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Creative WritingPrograms
University of Southern California campus — Fountain and the Bovard Administration Building at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California
Fountain and the Bovard Administration Building at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California · Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0 · source
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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofitDepartment of English, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

USC's Department of English in the Dornsife College offers a five-year PhD in Creative Writing & Literature in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, with a dissertation combining a book-length creative manuscript and a critical component. All admitted students receive five years of funding. The program does not offer an MFA or master's degree; undergraduates can take an English major with a creative writing emphasis.

Eligible creative writing degrees

Each program has its own page with admissions, tuition, funding and sources.

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University of Southern California

Ph.D. in Creative Writing & Literature

PhDPh.D. in Creative Writing & Literature
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Format: Campus-basedClasses and workshops meet in person on campus throughout the program. · Full-time
Genres: Fiction · Creative Nonfiction · Poetry
Duration: Five years
Funding: Fully funded (all admitted)
Tuition: Tuition not published
Deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
View program

Degrees we reviewed but do not list

This directory lists only dedicated creative writing degrees. These related offerings were checked against official pages and fall outside that scope.
  • English (Creative Writing), B.A. (B.A. in English (Creative Writing))English major with a creative writing emphasis; not a dedicated creative writing degree.Source: dornsife.usc.edu · verified October 9, 2026

Literary journals, readings and facilities

Presses

Reading series

Festivals

Institution

Official name
University of Southern California
Control
Private nonprofit
Source: nces.ed.gov · verified October 9, 2026
Address
University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Source: nces.ed.gov · verified October 9, 2026
Website

Sources

Last verified October 9, 2026. Program facts and their sources are on each program page.
  1. dornsife.usc.edu/advising/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2026/09/English-Creative-Writing-BA-1.pdf — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
  2. dornsife.usc.edu/cwphd/ — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
  3. dornsife.usc.edu/cwphd/contact-us/ — Official program page, verified October 9, 2026
  4. IPEDS 2024–25 Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), via College Navigator — U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), verified October 9, 2026

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University of Southern California Creative Writing Programs (PhD)