An independent directory of dedicated creative writing degrees in the United States
University of California-Irvine · Department of English (MFA Programs in Writing)
A campus-based MFA in fiction and poetry built around the Graduate Writers' Workshop, which makes up about two-thirds of coursework, with a book-length thesis typically submitted at the end of the third year. The department states it provides three years of teaching-assistantship support to all domestic students, with renewal contingent on progress and teaching performance.
The awarded degree is titled MFA in English, but UC Irvine's catalog and program pages establish the Programs in Writing as a dedicated creative writing MFA in poetry and fiction built around the Graduate Writers' Workshop and a creative thesis. Listed under the unusual-title rule.
Source: catalogue.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
As 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: humanities.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Fiction | up to 40 pages | No more than 40 pages of fiction; one story, a novel chapter, or several short storiesFormatting: double-spaced, 12-point fontSource: humanities.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Poetry | up to 20 pages | A maximum of 10 poems totaling no more than 20 pagesFormatting: single-spaced, 12-point fontSource: humanities.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness: programs rarely publish comparable figures.
Genre-specific deadline · fiction
December 11, 2026 · for Fall 2027
Source: humanities.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026Genre-specific deadline · poetry
January 15, 2027 · for Fall 2027
Source: humanities.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — Graduate, California resident (tuition and fees incl. student health insurance, three quarters)From the school's rate table for this level | $23,682.44 | per academic year · 2026-2027Includes feesSource: reg.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Graduate, nonresident (tuition and fees incl. student health insurance, three quarters)From the school's rate table for this level | $38,784.44 | per academic year · 2026-2027Includes feesSource: reg.uci.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
These are the published rates. The program also states tuition coverage for funded students — see Funding below for what is covered.
Fully funded (conditions apply)
Published stipend: $35,000 (academic year (nine-month salary, estimated)) · 3 years
We do not judge whether a stipend is sufficient: living costs differ by city, household and year.
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Same degree level, nearby or in the same format. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
San Francisco State University
University of California-Riverside
Creative Writing Programs is independent and not affiliated with University of California-Irvine. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.