Overview

The MFA Creative Writing program at University of Wisconsin Madison is a small program within a large and vibrant writing community. The program typically admits six new students each year.

This MFA program is the only program of its kind to have an "alternating genre" admissions policy. The program admits fiction writers in even-numbered years and poets in odd-numbered years. This alternating admissions schedule allows the program to provide a 2-to-1 student/teacher ratio and lets fiction instructors focus entirely on one group of fiction writers, and poetry instructors on one group of poets for the two-year instructional period.

Key Facts

Develop the creative and technical skills necessary to conceive, execute, and revise original literary work in a student's chosen genre (fiction or poetry).
Demonstrate sensitivity to language and style on both the artistic and technical levels.
Develop the critical, analytical, and editing skills necessary to evaluate literary works in progress, both in the student’s own work-in-progress, and in that of the student’s peers.
Develop the ability to read literary works not only for their social, historical, intellectual, formal, and interpretive value, but for their capacity to inspire and generate new work, and to see in a finished work the process of its being made.
Develop through study and practice the pedagogical skills necessary to teach creative writing courses to undergraduate students.
Demonstrate understanding of professional and pedagogical practices and opportunities within and related to the field of creative writing.
Recognize and apply principles of ethical conduct with respect to one's work.
Engage with local communities of creative writers.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Graduate Fiction
Workshop

Graduate Poetry Workshop
Creative Writing
Pedagogy Seminar
MFA Thesis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

42 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Madison, United States

Disciplines

Creative Writing View 385 other Masters in Creative Writing in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

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Other requirements

General requirements

A statement of approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing this graduate degree

A fiction manuscript, consisting of either a novel excerpt or no more than two stories, totaling thirty double-spaced pages or less, in eleven- or twelve-point Times New Roman

A curriculum vitae or resume in pdf format is also required by the University, but please note that it is not a particular concern of the Program in Creative Writing

You will be asked to supply the names and email addresses of three recommenders

An unofficial copy of your undergraduate transcript(s) uploaded in pdf format

GRE scores are not required and will not be considered for admission

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

25732 USD / year

≈ 25732 USD / year
Out-of-State

25732 USD / year

≈ 25732 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12404 USD / year

≈ 12404 USD / year

Additional Details

Minnesota Resident: $20,714

Living costs

Madison

United States

1015 - 1752 USD / month

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

Financing

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Funding

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Scholarships Information

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

Available Scholarships

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On this page

About

Overview

Key Facts

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

Madison

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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