About the Graduate Creative Writing Program
At Emerson College, we understand that writing is your life. That’s why our on-campus Creative Writing MFA program focuses on the actual practice of writing, as well as its literary foundations. By the time you graduate, you will have completed a professional thesis, a novel or novel excerpt, a nonfiction book or excerpt, or a collection of poems, short stories, or essays—ready for consideration by agents and publishing houses or for digital publication.
Housed in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing in the School of Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies, our MFA program boasts some of the most impressive faculty in writing and publishing. It is also home to two award-winning literary journals and is strongly connected to the Boston publishing community.
Pursue your passion, choosing from the genres of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and explore writing as both an art form and a professional career.
Program Highlights
- Explore different forms of writing through your electives, including poetry to screenwriting, digital to traditional publishing, and more
- Experiences outside of the classroom include teaching creative writing in our Writing Studies Program and editing on-campus journals such as Ploughshares and Redivider
- Students with a BFA in Creative Writing or a BA in English with a Creative Writing Thesis/Capstone may qualify for Advanced Standing. This allows you to waive 4 credits and expedite your degree completion by applying your working knowledge toward the total credit count
- Full-time and part-time options; classes are offered in the evenings to fit your schedule
- No GRE requirements to apply
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Upcoming Events
Graduate Application Overview
February 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m. EST
Join us to learn more about the process of applying to Emerson's graduate programs! Members of the admission team will be available to explain application requirements, answer your questions, and offer insider tips into the graduate school application process.
We can't wait to see you there!
Financial Aid Webinar
February 25, 2026, 12:00 p.m. EST
Join us for a virtual Financial Aid Information Session and learn more about types of aid, applying for aid, and more. During this session, you will be able to hear from the Financial Aid Office directly and have your questions answered in a live Q&A.
Financial Aid Webinar
March 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m. EST
Join us for a virtual Financial Aid Information Session and learn more about types of aid, applying for aid, and more. During this session, you will be able to hear from the Financial Aid Office directly and have your questions answered in a live Q&A.