Creative writing programs help writers discipline themselves by writing regularly.
A creative writing degree is not a necessary prerequisite for writers who wish to publish creative works such as a memoir, fiction or poetry. However, a degree can help a writer hone his skills and meet other writers. A creative writing degree is also valuable for writers who want to teach, especially at the university level. U.S. News and World Report has ranked the top creative writing schools in the United States.
University of Iowa Writers Workshop
The University of Iowa creative writing program, also known as the Iowa Writers Workshop, was the first higher education program for creative writing in the United States. It is a two-year residential program for completing a master of fine arts in creative writing. Students complete the program by submitting a creative thesis such as a novel or a collection of poems. The workshop also offers an undergraduate creative writing track that can be completed as part of a bachelor's degree in English.
Graduate Program in Creative Writing
The University of Iowa
102 Dey House
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1408
319-335-0416
http://www.uiowa.edu/~iww
The Writing Seminars at John Hopkins University
The John Hopkins University creative writing program offers graduate and undergraduate degrees. Graduate students complete a two-year residential program to obtain a master of fine arts in creative writing. Undergraduate students can obtain a four-year writing seminars bachelor of arts degree.
The Writing Seminars
The Johns Hopkins University
Dell House, Suite 702
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-516-6286
writingseminars.jhu.edu/index.html
University of Houston Creative Writing Program
The creative writing program at the University of Houston offers two degrees: a three-year master of fine arts in creative writing degree and a five-year doctorate in literature and creative writing. Both programs offer courses in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
The Creative Writing Program
Department of English
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
University of Houston
229 Roy Cullen Building
Houston, Texas 77204-5008
713-743-2255
class.uh.edu/CWP/
Creative Writing at Columbia University
The Columbia University Creative Writing program offers graduate and undergraduate degrees. Undergraduates can gain a four-year bachelor's degree in creative writing. Graduate students earn a two-year master of fine arts in creative writing.
Creative Writing Program
Columbia University School of the Arts
415 Dodge Hall
212-854-4391
columbia.edu/cu/writing/
University of Virginia MFA in Creative Writing
The University of Virginia offers a two-year graduate program for a master of fine arts degree in creative writing. Undergraduate English majors can also study in the Area Program in Poetry Writing, which is a specialization in poetry writing for students obtaining a bachelor's in English.
Creative Writing Program
Department of English
University of Virginia
219 Bryan Hall, PO Box 400121
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4121
434-924-6675
engl.virginia.edu/creativewriting/index.shtml
