An independent directory of dedicated creative writing degrees in the United States
George Mason University · Department of English, Creative Writing Program
A 48-credit residential MFA typically completed in three years, with concentrations in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The curriculum combines workshops, forms courses, craft seminars, literature courses, electives, and a 6-credit thesis; poetry students also pass a written MFA exam.
The university catalog lists the degree as Creative Writing, MFA, with tracks in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Source: catalog.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
FictionCreative NonfictionPoetry
Source: catalog.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026As listed on the program's official page on October 9, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.
Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Fiction | up to 50 pages | At least two complete short stories, or novel/novella excerpts, no more than 50 pagesFormatting: single-sided and double-spacedSource: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Creative Nonfiction | up to 50 pages | At least two complete essays or the equivalent totaling no more than 50 pagesFormatting: single-sided and double-spacedSource: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Poetry | up to 10 pages | Up to 10 pages of poems and a table of contentsFormatting: single-sided, no more than one poem per pageSource: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
GRE and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness: programs rarely publish comparable figures.
Supporting documents
April 15, 2027 · for Fall 2027
Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Funding / priority deadline
Priority deadline: January 15 · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Funding / priority deadline
Funding deadline: February 15 · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Application deadline
Final deadline: April 1 · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — Graduate courses in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, approximate | $700 | per creditCalculated$33,600 total = 48 credits × $700 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, residency or travel costs, and any rate change during the program.Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Graduate courses in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, approximate | $1,500 | per creditCalculated$72,000 total = 48 credits × $1,500 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, residency or travel costs, and any rate change during the program.Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Competitive full funding
Third-year thesis fellowships (Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Heritage Fellowship for Poetry) fellowship
Awards: 4
Eligibility: All MFA second-year students are eligible; competitive application
How to apply: Competitive application
Source: creativewriting.gmu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Something out of date? Request a correction · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Same degree level, nearby or in the same format. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
Creative Writing Programs is independent and not affiliated with George Mason University. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.