FAQs for Creative Writing

A Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing focuses on the art and practice of writing. It’s considered a terminal degree and qualifies one to teach writing at the college level.

We offer concentrations in Poetry, Fiction and Creative Nonfiction, and students may also choose to pursue two or more genres or hybrid writing.

You apply to a specific genre. However, you’ll also enroll in at least one workshop outside your primary genre, and you may decide to broaden your study of genre further. The second-year Thesis Colloquium is a multi-genre workshop in which students from all genres read and discuss one another’s theses. We welcome the exploration of genre boundaries and theses that cross or blend genres.

The practicum and literature courses are limited to 15 students. The workshops, which focus on close work with your mentor, have smaller enrollments.

Yes. A part-time program may be devised with the director of the MFA.

The five-day residencies are in-person, and they take place in mid-August and mid-January. Each residency includes an intensive all-day schedule, with students living on-site for the duration. During the semester, each of the two courses will be taught remotely and can be adjusted to fit your own schedule.

Full-time students complete our program within two years, but you may also attend on a part-time basis, so long as you complete the program within five years.

You may apply to our program at any time of the year. New students are required to begin the program at a residency. We accept applications on a rolling basis.  The priority deadline for Fall 2024 is May 1. All students who apply by May 1 will be considered for partial scholarships. After that date, we will still consider applications, and potential funding will be reviewed depending on spaces available.

All students who apply by May 1 will be considered for partial scholarships. After that date, we will still consider applications, and potential funding will be reviewed depending on spaces available. Financial aid is also available.

Yes. The graduate application, as well as information about the application process, tuition assistance and financial aid, are available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

The writing sample is the most important part of the application and the way you demonstrate your talent and skill. You should submit your best work. It is not important to the committee whether or not that work has been previously published. Submit writing samples only in your chosen genre and within the page limit. (Additional pages will not be read by the Admissions Committee.)

• Poetry: No more than 15 pages of poetry (approximately a dozen poems)
• Fiction: No more than 30 pages (double-spaced), which can consist of one or more stories, or a section of a novel. If an excerpt from a novel is submitted, please include a one-paragraph description of the novel as a whole.
• Creative Nonfiction: No more than 30 pages, double-spaced, which can consist of one or more pieces or part of a longer work. If an excerpt from a longer work is submitted, please include a one-paragraph description of the work as a whole.
• Mixed-Genre Work: No more than 30 pages

You should tell us something about your writing experience to date and what you hope to accomplish during the program. Tell us what you have read, are now reading and intend to read. Describe your current literary interests, your current or future challenges, and anything else that you think is important for us to know about you. Please limit your essay to 1,000 words.

No.

No.

Yes. An undergraduate degree in English or Creative Writing is not required for application or acceptance to the program.

There is no interview process, but you can arrange to speak with the director of the MFA if you have more questions about the program. You may reach René Steinke, Director of the MFA in Creative Writing program, at rsteinke@adelphi.edu.

For questions about the application, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. You can reach our graduate admissions counselors by email at graduateadmissions@adelphi.edu or by phone at 516.877.3050.