Creative Writing MFA Curriculum Requirements

Write the stories you’re passionate about in Emerson’s on-campus Creative Writing graduate program. Focus on your genre—poetry, nonfiction, or fiction—during your required workshops and thesis, and explore different genres along the way through your elective courses. Housed in the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, the program requires completion of 44 credits.

Advanced Standing Curriculum

Students with a BFA in Creative Writing or a BA in English with a Creative Writing capstone or thesis may qualify for Advanced Standing. Qualified students waive 4 credits (1 course) from the Workshop Course requirements. Advanced Standing students complete the degree in 40 credits instead of the full 44-credit degree, saving time and money. Please note that Advanced Standing credit advances a student’s position within the program but credits are not granted or transferable to another institution.

Sample Curriculum Map

Our Creative Writing MFA can be completed full-time in three years, or part-time over four to six years. This sample curriculum map is designed to give you an idea of your course load as a full-time student over three years. For full course information, review our course catalog.

Full-time Sample Curriculum Map (September–May)

Fall Semester 1 (4 credits)

  • Literature Course

Spring Semester 1 (8 credits)

  • Writing Workshop in Chosen Genre
  • Literature Course

Fall Semester 2 (8 credits)

  • Writing Workshop in Chosen Genre
  • Literature Course

Spring Semester 2 (8 credits)

  • Writing Workshop in Chosen Genre
  • Elective Course

Fall Semester 3 (8 credits)

  • Writing Workshop – Any Genre
  • Elective Course

Spring Semester 3 (8 credits)

  • Master’s Thesis
  • Elective Course