, and magazine editors, gaining valuable professional experience. She particularly enjoyed a panel with program alumni. “It was helpful to hear from authors who had started where we were and wound up with book deals, jobs teaching creative writing, and overall successful careers,” she explains.

During her month in New York City, Esmé sharpened her skills as a writer and gained confidence in her abilities. “Receiving, giving, and listening to advice in class helped me grow my craft and gave me the opportunity to share my writing with a receptive and positive audience,” she says. All in all, the experience was better than she could have imagined. “The Writers in New York program was like nothing I ever experienced before,” she concludes. “Being among students my age who were just as passionate about books and writing as I am was wonderful. Plus, everyone came in with a great attitude and a willingness to learn. I’m very grateful.”

A Creative Writing Minor Complements Any Major

Across majors and around the world, NYU students find the value in a Creative Writing minor.

A Guide to Writing Majors at NYU

At NYU, English and creative writing aren’t the only options for aspiring writers!

Find Joie de Vivre at NYU Paris

At NYU Paris, you can practice your French, take courses at local institutions, and soak in the French capital’s storied culture.

Creative Writing Programs Online

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15 colleges and schools

350+ degrees on-campus

600+ degrees online

20 NCAA Div. 1 Sports

Online Undergraduate and Graduate Creative Writing Programs

Do you want to learn how to tell stories or create art through your words? If you want to write poetry, script plays, or write novels, Liberty has creative writing programs that can help you learn the skills you need. You can start with the basics and develop your skills under the teaching and mentorship of teachers who know their craft. But what program is right for you?

Associate Degrees

Liberty’s 100% online Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Creative Writing offers you the opportunity to enhance your writing skills as you prepare for a future career or a bachelor’s degree.

Apply Now   Request Info  

Bachelor’s Degrees

Bachelor of science in creative writing – christian literature, bachelor of science in creative writing – english.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – English offers you the chance to develop a deep understanding of the English language.

Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing – Journalism

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – Journalism allows you to develop investigative and reporting abilities and build your portfolio. 

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing offers you advanced training in composition and literature, creative writing, and modern grammar.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Christian Literature can help you hone your writing and critical thinking skills as you explore the works of some of the greatest Christian writers in history.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Creative Writing degree offers advanced training in grammar, technical writing, and storytelling.

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Journalism offers you a journalism education that can teach you to write compelling stories and help you pursue exciting writing opportunities.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Composition will guide you through the fundamentals of writing and grammar and help prepare you to teach composition at the collegiate level.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Writing can help you craft effective communication using digital media, traditional publishing, and cutting-edge technology as you master advanced grammar and composition.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Writing – Research Administration and Sponsored Programs blends studies in writing with practical business applications, which can help you become a more marketable job candidate.

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing is designed to help you build on your writing skills with specific workshops dedicated to the craft of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or screenwriting.

Creative Writing

Master’s Degrees

Composition

Professional Writing

Professional Writing – Research Administration and Sponsored Programs

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Writing – Research Administration and Sponsored Programs blends studies in writing with practical business applications, which can help you become a more marketable job candidate.

Creative Writing – Christian Literature

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – Christian Literature allows you to study prominent authors and works of Christian literature of the past and present. 

Creative Writing – English

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – English offers you the chance to develop a deep understanding of the English language.

Creative Writing – Journalism

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – Journalism allows you to develop investigative and reporting abilities and build your portfolio. 

English and Writing

English and Writing – Christian Literature

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Christian Literature can help you hone your writing and critical thinking skills as you explore the works of some of the greatest Christian writers in history.

English and Writing – Creative Writing

English and Writing – Journalism

Associate of Arts in Creative Writing

Apply Now Request Information  

Apply Now Request Information    

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Creative Writing – English offers you the chance to develop a deep understanding of the English language while sharpening your writing skills.

Bachelor of Science in English and Writing – Creative Writing

Liberty’s 100% online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and Writing – Creative Writing  offers you advanced training in composition and literature, creative writing, and modern grammar.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Liberty’s 100% online Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing can help you learn new concepts, grow your understanding, and hone your writing skills to their highest form.

Which kind of creative writing program fits my needs?

• If you don’t have a degree and aren’t ready to commit to a bachelor’s – Liberty’s online Associate of Arts in Creative Writing gives you an entry point into creative writing. Designed as a halfway step to a bachelor’s degree, our A.A. in Creative Writing will cover foundational courses and training that can help you get started while opening the door to a more in-depth Bachelor of Science in English and Writing – Creative Writing after you graduate. 
• If you want a full bachelor’s degree focused on creative writing and English language – Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in English and Writing – Creative Writing is designed to equip you with a thorough background in English language studies to support your creative writing skills. The skills you learn in this program can also help you pursue teaching or roles in communication and writing for business. 
• If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want a career in writing – Liberty’s online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing could be the best choice for you. The M.F.A. in Creative Writing is designed to help you refine your craft and gain a mastery in your writing discipline. And because an M.F.A. is considered a terminal degree, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing can open the door to university teaching. 

Karen Kingsbury Center for Creative Writing An exciting part of our creative writing programs is that you will have the opportunity to take courses that were created in partnership with #1 New York Times bestselling author and Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury. Kingsbury has contributed course content to the degrees above, providing firsthand training in all areas of interest. We are proud to partner with her through our Karen Kingsbury Center for Creative Writing .

Potential Career Options with a Creative Writing Degree

• Book and magazine writer
• Business communications specialist
• Creative writing instructor
• Professional blogger
• Public relations
• Publications editor
• Screenwriter
• Social media coordinator
• Website copy editor and writer
• Writing manager

What Are the Benefits of Studying Creative Writing at Liberty University?

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online creative writing degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Liberty University’s state-of-the-art online learning environment offers you a wide variety of learning methods, including simulations, recorded lectures, and digital collaboration tools that will help you engage with your studies and learn practical teaching skills.
• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
• You can complete your online creative writing program in less time than you think, due to our 8-week format and 8 start times per year.

Military Benefits

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:

• Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits: 

For undergraduate programs:

• Tuition discounts –  $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a  First Responder (less than $565 per course)
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
• Potential college credit for military training

For graduate programs:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)

Areas of Interest

Choose your area of Interest:

Training Champions for Christ

Liberty’s promise to you is an education that expertly brings knowledge and faith together. Here, education is designed around you. It connects you to people and opportunities that help you develop the skills and confidence you’re looking for. At Liberty, you’ll find the knowledge, experience, and mentorship you want to make your career — and life — a fulfilling one.

Why Liberty

Liberty University is not just another school. It is the realization of a dream, the product of thousands of prayers. It was built to invite students into a bigger, better story. Discover the Liberty difference for yourself.

Scholarships

When it comes to choosing a college, finances make a difference. That’s why at Liberty, we believe in offering you a top-notch education — that’s also affordable. Discover how Liberty can help you keep your college costs down.

For residential students

Online Discounts

At Liberty University, we believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, and it's our job to keep private education affordable. Explore the many ways a Liberty education can be an affordable one.

For online students

Academic Excellence

Liberty University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and certain programs have earned additional field-specific accreditation as well.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, which universities are best for writing.

I want to study writing in college, but I'm not sure where to start my search. Are there any universities known for their writing programs? If you've had any positive experiences or know about the reputation of any schools, please share!

There are a number of universities with strong writing programs that you might want to consider. Each offers a unique approach to the subject, so it's essential to research each program in-depth to ensure it aligns with your goals and interests. Here's a list of some notable schools with well-regarded writing programs:

1. University of Iowa: The Iowa Writers' Workshop is a renowned creative writing program that has produced numerous successful authors. They offer MFAs in both fiction and poetry, along with undergraduate writing majors.

2. New York University (NYU): NYU has a highly respected creative writing program that is part of the Tisch School of the Arts. They offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in various writing disciplines, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and playwriting.

3. Columbia University: Columbia offers a comprehensive writing program with an emphasis on creative writing, providing both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees, along with a joint MFA/MA option.

4. Johns Hopkins University: The Writing Seminars program at Johns Hopkins is another top choice for aspiring writers. They offer a B.A. and MFA program in fiction and poetry, as well as various workshops and classes.

5. Emerson College: Known for its focus on communication and the arts, Emerson College offers a BFA in creative writing, along with several minors and graduate degrees in the field. Emerson's program has a strong emphasis on story development, screenwriting, and publishing.

6. University of Michigan: The Helen Zell Writers' Program at the University of Michigan provides both undergraduate and graduate-level writing programs and has produced numerous successful authors.

7. University of Virginia: The University of Virginia features a respected creative writing program, offering courses in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, along with a graduate-level MFA in Writing.

8. Kenyon College: Kenyon College offers an excellent English major with an emphasis in creative writing. They also host the prestigious Kenyon Review and its associated writing workshops and events.

As you explore these universities and their programs, keep in mind that your experience will depend on the specific courses, faculty, and campus environment. Be sure to visit each school's website to get a sense of their offerings and read about the experiences of other students in their writing programs. Good luck in your search!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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WriteOn NYC

WriteOn NYC, housed at the Creative Writing Program, aims to develop two communities simultaneously. First, it provides the services of passionate writing teachers from the MFA Creative Writing Program at The New School to underserved New York City school children. Second, it prepares MFA Creative Writing candidates for careers in teaching and nonprofit work and provides financial support throughout their graduate studies. WriteOn NYC believes literature helps us see beyond the quotidian and increases our capacity for empathy. It seeks to make literature more accessible to children, both as readers and as writers.

To learn more, visit writeonnyc.com .

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Major code BA5232

College of Arts and Sciences   English Department   Ellis 201 Athens, OH 45701 Fax: 740.593.2832 [email protected] www.ohio.edu/cas/english/

Dr. Carey Snyder , contact person [email protected]

Program Overview

In the English – Creative Writing major, you will engage with genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from the inside out, by generating and revising your own work as well as exploring closely how published work uses the techniques of craft. All creative writing students participate in workshops led by nationally recognized writers which focus on understanding and constructing different literary forms; to achieve these goals, workshops emphasize the study of texts by established writers as well as students’ experimentation with their own creative process. The major is also flexible enough to match your own interests and goals: you can fulfill up to 12 of the required hours in the major with courses focusing on literature, rhetoric, or literary theory, or by combining these with apprenticeship or internship experiences. To ensure a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge that employers and graduate schools expect from any English graduate, the English – Creative Writing major includes the English Core in analysis, research, and literary history. 

Admissions Information

Freshman/first-year admission.

Enrollment in an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

For students currently enrolled at Ohio University, transferring into an English major requires a 2.0 GPA. Students choosing to transfer into the English  – Creative Writing major should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English department for assistance. Students who wish to add an English major in addition to another major program should seek assistance from the director of undergraduate studies; students with a second major outside the College of Arts and Sciences will be responsible for meeting the degree requirements of both the English – Creative Writing major and the College of Arts and Sciences.

External Transfer Admission

For students currently enrolled at institutions other than Ohio University, transferring into an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English Department for assistance.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

After a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and analytical reading as well as multiple genres of writing, English – Creative Writing students enjoy the same wide variety of opportunity upon graduation that other English majors have. Many of our graduates go on to graduate programs, not only M.A. or M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing but also programs in Information Science or Education. Others work in publishing, web content development, grant-writing and community organizing, advertising, or other creative industries. Having invested in developing their own creativity as well as in the well-rounded education that this degree requires, English – Creative Writing students can face the unexpected challenges of the 21 st -century job market with confidence.

Potential employers for those who hold a degree in Creative Writing include, but are certainly not limited to, newspaper and magazine organizations, the entertainment industry, government agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private K-12 schools, publishing companies, marketing agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, etc.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements

University-wide graduation requirements.

Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the  Graduation Requirements – University-wide    page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement

View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements   .

English Hours Requirement

For a B.A. degree with a major in English - Creative Writing , a student must complete a total of 42 semester credit hours in ENG coursework.

Intercultural Foundations

Complete the following course:

• ENG 1100 - Crossing Cultures with Texts Credit Hours: 3

Literary Reading

Complete one of the following courses:

• ENG 2010 - Introduction to Prose Fiction and Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2020 - Introduction to Poetry and Drama Credit Hours: 3

British or American Literature I

• ENG 2510 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2530 - American Literature I Credit Hours: 3

British or American Literature II

• ENG 2520 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 2540 - American Literature II Credit Hours: 3

Intercultural Breadth

Complete one course from the following:

• ENG 3240 - Jewish American Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3250 - Women’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3260 - Queer Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3270 - Queer Rhetorics and Writing Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3370 - Black Literature to 1930 Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3380 - Ethnic American Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3390 - Black Literature from 1930 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3450 - Intercultural Adaptations: Answering the Anglo-American Literary Canon Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3550 - Global Literature Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3850 - Writing About Culture and Society Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3

Writing and Research

• ENG 3070J - Writing and Research in English Studies Credit Hours: 3

Senior Seminar

• ENG 4600 - Topics in English Studies Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4640 - British Authors Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4650 - American Authors Credit Hours: 3

Creative Writing Workshops

Complete three of the following workshops with at least one intermediate or advanced workshop:

• ENG 3610 - Creative Writing: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3620 - Creative Writing: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3630 - Creative Writing: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Intermediate:

• ENG 3950 - Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3960 - Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction II Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 3970 - Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4860 - Advanced Workshop in Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4870 - Advanced Workshop in Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4880 - Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Creative Writing Form and Theory

• ENG 4810 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4820 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 4830 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3

Major Electives

Complete three additional ENG courses for at least nine hours excluding ENG 2800   , ENG 3***J, ENG 4510   , ENG 4520   , ENG 4911   , and ENG 4912   . Six hours may be at the 2000-level or higher; three hours must be at the 3000-level or higher.