University of Nevada-Las Vegas · Department of English
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Overview
A three-year, campus-based MFA in fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry with workshops, genre forms courses, literature classes, a residency abroad, a literary translation, and a book-length manuscript. The department states that all MFA students are funded for three years with a $21,000 assistantship, in-state tuition, and health insurance.
- Official program name
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
- Awarded degree
- Master of Fine Arts - Creative WritingSource: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- School
- Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
- Delivery / residency
- Campus-basedClasses and workshops meet in person on campus throughout the program.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Study intensity
- Full-timeSource: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Duration
- Three yearsSource: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Required credits
- Not verified
- Teaching language
- English (not separately stated)
Why this degree is listed
Awarded degree is a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
Curriculum, genres and faculty
Genres
FictionCreative NonfictionPoetry
Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026Workshops
- Writing workshops, genre forms courses, literature classes, a residency abroad, a literary translation, and a book-length manuscript.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Thesis / dissertation
- Book-length creative thesis in fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Teaching opportunities
- Teacher training and practical experience in literary publishing.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Readings and visiting writers
- Alumni Reading Series held yearly.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Faculty listed by the program
- Maile Chapman
- Wendy Chen — Assistant Professor
- Claudia Keelan
- Jarret Keene — Associate Professor
- Roberto Lovato — Assistant Professor
- Douglas A. Unger
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: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026Admissions
- Statement of purpose
- RequiredLetter of application to the Graduate Committee with a statement of purpose and reasons for choosing UNLV.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Recommendation letters
- Required2 letters — Two letters of recommendation.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Transcripts
- RequiredOfficial transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Other requirement
- RequiredApplicants choose the International Focus subplan unless accepted to the Peace Corps Master's International Partnership program.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Writing portfolio
| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Fiction | 20–30 pages | Fiction: 20-30 pagesSource: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Creative Nonfiction | 20–30 pages | Literary nonfiction: 20-30 pagesSource: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Poetry | 10–15 pages | Poetry: 10-15 pagesSource: unlv.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
Application deadline
Jan. 15 (fall; year not printed) · for Fall 2027 · 11:59 p.m. PST
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Graduate courses (per credit, plus fees; nonresidents also pay a nonresident charge)From the school's rate table for this level | $383.25 | per creditSource: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Other published fees
- Nonresident graduate student (7 or more credits) charge, added to per-credit tuition
- $10,094.50Source: unlv.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.
Funding
Fully funded (all admitted)
Published stipend: $21,000 (per year) · 3 years
- Funding guarantee
- All MFA students are fully funded by UNLV and the Black Mountain Institute for three years.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Tuition coverage
- In-state tuition and student health insurance are listed as part of the funding package.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Stipend
- Graduate assistantships of $21,000 per year.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
- Assistantship duties
- 20 hours per week, usually teaching, Writing Center tutoring, and work for department or BMI publications.Source: unlv.edu · verified October 9, 2026
We do not judge whether a stipend is sufficient: living costs differ by city, household and year.
Sources and verification
- unlv.edu/admissions/graduate/application-deadlines — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
- unlv.edu/cashiering/tuition-fees — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 9, 2026
- unlv.edu/degree/mfa-creative-writing — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
- unlv.edu/english/academics/mfa-creative-writing — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
Something out of date? Request a correction · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Creative Writing Programs is independent and not affiliated with University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.