ucla masters in creative writing

Courses Creative Writing Workshops

Creative writing faqs.

Q: What types of creative writing workshops does the department offer?

A: English 20W is an introductory creative writing workshop that fulfills the Writing II requirement. English 136A is an intermediate upper-division poetry workshop; English 136B is an advanced upper-division poetry workshop. English 137A is an intermediate upper-division prose or short fiction workshop; English 137B is an advanced upper-division prose or short fiction workshop. English M138 is a variable topics workshop, and the focus of the course changes according to the interest and expertise of the instructor.

Q: Do I have to be an English major or minor to take a creative writing workshop?

A: No, all majors and minors are welcome to apply.

Q: How does enrollment work for creative writing workshops?

A: During the academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring), creative writing workshops enroll using an application process. Students are asked to submit short statements of interest and/or writing samples in specific genres. The exact application requirements vary, and application requirements are set by the course instructor. To read the application instructions for the upcoming quarter, select the tab for the upcoming quarter at the top of this page.

Q: When will I find out if I have been accepted into a workshop?

A: Acceptance notifications are delivered at the start of the quarter (typically the beginning of Week 1). We advise that all workshop applicants enroll in an alternate course during their second enrollment pass to ensure that they enter each quarter with a full study list planned. Should you be accepted into a workshop, you can drop your alternate class anytime before the Friday of Week 4.

Q: May I apply to multiple workshops? For English 136A/B and 137A/B, how do I know which workshop is appropriate?

A: Yes, you may apply to multiple workshops in the same quarter, but please disclose that you are doing so on your applications. This practice will allow the course instructors to coordinate rosters and keep the courses balanced. If you are admitted to multiple workshops, you will only be permitted to take one per quarter.

For our A/B tiered workshops: Students do not need to complete an “A” workshop before completing a “B” workshop, and may apply for the level they feel best suits their writing abilities. Not certain which level is most appropriate? Students may apply to both the “A” and “B” workshops in the genres of their choice, and our creative writing faculty will determine placement.

Please note that once you complete a “B” workshop in a specific genre, you will not receive credit for an “A” workshop in that same genre.

Q: May I repeat a Creative Writing workshop for credit?

A: It depends on the workshop.

English 20W, English 136A, and English 137A may not be repeated for credit.

English 136B, English 137B, and English M138 may be repeated for up to 15 units of credit apiece. (Eg. You may enroll in English 136B during 3 different quarters for credit.)

Q: How do I apply to join the Creative Writing minor?

A: Please click here for information on the application requirements & application periods.

Q: Does the department host any creative writing contests?

A: Every Spring the department releases a call for entries in a number of creative writing contests. If you are interested in receiving the call for applications, please use MyUCLA Message Center to contact the English undergraduate advising office and request to be added to the student email listserv.

Q: How else can I get involved in creative writing at UCLA?

A: The Department hosts a number of reading series’ that we encourage undergraduates to attend. Readings and related events may take place in the English Reading Room, the Hammer Museum, or any number of venues around campus. Check the events section or our website to browse upcoming events.

The Department also hosts two organizations dedicated to the creative arts. Westwind is UCLA’s journal for the arts, and is staffed by UCLA students. UCLA Poem creates and sponsors poetry events and readings throughout the year. Participation in either organization can earn 2-units of upper-division credit. To learn more and to enroll, use the “Courses” menu option and select “Courses for the English Major.”

D esign M edia A rts

Design media arts, programs mfa: design media arts.

The Master of Fine Arts in Media Arts is a rigorous three-year program that focuses on each individual's personal and creative development within the context of media arts. Each student works toward an individual thesis project that incorporates research and theoretical exploration of a topic of their choice, with the goal of producing a refined body of work that culminates in an MFA exhibition. DMA graduate students come from many fields and artists from diverse backgrounds including the visual arts, sciences, and engineering are encouraged to apply.

The program is focused on preparing students in three primary ways. First, through the acquisition and development of technical and craft-based skills in various related media. Second, by building a thorough theoretical foundation in media history and theory, and supporting each student’s journey in developing their own unique discursive framework through writing, research, and interdisciplinary engagement with other departments at UCLA. Finally, by helping students hone a sophisticated and compelling body of work, through critiques, seminars, exhibitions and one-on-one mentorship.

The first year curriculum provides a foundation in Media Arts. The 252 ABC course sequence provides a foundation in craft and skills in the areas of computer programming and software development, 3D literacy and virtuality, and in physical media such as 3D printing, mechanics and robotics. The 282 and 269 Seminars provide an introduction to contemporary topics in theory relevant to media arts; The 403 and 404 critique and one on one tutorial classes offer opportunities to develop context for discussion, critique and development of students' work.

Fall Quarter

• 200 Faculty Seminar
• 252A Coding for the Arts
• 282 Contemporary Topics in Media Arts
• 495 TA Training
• 403 Graduate Group Critique (MFA 1)

Winter Quarter

• 269.2 Graduate Seminar
• 252B Virtuality
• - Choice of: 403 Grad Critique / 404 Grad Tutorial / 289 Graduate Seminar
• - Elective(s) of Choice or 596

Spring Quarter

• 403 Graduate Group Critique (All MFAs)
• 252C Materiality
• - Choice of: 404 Graduate Tutorial or 289 Graduate Seminar
• - Elective of Choice

The second year curriculum is centered on exploration , offering opportunities to explore a wide range of topical courses that introduce various craft skills, techniques, and critical approaches, and begin working on research towards their written thesis during this year with support from 289 special topics, and the 269 thesis writing seminars. Students are encouraged to take elective courses from the wider offerings at DMA and UCLA at large.

• 403 Graduate Group Critique (MFA 2)
• 266 Creating Context & Collaborative Practice
• 404 Graduate Tutorial

The third year curriculum is centered on focus , and honing each student's individual or collaborative practice; and is designed to support the development and completion of a thesis project and finalizing the written thesis paper. The curriculum in the third year is more loose and shifted more towards critique and independent work through one on one tutorials. The graduate professional practice course introduces tools to negotiate and support a range of possible post graduation career pathways.

• tbd Professional Practice
• 403 Graduate Group Critique (MFA 3)
• 404 Graduate Tutorial (MFA Exhibition)

In addition to these required courses, students must enroll in a minimum of 33 units from any combination of the courses DESMA 404, DESMA 289 or DESMA 403, as well as a minimum of 16 units of electives (from DESMA upper division undergraduate courses, DESMA graduate seminars, upper division courses, or graduate courses outside of the department), of which 8 units of DESMA 596, may be applied toward the requirements for the degree.

A minimum of 101 quarter units of upper division and graduate Design Media Arts courses are required. 52 of the 101 units require letter grades; 16 units require S/U grades.

For a complete list of DMA and other UCLA courses and course descriptions, consult the UCLA General Catalog .

Faculty Advising

Each entering student is assigned two faculty advisors by the department based on student input and faculty availability. The initial faculty advisors are charged with the responsibility of reviewing the first-year student’s progress a minimum of three times in the academic year and may or may not eventually become a member of the student’s thesis committee. Satisfactory student progress is determined by course grades and the quality of the student’s work..

In the second and third years, the Graduate Thesis Committee is responsible for reviewing, at least once every quarter, the student’s progress toward a thesis project and documentation. The Graduate Thesis Committee, approved by the departmental chair, has a minimum of three members: two senate faculty members from the Department of Design Media Arts, and one senate faculty member from the Department of Media Arts or any UC campus department. The Committee must be established no later than the end of the fourth week of the fall quarter in the second year.

The comprehensive MFA examination consists of a written thesis and a concentrated body of work that will be presented in a master of fine arts exhibition. An accompanying record of the exhibition, including documentation appropriate to the media, for example, images of physical work, research material, other visual material, a written statement, and other materials as determined by the student’s Graduate Thesis Committee, is also required.

For a complete outline of degree requirements, see "Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees," accessible on the Graduate Division website at Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees .

Note: We do not accept traditional graphic design portfolios. The focus of the MFA program in media arts is the use of digital media in an art context. We do NOT offer an MFA in graphic design.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in order to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last two years of upper-division undergraduate work is also required. The applicant’s bachelor’s degree need not be in media arts, though applicants with degrees in interdisciplinary programs that emphasize media arts are preferred. Applicants are expected to have working knowledge of a variety of software. Additional experience with video, interactive media, or 3D modeling and animation is expected.

Students are recommended for acceptance into the Department of Design Media Arts program based on a faculty evaluation of their portfolio, written statements, and official academic records from all higher-education institutions attended after high school.

All applicants are also required to provide two letters of recommendation with the application. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.

A portfolio documenting no more than ten of the applicant's original works is required as a part of the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission.

Formal faculty review of graduate applicant portfolios takes place in February of each year. Applicant finalists should be available for an in-person or Skype interview as a part of the application process.

For questions, see the Graduate Application FAQ document available below, or contact: [email protected]

Register for one of our upcoming Design Media Arts MFA Info Sessions

• Thursday, September 5, 10 – 11am
• Tuesday, October 15, 12 – 1 pm
• Tuesday, November 19, 3 - 4pm
• Wednesday, December 11, 12 - 1pm

Financial Support

Various merit- and eligibility-based financial support is available to entering and continuing graduate students at UCLA. Entering DMA graduate students are offered financial assistance at the time of admission based on the strength of their application; continuing students are usually informed of their financial support before the beginning of their second and third year of study. Additionally, all students are given the opportunity to apply for Teaching Assistantship positions, which offer a quarterly salary and a partial fee remission during the term(s) of employment.

More information on financial support, including extramural awards, is available through the UCLA Graduate Division .

Information on fees can be found on the UCLA Tuition & Student Fees site.

Important Dates

Important documents.

• MFA Application Requirements
• Graduate Application FAQ

Useful Links

• UCLA Application for Graduate Admission
• English Proficiency Requirements
• Transcripts Requirements
• UCLA Graduate Division
• General Catalog
• School of Arts and Architecture
• Financial Aid Office
• Housing Office
• Center for Accessible Education
• Registrar's Office

Playwriting MFA

Playwrights shape lived experience into spectacle, exploring our proximity to one another through multiple theatrical forms.

Playwriting students work across a range of media, study with accomplished playwrights, and develop their work alongside a small and gifted cohort.

The Graduate Playwriting Program augments playwriting workshops with coursework in screenwriting, VR/AR, adaptation, and beyond. Our distinguished faculty specialize in African-American theater, bilingual playmaking exploring Latinx culture, and an innovative blend of metatheatricality and trans identity.

Through three years of coursework, students emerge with a portfolio of plays and collaborative experiences that equip them to challenge and reinvent theatrical storytelling.

World-Class Faculty

Sylvan Oswald

Edit Villarreal

Dominic Taylor

In the first year, playwrights complete two short plays and a full length play. In the second year, playwrights complete a second full length play, a One Person play, and an additional writing project such as an adaptation for the stage or a screenplay. The third year typically includes an internship with a professional theater or film studio, or comparative environment.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for the MFA degree in Theater can be found in the Program Requirements on file at the UCLA Division of Graduate Education

The MFA Program in Playwriting is a comprehensive, professional training program that prepares students for writing careers in the contemporary theater. The degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of the required courses. Additionally, a critical evaluation of writing projects must culminate in a manner to show professional competence in the field.

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion of the program within a three year period. In addition to the successful completion of a minimum of courses and units, candidates for the degree must pass a capstone project that is a critical evaluation of directing projects demonstrating professional competence in the field.

Minimum Course Requirements

Students must complete of a minimum of 94 units or 23.5 courses. Of those courses:

• A minimum of 82 units or 20.5 courses must be at the graduate level.
• A maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the degree.
• By petition, course requirements may be fulfilled with approved alternative courses

Final Examination for the Degree

The program culminates in the capstone, satisfied by fulfilling a series of creative projects appropriate to the Playwriting specialization.

• On completion of the capstone or last quarter of residency, whichever is last, students must file for advancement to candidacy.
• The final creative project and is reviewed and evaluated by the examining faculty committee.
• Student participation in the final review is at the discretion of the committee.
• If the student fails the review and evaluation of the creative work by the examining committee, the student may, with the approval of the Chair of the Department, be re-examined.

Time to Degree

Normal progress toward the MFA degree in Playwriting involves students to be enrolled in their specialized area for a continuous period until all required courses are completed, typically seven to nine quarters.

Normative Time to Advancement To Candidacy is nine quarters. Normative Time-To-Degree is nine quarters. Maximum Time-To-Degrees is 12 quarters.

Core Courses

• THEATER 230ABC: Advanced Playwriting
• THEATER 231: Special Topics In Playwriting
• THEATER 266: Theatrical Conceptualization
• THEATER 430ABC: Advanced Studies in Playwriting
• THEATER 431: Special Topics in Playwriting
• THEATER 432: Theatrical Adaptation

Projects & Production

• THEATER C433ABC: Script Development Workshop
• THEATER 435AF-AW-AS: Advanced Playwriting Laboratory

Background Courses

Complete a minimum of 14 units, choose from the following courses:

• THEATER 205ABC: Background of Theatrical Art
• THEATER 206: Themes in World Theater and Drama
• THEATER 210: Topics in World Theater and Drama
• THEATER 232: Manuscript Analysis
• THEATER 260: Directing I
• Elective History in Art History, Arts & Architecture, Design/Media Arts, Dance, World Arts & Cultures, and Film & Television
• THEATER 498 Professional Internship in TFT

General Catalog

Topics in creative writing, engcomp m138.

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Meet the Graduate Writing Consultants

We encourage you to make an appointment with a writing consultant in an academic area similar to yours, so please review the consultant bios listed below. All writing consultants have been trained to help graduate students with general writing issues in any field, but it can be helpful to work with someone in a field more similar to your own.

Foreign languages : a few of our writing consultants feel comfortable reading work in other languages. See their bios for more information.

Department: English Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Professional Writing, Humanities & Arts, Application Documents, Oral Presentations, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Writing Process, Revision Strategies, Style/Flow, Creative Writing, Narrative Writing Pronouns: he/him Bio: Abraham is a Ph.D. candidate in English and is interested in comparative work between 20th century U.S. multi-ethnic literature and Latin American literature. He has two years experience working in the Graduate Writing Center. He can speak, read, and write in academic Spanish fluently and has done work in oral and written translation. He has conducted interviews for oral history projects archived in the UCLA Library. He has taught creative writing classes with a focus on revision strategies. He has written letters of recommendation for students applying to graduate school, internships, jobs, and scholarships. His favorite punctuation mark is one not typically used in academic writing but overused in the comic book genre: the excellent exclamation mark!

Department: Psychology Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Fellowships/Grants, STEM, Social Sciences, Application Documents, Article Manuscripts, Quantitative Methods, Statistical Reporting, Statistics, Revision Strategies, Editing Strategies, Writing Process, Style/Flow, Master’s Thesis Pronouns: she/her Bio: Adriana is a Developmental Psychology PhD candidate studying the impact of early life adversity on neurodevelopment. Over the course of her graduate career, she has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, an NICHD Brain and Behavioral Development during Adolescence (BBDA) T32 Doctoral Training Fellowship, a Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellowship, a UCLA Graduate Research Mentorship fellowship, and a UCLA Graduate Dean’s Scholar Award. She also received an Honorable Mention for the Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship. Prior to enrolling at UCLA, Adriana graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Neurobiology (Mind, Brain and Behavior) and a minor in Computer Science. Despite her reliance on parentheses (they can be so helpful!), her favorite punctuation mark is the comma.

Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Writing Specialities: Academic Writing, Application Documents, Article Manuscripts, Fellowships/Grants, Lab Reports, Quantitative Methods, STEM, Style/Flow, Writing Process Pronouns: he/him Bio: Aidan is a PhD student studying evolutionary developmental biology. His research focuses on the rules that govern how variation develops in animals. Aidan earned a BSc in Biology from McGill University, where he studied developmental biology and paleontology. As a graduate student, he has received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP). Aidan’s ~favorite~ punctuation mark is the tilde, for its ability to add ~special emphasis~ with its squiggly arms.

Department: Comparative Literature Writing Specialties: English Language Learners, Academic Writing, Application Documents, Humanities & Arts, Cultural Studies, Writing Process, Revision, Editing, Grammar/Mechanics, Style/Flow, Master’s Thesis Pronouns: she/her Bio: Amelia is a PhD student in Comparative Literature. Her research interests include Memory Studies, Turkish literature and culture, Latin American literature and culture, and interdisciplinary approaches to literary study. She has an MA in Comparative Literature from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, where she studied critical theory and Turkish and Arabic literatures (in translation!). Before attending UCLA, Amelia worked as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructor for university students and adult learners in Japan, Turkey, and Colorado. Her favorite punctuation mark is the em dash, because it can get her out of punctuation pickles and because it adds a little extra drama to her writing.

Department: Sociology Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Application Documents, Professional Writing, Social Sciences, Qualitative Methods, Writing Process, Style/Flow Pronouns: he/him Bio: Andrew is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology. He studies social and political responses to climate change, with a current focus on adaptation to sea level rise in coastal areas. Andrew has an MSc in political sociology from the London School of Economics and a BA from McGill University. His professional background includes teaching English in Iksan, South Korea and providing one-on-one tutoring in English Composition. Before attending UCLA, Andrew worked in arts education, where he produced and edited a professional publication. He is the recipient of a Graduate Research Mentorship Award. His favorite punctuation mark—even though his many asides might indicate otherwise—is the period.

Department: Urban Schooling Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Application Documents, Professional Writing, Report Writing, Critical Race Theory, Cultural Studies, Oral Presentations, Writing Process, Revision Strategies Pronouns: she/her Bio: Brande is a Ph.D. candidate in Urban Schooling. She is primarily interested in social stratification in schools, disability, and anti-blackness in special education policy. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine. Brande then spent time traveling across the United States before settling back in her hometown in Southern California. She pursued an M.A. and Ed.S. degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology and worked in Long Beach Unified School District as a School Psychologist. There, she learned about psychoeducational report writing, academic writing, and professional writing. She is a recent recipient of the Graduate Summer Research Mentorship award. Her personal interests include meditation, road trippin’, and rock climbing. Her favorite punctuation mark is the period. Period.

Department: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, STEM, Fellowships/Grants, Application Documents, Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, Quantitative Methods, Lab Reports Pronouns: she/her Bio: Dominique is a PhD student in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences researching Earth's radiation belts. She uses a machine learning approach to establish a relationship between high and low-orbit electron flux data to better predict space weather. She is a recipient of the NASA Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) award and has presented her work at national conferences. Dominique earned her BS from UCLA in astrophysics and worked for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the Atmospheric Physics and Weather Group during her gap year. Beyond research, Dominique enjoys crocheting blankets, hanging out with her 6 lb poodle, and cooking. Her favorite punctuation mark is the comma, especially the oxford comma!

Department: Comparative Literature Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Non-Academic Writing, Legal Writing, Professional Writing, Application Documents, Critical Race Theory, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Cultural Studies, Humanities & Arts, Oral Presentations, Article Manuscript, Writing Process, Revision Strategies, Editing Strategies, Grammar/Mechanics, Style/Flow, Creative Writing, Narrative Writing, Master’s Thesis, English Language Learners Pronouns: he/him Bio: Drew is a PhD candidate in Comparative Literature. His research focuses on philosophy, critical theory, literary & film theory, and digital media studies. He received his BA in Philosophy and English from UCLA in 2009 before going on to obtain his MA in Humanities (with an emphasis in Continental Philosophy) from the University of Chicago in 2011. Before returning to UCLA, he acquired his JD from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, where he worked as a tutor and a Senior Supervising Editor for UC Hasting’s Constitutional Law Quarterly. He currently serves on the editorial board for Press Start, an academic journal of video games studies. His favorite punctuation mark is the § (‘section sign’) because of the §ylistic §ophistication it lends to the organization of one’s writing."

Department: Gender Studies Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Application Documents, Fellowship/Grants, Writing Process, Revision Strategies, Style/Flow, Humanities, Qualitative Methods, Cultural Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Black Studies and Critical Theory. Pronouns: they/them, she/her Bio: Ebony is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Gender Studies. Their research areas broadly include black feminisms, black studies, fat studies, disability studies, and visual culture. They received their BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of Oregon in 2012 before obtaining their MA in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University in 2018. At UCLA, Ebony is a recipient of the Graduate Summer Research Mentorship Fellowship Program, is a Eugene V. Cota Robles Fellow and a member of the Black Feminism Initiative here at UCLA. Outside of graduate school, Ebony enjoys experimenting with art and fashion. Her favorite punctuation mark is the colon.

Department: Education Writing Specialties: Social Sciences, Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Academic Writing, Professional Writing, Fellowships/Grants, Application Documents, Academic Writing, Writing Process, Style/Flow, Revision Strategies, Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, Creative Writing. Pronouns: she/her/hers Bio: Harmeet (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year mixed methods scholar in the Higher Education and Organizational Change Ph.D. program. She is a first-generation community college transfer student who earned a BA in Sociology from UC Merced and an MA in Education from UCLA. She has mentored students and reviewed their professional and academic documents (which ranged from resumes, CVs, graduate school, scholarship, fellowship, and job applications). She also has experience supporting students when they are planning, preparing, and perfecting their oral presentations (including research presentations, professional interviews, and conferences). Harmeet is researching the resilience of Punjabi Women’s educational trajectories during three moments of historical oppression through qualitative and historical methods and the use of asset-based critical theories. Outside of research, Harmeet loves music, creative writing, traveling outside of the U.S., and exploring local LA events and activities. Her favorite punctuation mark is “?” because it allows her to learn more about someone’s personality, perspectives, and narratives.

Department: World Arts and Cultures/Dance Writing Specialties: Humanities & Arts, Academic Writing, Fellowships/Grants, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Cultural Studies, Non-academic Writing, Writing Process, Style/Flow, Application Documents, Oral presentations, Revision Strategies Pronouns: she/her Bio: Jackie is a Ph.D. candidate in the World Arts and Cultures/Dance department. Her research focuses on avant-garde German/Jewish modern dancer Valeska Gert (1892-1978), her performance spaces both in Germany and the United States, and the forms of sociality (and non-sociality) that she cultivated through her artistic practices. Overall, Jackie’s research evaluates dance and the production of subversive body politics. Jackie has received extramural awards from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), Leo Baeck Institute, and the University for Music and Dance Cologne. She was also awarded intramural fellowships from UCLA's Graduate Division (GSRM and Graduate Dean’s Scholar Award), the Center for the Study of Women, the Center for European and Russian Studies, Leve Center, and Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy. Jackie had a previous life as an experimental filmmaker and visual artist. Her work has been screened internationally and she has published a number of artist books. Jackie holds B.A. degrees in Dance and History as well as an M.A. in Culture and Performance. Her favorite punctuation mark is the period because she values momentary completion.

Department: Chicana/o and Central American Studies Writing Specialties: Fellowships/Grants, Creative Writing, Revision Strategies, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Humanities & Arts, Professional Writing, Style/Flow Pronouns: she/her/ella Bio: Janel is a poet, educator, and scholar of U.S. Central American Literature. Her research analyzes contemporary works by diasporic Central American poets and investigates the ways that poetry can be used to counteract narrative silencing and to reclaim familial and cultural (hi)stories. Prior to joining UCLA, she earned a BA in English from Dickinson College, and received a Marshall Scholarship to pursue graduate study in the UK. She holds dual master’s degrees in Latin American Studies from the University of Cambridge, and in Creative Writing and Education from Goldsmiths, University of London. As a graduate writing consultant, she specializes in supporting students with competitive fellowship applications, with a particular focus on working with first-generation students. She has extensive training in academic writing tutoring and in pedagogical strategies for strengthening creative writing. Janel has received grants and fellowships from the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, UCLA’s Graduate Summer Research Mentorship, the Eugene V. Cota Robles fellowship, the California Arts Council, the National Association for Latino Arts and Culture, and more. Her favorite punctuation mark is the em dash—quite simply because it’s just so good.

Department: History Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Research/Grants/Fellowships, Job Application Documents, Oral Presentations, Humanities, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Writing Process, Revision and Editing Strategies, Style/Flow, Master’s Thesis, Dissertation Prospectus Pronouns: she/her Bio: Jeanette is a doctoral candidate in the History department specializing in the Afro-Atlantic World. Her research focuses on the African Diaspora, social movements, popular religions, and political economies in Latin America and the Caribbean. After earning her BA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Scripps College, Jeanette has worked as a community organizer, language interpreter, life coach, and independent mediamaker. Jeanette has received grants and fellowships from the Eugene V. Cota Robles fellowship, Ludwig Lauerhass Endowed Graduate Student Fellowship in Brazilian History, History Department, Center for the Study of Religion, Latin American Institute, CLAH James R. Scobie Award, UC-Cuba Research Fellowship, Black Feminism Initiative Mariame Kaba Graduate Fellowship, Davis Putter Scholar-Activist Fellowship, and received an honorable mention from the Ford. One of her favorite punctuation marks is the em dash (—) largely for the stylistic splash!

Department: Anthropology Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Editing/Revision Strategies, Application Documents, Social Sciences, Humanities/Arts, Fellowships/Grants, Article Manuscripts, Oral Presentations, Critical Race Theory, Qualitative Methods, Master’s Thesis, Style/Flow, English Language Learners, Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Process Pronouns: she/her Bio: Jessie is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of Anthropology, specializing in sociocultural anthropology. Her research focuses on historic entanglements between Black and Jewish communities in North Africa. Specifically, she examines how different elements within the archival landscape in Morocco resist and construct notions of difference between Black and Jewish Moroccans. She holds a B.A. in Middle Eastern and North African Studies as well as Romance Languages and Literature (Spanish) from the University of Michigan in addition to a M.A. in Anthropology from UCLA. Jessie has worked (and aspires to continue working) in the publishing industry as a content and copy editor as well as a translator (Arabic, North African Judeo-Arabic, French, and Spanish.) Jessie has received a Fulbright Student Researcher grant, an Andrew Mellon Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship, the GRM, the GSRM, and the Keck fellowship. Parentheses are her favorite punctuation mark(s) because they are so versatile (and look like a whisper on the page!)

Department: English Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Humanities, Humanities & Arts, Arts, Application Documents, Article Manuscripts, Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Writing Process, Revision Strategies, Editing Strategies, Grammar/Mechanics, Style/ flow, Creative Writing, Narrative Writing Pronouns: she/her Bio: Jesslyn is a Ph.D. candidate in English. She studies poetics, with a split focus on Romanticism and 21st-century texts. Her research interests include the relationship between computer science and literary form (not digital humanities but algorithmic logic, abstraction, statistics, and data). Her recent projects have engaged works by William Blake, Anna Moschovakis, Douglas Kearney, Morgan Parker, and P.B. Shelley. She earned her B.A. from UC Berkeley in English and Computer Science. Her favorite punctuation mark is the em-dash, especially when it’s used to unsettle a poem's formal conceits.

Department: Law Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Fellowships/Grants, Article Manuscripts, Humanities & Arts, Application Documents, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Editing Pronouns: she/her Bio: Kim is a J.D. candidate in the School of Law. She also has her Ph.D. in Theater and Performance Studies. Her research focuses on the intersections of performance, homelessness, incarceration, and law. Prior to starting law school, Kim was an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has taught courses on African diasporic literature and performance, queer theory, black feminist theory, and world literature. Her favorite punctuation mark is the em dash – academics love adding in their two cents!

Kimberly M.

Department: Chicana/o and Central American Studies Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Critical Race Theory, Writing Process, Revision strategies, Style/flow, Article Manuscripts, Social Sciences Pronouns: they/them Bio: Kim is a PhD candidate in Chicana/o and Central American Studies. They are a non-traditional student and received their A.A. in Art History at East Los Angeles Community College and transferred to UCLA where they received their B.A. in Chicana/o Studies and minor in African American Studies. They study race, space, and placemaking in Los Angeles and are specifically interested in housing justice movements and how rent burdened Latinas navigate landlord harassment and state violence when undergoing eviction. Kim is also involved in popular education efforts and facilitating support groups that address restorative justice. Kim is a recipient of the Eugene V. Cota Robles fellowship, the Ford Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, Graduate Research Mentorship fellowship and the Graduate Council Diversity Fellowship. Their favorite punctuation mark is the exclamation mark!.

Department: Psychology Writing Specialties: Fellowships/Grants, Academic Writing, Social Sciences, STEM, Statistics, Statistical Reporting, Quantitative Methods, Critical Race Theory, Application Documents, Oral Presentations, Writing Process, Style/Flow, Revision Strategies, Editing Strategies, Master’s Thesis Pronouns: she/her/hers Bio: Leezet is a third-year Psychology PhD student who specializes in social cognitive neuroscience. Her current research investigates how people from dominant and marginalized racial groups understand and experience our racialized social world, using both social neuroscience and computational linguistics approaches. Over the course of her graduate career, she has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a UCLA Graduate Research Mentorship Fellowship, a UCLA Graduate Summer Research Fellowship, a Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellowship, and a UCLA Alumni Fellowship. Leezet graduated from Princeton University with a BA degree in Neuroscience and a strong background in African American Studies, Critical Race Theory, and Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Studies. Before pursuing her PhD, she gained experience in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) development while working as a data scientist for a technology start-up. Her favorite punctuation mark—which she admittedly overuses—is the em dash.

Department: Comparative Literature Writing Specialties: Academic writing, Non-academic writing, Application Documents, Humanities & Arts, Fellowships/Grants, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Oral presentations, Writing Process, Editing Strategies, Style/Flow, Grammar/mechanics. Pronouns: she/her Bio: Lika is a PhD candidate in comparative literature. Her research interests include representations of gender and sexuality and space/environment in 20th century and contemporary literature and film, French and Francophone literatures, and notions of space, confinement and movement within French and English-language contexts. Most recently she has written about Albert Camus, space, and gender; national allegory and metonymy; and 20 th century re-imaginings of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland . Lika holds B.A. degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in English and French literature and an M.A. in comparative literature from UCLA. In addition to research and teaching, Lika copyedits for an independent press that publishes work on politics, art, and philosophy and volunteers with small nonprofits on their grant writing efforts. Prior to grad. school she worked as a writer in a behavioral psychology lab, in academic administration and in continuing education. Her favorite punctuation = the ( ) and the …

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Application Documents, STEM, Fellowships/Grants, Article Manuscripts, Oral/Conference Presentations, Quantitative Methods, Statistical Reporting, Dissertation, Writing Process, Revision & Editing Strategies Pronouns: she/her Bio: Marie is a (Bio)Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidate who studies the effects of mechanical and physiological stimulation on 3D stem cell and cancer tissues. She is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP), has presented her work at national conferences, and has published peer-reviewed journal articles as both a first and co-author. Prior to UCLA, she earned her B.S. from Stanford University in Civil & Environmental Engineering. Her favorite punctuation mark is the comma since it is both simple and effective.

Pronouns: she/her Bio: Marilyn Gray is the director of the UCLA Graduate Writing Center. She has a PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UCLA. Her dissertation examines Mikhail Bakhtin’s thought and narrative theory from the perspective of Russian theological anthropology. After completing her BA in Slavic Languages and Literatures at Stanford University, she lived and worked in Moscow for four years. During her graduate work at UCLA, she worked for the Center for Digital Humanities assisting faculty with instructional technology and taught Russian language and English composition. She is a big fan of the em-dash and semi-colon when used judiciously.

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Writing Specialties: Fellowships/Grants, STEM, Academic Writing, Application Documents, Quantitative Methods, Writing Process, Revision Strategies, Editing, Lab Reports, Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, Post-Graduate Opportunities, Journal Reviews Pronouns: she/her Bio: McKenna is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering. She develops novel software to improve the performance and lifetime of electrospray thrusters for spacecraft propulsion in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and multiple Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRLs). Prior to pursuing her PhD, McKenna graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN with Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Mathematics and a minor in Business. McKenna is a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow and has also been awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a Goldwater Scholarship, a NASA Space Grant, and a Woman in Engineering award. She has authored journal and conference publications, reviewed journal articles, and presented her research internationally.

Department: Political Science Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Professional Writing , Humanities, Social Sciences, Application Documents, Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, Cultural Studies, Critical Race Theory, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Writing Process, Revision, Editing, Grammar/Mechanics, Style/ flow, English Language Learners, Master’s Thesis, Creative Writing, Narrative Writing Pronouns: he/him Bio: Michael is a PhD student in political science focusing on political theory. His circuitous academic career has led him to get degrees in English, Philosophy, Education and Gender Studies. He has been tutoring writing since college and enjoys the challenge of reading across disciplines. Beside his academic work, he is a sporadic book reviewer and writer for publications such as Jewish Currents and Public Books. His favorite punctuation mark is the em-dash because of its variety of uses and because it makes long sentences readable.

Department: Education (Social Research Methodology) Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Application Documents, STEM, Social Sciences, Policy Writing, Article Manuscripts, Oral Presentations, Public Speaking, Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, Statistics, Statistical Reporting, Writing Process, Revision, Editing, Grammar/Mechanics, Style/Flow, English Language Learners, Master's Thesis, Dissertation Pronouns: he/him Bio: Tom is a PhD candidate in the School of Education. Most of his training has been in quantitative research methods, with an emphasis on multilevel models and causal inference in nonexperimental settings. He is especially interested in research around multi-year, multi-site, multi-faceted educational programs as well as other lines of inquiry where qualitative and quantitative approaches can speak to---and with---each other. Tom holds BA degrees from USC in English and Spanish, a master's in public policy from UCLA, and an MS in statistics from UCLA. His critics might accuse him of meandering in too many different directions academically and professionally. Nevertheless, he finds that following an indirect path often has its advantages. Tom's favorite form of punctuation is ubiquitously implied in academic writing though sparingly employed: the wonderful question mark.

Department: Sociology Writing Specialties: Academic Writing, Professional Writing, Social Sciences, Policy Writing, Fellowships/Grants, Application Documents, Article Manuscripts, Oral Presentations, Qualitative Methods, Critical Race Theory, Writing Process, Revision, Master’s Thesis, Style/Flow Pronouns: she/her Bio: Victoria is a PhD candidate in the Sociology department. She studies urban governance, redevelopment, policing, and race. She holds a B.A. in Leadership and Public Policy from the University of Virginia. Before UCLA, Victoria worked at a social policy research institution, where she produced policy reports and memos. She has received intramural fellowships including the Graduate Research Mentorship Award and Graduate Summer Research Mentorship Awards, and extramural fellowships from the Russell Sage Foundation and the Haynes Lindley Foundation. Her favorite punctuation mark is the semicolon.

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Graduate Program: English

UCLA's Graduate Program in English offers the following degree(s):

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Fully Funded MFA Programs in Creative Writing

As part of our series  How to Fully Fund Your Master’s Degree , here is a list of universities that have fully funded MFA programs in creative writing. A Master’s of Fine Arts in creative writing can lead to a career as a professional writer, in academia, and more.

Fully funded MFA programs in Creative Writing offer a financial aid package for full-time students that includes full tuition remission as well as an annual stipend or salary during the entire program, which for Master’s degrees is usually 1-2 years. Funding usually comes with the expectation that students will teach or complete research in their field of study. Not all universities fully fund their Master’s students, which is why researching the financial aid offerings of many different programs, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad, is essential.

In addition to listing fully funded Master’s and PhD programs, the ProFellow fellowships database also includes external funding opportunities for graduate school, including fellowships for dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, study abroad, summer work experiences, and professional development.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded Master’s and PhD programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

Here is the list of 53 universities that offer fully-funded MFA programs (Master’s of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing.

University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): Students admitted to the MFA Program are guaranteed full financial support for up to 4-years. Assistantships include a stipend paid over nine months (currently $14,125), and full payment of up to 15 credit hours of graduate tuition.

University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ): All accepted MFA students receive full funding through a graduate teaching assistantship for 3 years. This package includes tuition remission, health insurance, and a modest stipend (in 2018 it was about $16,100 per academic year).

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ): 3-year program. All students admitted to the MFA program who submit a complete and approved teaching assistantship application are awarded a TA by the Department of English. Each assistantship carries a three-course per year load and includes a tuition waiver and health insurance in addition to the TA stipend ($18,564 per year). In addition, students have diverse opportunities for additional financial and professional support.

University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR): Four-year program. Teaching assistantships currently carry an annual stipend of $13,500 for students with a BA. TAs also receive a waiver of all tuition costs and teach two courses each semester. Nearly all of our accepted students receive TAs. Additionally, the students compete each year for several fellowships.

Boise State University (Boise, Idaho): 3-year fully funded MFA program dedicated to poetry and fiction. All students receive a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a Teaching Assistantship with a stipend of $11,450 per year.

Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH): 2-year program, graduate assistantships (including stipend and scholarship) are available for all eligible face-to-face students. 100% tuition scholarship. Graduate stipend (the 2020-21 stipend is $11,500).

Brown University (Providence, RI): All incoming MFA students received full funding. All graduate students receive a fellowship that pays a monthly stipend and provides tuition remission, the health fee, and health insurance. The stipend for the 2020-2021 academic year is $29,926. Also, students in good standing receive a summer stipend of $2,993.

Boston University (Boston, MA): Tuition costs will be covered for every admitted student for the MFA degree in the BU Creative Writing Program. In addition, admitted students will receive university health insurance while they are enrolled, and all admitted students will receive stipend support of roughly $16,000 for the academic year.

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): All MFA degree candidates are guaranteed 2 years of funding (including a stipend, a full-tuition fellowship, and student health insurance).

University of California Irvine (Irvine, CA): 3-year program. The Department is committed to providing 3 full years of financial support to all domestic students in the MFA Programs in Writing. Financial support for MFA students is given in the form of Teaching Assistantships providing full tuition coverage as well as University health insurance. Students will earn an estimated $22,569 for the academic year.

University of California San Diego (La Jolla, CA): MFA in Writing students are eligible for financial support if they study full-time, maintain good academic standing and make timely progress toward the degree. All students are eligible for full funding, including international students provided they meet the English language certification requirement for teaching assistants.

University of California Riverside (Riverside, CA): All incoming students are granted a full fellowship and stipend for their first year. After the first year, students receive full tuition and a salary through teaching assistantships.

Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL): 3-year program. All of the MFA students qualify for a position as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. The GTA position comes with a tuition waiver and a stipend. The standard stipend is $9,000, but some enhanced stipends are available. The Graduate College offers several fellowships for current graduate students.

Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL): The majority of students receive support in the form of a teaching assistantship and are provided with a stipend, a tuition waiver, and a health-insurance subsidy. MFA students receive a three-year assistantship. For 2022-23, MA/MFA stipends will be $16,400, and typically these amounts go up each year. Also, The FSU Graduate School offers several fellowships and awards.

Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville, GA): The MFA Program offers workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and students take cross-genre workshops. All students admitted to the MFA program receive a Graduate Assistantship for all 3 years that includes a stipend and tuition remission.

University of Houston (Houston, TX): MFA students can receive a teaching assistantship for 3 years. Starting salary for MFAs is $17,935/9 months. Students in the Creative. As part of the assistantship, students are awarded either a Graduate Tuition Fellowship, which remits tuition, or a Creative Writing Program Fellowship, which covers the cost of tuition.

University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho): All English Teaching Assistants (TA’s) are offered full tuition waivers. Teaching Assistants are given a stipend of $14,000 per year. Also offers three scholarships and three outstanding fellowships to support qualified MFA, graduate students.

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (Urbana, IL): Three-year MFA program. Students accepted into the MFA program will receive full tuition waivers, guaranteed teaching assistantships.

Indiana University (Bloomington, IN): M.F.A. programs offer a generous teaching package to creative writing students. All applicants receive consideration for appropriate fellowships that will carry a stipend of about $19,000, plus tuition and fee-remission that covers roughly 90% of the cost of enrollment.

Iowa State University (Ames, IA): 3-year MFA program. Starting half-time 20 hours per week teaching assistantships for MFA students total $19,250 over 10 months and also receive a full-tuition waiver scholarship (approximate value $10,140) and health insurance coverage. The department has several resources available through which to offer fellowships and scholarships to qualifying new students.

University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA): 2-year residency program. Financial assistance is available for all students enrolled in the program, in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. Most fellowships and assistantships provide either tuition scholarships or full tuition remission.

John Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD): 2-year program. All students receive full tuition, health insurance, and a generous teaching fellowship, currently set at $30,500 per year. Some students work as assistant editors on The Hopkins Review. They often win prizes such as Stegner Fellowships or grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

University of Maryland (College Park, MD): This 3-year program accepts 8 applicants who are fully funded by Teaching Assistantships for up to three years of graduate study. Our aid packages include a stipend of about $20,000 per academic year and 60 credit hours of tuition remission.

Miami University (Oxford, OH): All students admitted to the MFA program in Creative Writing hold generous Graduate Assistantships (which include a summer stipend). Non-teaching assistantships may also be available.

University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL): An intensive two-year study with a third year option. The James Michener Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships support all our graduate students. Awards include a full tuition waiver and annual stipend of $18,915.

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI): All MFA students accepted into the program are offered a full tuition waiver, a stipend of $23,000/yearly as well as $5,000 in summer funding, and health care benefits. Additionally, various fellowships and prizes are awarded each year to MFA students.

University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN): All admitted MFAs receive full funding, in the form of teaching assistantships or fellowships. Teaching assistantships carry a full tuition waiver, health benefits, and a stipend of about $18,600. Also, a variety of fellowships are available for graduate students.

University of Mississippi (University, MS): All of our students are fully funded.  We offer two main sources of funding, the Grisham Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships.

University of Nevada Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV): 3-year program. All MFA students admitted to the Creative Writing International program at UNLV are offered Graduate Assistantship funding of $15,000 per year (which includes in-state tuition and provisions for health insurance).

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): Funding is provided for 3 full years, summers included. Tuition is covered by a tuition scholarship during any quarter in which you are receiving a stipend.

University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN): Every student admitted to the MFA receives a full-tuition scholarship, a fellowship that carries a full stipend of $16,000 per year and access to a 100% health insurance subsidy.

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC): A two-year, fully-funded program, They accept only about a dozen students each year and offer full funding in the form of a graduate teaching assistantship to all eligible admitted applicants.

Ohio State University (Columbus, OH): All admitted students are fully funded for our 3-year MFA program in Creative Writing. In addition, all students receive either a graduate teaching associateship, a Graduate School fellowship or a combination of the two. For graduate teaching associateships, the student receives a stipend of at least $17,000 for the nine-month academic year.

University of Oregon (Eugene OR): A two-year residency MFA program. All incoming MFA students funded with a teaching appointment. Student instructors receive tuition remission, monthly stipends of approximately $18,000.

Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR): All students admitted to the MFA program will automatically receive a standard teaching Graduate Teaching Assistantship contract, which provides full tuition remission and stipend of approximately $12,800 per year to cover living expenses. In addition to tuition remission, all graduate students have the option to receive 89% coverage of health insurance costs for themselves and their dependents.

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA): 3-year MFA program. All students admitted to the program will receive Teaching Assistantships for two or three years. All Teaching Assistantships include salary, medical benefits, and tuition remission.

Rutgers University–Newark (Newark, NJ): Each full-time incoming student receives in-state Tuition Remission and a Chancellor’s Stipend of 15K per year. Students are also eligible for Teaching Assistantships, and Part-Time Lectureships teaching Comp or Creative Writing. Teaching Assistantships are $25,969 (approximate) plus health benefits.

University of South Florida (Tampa, FL): 3-year program. MFA students receive a tuition waiver, a teaching assistantship that comes with a stipend, and enrollment in group health insurance.

Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL): Almost all MFA students hold graduate assistantships, which provide stipends for the academic year and full remission of tuition. The annual stipend, which comes with tuition remission, ranges from $13,000 to $14,500.

Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY): Three-Year M.F.A. in Creative Writing. All students are fully funded. Each student admitted receives a full-tuition scholarship in addition to an annual stipend of $17,500.

University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC): 3-year MFA program. The MFA at Carolina is pleased to provide fellowship and/or assistantship funding to all accepted students, earning our program the designation of “fully funded” from Poets and Writers.

University of Tennessee — Knoxville (Knoxville, TN): There is no cost to apply to the MFA program. All of our PhD candidates and MFA students are fully funded, with generous opportunities for additional financial support.

University of Texas in Austin (Austin, TX): All students in the New Writers Project receive three years of full funding through a combination of teaching assistantships (TA), assistant instructorships (AI), and fellowship support. The complete package includes full tuition remission, health insurance, and a salary.

University of Texas James Michener Center (Austin, TX): A three-year, fully funded residency MFA program that provides full and equal funding to every writer. All admitted students receive a fellowship of $29,500 per academic year, plus total coverage of tuition.

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN): Each year a small, select class of talented writers of fiction and poetry enroll in Vanderbilt’s three-year, fully-funded MFA Program in Creative Writing. The University Fellowship provides full-tuition benefits, health insurance, and a stipend of $30,000/yearly. In 2nd year and third-year students have the opportunity to teach for one semester.

University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA): Three-year MFA program. Students will receive fellowship support and/or teaching income in the amount of $20,000 each academic year, as well as full funding of your tuition, enrollment fees, and the health insurance premium for single-person coverage through the university.

Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA): Three-year MFA degree offers tracks in Poetry and Fiction, and all students are fully and equally funded via GTA-ships of more than $20,000 per year.

Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO): Because of selectivity and size they are able to offer all the new students full and equal financial aid for both years in the program in the form of a University Fellowship, which provides a complete tuition waiver plus a stipend sufficient for students to live comfortably in our relatively inexpensive city. All MFA students receive health insurance through Washington University.

Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, KY): Three-year, fully-funded, residential MFA program in creative writing offering generous assistantships, which will allow MFA students to gain valuable experience tutoring and teaching.

West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV): A three-year program. All Master of Fine Arts students receive a full tuition waiver and an assistantship, which includes a stipend valued at $16,750.

Wichita State University (Wichita, Kansas): Most of the MFA students are GTAs who teach two composition classes each semester. They pay no tuition, receive $4,250 each semester and may buy discounted health insurance. The MFA program also awards two $12,500 fellowships each year.

University of Wisconsin–Madison (Madison, WI): All accepted MFA candidates receive tuition remissions, teaching assistantships, generous health insurance, and other financial support. In addition to the approximately $14,680 paid to each MFA annually in exchange for teaching, every MFA candidate will receive another $9,320 in scholarships each year.

University of Wyoming (Laramie, WY): All of our full-time MFA students are fully funded with two-year graduate assistantships. Currently, assistantships include a stipend of $12,330 per academic year, a tuition and fees waiver, and student health insurance. Students also receive summer stipends of up to $2,000 for the summer.

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Word to World: The Essence of UCLA Humanities

Paper by Vida Yao named one of the year’s best by Philosopher’s Annual

The article draws upon the experience of falling in love to rebut a widely held premise about how people make choices in pursuit of their “best lives.”

A rainbow of birds in haiku

Q&A: Ursula Heise on the important stories that birds have to tell

Facts about our division, graduate programs.

European Languages & Transcultural Studies

Demystifying the book publication process: A conversation with UC Press editors

September 18 @ 2:00 pm – 236 Royce Hall

UCLA Department of Philosophy

SLIME 3 (Studies in Linguistics, Information, Meaning, and Expression)

September 20 – Royce Hall – Room 306

2024-25 Philosophy Department Open House

September 25 @ 12:00 pm –

Linguistics

The linguistics department is one of the world’s leading centers for the scientific study of language.

Writing Programs

The mission of Writing Programs is to enrich the writing experience — and ultimately, the writing performance — of students in our first-year, Writing II and Professional Writing Minor courses. We extend our impact on UCLA graduate and undergraduate students through the graduate certificate in writing pedagogy, through courses for international graduate students and TAs whose first language is not English, and through the work of the Writing Center.

Center for the Liberal Arts and Free Institutions

The Center for the Liberal Arts and Free Institutions is an interdisciplinary center created in 2009 as part of the Division of Humanities.

Indo-European Studies

UCLA’s interdepartmental graduate program in Indo-European Studies is the only such program in the U.S. and leads to the degree of Ph.D. The program’s focus is historical linguistics, in particular the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European (the ancestor of Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, English and many other languages) as well as the culture of its speakers.

CMRS Center for Early Global Studies

The CMRS Center for Early Global Studies promotes transdisciplinary studies of the periods from the third to the middle of the 17th century across the globe. CMRS-CEGS is dedicated to promoting research, teaching. and new methodologies in underrepresented and nontraditional areas, and traditional fields. It is guided by the conviction that without the study of the past, the present and the future are inaccessible and opaque.

Widely recognized as one of the leading departments in the nation, English at UCLA has long been known for its innovative research and excellence in teaching. Today, the English Department maintains its strong commitment to traditional areas of study, while also supporting groundbreaking research and teaching in new and interdisciplinary approaches to literary studies.

European Languages and Transcultural Studies

European Languages and Transcultural Studies brings together the former departments of French and Francophone Studies, Germanic Languages, Italian and Scandinavian. The term “transcultural” emphasizes our shared European roots and our expanded focus on the perspectives of filmmakers, writers and theorists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and elsewhere, which allows for a comprehensive understanding of history and more accurate contextualization of the European experience.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture

The center promotes interdisciplinary studies of Hellenic culture, from the ancient world through the modern day. It also serves as a vibrant cultural hub for the Southern California Hellenic community, presenting innovative programs, often in collaboration with local Hellenic organizations, and generating interest in Greece’s historical and ongoing contributions to modern culture.

Spanish and Portuguese

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers a rich and diverse program dedicated to the study of the languages, literatures and cultures of the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries of Europe and North, Central and South America. Along with traditional strengths in Spanish, Spanish American and Luso-Brazilian literatures and cultures, offerings include courses in U.S. Latino/a Studies and language instruction in Basque, Catalan, Nahuatl and Quechua.

Art History

Building on a long tradition of intellectual innovation, the Department of Art History provides a rigorous program of undergraduate and graduate study that endorses an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach to art history of all periods and places.

Global Antiquity

Global Antiquity brings together scholars and community members from UCLA, greater Los Angeles and around the globe for a new dialogue on the equivalency of past human experiences and the role that the ancient past still plays in shaping all our contemporary identities.

Near Eastern Languages & Cultures

Near Eastern Languages and Cultures brings together a variety of cultural and linguistic studies, both ancient and modern, into a vibrant interdisciplinary whole. We make cultural studies of the Middle East relevant to undergraduate students and the Los Angeles community; in our graduate programs, we create the next generation of experts in the ancient Near Eastern and modern Middle Eastern region.

Center for 17th- and 18th-Century Studies

The Center provides a forum for discussion of issues in 17th- and 18th-century studies. It organizes academic programs, and offers a range of cultural programs, including chamber music, performances, and lectures. The Center administers the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, located on a historic property in the West Adams neighborhood, which serves as the research laboratory for fellows working in early modern studies or Oscar Wilde.

Center for the Study of Religion

Religion asks questions that touch every aspect of human life. The Center for the Study of Religion promotes the academic study of religion to explore those questions for the UCLA community and wider public. It houses an undergraduate major and minor, and sponsors events exploring the role of religious ideas, practices and institutions, both historical and contemporary and throughout the world.

Yarshater Center for the Study of Iranian Literary Traditions

The Yarshater was conceived as a leading research hub for the publication and dissemination of Iranian literary traditions worldwide. The center, which operates under the aegis of the Pourdavoud Institute for the Study of the Iranian World, will attract a new generation of scholars to the field, and it will initiate a robust publication program at UCLA.

The principal goal of the Department of Philosophy is to produce philosophers of high quality, thinkers informed by the great historical traditions of Western philosophers who can apply the methods of philosophical analysis to a broad range of current philosophical problems.

Slavic, East European & Eurasian Languages & Cultures

Founded in 1948, the Department of Slavic, East European and Eurasian Languages and Cultures is one of the oldest and most prominent programs in its field in the United States. The program, which offers undergraduate and graduate studies, provides students with a comprehensive education in the languages, literatures, cultures and history of Eastern and Central Europe and Eurasia.

Comparative Literature

Standing at the forefront of innovative literary, theoretical, and cultural studies, comparative literature is one of the most exciting fields in the Humanities. The discipline demands exceptional linguistic ability, advanced critical tools, and high intellectual caliber.  

Program in Digital Humanities

The Digital Humanities program is the curricular arm of digital humanities at UCLA, offering a certificate for graduate students and a minor for undergraduates. Students gain knowledge about the tools, methods and theoretical issues central to this emerging field, and investigate topics including text analysis, data mining, visualization, modeling and simulation, geospatial analysis and mapping, multimedia storytelling, information design, network analysis and interface design.

Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies

Since 1994, the Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies has been built and been enriched by faculty, staff, students and supporters who are dedicated to rigorous scholarship that unflinchingly answers pressing problems in the field of Jewish studies.

Asian Languages & Cultures

The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures is dedicated to the study of the civilizations of the Asian region in all their diversity. The rich cultural heritages of the region are covered in courses ranging from language to literature, religion, thought, archaeology and other aspects of culture.

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Earning A Master’s In Creative Writing: What To Know

Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 1:51pm

Do you want to create written work that ignites a reader’s imagination and even changes their worldview? With a master’s in creative writing, you can develop strong storytelling and character development skills, equipping you to achieve your writing goals.

If you’re ready to strengthen your writing chops and you enjoy writing original works to inspire others, tell interesting stories and share valuable information, earning a master’s in creative writing may be the next step on your career journey.

The skills learned in a creative writing master’s program qualify you to write your own literary works, teach others creative writing principles or pursue various other careers.

This article explores master’s degrees in creative writing, including common courses and concentrations, admission requirements and careers that use creative writing skills. Read on to learn more about earning a master’s degree in creative writing.

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What Is a Master’s in Creative Writing?

A master’s in creative writing is an advanced degree that helps you develop the skills to write your own novel, poetry, screenplay or nonfiction book. This degree can also prepare you for a career in business, publishing, education, marketing or communications.

In a creative writing master’s degree program, you can expect to analyze literature, explore historical contexts of literary works, master techniques for revising and editing, engage in class workshops and peer critiques, and write your own original work.

Creative writing master’s programs usually require a thesis project, which should be well-written, polished and ready to publish. Typical examples of thesis projects include poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, short story collections and novels.

A master’s in creative writing typically requires about 36 credits and takes two years to complete. Credit requirements and timelines vary by program, so you may be able to finish your degree quicker.

Specializations for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are a few common concentrations for creative writing master’s programs. These vary by school, so your program’s offerings may look different.

This concentration helps you develop fiction writing skills, such as plot development, character creation and world-building. A fiction concentration is a good option if you plan to write short stories, novels or other types of fiction.

A nonfiction concentration focuses on the mechanics of writing nonfiction narratives. If you plan to write memoirs, travel pieces, magazine articles, technical documents or nonfiction books, this concentration may suit you.

Explore the imagery, tone, rhythm and structure of poetry with a poetry concentration. With this concentration, you can expect to develop your poetry writing skills and learn to curate poetry for journals and magazines.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is an excellent concentration to explore if you enjoy creating characters and telling stories to make them come alive for television or film. This specialization covers how to write shorts, episodic serials, documentaries and feature-length film scripts.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are some typical admission requirements for master’s in creative writing degree programs. These requirements vary, so check with your program to ensure you’ve met the appropriate requirements.

• Application for admission
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Transcripts from previous education
• Writing samples
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay

Common Courses in a Master’s in Creative Writing

Story and concept.

This course focuses on conceptualizing, planning and developing stories on a structural level. Learners study how to generate ideas, develop interesting plots, create outlines, draft plot arcs, engage in world-building and create well-rounded characters who move their stories forward.

Graduate Studies in English Literature

Understanding literature is essential to building a career in creative writing. This course prepares you to teach, study literature or write professionally. Expect to discuss topics such as phonology, semantics, dialects, syntax and the history of the English language.

Workshop in Creative Nonfiction

You’ll study classic and contemporary creative nonfiction in this course. Workshops in creative nonfiction explore how different genres have emerged throughout history and how previous works influence new works. In some programs, this course focuses on a specific theme.

Foundations in Fiction

In this course, you’ll explore how the novel has developed throughout literary history and how the short story emerged as an art form. Coursework includes reading classic and contemporary works, writing response essays and crafting critical analyses.

MA in Creative Writing vs. MFA in Creative Writing: What’s the Difference?

While the degrees are similar, a master of arts in creative writing is different from a master of fine arts in creative writing. An MA in creative writing teaches creative writing competencies, building analytical skills through studying literature, literary theory and related topics. This lets you explore storytelling along with a more profound knowledge of literature and literary theory.

If you want your education to take a more academic perspective so you can build a career in one of many fields related to writing, an MA in creative writing may be right for you.

An MFA prepares you to work as a professional writer or novelist. MFA students graduate with a completed manuscript that is ready for publishing. Coursework highlights subjects related to the business of writing, such as digital publishing, the importance of building a platform on social media , marketing, freelancing and teaching. An MA in creative writing also takes less time and requires fewer credits than an MFA.

If you want to understand the business of writing and work as a professional author or novelist, earning an MFA in creative writing might be your best option.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Creative Writing?

Below are several careers you can pursue with a master’s in creative writing. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Postsecondary Creative Writing Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $74,280 Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. or another doctoral degree; master’s degree may be accepted at some schools and community colleges Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors or faculty, teach students at the college level. They plan lessons, advise students, serve on committees, conduct research, publish original research, supervise graduate teaching assistants, apply for grants for their research and teach subjects in their areas of expertise.

Median Annual Salary: $73,080 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field Job Overview: Editors plan, revise and edit written materials for publication. They work for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies, media networks, and motion picture and video production companies. Editors work closely with writers to ensure their written work is accurate, grammatically correct and written in the appropriate style for the medium.

Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field Job Overview: Journalists research and write stories about local, regional, national and global current events and other newsworthy subjects. Journalists need strong interviewing, editing, analytical and writing skills. Some journalists specialize in a subject, such as sports or politics, and some are generalists. They work for news organizations, magazines and online publications, and some work as freelancers.

Writer or Author

Median Annual Salary: $73,150 Minimum Required Education: None; bachelor’s degree in creative writing or a related field sometimes preferred Job Overview: Writers and authors write fiction or nonfiction content for magazines, plays, blogs, books, television scripts and other forms of media. Novelists, biographers, copywriters, screenwriters and playwrights all fall into this job classification. Writers may work for advertising agencies, news platforms, book publishers and other organizations; some work as freelancers.

Technical Writer

Median Annual Salary: $79,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Technical writers craft technical documents, such as training manuals and how-to guides. They are adept at simplifying technical information so lay people can easily understand it. Technical writers may work with technical staff, graphic designers, computer support specialists and software developers to create user-friendly finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Master's in Creative Writing

Is a master’s in creative writing useful.

If your goal is to launch a career as a writer, then yes, a master’s in creative writing is useful. An MA in creative writing is a versatile degree that prepares you for various jobs requiring excellent writing skills.

Is an MFA better than an MA for creative writing?

One is not better than the other; you should choose the one that best equips you for the career you want. An MFA prepares you to build a career as a professional writer or novelist. An MA prepares you for various jobs demanding high-level writing skills.

What kind of jobs can you get with a creative writing degree?

A creative writing degree prepares you for many types of writing jobs. It helps you build your skills and gain expertise to work as an editor, writer, author, technical writer or journalist. This degree is also essential if you plan to teach writing classes at the college level.

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Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.

• Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy

The Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy addresses the need of UCLA graduate students for more specialized training in undergraduate teaching and professional development. The certificate provides opportunities for graduate students in all fields of study to enhance their teaching abilities, their theoretical knowledge of language and composition pedagogies, and their job market potential. Please note: At this time, the certificate is open only to UCLA graduate students.

Interested?

You can also scroll down for more information on certificate requirements, course offerings, and our application, or contact us with questions or to schedule a consultation at   [email protected] . 

Requirements & Course List

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Contact the Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy Coordinator.

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Meet the Writing Programs faculty who teach with the Certificate Program.

Creating Connections Symposium

Learn more about the Creating Connections Symposium, an annual campus-wide event organized by students in the Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy.

Testimonials

See what graduates of the program have to say about the Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy.

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Master Class in Novel Writing

Get intensive, individualized instruction as you rewrite your novel, preparing your manuscript for presentation to agents and publishers to begin the process of turning it into a book.

What you can learn.

• Give and get feedback from similarly motivated writers working at a very high level
• Forge a collaborative writing community with classmates over 9 months of work
• Complete a thorough rewrite of your book
• Get feedback from a professional agent on your query letter and a manuscript excerpt

About this course:

Admission to this course is by application only and the selection process is competitive. It is recommended that students take intermediate-level courses prior to submitting their work. When this course is open for enrollment, click "See Details" for application guidelines and quarterly application deadlines.

Fall 2024 Schedule

No meetings November 28, December 19 - January 2, and March 20 - April 3. 

The priority deadline for applications was September 9, 2024. Applications are still being accepted on a rolling basis and will be considered as long as space remains in the course. Please do not delay in submitting. 

Restricted course; approval needed to enroll. Not eligible for any discounts. Enrollment limited to eight students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. No refund after enrollment. Internet access required. Materials required. 

Application Submission Guidelines for Master Class in Novel Writing

Please submit the following materials (Word Document or PDF only). The first document must contain: a one-page personal statement that includes your writing background, previous creative writing courses taken; a two-page synopsis of your work-in-progress; and an excerpt of one complete scene you feel is one of the best and accurately reflects your work-in-progress (no longer than 12 pages). In a separate document, you must also submit the full, completed first draft of your novel manuscript.

Note: Participants in this master class work only on the project submitted for admission. No exceptions. Each page should be numbered, typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced with 1-inch margins.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PUBLIC SYLLABUS FOR THIS COURSE.

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Learn from successful writers.

If you're looking for top-tier writing instruction, look no further than UCLA Extension.

Finish a novel. Complete a screenplay. Publish poetry. Write your memoir. Take a class for fun!

Choose from dozens of open-enrollment courses, or explore our comprehensive certificate programs. Also offered: consultations, mentorships, retreats, and advanced seminars.

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I seek to teach each student how their skills and goals can best be applied in the practical world of publishing and editing while encouraging a team mindset that allows for greater success and collaboration.

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Writers' Program director and host, Charlie Jensen, invites writers to sit down and recount how one of their projects made it into the world.

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Every writer’s path is unique, but these stories are both inspiring and informative, full of tips and tricks anyone can use in their writing.

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Southland Alibi  is the student-run literary journal published by the Writers’ Program at UCLA Extension.

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