An independent directory of dedicated creative writing degrees in the United States
University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Department of English (MFA Program for Poets & Writers)
A three-year residential MFA in poetry and prose requiring 60 credits, including 27 credits of writing workshops, 9 of literature, 6 of thesis, and 18 of individualized study. Funding comes through a Teaching Associate position in the Writing Program, which requires a separate application submitted with the MFA application.
The Graduate School lists the degree as an MFA in English; the official program identity is the MFA for Poets & Writers, a writing-workshop degree ending in a book-length manuscript of poetry or prose. Listed under the unusual-title rule.
Source: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction
Source: umass.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: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Poetry | up to 10 pages | Up to 10 pages of poetrySource: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Fiction | 20–25 pages | Up to 20-25 pages of prose (stories, essays, creative nonfiction, novel excerpt)Formatting: paginated and double-spacedSource: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness: programs rarely publish comparable figures.
Application deadline
December 15 (year not printed on the program page) · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — Graduate, in-state, 9 credits (tuition)From the school's rate table for this level | $8,083 | per semester · 2026-2027Source: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — Graduate, out-of-state & international, 9 credits (tuition)From the school's rate table for this level | $17,806.50 | per semester · 2026-2027Source: umass.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Competitive full fundingPolicy year: 2026-2027
Published stipend: $31,342.40 (annual earnings from September 2026 ($29,556.40 for 2025-26))
We do not judge whether a stipend is sufficient: living costs differ by city, household and year.
MFA fellowships / Graduate School fellowships fellowship
Eligibility: All admitted applicants are considered; nominations by faculty
How to apply: No further application required
Source: umass.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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.