Earn your degree in creative writing at SNHU - 100% Online
Choose from over 200 career-focused degree programs.
Explore our accredited associate, bachelor's and master's programs
Filter Results
Higher education. Lower cost.
Tuition and financial aid.
As a nonprofit university, your success is our only mission. That means we’re committed to keeping our costs low, and to providing ways for you to reduce your overall tuition cost – so your education can be even more affordable.
As part of our commitment to affordability, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation:
- $320/credit for undergraduate degrees
- $627/credit for graduate degrees
- No undergraduate or graduate application fee
Whether you’re interested in an undergraduate or graduate degree, our Student Financial Services team is ready to help you understand how to cut down costs and explore all opportunities for financial aid.
Learn online, on your schedule
Online student experience.
Southern New Hampshire University is a leader in online education. Our online programs are developed by industry leaders who have relevant, real-world experience and professionals in online learning. Each program is designed to deliver applicable course outcomes that can help prepare you to succeed in the workplace.
Save time and money earning your degree at SNHU
Transferring credits.
Got college credits you worked hard to earn and hope to transfer? The majority of our online students are transfers, and we stop at nothing to give you the credit you deserve. That’s why we offer generous transfer credit policies where students can transfer up to 45 credits toward an associate degree and up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
- Free Transfer Credit Evaluation – We’ll perform an official credit evaluation free of charge to help you determine which credits will transfer.
- Transfer Credits From Community Colleges – SNHU partners with community colleges and specialized schools around the country.
- Military Education Credits – Through partnerships, specialized pathways and dedicated support, we can help you turn military education into college credit.
- Get Credit for Work/Life Experience – Graduate faster and for less when you earn credit for what you already know.
Expanding the boundaries of higher education since 1932
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 170,000 online students, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. Since its founding in 1932, the University has transformed from a school of accounting and secretarial science into an institution offering over 200 degree programs ranging from business, education, liberal arts, social sciences and STEM.
Here are just a few of our accolades:
- Named 2020 Most Innovative University in the North and one of the nation’s “Best Regional Universities” by U.S. News & World Report.
- Awarded the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology by The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
- Named “Great College to Work For” by the Chronicle of Higher Education every year since its inception
- One of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies (2012)
What our students are saying about SNHU
“When I saw my books on a bestseller list for the for the first time, it was unbelievable.”
“Earning a degree as a mother means my children have something to be proud of and they can look at me and say my mom finished school and look at her now. She’s amazing!”
“Being with an organization that’s working to better the world, it made a big difference to also go to a nonprofit university that had the same mindset.”
“My parents immigrated to the United States to provide me with a good education…It feels good to see myself where I am today because of them.”
“My degree in Southern New Hamsphire University helped me to grow my organization to greater self-sustainability…”
Accreditations and Accolades
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). All Programs offered by SNHU are encompassed by this regional accreditation.
Online Students
For All Online Programs
International Students
On Campus, need or have Visa
Campus Students
For All Campus Programs
Creative Writing: MA vs. MFA
Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
If you're the kind of person who loves the nuances of the English language, you know how the omission or addition of a single word can change the meaning of a phrase. As you're weighing which creative writing programs you want to apply to, your decision may come down to the difference of one word: Do you want to earn a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts? At first glance, it seems as if these two creative writing degree paths would be the same, but each provides a different focus of study and opportunities for building your career.
Creative Writing Graduate Programs
Once you've reached the decision to move forward with your creative writing education, you need to choose which degree path is the right one for you. The specifics of what you want to learn, the skills you want to add to your toolbox and the expectations you have for your future are all factors you want to consider when determining whether an MA or MFA will best suit your needs.
Earning an MA In Creative Writing
The master's in creative writing differs from the creative writing MFA in several ways. First is the time consideration - the amount of credits required for an MA in creative writing is less than that of an MFA. Academically, courses in this program push beyond lessons in creative writing and include courses focused on studying literature and literary theory. Along with learning the craft of storytelling, you'll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills while you study the various lenses through which you can view a work of literature. You'll also study how sentences are structured and how words in the English language have changed over time.
Earning an MFA In Creative Writing
The MFA degree path is for writers who are focused on honing their craft with the purpose of becoming a professional writer or novelist. By the end of your MFA program, you should have completed a polished manuscript. An MFA also "emphasizes the skills needed to build and sustain a full-time writing career in a modern gig-economy," Dr. Sharon Califano , associate dean of programs for creative writing and literature at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), said. "Students develop a range of skills and strategies for maintaining a professional identity as a writer."
The coursework explores the different services and roles of writers entering the publishing field, including the business of writing and the role of digitization in publishing. To succeed in publishing in the digital age, MFA students must learn how to use social media and build a platform. With reference to SNHU's new online MFA, Califano said, "This MFA program is designed to give students the business skills that both help to develop an audience for their work and support career aspirations in areas such as marketing, publishing, content writing, teaching and freelancing."
Creative Writing Concentrations
Knowing what you want to write can help determine whether an MA or MFA in creative writing is the right path for you. MA and MFA degree paths offer a variety of form and genre concentrations to choose from, such as:
- Fiction and Nonfiction - Many MFA programs have two form paths, fiction and creative nonfiction, while MA programs more frequently offer screenwriting and poetry.
- Screenwriting - In some programs, the screenwriting concentration is still called playwrighting. If you intend to write for television, film or the stage, this concentration teaches the structure and flow of a script.
- Poetry - A master's of creative writing in poetry will require you to learn structure, tone and rhythm and analyze the work of renowned poets. An MFA in poetry requires a student be able to appraise a poem's composition and larger meaning while also understanding the significance in their own art as they grow as a poet.
- Genre Fiction - This category includes anything not included in literary fiction. MA or MFA programs may include concentrations in young adult, romance, mystery or speculative fiction. Speculative fiction includes science fiction, fantasy and writing focused on elements of the supernatural.
The Different MFA Programs
While an MA in Creative Writing follows the traditional and online avenues for earning your degree, there are three ways to earn your MFA.
- Low-residency - In a low-residency MFA, such as the Mountainview MFA program , you'll spend around two weeks in-residence with faculty and students twice a year, and the rest of the time, you'll work from home.
- Online - With some programs, you have the opportunity to earn your MFA entirely online. The expectations are the same, but you're able to continue working full-time if necessary while you complete your degree.
You may also have the option of earning a certification along with your MFA, such as a teaching certification for creative writing.
Careers In Creative Writing
Creative writing is a skill necessary in many fields. The career that best suits your skills and experience may not be in a line of work you expected. Your proficiencies in editing, crafting a narrative and expert language usage can be important in areas ranging from marketing to public relations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report for 2017 showed the following expectations for creative writing careers:
- Median salary : $61,820 per year, BLS reports*
- Growth through 2026 : 8%, BLS reports*
- Median salary : $70,930 per year, BLS reports*
- Growth through 2026 : 11%, BLS reports*
- Median salary : $129,380 per year, BLS reports*
- Growth through 2026 : 10%, BLS reports*
- Median salary: $59,300 per year, BLS reports*
- Growth through 2026: 9%, BLS reports*
- Median salary : $76,000 per year, BLS reports*
- Growth through 2026: 15%, BLS reports*
*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.
Ashley Wallis is an Army veteran and writer with a BA in English Language and Literature from SNHU. She is currently living in the Denver area. Find her on twitter @AshDWallis.
Explore more content like this article
Why is Poetry Important? Celebrating National Poetry Month
Actor Stephanie Gould Surprised Onstage With Diploma Delivery
Associate Dean of Liberal Arts Dr. Robert Denning: A Faculty Q&A
About southern new hampshire university.
SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.
Online MFA in Creative Writing
- << Previous: Online Support
- Next: MLA Citations and Research >>
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
MFA in Creative Writing Online; MFA 505 Introduction to the Online MFA Explore a unique culture and approach to fiction writing at SNHU that embraces practicality, diversity and community. Understand the history and major categories of genre fiction, including the role genre plays for readers, writers, and publishers.
If you choose to pursue your MFA at SNHU, you have 2 options: online or low-residency. The online MFA in Creative Writing is an option for those who are unable to travel. This 48-credit master's program allows you to focus in a wide range of fiction genres, like contemporary, romance, young adult or speculative fiction.
creative writing at SNHU - 100% Online. Get an education that's both flexible and affordable. Find Your Program. Choose from over 200 career-focused degree programs. Explore our accredited associate, bachelor's and master's programs. Filter Results. Browse by Degree Level-- Please Select --
An MFA also "emphasizes the skills needed to build and sustain a full-time writing career in a modern gig-economy," Dr. Sharon Califano, associate dean of programs for creative writing and literature at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), said. "Students develop a range of skills and strategies for maintaining a professional identity as a ...
I entered the MFA Genre Fiction program in 2019 after graduating from SNHU with a BA in Creative Writing/English. I've completed 21 hours credit (7 courses). All my courses so far were extremely well taught, with professors who are usually published authors themselves. My writing has definitely become more polished and professional, and I've ...
Here, you'll find a treasure trove of both academic and professional resources to help guide you through the Online MFA in Creative Writing program, with resources for research, databases, and even plenty of links for pleasure reading. In the "Reading as a Writer" section, you'll find our collection of literature, including eBooks ...
TLDR; MA is for those who want a career as a Teacher. MFA is for those who want a career as an Author. You can achieve both professions with either degree, but the road will be made easier if you align the program with what you want for your future. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer if I can. true.
Even though SNHU provides guidance for workshops/critiques, there are inevitably going to be people who give crap feedback (this is true for most programs, though. I had this same experience in my own MFA, which was NOT at SNHU). Some of the courses have assignments that are questionable in terms of helpfulness.
Many host regional events you can attend in person (and some online!) to support the other writers in your genre. Join other SNHU #Penmen writers and check out the links, and follow the SNHU MFA This link opens in a new window, the Penman Review This link opens in a new window, and SNHU This link opens in a new window on Twitter.
Ebook Central offers titles from hundreds of trusted publishers on one modern, intuitive platform Its intuitive, mobile-optimized design lets researchers get "anytime access" to the content they need - from a single chapter to an entire book. Previously called "Ebrary Ebooks". Access to full-text e-books in the fields of education ...
I just finished my BA in creative writing with a minor in professional writing at SNHU this last term. I've been doing some research about MFA programs to consider, but it's been a lot! My experience with SNHU for undergrad was fine (3.5/5 stars), but I felt like I was really missing the in-person connections. I was a transfer student from ...
An unofficial group of SNHU students who are current students or have graduated from the Online MFA in Creative Writing. A place for us to chat, ask questions, & discuss the program, our favorite reads, and everything else! Not affiliated with the SNHU Online MFA in Creative Writing. The SNHU Creative Writing MFA Resource Guide can be accessed ...
Online MFA in Creative Writing - accepted, curious. Hello! I was recently accepted to the SNHU MFA in Creative Writing. I am curious - has anyone here completed this program, or is in this program, and could potentially let me know what it's like? I haven't registered yet but I'm pretty sure I will register for the May term.
The Handbook of Creative Writing by Steven Earnshaw (Editor) Call Number: Available Online. ISBN: 9780748689392. Publication Date: 2014-05-30. The Little Red Writing Book by Brandon Royal. Call Number: Available Online. ISBN: 9781897393208. Publication Date: 2012-02-01. Grammar by Christine Sinclair.
The Mountainview Low-Residency MFA application. An official transcript from the college or university that conferred your bachelor's degree. Transcript Request Form - we can help you request your college transcripts. An 800- to 1,000-word personal statement describing your writing experience and the nature of your commitment to writing.
If you're good, go somewhere with higher admissions standards to ensure better peers and a university on your resume whose reputation is not affected by the middling students who also make it through the program (albeit with C's). If you're insistent on doing it, consider the low residency MFA. 2. Reply.