An independent directory of dedicated creative writing degrees in the United States
University of Virginia · Creative Writing Program (Department of English)
A full-time, residential MFA in poetry and fiction designed as a three-year program, with the option to graduate in two years. Students complete 24 hours of required coursework (workshops and literature) plus non-topical research hours and a thesis. Students entering in 2026-27 receive up to $37,080 per year in the first two years and up to $29,660 in the third, plus tuition, enrollment fees and single-person health insurance.
Awarded degree is the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Source: creativewriting.virginia.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: creativewriting.virginia.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Fiction | up to 20 pages | One or more short stories or a section of a novel, not exceeding 20 pagesFormatting: 12-point type, conventional font, one-inch margins, standard double-spacingSource: creativewriting.virginia.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Poetry | up to 12 pages | A sheaf of poems of no more than 12 pagesFormatting: Same as fiction, except poems can be single-spacedSource: creativewriting.virginia.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness: programs rarely publish comparable figures.
Application deadline
December 15, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (applications open October 1) · for Fall 2027 · America/New_York
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: creativewriting.virginia.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| In-state — GSAS master's programs, Virginia resident, full time (12 credits per term)From the school's rate table for this level | $22,770 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: graduate.as.virginia.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Out-of-state — GSAS master's programs, non-resident, full time (12 credits per term)From the school's rate table for this level | $38,384 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: graduate.as.virginia.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)Policy year: 2026-2027
Published stipend: $29,660 – $37,080 (per academic year including summer in years one and two ($37,080); $29,660 in year three (no summer support)) · 2 years
We do not judge whether a stipend is sufficient: living costs differ by city, household and year.
Henfield Prize prize
$15,000 annually · Awards: 1
Eligibility: Currently enrolled student, for outstanding work in fiction
Source: creativewriting.virginia.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 Virginia. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.