Colleges for Creative Writing
The creative arts have long been held in high esteem, and for those who wish to improve their skills, there are many colleges that offer specific degrees in creative writing. Undergraduate or graduate degree programs in creative fiction, nonfiction or poetry offer writers many options.
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History
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One of the first colleges to offer a program in creative writing was Carnegie Mellon, and it is still one of the few that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. The program has been ongoing for more than 40 years. Masters of Fine Arts degree programs at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Florida have been ongoing for more than 50 years, and the University of Denver offers one of the oldest doctoral Creative Writing programs in the U.S. According to the U.S College Search program, there are nearly 200 colleges and universities currently offering Creative Writing degrees. New programs continue to be developed and more specific degrees are being created. Begun in 2008, Mills College's Master of Fine Arts degree in Book Art and Creative Writing is the first of its kind. Low-residency programs have also significantly grown in popularity since the early 1990s.
Types
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Many colleges offer 4-year undergraduate degrees that focus on creative writing, but the best-known ones only offer masters programs. There are two types of masters programs. Low-residency programs take 2 to 3 years to complete, and students are not required to remain on campus. They must, however, attend 2 to 4 residencies throughout the year. Residency programs require students to attend regular classes on campus. These programs take 1 to 3 years to complete.
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Leading Graduate Schools
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In 2007, the Atlantic listed the top 10 graduate schools for creative writing, which were Boston University, the University of California-Irvine, Cornell, Florida State University, the University of Iowa, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan, New York University, University of Texas' Michener Center and the University of Virginia. Other schools also have excellent writing programs, and the criteria of a good school are different for every writer. Faculty, funding, setting and reputation all come in to play.
Funding
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In its 2008 MFA issue, Poets and Writers magazine, cited 19 creative writing programs as fully funding at least half of their students: Florida State University, Georgia State College & University, Hollins University, McNeese State University, Old Dominion University, University of Arkansas, University of Huston, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Miami, University of Montana, University of Nevada, University of Notre Dame, Southern Illinois University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Washington University, West Virginia University and Wichita State University.
Considerations and Insight
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Majoring in creative writing is not for everyone. For many writers, it can be expensive if they are paying full-price out-of-state tuition. There are, however, many scholarships, financial aid opportunities and teaching assistantships available that can help cut tuition costs. Some say writers don't need to pay to go to school, or as Tim Tomlinson says in The Portable MFA, "You could also spend that money on a new laptop, printer and loads of paper and just write." Even so, there are many benefits to enrolling in a college creative writing program.
Benefits
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Degrees can increase opportunities for writers who wish to go into teaching, publishing or editorial work. These programs give students the chance to cultivate community with other writers, make connections and take a few more years to write before launching into the so-called real world. It might even give them something interesting about which to write.
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