Master of Creative Writing at Temple University

    Master of Creative Writing at Temple University

    Master of Creative Writing at Temple University

    The Creative Writing at Temple University is a Full Time Master program offered at the university's main campus in Philadelphia, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 2 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 28, 2027.

    About Master of Creative Writing

    Hone your craft as a fiction writer or poet with the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. Develop your individual voice, define your aesthetics, and gain the skills needed to realize your creative vision.

    The curriculum for the 33-credit Creative Writing MFA provides you with essential resources, including

    • small writing workshops;
    • courses ranging from special topics to craft;
    • one-on-one manuscript tutorials; and
    • electives in literature, the humanities, arts, theater, film and other graduate programs throughout the university. 

    Students in the MFA Program in Creative Writing graduate with a master's project of publishable quality, written under the guidance of the department's accomplished faculty members. Through this master's degree program, you'll also learn how to prepare your work for submission to literary journals, publishers and agents. Graduates have been published by numerous trade and small presses, and their works have earned prestigious grants, prizes and residencies. 

    In addition, our graduates have gone on to become professors, web content editors, journalists, copywriters, book and magazine editors, arts administrators, librarians, grant writers, primary and secondary school teachers and more, and have obtained jobs in advertising, public relations, and communications.  

    Download a packet of details about the MFA in Creative Writing.

    Visiting Writers Program

    Benefit from the insights and guidance of distinguished, internationally renowned authors. Each year, the Visiting Writers Program invites a novelist (fall semester) and poet (spring semester) to work with MFA students during extended department visits. Over the course of several days, these guests  

    • attend workshops;
    • give readings of their work;
    • read student manuscripts; and
    • meet with students for individual consultations;

    In recent years, the Visiting Writers Program has hosted the following authors.

      • Jesse Ball
      • Susan Briante 
      • Alexander Chee 
      • Brian Evenson 
      • C. S. Giscombe 
      • Jaimy Gordon 
      • Jennifer Haigh 
      • Brenda Hillman 
      • Bhanu Kapil 
      • Katie Kitamura 
      • Dawn Lundy Martin 
      • Roberto Tejada 

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Creative Writing at Temple University

    Entry Requirements

    University degree requiring four years of study.

    Request one certified copy of official transcripts from every college and university you have attended, even if only one course was taken. International degrees must be assessed for equivalency with a U.S. degree based on the characteristics of the national educational system, the type of institution attended and the level of studies completed. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is ordinarily required for admissions consideration. If unofficial transcripts are submitted during the application process, submission of official academic records will be required by the end of your first term of graduate study if you are admitted and subsequently enroll at Temple University.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 53
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 79

    Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Creative Writing

    Creative Writing MFA graduates' books have been published by trade and small presses and cover all genres; their works have won grants, prizes and residencies. Many are now professors.

    Our graduates move into the fields of 

      • advertising,
      • communications and
      • public relations.

    They have secured positions as

      • arts administrators,
      • book and magazine editors,
      • copywriters,
      • grant writers,
      • journalists,
      • librarians,
      • primary and secondary school teachers,
      • web content editors and more.

    College of Liberal Arts Creative Writing alumni continue to make important contributions to the contemporary literary scene. 

    Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Creative Writing at Temple University

    Application Fee 60

    How to Apply for Master of Creative Writing at Temple University

    There are important details to keep in mind as you complete and submit your application to Temple University.

    1. Apply using one of two methods.

    Choose one of the following two methods to apply.

    1. Online Application

    Submit an online application and pay the nonrefundable $60 application fee online using either a credit card or a bank account drawn on U.S. funds.

    2. Paper Application

    Download the PDF application and save it to your device. (Adobe Acrobat is required for access.) You can write on the form, save the final version, and then print for mailing. If you have questions while completing the paper form, refer to the application instructions. Before mailing, enclose a check or money order made payable to Temple University, in the amount of $75, drawn on a U.S. bank. The application fee cannot be refunded.

    2. Ensure you use the same name on your application and standardized tests.

    Use the exact same name on your application that you used when registering for your standardized tests. Slight differences in your name can cause your application to go unmatched with your reported test scores and delay the processing of your application.

    3. Submit all supporting credentials.

    Submit the documentation you have been gathering for your application. You can find the correct mailing address or alternate electronic submission information on the degree program’s "Contacts" page in the Graduate Bulletin. All application materials, including portfolios and exhibits, become the property of Temple University and will not be copied, forwarded to another institution or returned.

    4. Contact the department with any questions.

    If you have any questions about your application, contact the program or department directly. Admissions decisions are made by the department based on your complete application profile, which includes grades, test scores, recommendations, statement of goals, research interests, past employment, portfolio and more.

    5. Check the status of your application.

    Remember that your application is reviewed only after it is complete. You can check the status of your application and materials by returning to the application system through which you applied.

    Master of Creative Writing at Temple University
    Temple University
    Temple University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Philadelphia

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