School of the Art Institute of Chicago · Writing Department
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing (BFAW)
Overview
An undergraduate BFA in Writing integrated with SAIC's studio departments, with workshops in prose, poetry, comics, plays, and hybrid projects, multi-genre generative seminars, and an undergraduate thesis workshop.
- Official program name
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing (BFAW)
- Awarded degree
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in WritingSource: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- School
- Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Delivery / residency
- Campus-basedClasses and workshops meet in person on campus throughout the program.Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Study intensity
- Not verified
- Duration
- Not verified
- Required credits
- Not verified
- Teaching language
- English (not separately stated)
Why this degree is listed
BFA in Writing whose official description defines it as a process-based creative writing program with workshops in prose, poetry, comics, plays, and hybrid projects and a creative thesis.
Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
Curriculum, genres and faculty
Genres
FictionPoetryPlaywritingCross-Genre / Interdisciplinary
Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026Workshops
- Writing workshops for prose, poetry, comics, plays, and hybrid projects.Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Thesis / dissertation
- Undergraduate thesis workshop in which students conceive, generate, and revise a creative project.Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Literary journal opportunities
- Mouth, the annual student-run BFAW literary journal.Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Faculty listed by the program
Faculty list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Admissions
- Other requirement
- RequiredApplication, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a portfolioSource: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Writing portfolio
| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Poetry | up to 10 pages | 10 pages of poetry (alone or in combination with other options)Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Any / all genres | up to 20 pages | 20 pages of prose (fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama); or 10 pages of a graphic novelSource: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Tests
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.
Deadlines
- Year not printed
Funding / priority deadline
November 15 (Early Action and Priority Merit Scholarship Deadline) · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Undergraduate (30 credit hours)Published for campus-based studyFrom the school's rate table for this level | $59,460 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: saic.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Funding
Funding not verified
Funding policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
Sources and verification
- saic.edu/cost-financial-aid/cost-fees — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 9, 2026
- saic.edu/writing/undergraduate/admissions-requirements — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
- saic.edu/writing/undergraduate/overview — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
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Creative Writing Programs is independent and not affiliated with School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.