Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Low-Residency, Hybrid Format
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing degree offered by Drexel University Online provides students with the skills necessary to enhance their craft, forge professional networks and succeed in careers as writers. This two-year program optimizes Drexel’s historical approach to education by emphasizing experiential learning and career-focused opportunities while students learn from award-winning writers, including recent residency guest authors Rebecca F. Kuang and Crystal Wilkinson.
With most of the courses completed online, the MFA in Creative Writing is a low-residency format that empowers students to enhance their creativity, while sharing and developing work within a supportive community. Through workshops, residencies, and literary courses, students receive feedback from peers and professors, gain insight into the world of professional writing, and work toward creating a publishable piece.
Program news
What does low-residency mean?
This low-residency MFA lets students complete much of their coursework through Drexel University Online, allowing them to attend the program remotely. Unlike an online MFA, which is completed entirely online, a low-residency MFA requires students to attend a few in-person residencies throughout the program. This gives you flexibility in completing your coursework while still benefiting from the workshop and networking experiences of a traditional MFA. Creative Writing MFA students participate in online workshops, reading tutorials and one-on-one packet exchanges with notable published writers. In-person residencies take place three times during the program, allowing students the opportunity to meet with professors, classmates and authors of distinction while participating in workshops and craft talks. During the professional residency, fiction writers convene in New York to meet with publishers, agents and editors.
MFA Program Highlights
Earn Credit for Work Experience
If you have published a novel, you may be eligible to earn credit for your work experience. Accepted students can contact their academic advisor to request a formal review of their novel(s) for course credit consideration. Credit earned through work experience can be used as MFA course equivalencies.
For more information, schedule an academic advisor appointment with Nicole Pearson, MFA advisor, at nmp39@drexel.edu.
MFA Scholarship and Teaching Assistantships
At Drexel University, financial support is available for students studying toward a MFA degree in Creative Writing. Partial funding opportunities vary. Scholarship opportunities awards for outstanding merit and/or demonstrated interest in amplifying the voices of writers who have experiences difficult life circumstances. Alternatively, teaching assistantship positions are also available for students interested in experiencing first-hand instructing first-year undergraduate composition students. These awards and positions are competitive, so students are encouraged to apply early.
scholarships and teaching assistantships
Running Wild Press Writing Contest
The Drexel University Creative Writing MFA program is excited to partner with Running Wild, LLC to launch the inaugural Running Wild Press Writing Contest. All Drexel students and alumni are encouraged to submit a book length –50,000 words or more– manuscript for a work of fiction to become eligible to win a professional book contract with Running Wild, LLC.
Submissions Open May 8, 2024
Program News
Meet Graduate Student Commencement Speaker Monique D. Clark
Monique D. Clark will represent graduate students as a student speaker at the 2023 College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 15. Clark graduates with her MFA in creative writing. Learn more about her in this Q&A.
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Announcing the 2023 Student Commencement Speakers
The 2023 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony will feature two student speakers: María Paula (MaPa) Mijares Torres will serve as our undergraduate commencement speaker, and Monique D. Clark will serve as our graduate commencement speaker.
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Meet Jojo Elhassan, Recipient of MFA Scholarship for Marginalized Writers
Nigerian writer Altine “Jojo” Elhassan, creative writing ’24, is the inaugural recipient of a full tuition scholarship from the MFA Gift Fund for Marginalized Writers. The scholarship aims to support diverse literary voices by funding writers whose personal experiences of marginalization—including but not limited to race, class or disability—inform their work.
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Annual Creative Writing Retreat: Collioure, France
Planning for our summer retreat programs in 2024 is underway.
Drexel Storylab is designed for adult learners who want to explore careers as writers. The program offers creative writing workshops and study abroad retreats geared towards non-traditional students – including working professionals, Drexel alumni and other community members. Storylab is taught by Drexel faculty members and visiting, accomplished authors of note. This program can serve as an immersion experience for anyone who is interested in pursuing Drexel's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. Writers will stay at the historic Hôtel des Templiers, in the center of the old village in the south of France, and will fill their days with morning writing workshops, afternoon sensory experiences and evening craft talks. MFA students can take the retreat for credit with an additional fee, or simply as a way to awaken their writing self.
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