Creative writing doctoral programs

You can also find several external fellowships in the ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study, as well as dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experience. University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH : Every PhD student has the opportunity to teach creative writing, with many also teaching literature classes. Most students are funded by teaching, with two or three at a time funded by editorial work at The Cincinnati Review, and others funded in their dissertation year by college- or university-level fellowships.

PhD students receive a four-year assistantship but are eligible to apply for a fifth year contingent on satisfactory progress. Teaching assistants are provided with a stipend, a tuition waiver, and a health insurance subsidy. PhD students can receive a teaching assistantship for 5 years. Submission requirements consist of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, recommendation letters, a statement of goals, and a creative writing sample.

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation. The best MFA in creative writing programs often include specializations, such as nonfiction, television, or poetry, which allow students to tailor the degree to their interests and career goals. Nonfiction students, for instance, explore memoir and biography writing, while poetry degree-seekers learn about diction and meter.

Creative writing degrees often require students to complete writing projects and receive feedback from professors and peers. These critiques help candidates develop and improve their writing styles. Prospective students should consider factors like cost, transfer policies, and on-campus requirements when researching the best MFA in creative writing programs. Below, we explore these considerations for prospective students.

Creative writing curricula vary by program and often include specializations. Required classes can also vary by degree type, with MFA in creative writing programs focusing heavily on practical writing courses and MA programs focusing more on literature reviews and critiques. These degrees also lead to different careers; for example, an MA prepares students for teaching careers, while an MFA prepares students to work as authors. The following sections outline common courses found in these programs and factors that can affect the length of a creative writing degree.

In this course, learners study poetic elements and tools, like rhyme, rhythm, and metaphor. Students learn how to analyze poems for meaning and complete original works that help them develop their writing styles. Students may also learn about the characteristics of different poetry types, such as sonnets and haikus. Students explore legal, technical, and economic publishing factors and learn to build marketing plans and edit book drafts.

Students may also learn how to write query letters and book proposals for publishers. Students in this class learn about literary movements in modern history, such as postmodernism and magic realism. They also analyze pieces for meaning while considering how factors like gender can impact interpretation. This course may also address how writing genres have developed over time. Full-time students often complete MFA programs within two years, but many factors can alter the length of a degree.

For example, some schools may offer courses in eight- or week terms rather than traditional week terms. This format often allows students to expedite graduation. Additionally, creative writing degrees with more credit requirements typically take longer to complete.

However, some programs permit students to take course loads that exceed full-time, which can expedite graduation times. Fully online programs may use synchronous or asynchronous formats for coursework. Synchronous courses require students to log on at set meeting times, while asynchronous courses let students complete coursework at their convenience within set deadlines.

Often, the flexibility of asynchronous programs allows students to graduate faster than they would in synchronous programs. MFA programs prepare students to write and edit for various industries and media. For instance, graduates may report news as newspaper journalists or create stories as science fiction authors. They may also write press releases, speeches, or how-to manuals for careers in public relations, politics, or computer science. Any organization that uses written communication can benefit from hiring employees with creative writing degrees.

Professional options for graduates also go beyond writing careers. For instance, master's program graduates may work as higher education teachers.

However, many schools require professors to hold a doctoral degree. MFA programs provide a solid foundation for doctoral programs. Writers may write nonfiction or fiction pieces for different purposes and industries. For instance, they may write advertisements for companies, publish recipes on a blog, or write fictional stories for books and movies. Writers often need to conduct research for topic accuracy and must be able to shape written pieces to fit client needs.

Professional writers may work for one company or they may freelance for several organizations. Ideal traits for writers include creativity and flexibility. Writers should also be detail-oriented and excel at time management.

College professors teach classes for postsecondary students. Their responsibilities include building syllabi, delivering lectures, and administering and grading coursework. Professors may also suggest textbooks or curriculum changes in their departments to increase program quality. Teaching is not the only option for post-grads. Working for magazines, newspapers, and other print or online media is available for creative writers, especially after developing a strong creative writing portfolio.

Choosing to be an author or writer can also be composed of freelance work and self-employment. The salary range for those who obtain a PhD in creative writing varies greatly depending on the position obtained after graduation and the location of the school.

Many freelance writers have to find income from working another part-time or full-time job. An even higher demand for teachers will be seen for high schools in poor and inner-city school districts, since many teachers leave to teach elsewhere after a short period of time in these areas. This is due to the increased number of students attending community colleges and universities around the country.

Tenured positions are still expected to be quite competitive to earn, but part-time and non-tenured positions are expected to grow even faster. The writing industry is very competitive, and many writers and authors will continue to stay self-employed. Companies online are seeing an increased need for writers as more material is needed for websites, so many writers are expected to start writing for online publications. But it could have been better if one had had the opportunity of doing an online phd degree.

Will it be possible in future to do an online degree in liberal arts specially in english? It would be very good if one got the chance to do a phd degree the same way. I am interested in pursuing a ph. I have been looking for an online PhD program in Creative Writing and have not found any accredited ones. The bulk of the work is reading and documenting and writing which seems to be a perfect fit for an online course.

One in Non-fiction and one in fiction. My fourth Masters degree will be completed in January It is an MFA in poetry. I have a memoir published and five esssys published.

I have another book to be published this November Elizabeth Bobo at englgrad louisiana. PDFs are preferred. Apply Today! Skip to main content. Resources and Links Apply to write with us at UL! Read about our current and past Writers-in-Residence. Have questions about our program?