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15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2024

May 15, 2024

Whether you studied at a top creative writing university or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? If you’re considering an MFA, this article walks you through the best full-time, low residency, and online Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

What are the best Creative Writing MFA programs?

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s start with the basics. What is an MFA, anyway?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications typically require a sample portfolio, usually 10-20 pages (and sometimes up to 30-40) of your best writing. Moreover, you can receive an MFA in a particular genre, such as Fiction or Poetry, or more broadly in Creative Writing. However, if you take the latter approach, you often have the opportunity to specialize in a single genre.

Wondering what actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then, you finish the degree with a thesis project. Thesis projects are typically a body of polished, publishable-quality creative work in your genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Why should I get an MFA in Creative Writing?

You don’t need an MFA to be a writer. Just look at Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison or bestselling novelist Emily St. John Mandel.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons you might still want to get a creative writing MFA. The first is, unfortunately, prestige. An MFA from a top program can help you stand out in a notoriously competitive industry to be published.

The second reason: time. Many MFA programs give you protected writing time, deadlines, and maybe even a (dainty) salary.

Third, an MFA in Creative Writing is a terminal degree. This means that this degree allows you to teach writing at the university level, especially after you publish a book.

Fourth: resources. MFA programs are often staffed by brilliant, award-winning writers; offer lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and teaching positions; and run their own (usually prestigious) literary magazines. Such resources provide you with the knowledge and insight you’ll need to navigate the literary and publishing world on your own post-graduation.

But above all, the biggest reason to pursue an MFA is the community it brings you. You get to meet other writers—and share feedback, advice, and moral support—in relationships that can last for decades.

Types of Creative Writing MFA Programs

Here are the different types of programs to consider, depending on your needs:

Fully-Funded Full-Time Programs

These programs offer full-tuition scholarships and sweeten the deal by actually paying you to attend them.

• Pros: You’re paid to write (and teach).
• Cons: Uprooting your entire life to move somewhere possibly very cold.

Full-Time MFA Programs

These programs include attending in-person classes and paying tuition (though many offer need-based and merit scholarships).

• Pros: Lots of top-notch non-funded programs have more assets to attract world-class faculty and guests.
• Cons: It’s an investment that might not pay itself back.

Low-Residency MFA Programs

Low-residency programs usually meet biannually for short sessions. They also offer one-on-one support throughout the year. These MFAs are more independent, preparing you for what the writing life is actually like.

• Pros: No major life changes required. Cons: Less time dedicated to writing and less time to build relationships.

Online MFA Programs

Held 100% online. These programs have high acceptance rates and no residency requirement. That means zero travel or moving expenses.

• Pros: No major life changes required.
• Cons: These MFAs have less name recognition.

The Top 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs Ranked by Category

The following programs are selected for their balance of high funding, impressive return on investment, stellar faculty, major journal publications , and impressive alums.

FULLY FUNDED MFA PROGRAMS

1) johns hopkins university , mfa in fiction/poetry.

This two-year program offers an incredibly generous funding package: $39,000 teaching fellowships each year. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and the option to apply for a lecture position after graduation. Many grads publish their first book within three years (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Incoming class size: 8 students (4 per genre)
• Admissions rate: 4-8%
• Alumni: Chimamanda Adichie, Jeffrey Blitz, Wes Craven, Louise Erdrich, Porochista Khakpour, Phillis Levin, ZZ Packer, Tom Sleigh, Elizabeth Spires, Rosanna Warren

2) University of Texas, James Michener Center

The only MFA that offers full and equal funding for every writer. It’s three years long, offers a generous yearly stipend of $30k, and provides full tuition plus a health insurance stipend. Fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting concentrations are available. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $4,000 for the summer.

• Location : Austin, TX
• Incoming class size : 12 students
• Acceptance rate: a bone-chilling less-than-1% in fiction; 2-3% in other genres
• Alumni: Fiona McFarlane, Brian McGreevy, Karan Mahajan, Alix Ohlin, Kevin Powers, Lara Prescott, Roger Reeves, Maria Reva, Domenica Ruta, Sam Sax, Joseph Skibell, Dominic Smith

3) University of Iowa

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. All students receive full funding, including tuition, a living stipend, and subsidized health insurance. The Translation MFA , co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years long but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.

• Incoming class size: 25 each for poetry and fiction; 10-12 for nonfiction and translation.
• Acceptance rate: 2.7-3.7%
• Fantastic Alumni: Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, Garth Greenwell, Kiley Reid, Brandon Taylor, Eula Biss, Yiyun Li, Jennifer Croft

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

4) university of michigan.

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

This is a 2-3-year program in either fiction or poetry, with an impressive reputation. They also have a demonstrated commitment to “ push back against the darkness of intolerance and injustice ” and have outreach programs in the community.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Incoming class size: 18 (9 in each genre)
• Acceptance rate: 2%
• Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that only occasionally dips into arctic temperatures. All students are fully funded for 2 years, which includes tuition remission and a $32k yearly stipend. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.

In the Brown Literary Arts MFA, students take only one workshop and one elective per semester. It’s also the only program in the country to feature a Digital/Cross Disciplinary Track.  Fiction and Poetry Tracks are offered as well.

• Location: Providence, RI
• Incoming class size: 12-13
• Acceptance rate: “highly selective”
• Alumni: Edwidge Danticat, Jaimy Gordon, Gayl Jones, Ben Lerner, Joanna Scott, Kevin Young, Ottessa Moshfegh

6) University of Arizona

This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks has many attractive qualities. It’s in “ the lushest desert in the world, ” and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in fact, are encouraged to do so. Plus, Arizona’s dry heat is good for arthritis.

This notoriously supportive program is fully funded. Moreover, teaching assistantships that provide a salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver are offered to all students. Tucson is home to a hopping literary scene, so it’s also possible to volunteer at multiple literary organizations and even do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Incoming class size: usually 6
• Acceptance rate: 1.2% (a refreshingly specific number after Brown’s evasiveness)
• Alumni: Francisco Cantú, Jos Charles, Tony Hoagland, Nancy Mairs, Richard Russo, Richard Siken, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, David Foster Wallace

7) Arizona State University 

With concentrations in fiction and poetry, Arizona State is a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Moreover, it encourages cross-genre study.

Funding-wise, everyone has the option to take on a teaching assistantship position, which provides a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a yearly stipend of $25k. Other opportunities for financial support exist as well.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Incoming class size: 8-10
• Acceptance rate: 3% (sigh)
• Alumni: Tayari Jones, Venita Blackburn, Dorothy Chan, Adrienne Celt, Dana Diehl, Matthew Gavin Frank, Caitlin Horrocks, Allegra Hyde, Hugh Martin, Bonnie Nadzam

FULL-RESIDENCY MFAS (UNFUNDED)

8) new york university.

This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU also has one of the most accomplished faculty lists anywhere. Students have large cohorts (more potential friends!) and have a penchant for winning top literary prizes. Concentrations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction are available.

• Location: New York, NY
• Incoming class size: ~60; 20-30 students accepted for each genre
• Acceptance rate: 6-9%
• Alumni: Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong

9) Columbia University

Another 2-3 year private MFA program with drool-worthy permanent and visiting faculty. Columbia offers courses in fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction. Beyond the Ivy League education, Columbia offers close access to agents, and its students have a high record of bestsellers. Finally, teaching positions and fellowships are available to help offset the high tuition.

• Incoming class size: 110
• Acceptance rate: not publicized (boo)
• Alumni: Alexandra Kleeman, Rachel Kushner, Claudia Rankine, Rick Moody, Sigrid Nunez, Tracy K. Smith, Emma Cline, Adam Wilson, Marie Howe, Mary Jo Bang

10) Sarah Lawrence 

Sarah Lawrence offers a concentration in speculative fiction in addition to the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction choices. Moreover, they encourage cross-genre exploration. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere, and many teaching and funding opportunities are available.

• Location: Bronxville, NY
• Incoming class size: 30-40
• Acceptance rate: not publicized
• Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11) bennington college.

This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer. The rest of the time, you’ll be spending approximately 25 hours per week on reading and writing assignments. Students have the option to concentrate in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Uniquely, they can also opt for a dual-genre focus.

The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available. Additionally, Bennington offers full-immersion teaching fellowships to MFA students, which are extremely rare in low-residency programs.

• Location: Bennington, VT
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Incoming class: 25-35
• Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts

This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres, including screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition, each student is matched with a faculty mentor who works with them one-on-one throughout the semester.

Students attend two eight-day residencies each year, in January and July, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At $12,000 in tuition a year, it boasts being “ one of the most affordable MFA programs in the country .”

• Location: Santa Fe, NM
• Incoming class size : 21
• Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

VCFA is the only graduate school on this list that focuses exclusively on the fine arts. Their MFA in Writing offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; they also offer an MFA in Literary Translation and one of the few MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults . Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, either in-person or online. Here, they receive one-on-one mentorship that continues for the rest of the semester. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.

VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition for the full two-year program is approximately $54k.

• Location : Various; 2024/25 residencies are in Colorado and California
• Incoming class size: 18-25
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Alumnx: Lauren Markham, Mary-Kim Arnold, Cassie Beasley, Kate Beasley, Julie Berry, Bridget Birdsall, Gwenda Bond, Pablo Cartaya

ONLINE MFAS

14) university of texas at el paso.

UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Accordingly, this program is geared toward serious writers who want to pursue teaching and/or publishing. Intensive workshops allow submissions in Spanish and/or English, and genres include poetry and fiction.

No residencies are required, but an optional opportunity to connect in person is available every year. This three-year program costs about $25-30k total, depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.

• Location: El Paso, TX
• Acceptance rate: “highly competitive”
• Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University

This 2-year online, no-residency program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. Featuring a supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and an optional yearly field trip to Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, narrative medicine, and teaching creative writing. Moreover, core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, food/travel writing, and the personal essay. Tuition is approximately $31,000 for the entire program, with scholarships available.

• Location: Longmeadow, MA
• Incoming class size: 20
• Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs — Final Thoughts

Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded, low residency, or completely online MFA program, there are plenty of incredible options available—all of which will sharpen your craft while immersing you in the vibrant literary arts community.

Hoping to prepare for your MFA in advance? You might consider checking out the following:

• Best English Programs
• Best Colleges for Creative Writing
• Writing Summer Programs
• Best Writing Competitions for High School Students

Inspired to start writing? Get your pencil ready:

• 100 Creative Writing Prompts 
• 1 00 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
• 60 Senior Project Ideas
• Common App Essay Prompts

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:

• https://www.pw.org/mfa
• The Creative Writing MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students , by Tom Kealey (A&C Black 2005)
• Graduate School Admissions

Julia Conrad

With a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian from Wesleyan University as well as MFAs in both Nonfiction Writing and Literary Translation from the University of Iowa, Julia is an experienced writer, editor, educator, and a former Fulbright Fellow. Julia’s work has been featured in  The Millions ,  Asymptote , and  The Massachusetts Review , among other publications. To read more of her work, visit  www.juliaconrad.net

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The 10 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in the US

The talent is there. 

But the next generation of great American writers needs a collegial place to hone their craft. 

They need a place to explore the writer’s role in a wider community. 

They really need guidance about how and when to publish. 

All these things can be found in a solid Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree program. This degree offers access to mentors, to colleagues, and to a future in the writing world. 

A good MFA program gives new writers a precious few years to focus completely on their work, an ideal space away from the noise and pressure of the fast-paced modern world. 

We’ve found ten of the best ones, all of which provide the support, the creative stimulation, and the tranquility necessary to foster a mature writer.

We looked at graduate departments from all regions, public and private, all sizes, searching for the ten most inspiring Creative Writing MFA programs. 

Each of these ten institutions has assembled stellar faculties, developed student-focused paths of study, and provide robust support for writers accepted into their degree programs. 

To be considered for inclusion in this list, these MFA programs all must be fully-funded degrees, as recognized by Read The Workshop .

Creative Writing education has broadened and expanded over recent years, and no single method or plan fits for all students. 

Today, MFA programs across the country give budding short story writers and poets a variety of options for study. For future novelists, screenwriters – even viral bloggers – the search for the perfect setting for their next phase of development starts with these outstanding institutions, all of which have developed thoughtful and particular approaches to study.

So where will the next Salinger scribble his stories on the steps of the student center, or the next Angelou reading her poems in the local bookstore’s student-run poetry night? At one of these ten programs.

Here are 10 of the best creative writing MFA programs in the US.

University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)

Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. 

Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on-one instruction in the English college system. 

Oregon’s MFA embraces its reputation for rigor. Besides attending workshops and tutorials, students take classes in more formal poetics and literature.  

A classic college town, Eugene provides an ideal backdrop for the writers’ community within Oregon’s MFA students and faculty.  

Tsunami Books , a local bookseller with national caché, hosts student-run readings featuring writers from the program. 

Graduates garner an impressive range of critical acclaim; Yale Younger Poet winner Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Cave Canem Prize winner and Guggenheim fellow Major Jackson, and PEN-Hemingway Award winner Chang-Rae Lee are noteworthy alumni. 

With its appealing setting and impressive reputation, Oregon’s MFA program attracts top writers as visiting faculty, including recent guests Elizabeth McCracken, David Mura, and Li-young Lee.

The individual approach defines the Oregon MFA experience; a key feature of the program’s first year is the customized reading list each MFA student creates with their faculty guide. 

Weekly meetings focus not only on the student’s writing, but also on the extended discovery of voice through directed reading. 

Accepting only ten new students a year—five in poetry and five in fiction— the University of Oregon’s MFA ensures a close-knit community with plenty of individual coaching and guidance.

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

Cornell University’s MFA program takes the long view on life as a writer, incorporating practical editorial training and teaching experience into its two-year program.

Incoming MFA students choose their own faculty committee of at least two faculty members, providing consistent advice as they move through a mixture of workshop and literature classes. 

Students in the program’s first year benefit from editorial training as readers and editors for Epoch , the program’s prestigious literary journal.

Teaching experience grounds the Cornell program. MFA students design and teach writing-centered undergraduate seminars on a variety of topics, and they remain in Ithaca during the summer to teach in programs for undergraduates. 

Cornell even allows MFA graduates to stay on as lecturers at Cornell for a period of time while they are on the job search. Cornell also offers a joint MFA/Ph.D. program through the Creative Writing and English departments.

Endowments fund several acclaimed reading series, drawing internationally known authors to campus for workshops and work sessions with MFA students. 

Recent visiting readers include Salman Rushdie, Sandra Cisneros, Billy Collins, Margaret Atwood, Ada Limón, and others. 

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

Arizona State’s MFA in Creative Writing spans three years, giving students ample time to practice their craft, develop a voice, and begin to find a place in the post-graduation literary world. 

Coursework balances writing and literature classes equally, with courses in craft and one-on-one mentoring alongside courses in literature, theory, or even electives in topics like fine press printing, bookmaking, or publishing. 

While students follow a path in either poetry or fiction, they are encouraged to take courses across the genres.

Teaching is also a focus in Arizona State’s MFA program, with funding coming from teaching assistantships in the school’s English department. Other exciting teaching opportunities include teaching abroad in locations around the world, funded through grants and internships.

The Virginia C. Piper Center for Creative Writing, affiliated with the program, offers Arizona State MFA students professional development in formal and informal ways. 

The Distinguished Writers Series and Desert Nights, Rising Stars Conference bring world-class writers to campus, allowing students to interact with some of the greatest in the profession. Acclaimed writer and poet Alberto Ríos directs the Piper Center.

Arizona State transitions students to the world after graduation through internships with publishers like Four Way Books. 

Its commitment to the student experience and its history of producing acclaimed writers—recent examples include Tayari Jones (Oprah’s Book Club, 2018; Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2019), Venita Blackburn ( Prairie Schooner Book Prize, 2018), and Hugh Martin ( Iowa Review Jeff Sharlet Award for Veterans)—make Arizona State University’s MFA a consistent leader among degree programs.

University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)

The University of Texas at Austin’s MFA program, the Michener Center for Writers, maintains one of the most vibrant, exciting, active literary faculties of any MFA program.

Denis Johnson D.A. Powell, Geoff Dyer, Natasha Trethewey, Margot Livesey, Ben Fountain: the list of recent guest faculty boasts some of the biggest names in current literature.

This three-year program fully funds candidates without teaching fellowships or assistantships; the goal is for students to focus entirely on their writing. 

More genre tracks at the Michener Center mean students can choose two focus areas, a primary and secondary, from Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, and Playwriting.

The Michener Center for Writers plays a prominent role in contemporary writing of all kinds. 

The hip, student-edited Bat City Review accepts work of all genres, visual art, cross genres, collaborative, and experimental pieces.  

Recent events for illustrious alumni include New Yorker publications, an Oprah Book Club selection, a screenwriting prize, and a 2021 Pulitzer (for visiting faculty member Mitchell Jackson). 

In this program, students are right in the middle of all the action of contemporary American literature.

Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

The MFA in Creative Writing at Washington University in St. Louis is a program on the move: applicants have almost doubled here in the last five years. 

Maybe this sudden growth of interest comes from recent rising star alumni on the literary scene, like Paul Tran, Miranda Popkey, and National Book Award winner Justin Phillip Reed.

Or maybe it’s the high profile Washington University’s MFA program commands, with its rotating faculty post through the Hurst Visiting Professor program and its active distinguished reader series. 

Superstar figures like Alison Bechdel and George Saunders have recently held visiting professorships, maintaining an energetic atmosphere program-wide.

Washington University’s MFA program sustains a reputation for the quality of the mentorship experience. 

With only five new students in each genre annually, MFA candidates form close cohorts among their peers and enjoy attentive support and mentorship from an engaged and vigorous faculty. 

Three genre tracks are available to students: fiction, poetry, and the increasingly relevant and popular creative nonfiction.

Another attractive feature of this program: first-year students are fully funded, but not expected to take on a teaching role until their second year. 

A generous stipend, coupled with St. Louis’s low cost of living, gives MFA candidates at Washington University the space to develop in a low-stress but stimulating creative environment.

Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

It’s one of the first and biggest choices students face when choosing an MFA program: two-year or three-year? 

Indiana University makes a compelling case for its three-year program, in which the third year of support allows students an extended period of time to focus on the thesis, usually a novel or book-length collection.

One of the older programs on the list, Indiana’s MFA dates back to 1948. 

Its past instructors and alumni read like the index to an American Literature textbook. 

How many places can you take classes in the same place Robert Frost once taught, not to mention the program that granted its first creative writing Master’s degree to David Wagoner? Even today, the program’s integrity and reputation draw faculty like Ross Gay and Kevin Young.

Indiana’s Creative Writing program houses two more literary institutions, the Indiana Review, and the Indiana University Writers’ Conference. 

Students make up the editorial staff of this lauded literary magazine, in some cases for course credit or a stipend. An MFA candidate serves each year as assistant director of the much-celebrated and highly attended conference . 

These two facets of Indiana’s program give graduate students access to visiting writers, professional experience, and a taste of the writing life beyond academia.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)

The University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program cultivates its students with a combination of workshop-driven course work and vigorous programming on and off-campus. Inventive new voices in fiction and poetry consistently emerge from this two-year program.

The campus hosts multiple readings, events, and contests, anchored by the Zell Visiting Writers Series. The Hopgood Awards offer annual prize money to Michigan creative writing students . 

The department cultivates relationships with organizations and events around Detroit, so whether it’s introducing writers at Literati bookstore or organizing writing retreats in conjunction with local arts organizations, MFA candidates find opportunities to cultivate a community role and public persona as a writer.

What happens after graduation tells the big story of this program. Michigan produces heavy hitters in the literary world, like Celeste Ng, Jesmyn Ward, Elizabeth Kostova, Nate Marshall, Paisley Rekdal, and Laura Kasischke. 

Their alumni place their works with venerable houses like Penguin and Harper Collins, longtime literary favorites Graywolf and Copper Canyon, and the new vanguard like McSweeney’s, Fence, and Ugly Duckling Presse.

University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Structure combined with personal attention and mentorship characterizes the University of Minnesota’s Creative Writing MFA, starting with its unique program requirements. 

In addition to course work and a final thesis, Minnesota’s MFA candidates assemble a book list of personally significant works on literary craft, compose a long-form essay on their writing process, and defend their thesis works with reading in front of an audience.

Literary journal Great River Review and events like the First Book reading series and Mill City Reading series do their part to expand the student experience beyond the focus on the internal. 

The Edelstein-Keller Visiting Writer Series draws exceptional, culturally relevant writers like Chuck Klosterman and Claudia Rankine for readings and student conversations. 

Writer and retired University of Minnesota instructor Charles Baxter established the program’s Hunger Relief benefit , aiding Minnesota’s Second Harvest Heartland organization. 

Emblematic of the program’s vision of the writer in service to humanity, this annual contest and reading bring together distinguished writers, students, faculty, and community members in favor of a greater goal.

Brown University (Providence, RI)

One of the top institutions on any list, Brown University features an elegantly-constructed Literary Arts Program, with students choosing one workshop and one elective per semester. 

The electives can be taken from any department at Brown; especially popular choices include Studio Art and other coursework through the affiliated Rhode Island School of Design. The final semester consists of thesis construction under the supervision of the candidate’s faculty advisor.

Brown is the only MFA program to feature, in addition to poetry and fiction tracks, the Digital/Cross Disciplinary track . 

This track attracts multidisciplinary writers who need the support offered by Brown’s collaboration among music, visual art, computer science, theater and performance studies, and other departments. 

The interaction with the Rhode Island School of Design also allows those artists interested in new forms of media to explore and develop their practice, inventing new forms of art and communication.

Brown’s Literary Arts Program focuses on creating an atmosphere where students can refine their artistic visions, supported by like-minded faculty who provide the time and materials necessary to innovate. 

Not only has the program produced trailblazing writers like Percival Everett and Otessa Moshfegh, but works composed by alumni incorporating dance, music, media, and theater have been performed around the world, from the stage at Kennedy Center to National Public Radio.

University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

When most people hear “MFA in Creative Writing,” it’s the Iowa Writers’ Workshop they imagine. 

The informal name of the University of Iowa’s Program in Creative Writing, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop was the first to offer an MFA, back in 1936. 

One of the first diplomas went to renowned writer Wallace Stegner, who later founded the MFA program at Stanford.

 It’s hard to argue with seventeen Pulitzer Prize winners and six U.S. Poets Laureate. The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is the root system of the MFA tree.

The two-year program balances writing courses with coursework in other graduate departments at the university. In addition to the book-length thesis, a written exam is part of the student’s last semester.

Because the program represents the quintessential idea of a writing program, it attracts its faculty positions, reading series, events, and workshops the brightest lights of the literary world. 

The program’s flagship literary magazine, the Iowa Review , is a lofty goal for writers at all stages of their career. 

At the Writers’ Workshop, tracks include not only fiction, poetry, playwriting, and nonfiction, but also Spanish creative writing and literary translation. Their reading series in association with Prairie Lights bookstore streams online and is heard around the world.

Iowa’s program came into being in answer to the central question posed to each one of these schools: can writing be taught? 

The answer for a group of intrepid, creative souls in 1936 was, actually, “maybe not.” 

But they believed it could be cultivated; each one of these institutions proves it can be, in many ways, for those willing to commit the time and imagination.

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Indiana University Bloomington Indiana University Bloomington IU Bloomington

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• Playwriting M.F.A.

M.F.A. – Playwriting

Develop your voice as a writer in a program that provides unique international and interdisciplinary exposure to the most contemporary work in the performing arts. We guide artists toward innovation and the fearless pursuit of bold ideas, while embracing the richness of their cultural backgrounds.

Our course of study combines ample practice in a variety of writing styles and creative processes integrated with a solid historical and theoretical base, using embodied and culturally responsive pedagogies that value all identities. A range of guest artists from around the world visit the program every year. There are plenty of opportunities for collaboration, international exchange, and educational travel.

Our three-year Fellowship program covers the cost of tuition and provides our playwrights a monthly stipend. Official information regarding specific degree requirements and course options can be found on the University Graduate School web page.

Meet our faculty

We produce eight to ten productions each year. Learn more about the performance opportunities in our department.

Check out our mainstage productions

Classes are designed to give the writer a broad education in dramatic writing, in order to explore and develop multiple ways to tell a story as well as multiple ways to make a living. Professional guest seminars, master classes, and special workshops are a regular part of the coursework.

Only three playwrights are accepted into the program, allowing close artistic and career mentorship from our highly qualified faculty.  All graduate playwrights receive at least one full production on the IU Theatre and Dance mainstage as a culmination of their degree, plus many opportunities to self-produce their work on campus. During the annual  At First Sight New Play Festival , your new work is showcased to the larger community and professionals in the industry.

Learn More About Our M.F.A. Playwright's Productions

M.F.A. in Playwriting Curriculum

Professional engagement

Each year a select group of industry professionals including literary managers, artistic directors, and agents is brought to campus to meet with the playwrights and to attend their productions. Check out the lineup for our 2024  At First Sight New Play Festival . 

Bloomington is well situated, with several nationally recognized theatres within driving distance: Actors Theatre of Louisville: 1.5 hours; Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) and Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis: 1 hour; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: 3 hours. The city of Chicago is within 4 hours. Plus several exciting local professional theatres like Constellation Stage and Screen, The Brown County Playhouse, and the Jewish Theatre of Bloominton.

Teaching Opportunities

As part of the program, our students teach Intro to Playwriting, Script Analysis, Musical Theatre Songwriting, and other playwriting courses to undergraduates, contingent on adequate enrollment. 

Retention requires 3.2 GPA or higher, the satisfactory completion of all major projects, as well as a positive year-end progress report from faculty regarding your artistic and academic progress.

We accept three playwrights in our highly selective, three-year, tuition-free Fellowship program. Applications will be accepted until February 15. Please contact  Ana Candida-Carneiro, Phd with questions regarding the application process. 

If you are selected as a finalist, you will be interviewed in person or via an online platform by the head of the M.F.A. Playwriting program and two additional faculty members.

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MFA/PhD program at Indiana Bloomington

By GoneWilde February 23, 2018 in Literary

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Hello everyone! This is my first post on here so just let me know if it's in the wrong place/not appropriate somehow.

I'm entering my senior year of my BA in English Literature and I'm looking at grad schools (esp. where I can study 19th century British literature/fin-de-siecle lit) and one place my advisor recommended checking out Indiana University. I was looking at their programs and apparently they have a joint MFA in Creative Writing and PhD in Literature. Originally I'd been 100% sold on Literature, but I'm also really involved in the Creative Writing program at my University. That program just seems way too good to be true? How would I focus my application for it? Would I be able to be considered for both Creative Writing and Literature positions on the job market? TIA!

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M(allthevowels)H

I'm sure plenty of people will arrive shortly to tell you how difficult the literature job market is regardless of what institution grants your degree, but Indiana-Bloomington is a great program. It's currently ranked top 20 for English, (for whatever that's worth). I'm not sure what your emphasis is, but I'm obsessed with Ross Gay who teaches poetry there. The University of Houston has a similar program and so does Cornell , but Cornell only takes two or three people into theirs each cycle. I've also heard of students at universities with MFA and PHD programs applying to both after clearing it with the departments, even where there isn't a stated hybrid degree. (In those cases I'm not sure if they were already there in one department when they decided to do both, or if they applied to both initially.)

As far as teaching positions you will be technically qualified to teach creative writing with an MFA from anywhere, but you wouldn't be considered until after you published extensively. Where a PhD is more production oriented and aims to have you academically hireable upon graduation, an MFA is a different monster. The MFA aims to equip you make the best art you can, and while there is some professional development, the time between MFA and publication can be long (read: years), so you would not be immediately competitive for creative writing positions upon graduation.*

*I feel like I should note that some people publish their novels, memoirs, or poetry collections during or very shortly after their MFA and those make enough of a splash that they secure creative writing positions soon thereafter...but we can't all be Justin Torres, to my eternal lament. Most of the MFA grads I know adjunct, freelance, or work non-academic jobs while finishing the projects they initially conceived during the MFA.

Sorry, looking back that all seems like an unhelpful ramble. Feel free to message me if you have MFA vs PhD questions. I have my MFA (Fiction) and will be beginning my PhD this fall.

University of Southern California has a (newish?) track for their PhD that's a dual program in creative writing and literature. I looked into it only briefly when I was picking schools, but it sounded interesting.  https://dornsife.usc.edu/cwphd/

punctilious

From my understanding, these types of programs are supremely competitive, moreso than straight up English lit PhDs. The application process also seemed a lot more strenuous to me (which probably wouldn’t be a problem for you since you’re in a creative writing program—my husband’s creative writing professor was flaky and impossible to get in contact with unfortunately). But that certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t worth a shot if it’s what you’re into!

My husband is a fiction writer with a short story publication forthcoming, but chose to go for the English lit PhD since his passion and dedication to creative writing isn’t going to stop while he’s a PhD student, and one of the best ways to improve one’s creative writing is to study others’ work!

But there are a number of people on this forum who are doing the MFA to PhD route and might be able to shed more light upon that! He totally would have applied to a combo program if it were a strong fit (based on creative writing style and research interests, along with location). 

HumanCylinder

The U of Utah has two PhD tracks, Literature and a Literature and Creative Writing combined degree.  The combined degree has a creative dissertation, but the two programs are pretty integrated (e.g.: classes are a mix of students in each track), and the emphasis on creative writing in the department means that there is a really supportive culture for lit folks who also have creative interests. That being said, I'm not sure that the combined degree accepts students directly from the B.A., although the regular literature track does.

Also, we have really great Victorianists! Two of the three have interests in the fin-de-siecle.  

JessicaLange

Just have to say that I went to IU and it's a really great school. But, I'm pretty sure they don't offer much money for stipends, so I might ask around about that.

I just received an acceptance from the PhD program in English at IU and I was a little surprised about the stipend offer because it didn't seem like much (for instance, my first year stipend is about $18,000 and then will be roughly about $16,000 until I start working on my dissertation). It's definitely not as much funding as you might get from one of the other Tier 1 or 2 schools, but I've done some research on cost of living in Bloomington and talked with some current PhD students. They've assured me that the stipends IU offers is more than enough to live on in Bloomington - and the dept is apparently quite generous with additional fellowships/funding once you've been in the program a while. 

• 2 weeks later...

On 2/25/2018 at 9:23 AM, agunns said:  I've done some research on cost of living in Bloomington and talked with some current PhD students. They've assured me that the stipends IU offers is more than enough to live on in Bloomington

Absolutely! Living in Bloomington is pretty easy. If you have a roommate, you'll be able to find rent for less than $500. Mine was about $560, but I lived right next to campus in a nice house. It's definitely different from city living. Plus drinks are $3-$8 at most of the bars, which is nice because there's not much else to do there.

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Indiana University

Bloomington , IN

https://english.indiana.edu/graduate/master-of-fine-arts-degree/index.html

Degrees Offered

Fiction, Poetry

Residency type

Program length.

60 credits (3 years)

Financial Aid

Fellowships and TAships are available for qualified students.

Teaching opportunities

A typical three-year teaching assignment is as follows. During the first year, the A.I. normally teaches two sections of introductory creative writing: one section during the fall semester, and one during the spring. In the second year, the A.I. teaches a section of 100-level freshman composition during the fall semester, and either two sections of composition or a section of a composition and a 200-level creative writing workshop during the spring. In the third year, the A.I. normally teaches two or three creative writing courses. All third-year A.I.s are eligible to request an assignment to one of several 100-, 200-, or 300-level literature courses, or to serve as a consultant to first-year A.I.s teaching the fall semester sections of our introductory creative writing course. More than half of our third-year A.I.s are awarded reduced teaching loads. The M.F.A. program has also developed a 200-level course in publishing and editing, Literary Editing and Publishing, for our third-year creative writing A.I.s to teach.

Editorial opportunities

Editing positions are available to students with the department’s journal, Indiana Review . These include Editor, Associate Editor, and genre editor positions. The journal also offers students the opportunity to read submissions for decisions on publication.

Cross-genre study

• Carolyn Alessio MFA (Poetry) 1993
• Chad B. Anderson MFA (Fiction) 2009
• Kathleen Balma MFA (Poetry) 2007
• Bradley Bazzle MFA (Fiction) 2010
• Rebecca Black MFA (Poetry) 2002
• Richard Cecil MFA (Poetry) 1985
• Su Cho MFA (Poetry) 2017
• Christopher Citro MFA (Poetry) 2013
• Tenaya Darlington MFA (Fiction) 2000
• Elizabeth Dodd MFA (Poetry) 1986
• Sascha Feinstein MFA (Poetry) 1991
• Megan Giddings MFA (Fiction) 2018
• Jennifer Grotz MFA (Poetry) 1996
• Janet Kim Ha MFA (Fiction) 2013
• Christie Hodgen MFA (Fiction) 1999
• Ming Holden MFA (Fiction) 2013
• Elizabeth Hoover MFA (Poetry) 2010
• Dana Johnson MFA (Fiction) 2000
• Allison Joseph MFA (Poetry) 1992
• Jacqueline Jones LaMon MFA (Poetry) 2006
• Shayla Lawson MFA (Poetry) 2015
• Kiese Laymon MFA (Fiction) 2003
• Cate Lycurgus MFA (Poetry) 2013
• Amos Magliocco MFA (Fiction) 2005
• Khaled Mattawa MFA (Poetry) 1994
• Clint McCown MFA (Fiction) 1984
• Erin McGraw MFA (Fiction) 1986
• Philip Metres MFA (Poetry) 2001
• Angela Pneuman MFA (Fiction) 1997
• Alison Powell MFA (Poetry) 2005
• Keith Ratzlaff MFA (Poetry) 1984
• Lee Ann Roripaugh MFA (Poetry) 1996
• Christine Sneed MFA (Poetry) 1998
• Brian Teare MFA (Poetry) 2000
• Judy Troy MA (Fiction) 1981
• LaWanda Walters MFA (Poetry) 1989
• Alexander Weinstein MFA (Fiction) 2010
• Marcus Wicker MFA (Poetry) 2010

Send questions, comments and corrections to [email protected] .

Disclaimer: No endorsement of these ratings should be implied by the writers and writing programs listed on this site, or by the editors and publishers of Best American Short Stories , Best American Essays , Best American Poetry , The O. Henry Prize Stories and The Pushcart Prize Anthology .

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Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

Research + master your craft

The M.F.A. in Studio Art at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design offers artists intensive study and research in ceramics, digital art, fibers, graphic design, metalsmithing and jewelry design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

With the support of internationally renowned faculty, the resources of a top research institution, and the diversity of a liberal arts environment, you will have everything you need to push your work forward. Our graduates are esteemed professors, artists, researchers, and creative professionals all over the world.

Interested in joining the next MFA cohort?

We'll tell you all about the program.

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Steps to apply

You must send all materials online or by U.S. Mail. Due to the volume of mail, the school cannot notify applicants of missing documents or confirm the receipt of materials.

Studio Art Curriculum

M.F.A. candidates in all studio areas must complete 60 credit hours at the graduate level. All programs are three years and require a three-year residency. The following credits are required to fulfill the M.F.A. in Studio Art degree program: Studio + Critique (13 credits) Seminar (18 credits) Thesis (8 credits) Tech Class- (3 credits) Studio Art Electives (12 credits) Arts and Humanities (6 credits)

Degree Requirements

• You must have received a bachelor’s degree with a fine arts major in studio courses or a B.A. in another field with substantial coursework in studio art
• Graduated with a 3.0 GPA or higher in undergraduate program
• Latest undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required. Unofficial copies may be provided at the time of application. Official transcript copies are required for the enrollment in the program upon acceptance
• TOEFL must be taken within the last two years with a score of 90 or above on the Internet-based test (iBT) or IELTS of 7.5 or above
• Unofficial test scores may be submitted at the time of application. An official TOEFL or IELTS test score is required for enrollment in the program if the applicant is offered admission. Official TOEFL score reports should be submitted using school code 1324.
• An English Proficiency test exemption can be requested if an applicant can provide documentation of a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a 3-year bachelor’s degree plus 1 year of a master's degree from one of the of English-speaking countries at OIS here:
• Portfolio must be uploaded to SlideRoom (more details below)
• Incomplete applications and/or items received after the deadline will not be reviewed
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a requirement

Application deadlines

Applications open on September 1, 2024 for Fall 2025.

Domestic applicants: all application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on January 15, 2025.

International applicants: all application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on December 15, 2024.

Complete the online application

You must apply for admission to the University Graduate School . Your online application should be submitted at least two weeks before the deadline in order for your recommenders to have the opportunity to respond by the deadline. Your portfolio will not be considered if you do not submit this application. Please notify your recommenders of the deadlines.

You must provide the following information in the online application:

• Academic Program: When asked to indicate your Academic Program, please select “SOAD Fine Arts Studio MFA” in the drop down menu, then choose the Academic Plan “SOAD Fine Arts Studio MFA.” Choose one studio area that you intend to pursue: Ceramics, Digital Art, Fibers, Graphic Design, Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture.
• Statement of intent/artist statement: Submit a written statement (500–700 words) outlining your artistic goals and interest in pursuing graduate study. This statement can be submitted electronically at the end of the online application.
• Resume: Submit a resume including exhibitions, awards, employment, and other related professional pursuits.
• Three letters of recommendation: Submit the contact information (including names, street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) of three people who will submit your letters of recommendation via the online application system. The online system will then email your contacts with instructions on how to submit their references online. The online recommendations should address your potential for academic success in a graduate program.

Note: International students must apply through the Office of International Services .

Submit your portfolio

Your portfolio should contain 20 images that best represents your work. Images must be saved as .jpg, .png or .gif, up to 2MB each. For good image quality and fast upload, image size should not exceed 1280 x 1280 pixels at 72 dpi. Videos must be in the .flv, .mov, or .wmv format, under 20MB each.

When submitting the portfolio online, click on the “Start a New Submission” button. Then click on “M.F.A. Programs” under the “Categories” heading. Finally, click on the “Apply Now” button next to the area in which you are interested to access the application. It is possible to submit time-based work using Slideroom.com.

The cost to submit your portfolio online is $10.

Submit your portfolio online via Slideroom, an online system that accepts images and short videos. For technical assistance, please contact Slideroom directly at support@slideroom.com .

Submit your portfolio to the area you are interested in:

Ceramics Digital Art Fibers Graphic Design Metalsmithing + Jewelry Design Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture

Pay the application fees

The total cost for submitting the application is $65 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants.

The application fee comprises a $55 (domestic applicant) or $65 (international applicant) fee paid upon submission of the online IU application and a $10 fee paid upon submission of the online portfolio.

The application fees are non-refundable.

Send your official transcripts

Send official transcripts from all of your undergraduate institutions attended, as well as from any graduate programs (if applicable).

The transcript must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

For international students, if the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts in your native language.

If you are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree when you apply, a transcript showing your current enrollment in your course of study is acceptable. If admitted to IU, you must submit a final, official transcript verifying the completion of your degree and the date your degree was awarded directly to IU prior to your matriculation.

Mail official domestic transcripts to:

Mail official international transcripts (with English translation) to:

For domestic students: If your institution(s) can submit official transcripts electronically, please have them emailed to soadgrad@indiana.edu .

Submit your TOEFL results (international students only)

The testing service should report the TOEFL scores directly to Indiana University Bloomington.

IU’s TOEFL code is 1324.

M.F.A. English proficiency minimum score requirements:

TOEFL minimum score 90 or IELTS minimum score 7.5. Learn more about TOEFL requirements .

• If your native language is not English, we require you to take IU’s English Proficiency Examination (IEPE) upon arrival at the university to determine if you must take any English courses. Students must agree to take any English courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned in these English courses do not meet degree requirements.
• If the results of the proficiency exam indicate that full-time work in English is required, you will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP) . Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency. If you have serious doubts about your English ability and are not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, you may consider delaying your application to a future semester.
• Finally, students who are eligible for an associate instructorship position must meet additional English language requirements including passing the Test of English Proficiency for International Associate Instructor Candidates.

Additional Information

• The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design accepts applications for fall semester only.
• You must choose one area of concentration when applying to the M.F.A. in Studio Art program.
• All studio area programs will require the completion of 60 credit hours. All programs are three years and require a three-year residency.

Concentrate your practice in one studio area

• Metals + Jewelry

Advance your creative + academic prowess

The M.F.A. program at IU offers a personalized education focused on your creative and professional goals. With a liberal arts foundation located in a research institution, our M.F.A. program offers unique opportunities.

Cultivate new collaborations

Investigate beyond your studio area. The liberal arts environment allows you to work with diverse people from different disciplines to forge new research themes and topics.

Study with accomplished artists and designers

Work alongside some of the world’s leading artists. Cultivate lasting relationships with expert faculty and expand your network of art professionals.

The most profound experiences I have had thus far are in my expanded critical thinking for how my work falls into the larger discourse of contemporary art—one of the benefits of being in a liberal arts program. Molly Evans, M.F.A. in fibers

Thesis exhibition

Your final semester in the M.F.A. program is dedicated to creating, installing, and presenting a thesis exhibition. Held in the  Grunwald Gallery of Art , the thesis exhibition offers a space to showcase a cohesive body of work. And the opening reception is a chance to give a gallery talk about your work to the campus and community.

Take the first step on your creative journey

Eskenazi school of art, architecture + design resources and social media channels.

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Universities

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington: Acceptance Rate, Fees & Courses

Indiana, United States

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Founded in 1820, Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) is the flagship campus of Indiana University and one of the largest public universities in the United States. IU Bloomington is home to over 43,000 students, including over 5,000 international students .

What is the acceptance rate at Indiana University Bloomington?

The acceptance rate at Indiana University Bloomington is 82%, and the annual average tuition fee for an international student is $56,000.

Indiana University Bloomington's student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, and it offers over 930+ academic programs, and 100+ research centers and institutes. The University was ranked #313 in QS World University Rankings.

Top Reasons to Study in the Indiana University Bloomington

• EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES : The university offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, research, and study abroad, which gives students the chance to apply their classroom learning to the real world.
• AWE-INSPIRING FACULTY:  Indiana University Bloomington is home to some of the brightest minds in the world. Its faculty members are not only experts in their fields, but they are also passionate about teaching and mentoring students.
• INTERNATIONAL CULTURE : The University is welcoming and inclusive campus with students from all over the world. This diversity of cultures enriches the learning experience and prepares students for the globalized workforce.
• AFFORDABILITY:  Indiana University Bloomington is a public university, so tuition is relatively affordable. The university also offers a variety of financial aid options to help students afford their education.

Cost of Studying at Indiana University Bloomington

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5000+ Students

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How to Apply at Indiana University Bloomington

UNDERGRADUATE

Here are the steps on how to apply for undergraduate studies at Indiana University Bloomington as an international student:

• Visit the Office of International Services website: This website has all the information you need about applying to IU Bloomington as an international student, including application requirements, deadlines, and financial aid resources.
• Complete the IU application: You can apply through the Common Application or the Apply IU application. Make sure to select "International Student" as your application type.
• Submit your academic records : You must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges you have attended. Your transcripts must be translated into English if they are not originally in English.
• Demonstrate English proficiency: You must take and pass an English language proficiency test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
• Submit a personal statement. Your statement should be about 200-400 words long and should tell the admissions committee why you want to study at IU Bloomington.
• Submit letters of recommendation: You should ask two or three teachers, counselors, or other mentors to write letters of recommendation for you.
• Submit your application fee: The application fee for international students is $65 . You can request a fee waiver if you are unable to afford the fee.
• Submit your financial documents: You must submit documents proving that you have the financial means to support yourself during your studies at IU Bloomington, including bank statements or tax returns.

POSTGRADUATE

Here are the steps on how to apply for graduate studies at Indiana University Bloomington as an international student:

Review admission requirements: Each graduate program at IU Bloomington has its specific admission requirements. Generally, you will need to submit the following:

• An application form. 
• A personal statement. 
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, translated in English. 
• Three letters of recommendation. 
• Scores from the TOEFL or IELTS. 
• GRE scores (optional for some programs).
• Submit the online application: You can submit your application online through the IU Graduate School website. You will need to create an account and then complete the application form.
• Receive your Atlas login information: After submitting your application, you will receive an email with your Atlas login information, which should be used to log in to the Atlas system and submit your supporting documents.

Submit your supporting documents: You will need to submit scanned copies of your supporting documents to the Atlas system. These documents include:

• Your transcripts, 
• Letters of recommendation, 
• TOEFL or IELTS scores, and 
• GRE scores (if applicable).
• Pay the application fee: The application fee for international students is $70. You can pay the fee online with a credit card.

MASTER'S AND PhD

Here are the steps on how to apply for master's and Ph.D. programs at Indiana University Bloomington as an international student:

• Visit the program website: The first step is to visit the website of the program you are interested in. Each program has its application requirements and deadlines, so it is important to check the website carefully.
• Complete the online application: Once you have found the program you want to apply to, you will need to complete the online application.

Submit your application materials: You will need to submit several other application materials, including:

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. 
• A statement of purpose. 
• A resume or CV. 
• Test scores (such as the TOEFL or IELTS).
• Pay the application fee: The application fee for international students is $70 . You can pay the fee online with a credit card.

Documents Required to Apply to Indiana University Bloomington

UNDERGRADUATE 

Enlisted below are the documents needed to apply to Indiana University Bloomington as an undergraduate international student:

• Completed online application. 
• 200-400 word IU-specific essay. 
• Academic records from your secondary school (or equivalent).
• Official English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
• Financial documents.
• Application fee or waiver. 

Enlisted below are the documents needed to apply to Indiana University Bloomington as a postgraduate international aspirant:

• Application form.
• Official transcripts.
• GRE scores.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores.
• Personal statement.
• Letters of recommendation.
• CV or resume. 
• International student supplemental form.

Enlisted below are the documents needed to apply to I ndiana University Bloomington for a Master's and PhD as an international student:

• English language proficiency test scores.
• Official transcripts. 
• Statement of purpose.
• CV or resume.
• Financial documentation. 

Exams Accepted By Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington requires minimum scores in the following tests as proof of English language proficiency:

• TOEFL iBT: 60
• IELTS: 5.5 band. 
• Duolingo (DET): 90

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Alumni at Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington's alumni network comprises over 7,50,000 successful individuals. Some of IU Bloomington's notable alumni are:

• Laverne Cox , LGBT activist, and actress known for roles in Orange is the New Black and Inventing Anna.
• Suzanne Collins , New York Times best-selling author of The Hunger Games.
• Michael Higgins , former president of Ireland.
• Booker T. Jones , Grammy-winning musician, songwriter, and producer. 
• Mark Cuban , entrepreneur, Shark Tank star, and owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
• Venus Williams , tennis star and winner of seven Grand Slam titles.
• Will Shortz , New York Times crossword editor.
• Jimmy Wales , co-founder of Wikipedia. 

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Campus life

Number of campuses the university has 1

Campus locations Indiana

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Transportation in the city

Here are some of the public transportation options available in Bloomington, Indiana:

• Bloomington Transit is the city's bus system. It offers 12 regular routes that serve most parts of the city, as well as a campus shuttle and a limited-stop express route.
• Greyhound is a national bus line that offers service to Bloomington from many other cities. It is located downtown, near the intersection of Walnut and Kirkwood streets.
• BT Access is a paratransit service for people with disabilities, providing transportation within Bloomington and to some surrounding areas.
• Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is the public transportation system, which offers express bus service between Indianapolis and Bloomington.
• Amtrak is a national passenger rail service that offers service to Bloomington from Chicago and Indianapolis. The Amtrak station is located in Spencer, about 15 miles south of Bloomington.

Services offered by the university

Indiana University Bloomington offers a variety of services to its students, including:

• Academic Support : The university offers a variety of academic support services, including tutoring, writing assistance, and career counseling.
• Residential Programs And Services : The university offers a variety of residential programs and services, such as housing, dining, and recreation.
• Health And Wellness: IU Bloomington has several health and wellness resources available to students, including a student health center, counseling services, and a fitness center. 
• Disability Services: IU Bloomington provides accommodations for students with disabilities, such as extended time on tests, notetakers, and assistive technology.
• International Student Services: The Office of International Services helps international students via orientation programs, visa and language assistance, and financial aid.

Student life at Indiana University Bloomington

• Academic Opportunities: IU Bloomington is a major research university with over 100 academic departments and programs. There are also plenty of opportunities for undergraduate research and creative work.
• Student Organizations: There are over 750 student organizations at IUB, something for everyone. Some of the most popular organizations include the the IU Student Foundation, and the IU Homecoming Committee.
• Traditions and Spirit: IU has a rich history and tradition, and its students are known for their school spirit. Some of the most popular traditions include the Little 500, the Old Oaken Bucket game, and the singing of "Indiana, Our Indiana."
• Athletics: IU is a member of the Big Ten Conference, and its sports teams are known as the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers compete in 23 varsity sports, and their home games are played at Memorial Stadium and Bart Kaufman Field.
• Thriving Arts And Culture Scene : IU Bloomington has its art museum, several theaters, and a variety of music and dance groups. There are also many opportunities to see professional performances in the city of Bloomington.

On campus accomodation at Indiana University Bloomington

More than 20 residential halls and student housing complexes are located on the IU Bloomington campus. All of them have amenities including fully equipped rooms, high-speed wireless internet, laundry rooms, and on-campus food. You might also ask to live in a community that promotes learning.

Longer-term scholars who come to IU often also reside on campus. IU Bloomington has several unique housing alternatives. Thematic communities and Living-Learning Centers (LLCs) are examples of this.

The Global LLC, the only LLC expressly dedicated to worldwide participation, could be of special interest to you. No matter where you are from or what your major is, the Global LLC is available to all students who want to participate in greater global learning and involvement.

Faculty Information

University Faculty:Student Ratio

University Faculty Stats

The faculty at Indiana University Bloomington represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to student success. Some facts about IU Bloomington faculty are:

• There are over 2,400 faculty members at IU Bloomington. 
• The student-to-faculty ratio at IU Bloomington is 17:1 .
• The faculty have been awarded Nobel Prizes, Pulitzer Prizes, and MacArthur Fellowships.
• The faculty at IU Bloomington are engaged in cutting-edge research in a variety of fields. The university's research expenditures are over $1 billion annually.

Jobs and Opportunities

University Endowments Value

Research opportunities at indiana university bloomington.

Here are some of the research opportunities available for students at Indiana University Bloomington:

• Integrated Freshman Learning Experience (IFLE) is a program that allows first-year students to conduct research with a faculty mentor, work on projects that are relevant to their academic interests, and can earn academic credit for their participation.
• Science, Technology, and Research Scholars (STARS) is a year-round research program for undergraduate students with interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students work with faculty mentors on research projects and have opportunities to present their work at conferences.
• Cox Research Scholars Program is a research program for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a research career. Students in the program receive funding to support their research and have opportunities to present their work at conferences.
• Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) are programs that offer the opportunity to conduct research with a faculty mentor for 8 weeks during the summer. REU programs are funded by the National Science Foundation and other organizations.

Internship opportunities at Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) offers a variety of internship and part-time job opportunities for students. To find internship and part-time job opportunities at IUB, students can use:

• Handshake is a free platform that allows students to search for jobs and internships by keyword, location, and department, alongside uploading their resumes to Handshake, making it easier for employers to find them.
• The Career Development Center at IUB offers a variety of resources to help students find internships and part-time jobs, including resume writing workshops, mock interviews, and career counseling.
• Students can find internship and part-time job opportunities by attending job fairs, networking with alumni, and contacting professors and advisors. 

Here are some examples of internship and part-time job opportunities available at Indiana University Bloomington:

• Copywriting and Content Strategy Internship at Perfect Search Media
• Internships and Volunteer Coordinator Internship at the Yiddish Arts and Academics Association of North America
• Student Assistant at the Indiana University Libraries. 
• Customer Service Representative at the IU Bookstore. 
• Food Service Worker at the IU Dining Halls. 

Placement of Indiana University Bloomington

Placements :

Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) has a strong job placement record for its graduates. In 2021, 90.1% of IUB graduates were placed in full-time employment within six months of graduation. The most common industries that hire IUB graduates are:

• Business and financial services

Hiring Companies:

Some of the top companies that hire IUB graduates include:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Wells Fargo

The average salary for Indiana University Bloomington graduates is $55,000 . However, salaries can vary depending on the field of study, the level of experience, and the location of the job.

1. What is the Indiana University Bloomington Acceptance rate ?

In 2024, admissions to Indiana University in Bloomington were moderately selective with an acceptance rate of 82%. 

2. What GPA score is required for Indiana University?

Students must have a GPA score ranging between 3.62 and 4.0 for admission to Indiana University Bloomington.

3. When was Indiana University established?

Indiana University Bloomington was established in 1820.

4. What English Proficiency Tests are accepted at Indiana University?

Some of the most accepted English proficiency test scores at Indiana University include TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, SAT, and ACT among others.

5. Is Indiana University Bloomington a good school?

IUPUI ranked highly for best undergraduate teaching, tied for 49th among national universities. IU Bloomington's ranking matches last year, at 76th among all national universities, moving up three from the previous ranking. The Indiana University Bloomington Campus also ranked 47th as the best college for veterans

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The College of Arts & Sciences

• Department of English
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• How to Apply

Literature + Language

How to apply for admission to the ph.d. with a concentration in literature + language program.

An undergraduate major in English or its equivalent is required. (In exceptional cases, superior students who have not majored in English may be admitted conditionally.) An applicant ordinarily should have at least an overall GPA of 3.2, a GPA in English of 3.7. For admission to the Ph.D. program with an M.A. from a department other than our own, the undergraduate GPA requirement remains the same. Add to this a 3.9 GPA in graduate courses (out of a possible 4.0).

More significant than scores and grades, however, are an applicant’s personal statement, letters of recommendation, proficiency in foreign languages, and especially, a writing sample. These materials may offset lower grade point averages.

Application deadline: January 2

International students application deadline: December 1

Use the University Graduate School’s online application system to apply

Designating your degree choice.

Applicants to the doctoral program who have not completed an M.A. in English should indicate the M.A. program as their degree choice on the electronic application. Students admitted at this level will be advanced to the doctoral program upon completion of 30-32 hours of relevant graduate work (with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher), and demonstrated proficiency in one language. Applicants who have completed an M.A. in English should indicate the Ph.D. program on the electronic application.

While generally the English department does not offer a terminal M.A., it does offer a dual M.A. with ILS (Information and Library Science), and a 4 + 1 B.A./M.A for IU undergraduate majors. Additionally, in rare circumstances, application for the M.A. may be approved by the director of graduate studies. Applicants to these programs should indicate their choice in their personal statement.

Application information

Applicants to the doctoral program are required to submit all primary application materials online. These include:

IU Graduate School Application . Please use the Graduate School’s application portal which is partnered with Liaison International. Information about the application and the IU Graduate CAS may be found here. Our program accepts applications for Fall admission only, so please choose the next available Fall semester for your application.

• Personal / professional statement of no more than 1,000 words of the applicant’s academic goals and areas of specific interest (please make sure to note field specialty--e.g. medieval, 18th century, literary theory, comparative ethnic studies)
• three letters of recommendation
• 15-20 pp writing sample
• the application fee

Hard copies of secondary application materials, including:

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate study to date. Only copies that are submitted directly from the institution (by mail or secure e-transcript) OR submitted in hard copy in sealed institutional envelopes within a packet from the applicant are considered official.

Should be emailed by secure service directly from the institution to Bev Hankins ( [email protected] ) OR mailed directly to the department, to the attention of:

Bev Hankins IU English Department 1020 E. Kirkwood Ave. Ballantine Hall 440 Bloomington, IN 47405-7103

International students, please note: International applicants must also meet International Admissions requirements . For those whose native language is not English, TOEFL exam scores are required. Please also note that there is a university deadline of December 1 for International applications.

Any questions about the departmental application process may be directed to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Bev Hankins ( [email protected] ). Questions about the graduate application itself should be directed to the Help Center at Liaison.

Liaison Contact Information:

Phone # (617) 729-2866

[email protected]

Live Chat reps are available via the Help Center

Application deadlines

The general deadline is January 2 (or the first business day after the holiday). Admission is for the Fall semester only (the English program does not accept off-calendar applications). The university deadline for international admissions is December 1. International Applicants should consult the webpage for the Office of International Services for further requirements (see above).

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and relevant test scores, are received by the deadline. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, materials will be accepted on the first working day following the deadline. To avoid distress, applicants are encouraged to request all supporting materials far in advance.

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