Overview

The Creative Writing programme at The City University of New York offers a transformative environment for emerging authors to refine their craft. Based in the historic literary hub of Harlem, this Master of Fine Arts provides a dedicated space for students to pursue excellence in a variety of literary genres and professional paths.

For over forty years, this department has served as a vital home for writers, fostering a community built on inclusion and academic rigour. The mission is to help every individual discover a unique creative voice while preparing them for successful careers as published authors, scholars, and educators beyond their graduate studies.

Why Creative Writing at The City University of New York?

The institution boasts a storied history, having hosted some of the most distinguished figures in American literature, including Pulitzer Prize winners and best-selling novelists. Students benefit from a prime location in New York City, providing access to a thriving literary scene and numerous professional networking opportunities.

Teaching is delivered through intimate workshops, craft-focused courses, and deep literary analysis. This small-group approach ensures that every student receives personalised feedback and support. The programme is also recognised for its commitment to affordability, offering high-quality instruction at a fraction of the cost of similar city-based degrees.

The diverse student body ensures a wide range of perspectives, where no single group forms a majority. This creates a unique classroom dynamic where all work is respected and celebrated. Participants also engage with the wider community through public readings, visiting writer events, and contributing to various literary magazines.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 855 per credit
National fee: USD 855 per credit
Local fee: USD 470 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum allows students to immerse themselves in specific writing disciplines through specialised workshops and theoretical study. Modules may include:

Fiction
Nonfiction
Drama
Screenwriting
Experimental Fiction
Genre Fiction
Poetry
Craft
Literary Analysis

Careers with Creative Writing

Graduates of the programme have achieved significant success in the contemporary publishing landscape, with many becoming award-winning authors and New York Times bestsellers. The skills developed during the course prepare students for a variety of professional roles within the creative and academic sectors.

Common career paths for alumni include becoming professional novelists, poets, and playwrights. Many graduates also find success as teachers and scholars within higher education or secondary schools. The programme's strong links to the New York publishing industry provide a solid foundation for those looking to enter editorial or media-related fields.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Fiction Workshop
Poetry Workshop
Non-Fiction Workshop

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-15 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

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Credits

42 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New York City, United States

Disciplines

Creative Writing View 381 other Masters in Creative Writing in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
2 letters of recommendation
Resume/CV
Personal Statement
Writing sample (30-50 pages of fiction, nonfiction or 10 poems)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

35910 USD / year

≈ 35910 USD / year
Out-of-State

35910 USD / year

≈ 35910 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

19740 USD / year

≈ 19740 USD / year

Additional Details

Resident:

Full-time - $5,545/semester
Part-time - $470/credit

Living costs

New York City

United States

1819 - 3968 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Creative Writing.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

New York City

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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