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Creative Writing M.F.A.

Creative Writing - M.F.A.

The Creative Writing M.F.A. program is designed for aspiring writers who want to hone their craft and take their skills to the next level. With a focus on individual attention and mentorship from experienced faculty, you'll have the opportunity to refine your writing skills in a supportive and inspiring environment. Whether you're interested in fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, our program provides you with the tools needed to achieve your writing goals.

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Master's Degree in Creative Wrinting

Kent State University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a rigorous program designed to cultivate students' talents in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. With a focus on both craft and critical theory, the program offers personalized mentorship and opportunities for in-depth workshops, allowing students to refine their voice and technique. Through a combination of writing practice and literary study, the M.F.A. prepares graduates for careers in writing, publishing, and academia, while fostering the creative growth necessary to succeed as professional writers.

For more information on application information and deadlines, portfolio guidelines, program requirements, student handbook, and NEOMFA faculty go the the NEOMFA website.

All applications must be made to both the NEOMFA consortium as well as to Kent State University as the "gateway" university.

Program Information for Creative Writing - M.F.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing is a consortium program between Kent State, the University of Akron, Cleveland State University and Youngstown State University (NEOMFA consortium).

The degree allows students to take advantage of collaboration with an award-winning 15-member faculty and to concentrate in the writing of plays, poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. The number and variety of the faculty guarantee consistent individual attention to student work. The range of study gives students opportunities to take classes with other writers from different backgrounds and in different genres. An annual series of readings and visiting writers in all genres supports the regular curricular offerings.

Selected students attend special summer programs, such as the Juniper Institute in Massachusetts and the Imagination Writers Conference in Cleveland; many students attend the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference representing the consortium, or publish in journals and presses associated with the program.

Admissions for Creative Writing - M.F.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply to both the NEOMFA consortium and Kent State University. For more information on admission to the consortium, visit the NEOMFA website.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: January 15
      Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Critique creative literary works in a workshop environment.
  2. Critique and revise their own material.
  3. Create a high quality publishable work of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama or literary translation.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of theories and practices of creative writing and the creative process.
  5. Develop skills in creative writing in real world job situations.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Writing Workshops15
Craft and Theory courses9
Literature courses6
Internship 13
Electives9
Culminating Requirement
ENG 69199THESIS I 26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:48
1

The internship must be in a teaching, editing or arts administration setting.

2

The thesis must be submitted according to the general requirements established by Graduate College. The student is required to defend the thesis in an oral presentation before a committee of graduate faculty from a minimum of two consortium schools.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Creative Writing - M.F.A.

Graduates of Kent State’s M.F.A. Degree in Creative Writing are equipped for careers in writing, publishing, teaching, and the arts. The program’s focus on developing voice, craft, and storytelling across genres prepares students to excel as novelists, poets, screenwriters, and editors. With opportunities for workshops, mentorship, and literary engagement, graduates often pursue roles as authors, creative writing professors, literary editors, and content creators, contributing to the literary and cultural landscape.

Editors

-7.3%

decline

118,700

number of jobs

$63,400

potential earnings

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary

2.1%

slower than the average

81,300

number of jobs

$69,000

potential earnings

Postsecondary teachers, all other

2.0%

slower than the average

245,900

number of jobs

$71,950

potential earnings

Writers and authors

-2.3%

decline

131,200

number of jobs

$67,120

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Content development
  • Copywriting
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Publishing
  • Arts administration
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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