Published:
What is the right class size for graduate work in creative writing? Igor Webb, Ph.D., professor and director of the M.F.A. in Creative Writing program at Adelphi, believes strongly that the answer is 10 students.
Creative Writing
Prepare yourself for today’s dynamic literary world by working in multiple literary genres—and by making vital literary and professional connections.
Why Earn Your MFA in Creative Writing?
Our unique (actually unique!) curriculum will prepare you for today’s dynamic literary world by requiring in-depth practice across genres. Our faculty members include award-winning poets, novelists, and writers of short fiction and creative nonfiction. Our small class sizes ensure that faculty members work closely with each student. And our events program and online presence—through Twitter, Facebook and our literary site, Village of Crickets—engage students in the extraordinarily open-ended possibilities of contemporary online writing.
Our program is designed so students experience multiple genres and experiment with hybrid literary forms. Our aim is to offer a full immersion in what we call “literature in motion”—in the boundary-fluid nature of literary production. The workshop experience helps students gain confidence and acquire mastery in more than one genre, and our literature courses expose students to works from a variety of literary traditions.
Why Earn Your MFA at Adelphi?
Because we are committed to maintaining our identity as an intimate, practical, and cutting-edge program, we admit a small number of students each year so that each student can work closely and directly with our award-winning faculty. Our curriculum emphasizes genre fluidity, and our faculty members publish in multiple genres.
Most of our students benefit from our Teaching of Writing class and teach in the undergraduate writing program. Our Professional Development Practicum introduces students to literary agents, publishers, and other professionals in the literary and arts community. And active engagement with leading literary organizations such as PEN America, Cave Canem Foundation, Inc., and Kundiman —as well as free membership for all students in AWP, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs—ensures that our students have a rich experience of literary citizenship.
Be a part of our literary community and forge bonds at Adelphi.
Small groups of students, working together with great writers and published authors, create an ideal atmosphere for artists to thrive, grow and find their own voices.
Igor Webb, PhD
Professor, MFA in Creative Writing Program
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
At Adelphi, we believe hands-on experience is key to setting our students up for future career success. Students in the MFA program are encouraged to apply for internships, whether in publishing, literary management, theatre production, arts administration or education. Our practicum introduces students to literary agents, publishers and other professionals in the literary community, as well as active engagement with leading literary organizations. Students also receive free membership to the Association of Writers and Writing Programs—ensuring they have a rich experience of literary citizenship.
Past MFA students have extended their experience beyond the classroom by interning for organizations, including:
- Academy of American Poets
- Atlantic Theater Company
- Dramatists Guild of America
- Manhattan Theatre Club
- National Book Foundation
Our MFA program also offers several full-tuition, creative writing fellowships annually, including the Scott James and Jerry Cain Creative Writing and Social Media Fellowship, which includes a $10,000 stipend.
Program Info
Course Requirements
Application Requirements & Deadlines
The priority application deadline for Fall admission is January 15. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Applicants should submit the following:
- Online application form and $50 fee
- Two letters of reference from people familiar with your writing
- Final transcript stating Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year institution
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Personal statement: Tell us something about your writing life and what you hope to accomplish during the program. Tell us what you have read, are now reading and what you intend to read. Describe your current literary interests, your current or future challenges, and your literary goals. Please limit your essay to 1,000 words.
- Manuscript in one genre only:
- Poetry: 10–15 pages (approximately a dozen poems)
- Fiction: Maximum of 30 pages, double-spaced, which can consist of one or more stories or part of a novel. If an excerpt from a longer work is submitted, please include a one-paragraph description of the work as a whole.
- Creative non-fiction: Maximum of 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.
Admissions
Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report ranked Adelphi University as a Best College nationwide in the National Universities category, for the second consecutive year.
Best College
Abound
Adelphi has been recognized among the nation’s Top Professional Graduate Degree programs by Abound: Grad School for providing affordable and flexible options, accessibility to professors and campus support services, opportunities to accelerate graduation, and prep for sustained career growth.
Top Grad Schools
Princeton Review
The Princeton Review has ranked Adelphi University among the Best Northeastern Colleges based on academic offerings and career preparation for students, campus policies, initiatives and activities.
Best Northeastern College
Colleges of Distinction
Adelphi University has been recognized as a Career Development College for the exceptional way in which our institution is equipping students with the skills to succeed in their lifelong career journey.
Career Development Excellence
Location
Harvey Hall 210