Creative Writing MFA

Major: Creative Writing
Degree Awarded: Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 23.1302
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-3043

About the Program

The Drexel M.F.A. combines the teaching of the craft of creative writing with hands-on exposure to the professional machinery of the publishing industry. As a leader in experiential education, Drexel is uniquely positioned to offer students this experiential MFA in which students are encouraged to engage with the world in order to best reflect upon it, write stories worth telling, and embark upon successful careers. The Drexel M.F.A is the only low-residency M.F.A. located in the city of Philadelphia.

M.F.A. students undertake an intensive two-year process of story creation, critique, revision, and career preparation. Students take part in online workshops, reading tutorials, and one-on-one packet exchanges with notable published writers. Three times during the M.F.A. students gather with professors in intensive residences. The inaugural residency takes place in University City, Philadelphia. Students next convene in New York to meet with publishers, agents, and editors. Accomplished authors give craft talks at all residencies. Students have the opportunity to attend an optional craft retreat abroad, and all students come to University City for a culminating graduation residency on campus. The MFA curriculum is enriched by a robust schedule of optional remote evening talks by publishing industry professionals and authors. 

This degree actively provides students with tools and skills needed to forge professional ties and rewarding careers in creative writing, thus leveraging Drexel’s historical approach to education, which is experiential and career focused. To this end, the Drexel M.F.A. provides select students with opportunities to learn teaching pedagogy for composition and/or creative writing, and to take part in one-of-a-kind, community-based learning experience designed to spark creativity, make a positive impact in the world, and put tools in students’ hands for post-M.F.A. employment.

Graduates will be equipped to create and market their own books. Graduates will also be prepared to seek work in literary magazines, literary marketplace publications and conference organizers, publishing houses, literary retreat centers, community-based writing organizations, and in literary agencies.

Drexel's Creative Writing M.F.A. sets forth as a founding principle that art and industry are essential partners in improving the human condition and that storytellers have key roles to play in effecting positive change for individuals and society at large.

Additional Information

For more information, contact:

Nomi Eve
Director, Drexel MFA in Creative Writing
Department of English and Philosophy
nae28@drexel.edu
 

Admission Requirements

Admissions Criteria

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university

Required Documents

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
• Personal statement (400-750 words) addressing:
  • Your experience with creative writing thus far
  • Why you are seeking an MFA
  • Why you are seeking an MFA from Drexel University
• Writing sample - Please provide 20-25 double-spaced pages, in Word or PDF file, of one of the following:
  • Completed short story
  • Collection of flash fiction
  • Novel-in-progress
• Additional requirements for international students

Additional Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

Please follow this hyperlink for information about program scholarships and opportunities to become a teaching assistant.

Degree Requirements

Sample Plan of Study