Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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    Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    United States of America
    United States of America, Paradise
    Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    The Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a Master program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Paradise , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 2 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 28, 2027.

    About Master of Creative Writing

    The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a three-year, intensive studio arts terminal degree with a strong international emphasis and requires the writing of a book-length creative thesis in either fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry. The objectives of the MFA degree are to enable the student to master the craft of writing in the chosen genre to a publishable level; to train the student in traditional literary studies and in writing pedagogy; and to provide the student with some practical knowledge of literary translation and literary publishing. The goal of the three-year course of studies is to prepare the student for a teaching career at the university, college, or community college level and/or for writing as a profession outside of the academy; to provide the student with an international perspective on the creation, publication, and teaching of the literary arts, specifically fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry; to encourage an appreciation of literature and writing in all its forms in a global context; and to inspire literary activism of the public intellectual and person of letters.

    For more information about the M.F.A. in Creative Writing and a description of the Creative Writing International Program, see the Creative Writing page.

    All MFA students admitted to the Creative Writing International program at UNLV are offered Graduate Assistantship funding of $15,000 per year (which includes in-state tuition and provisions for health insurance). Duties for the Graduate Assistantship are 20 hours per week, usually fulfilled through a combination of teaching, tutoring in the Writing Center, and working for English Department or Black Mountain Institute publications.

    Available Options

    • International Focus Track
    • Peace Corps Track
    • Students will have the ability to compose original works of literature (either fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry) of publishable quality.
    • Students will have an understanding of the theoretical foundations of his/her chosen genre concentration.
    • Students will have an appreciation for the craft and theory of other genres.
    • Students will have a good understanding of the canonical contexts and history from which new writing emerges.
    • Students will have a practical appreciation for international writing and literary translation, and will have some knowledge of writing from at least one language tradition other than in English.
    • Students will have produced a publishable, complete manuscript of original writing.

    Disciplines

    College of Liberal Arts

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Entry Requirements

    While each graduate program has unique admissions standards, the Graduate College maintains minimum standards for graduate admission. All advanced degree and certificate program applicants must meet these eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. Immigration status does not impact admission to UNLV.

    1. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an approved international equivalent.
    2. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for your bachelor’s degree, or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
    3. Additional Requirements – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, writing samples or portfolios, and any other supporting documents your department/program may ask you to submit to complete your application.
    4. International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency – The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English Proficiency.
    5. Transcripts – All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. If the institution is outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation may be required. Please review our foreign credential evaluations page for additional guidelines, information, and requirements.
      Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

    Credentials from China: Students who have completed a degree in China must provide copies of the original language transcripts and a copy of their Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. Documents verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) or the China Academic Degree and Graduate information Center (CDGDC) are also accepted. 

    Credentials from India: Consolidated marks sheets are acceptable if yearly mark sheets are not available. Mark sheets must also be issued by the degree-granting institution. Mark sheets from affiliated colleges, are not acceptable or considered official. Students who have completed a degree in India must also provide a copy of their Provisional Certificate.

    Please note that the aforementioned requirements are the minimum requirements established and monitored by the Graduate College. Meeting the minimum admissions requirements is a necessary but not sufficient condition of admission. Admission decisions are based on applicants meeting the minimum Graduate College requirements and a more extensive and holistic departmental review, which considers a combination of factors, including indicators of success based upon academic degrees and records, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, relevant work experience, and the like.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 65
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Creative Writing

    Persons with the M.F.A. in Creative Writing can go on to careers in:

    Teaching
    A person with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing may, usually with the publication of a book, teach at the university or college level; or, usually with some significant publications, at the community college level. Persons with the M.F.A. in Creative Writing may also teach high school English (in some cases, additional credits in Education courses will be required); or may teach many disciplines of English at schools and institutes abroad. Because of the teaching experience available from the M.F.A. at UNLV as a Graduate Assistant instructor in the English Department, common fields in which persons holding the M.F.A. degree are qualified to teach in are: composition, literature, world literature, creative writing, or business writing.
    Writing/Publishing/Editing/Literary Translation
    The M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing provides the student with optimum preparation to pursue professional writing as a career in the chosen genre of specialization by selling original writing to magazines, book publishers, and websites. Also, the Creative Writing International program, in partnership with the Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute, offers opportunities to work with three literary magazines: Interim, Witness, and The Believer. Practical experience in literary publishing combined with writing skills attained in pursuit of the M.F.A. degree provide an optimum work history to pursue a career in magazine editing, book editing, website editing, or free-lance, as copy editors or copy writers. Training in literary translation for the M.F.A. degree prepares students who also possess significant foreign language skills to pursue careers in literary and other fields of written translation.
    Public Relations, Media, Communications, and Advertising
    P-R and advertising agencies hire candidates with strong writing, communications, and publishing skills, all which are acquired in pursuit of the M.F.A. in Creative Writing.
    Business, Non-profits, Management, and Beyond
    In the most global sense possible, Creative Writing M.F.A. graduates can do anything. In survey after survey, business employers rank writing and communications skills as the most important qualification. M.F.A. graduates are also highly qualified to work for non-profits, especially in arts and education. Also, graduates go on to careers in finance, management, human resources, sales, marketing, civil service, and institutional analysis"•the possibilities are endless.

    Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Application Fee 95

    How to Apply for Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    1. Review Admission Requirements – Review requirements for advanced degree and certificate program applicants. Be sure to check your department of interest as well because departmental requirements vary. Please note that only degree-seeking students are eligible for I-20/student visas and graduate assistantships. Certificate programs are not considered degree-seeking. However, with proper approval students may be enrolled concurrently in both degree and certificate programs.
    2. Application Procedures – To apply to the Graduate College, submit the following admission materials for consideration:
      • A completed application. Complete the application online.
      • A nonrefundable admission application fee of $95, payable online by credit card or by check/money order, to the Board of Regents, UNLV.

        *Note: Applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. Applicants to any UNLV graduate program must pay the admission application evaluation fee for each application filed. Denied applicants, who later seek admission to the same or other UNLV degree program, are required to pay an additional application fee.
    3. Additional Graduate College Application Materials – If needed, send any additional Graduate College admission materials (for example: your admission receipt with your check payment; your transcripts if you did not upload them into your online application; or your official transcripts upon admission; etc.) to:

      Office of Admissions

      University of Nevada, Las Vegas
      Mail Stop: 1021
      4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
      Las Vegas, NV 89154

    4. Additional Materials for your Department & Degree Program Application – Submit any additional department-required admission materials by uploading them into your online application. Please check with your graduate program of interest and refer to the application checklist on the Home tab of your Grad Rebel Gateway account in order to determine their specific admission requirements prior to submitting your online application.
    5. Financial Certification Requirement – Submit Financial Certification form and Bank Letter to the Graduate College.
      Before an I-20 can be issued, all international students must submit a completed Financial Certification form and bank letter. Even if you anticipate receiving a Graduate Assistantship, you must submit the Financial Certification form and bank letter.
      • Confidential Financial Certification
    Master of Creative Writing at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    United States of America

    United States of America, Paradise

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