An independent directory of dedicated creative writing degrees in the United States
University of California-Riverside · Department of Creative Writing
A two-year campus MFA in Riverside with a Creative Writing track (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) and a Writing for the Performing Arts track (playwriting, screenwriting). Students complete 64 units and a manuscript or thesis. First-year students who apply by the fellowship deadline are generally funded with a fellowship and stipend; second-year funding is through teaching assistantships that are not guaranteed.
Awarded degree is an MFA whose title names Creative Writing; it combines fiction, poetry and nonfiction with playwriting and screenwriting tracks.
Source: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
FictionPoetryCreative NonfictionScreenwritingPlaywriting
Source: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026Faculty list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 10–15 pages | 10-15 pages of poetrySource: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Creative Nonfiction | up to 25 pages | A maximum of 25 pages of nonfictionFormatting: Prose double-spacedSource: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Fiction | up to 20 pages | A maximum of 20 pages or 5000 words of fictionFormatting: Prose double-spacedSource: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Screenwriting | up to 25 pages | The first act or a maximum of 25 pages of a screenplaySource: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Playwriting | up to 25 pages | The first act or a maximum of 25 pages of a playSource: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness: programs rarely publish comparable figures.
Application deadline
January 5, 2027 · for Fall 2027
Source: writingmfa.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — Graduate, CA resident, total quarterly feesPublished for campus-based studyFrom the school's rate table for this level | $7,413.12 | per term · 2026-2027Includes feesSource: registrar.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Graduate, non-resident, total quarterly feesPublished for campus-based studyFrom the school's rate table for this level | $12,447.12 | per term · 2026-2027Includes feesSource: registrar.ucr.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Competitive full fundingPolicy year: Fall 2022 entry (sti
Published stipend: $5,568 – $12,000 (year (base first-year stipend printed for Fall 2022 entry))
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
Creative Writing Programs is independent and not affiliated with University of California-Riverside. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.