creative writing programs new york

The College

• Mission, Vision & History
• Offices and Services
• Administration
• City College and CUNY Policies
• Campus Map & Directions
• Land Acknowledgement
• CCNY in the News
• Shuttle Bus Service
• Schedule a Tour

Schools & Divisions

• The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
• CUNY School of Medicine
• Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership
• School of Education
• The Grove School of Engineering
• Division of Humanities and the Arts
• Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at Center for Worker Education (CWE)
• Division of Science

Lifetime & Experiential Learning

• Graduate Studies Overview
• Continuing & Professional Studies
• International Studies & Study Abroad

Academic Planning

• Areas of Study
• General Education Curriculum
• Academic Calendar
• Courses / Bulletins
• Academic Affairs

Information For

• Admissions Overview
• Freshman Students
• Transfer/Second Degree Students
• Graduate Students
• Returning to College
• Visiting Students/Non-Degree
• Continuing Education
• Explore CCNY
• ACE Program
• MyCity VIP Portal

Visit Our Campus

• Campus Tours
• Information Sessions

Related Links

• Financial Aid
• Tuition and Fees
• Campus Housing
• International Students
• Honors Programs
• Research Overview
• The Office of Research
• Research Compliance & Ethics
• College Research Council

Discoveries in Actions

• Centers and Institutes
• QC-ALERT Programs
• Undergraduate Research

Faculty & Staff Experts

• By Area of Expertise
• View All Faculty & Staff

Campus Life

• Student Life
• Student Housing
• Benny's Campus Store

Student Services

• Student Affairs
• Health & Wellness
• The AccessAbility Center/Student Disability Services
• Safety Services
• LGBTQ+ Student Center
• CCNY Navigate
• Immigrant Student Resource and Research Center

Support CCNY

• How to Make a Gift
• CCNY Giving: Make-A-Will
• Types of Gifts
• 2023-2024 NYS Charitable Tax Contributions Credit

CUNY Related Links

• CUNY Portal
• Loaner Devices
• Discrimination and Retaliation Reporting Portal

Faculty & Staff

• Faculty / Staff E-Mail (Legacy - Webmail)
• Faculty / Staff E-Mail (New Outlook 365)
• Password Reset
• Content Editor
• Grants Management System
• Visual Course Roster
• Work Orders
• Employee Timesheets
• Student E-Mail
• Degreeworks / FACTS
• City Central

Creative Writing, Master of Fine Arts

The Master in Creative Writing, (MFA)  is a 42 credit program, which prepares students to be professionals in dissecting contemporary, modern, and classic literature as well construct literature pieces of their own.

Our students are published in literary journals and by publishers. Students often explore jobs in teaching from middle school to graduate level.

The MFA in Creative Writing offers students a chance to improve their stories, poems, scripts and non-fiction writing.  The ideal students are those passionate about improving their creative writing skills and would like to explore becoming a writer.

Additional Requirements:

Program Director:  Professor Michelle Valladares [email protected]  

Last Updated: 03/05/2024 16:08

MFA in Creative Writing

A home for writers in harlem.

For more than four decades, City College has been a home for writers in Harlem. Since its inception, some of the most distinguished writers in America have taught here at our West Harlem campus, including Donald Barthelme, Gwendolyn Brooks, Kurt Vonnegut, Marilyn Hacker, William Matthews, Grace Paley and Susan Sontag. Our MFA Program in Creative Writing is dedicated to diversity, excellence and inclusion . The mission of our program is simple: We want every student to find his or her unique voice, whether through fiction, nonfiction, drama, screenwriting, experimental or genre fiction and/or poetry, while simultaneously preparing them for life beyond graduate school as writers, teachers, scholars, and more.

Our recent award-winning graduates include Hasanthika Sirisena, Lisa Ko and Brendon Kiely. New York Times Bestsellers and Pulitzer Prize winners include Walter Mosley, Oscar Hijuelos, and Ernesto Quinonez. In small workshops, craft courses and literary analysis, our students immerse themselves in their writing. Meanwhile, they discover a thriving community through literary magazines, public readings and visiting writers.

“Our MFA program is dedicated to diversity, excellence and inclusion. We help emerging writers find their voice, polish their craft, and enter the contemporary publishing landscape.”

We welcome our MFA students to attend the program at their own pace, either full-time or part-time. We believe in access and opportunity not for just a select few, but for all those who are committed to their creativity, literature and who take the craft of writing seriously.

Finally, despite its prime location and storied past, the City College’s MFA program is dedicated to remaining at a fraction of the cost of similar programs in New York City. We welcome our MFAs to attend the program at their own pace as full-time or part-time students. We believe in access and opportunity not just for select few, but for all those who believe in the life of literature and who take the craft of writing seriously.

Fall Application Deadline: February 15 Extended to March 1st APPLY ONLINE Visit our full program site here

In the press.

‘The Blue-Collar Harvard’

Fledgling authors from underrepresented backgrounds and nontraditional students are turning to graduate creative writing programs at the City University of New York to tell their stories.

by Sara Weissman,  Inside Higher Ed,   June 22, 2021

The class for the creative writing master of fine arts program at City College of New York this past spring was its largest yet — enrollment jumped from 120 students in the fall to 140 this spring. There were 105 students enrolled in fall 201

What makes the CCNY MFA in Creative Writing Different from other programs?

“Diversity. We’re located in Harlem. Our unofficial tagline is “Ten times the diversity for one tenth the price,” because we’re also comparatively affordable”…

MFA Program Profile: Emily Raboteau on CCNY Publisher’s Weekly, May 2015

We have students of all backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, nationality, and age. No one group is the majority, and therefore none of the work is treated like minority literature. There are radical implications for the kinds of work our students are putting out into the world for it to be nurtured, respected, celebrated, and intelligently critiqued in the classroom.

IndoorVoices Podcast interviews the Director: Episode 65: Michelle Valladares on CCNY’s creative writing MFA

By Kathleen Collins, October 18, 2021

In Spring 2021, the Creative Writing MFA at City College saw an unprecedented enrollment spike. It’s not exactly clear why it occurred, but Director Michelle Valladares has some ideas about that. She has lots of ideas, in fact, about unique and exciting ways to grow the program even more while still maintaining a manageable cohort size…

What Alumni Are Saying

Michelle Valladares Assistant Professor & Director of MFA in Creative Writing Location: Room 6/219 Phone: 212-650-6694 [email protected]

• View Calendar

• Search Search Search …
• Search Search …

The City College of New York MFA in Creative Writing

A home for writers in harlem.

Essay by Emily Raboteau in Orion Magazine

MFA Fall Application Deadline Extended until March 1

Launch for Emily Raboteau’s new book, ‘Lessons for Survival’

Our mfa program is dedicated to diversity, excellence and inclusion. we help emerging writers find their voice, polish their craft, and enter the contemporary publishing landscape. .

Writing Faculty

The distinguished faculty of the MFA in Creative Writing program has included Gwendolyn Brooks, Donald Barthelme, Joseph Heller, Grace Paley, Susan Sontag, Marilyn Hacker, and Michelle Wallace, to name a few.

For Students

Stay informed about program requirements, deadlines, application process, course listing, and graduation.

In The Press

‘the blue-collar harvard’.

Fledgling authors from underrepresented backgrounds and nontraditional students are turning to graduate creative writing programs at the City University of New York to tell their stories.

by Sara Weissman , Inside Higher Ed,  June 22, 2021

The class for the creative writing master of fine arts program at City College of New York this past spring was its largest yet — enrollment jumped from 120 students in the fall to 140 this spring. There were 105 students enrolled in fall 2019.

What makes the CCNY MFA in Creative Writing Different from other programs?

“Diversity. We’re located in Harlem. Our unofficial tagline is “Ten times the diversity for one tenth the price,” because we’re also comparatively affordable”…

MFA Program Profile: Emily Raboteau on CCNY Publisher’s Weekly, May 2015

We have students of all backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, nationality, and age. No one group is the majority, and therefore none of the work is treated like minority literature. There are radical implications for the kinds of work our students are putting out into the world for it to be nurtured, respected, celebrated, and intelligently critiqued in the classroom.

IndoorVoices Podcast interviews the Director:

Episode 65: michelle valladares on ccny’s creative writing mfa.

By Kathleen Collins, October 18, 2021

In Spring 2021, the Creative Writing MFA at City College saw an unprecedented enrollment spike. It’s not exactly clear why it occurred, but Director Michelle Valladares has some ideas about that. She has lots of ideas, in fact, about unique and exciting ways to grow the program even more while still maintaining a manageable cohort size…

Testimonials

What alumni are saying.

This entry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

Mostly dividing his time between New York City and Tehran, Iran, Salar regularly publishes personal essays and short stories, plus numerous translations of other authors that appear in journals across the world.

A professor at the City University of New York’s CITY COLLEGE campus in Harlem, he teaches workshops in the English Department’s MFA program and also serves as Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing. Website: salarabdoh.com

Author Website

Spring 2020

Spring 2019

She has been anthologized in Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia & Beyond, and The HarperCollins Book of English Poetry by Indians . Her honors include a Pushcart Prize Nomination and she was awarded “The Poet of the Year” by the Americas Poetry Festival of New York. She is currently working on a book about faith called Searching for Tara.

Naima’s second novel,  Didn’t Never Know , is the story of the integration of a public high school in a small Southern town, which sets off a chain of events that bonds two families together in unexpected and complicated ways over the course of their lives. It is forthcoming from Grand Central Publishing.

Naima’s stories and essays have appeared in the  New York Times , the  Rumpus ,  Aster(ix) ,  Kweli ,  The Paris Review Daily , and elsewhere. She has taught writing to students in jail, youth programs, and universities. Naima is currently visiting faculty at the MFA program at City College in Harlem and Antioch University in L.A.

Unger has been a featured writer in book festivals in San Juan, Miami, Los Angeles, Guatemala, Sharjah, Managua, Bogotá, Lima, La Paz, Oaxaca, and Guadalajara.

She received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Arizona, and her Ph.D. from Stanford University.  She teaches a range of subjects from feminist and critical literary theory, poetics, film studies, contemporary literature, and women’s literature.

He has taught poetry and nonfiction workshops. An independent book editor with an interest in the ways writers engage with the culture, he has also led MFA courses in publishing and authorship.

Need help with the Commons?

Email us at [email protected] so we can respond to your questions and requests. Please email from your CUNY email address if possible. Or visit our help site for more information:

• Terms of Service
• Accessibility
• Creative Commons (CC) license unless otherwise noted

MFA in Creative Writing

At Adelphi University, we offer residencies in New York City and semester-long creative mentorships with accomplished and devoted faculty.

Our MFA in Creative Writing program allows you to tailor a flexible and practical curriculum to your artistic goals. In addition, to help with tuition, all accepted students will receive partial scholarships.

Each step of the way, our NYC Creative Writing program aims to prepare you for the life of a working writer, especially as you navigate today’s shifting and vital literary landscape.

Writing in New York City

We see the writer’s life as an ongoing conversation and adventure. At the five-day New York City residencies in August and January , you’ll work closely with distinguished writers, and you’ll also be introduced to editors, literary agents and leaders at literary nonprofits. Our August residency will be held at the Center for Fiction in downtown Brooklyn. We offer concentrations in Fiction, Poetry and Creative Nonfiction, with workshops that culminate in the final thesis course, in which students complete a book-length manuscript. You may choose to focus on any one genre; you may design a path that explores two or more genres; or you may decide to work in a hybrid form.

Our MFA in Creative Writing program focuses intently on craft, with an emphasis on revision and close reading. We also offer practical guidance in publishing, teaching and building a sustainable life as a writer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse writing community, and our goal is to help you find your own best approach to craft.

What are the benefits of a low-residency MFA?

A low-residency MFA Creative Writing program takes into account the complexity of each writer’s life and welcomes students who may have demanding work schedules or family obligations. This academic framework includes in-person learning at the intensive five-day residencies in New York City, and—during the semester—with small online classes and individualized mentorship. By the end of the two-year, 39-credit program, you’ll complete a thesis, your own book-length manuscript.

Why choose to do your MFA at Adelphi University in New York?

The low-residency structure, which features exciting and innovative creative writing residencies in New York City, is a convenient option for students who may already have established careers in other fields, or who aren’t able to relocate to pursue an advanced degree.

Also, Adelphi’s MFA is one of the most affordable low-residency programs at a private university. To help with tuition, all accepted students will receive partial scholarships.

The low-residency program is a transformation of Adelphi’s long-standing traditional MFA program, whose alumni have gone on to publish books, found literary organizations and enter publishing and teaching careers.

Adelphi’s faculty are accomplished, award-winning writers who are active in the literary world, and they are devoted and innovative teachers.

Our MFA in Creative Writing program features our core creative writing faculty:  Jan-Henry Gray ,  Katherine Hill ,  Maya Marshall ,  Igor Webb , and  René Steinke . They are joined every year by distinguished guest writers as well as visitors from the literary and publishing world.

Meet Our MFA in Creative Writing Faculty

Dedicated and successful writers themselves, our MFA faculty are all gifted teachers and highly skilled mentors for our writing students. Their goal is to help each student explore — and perfect — their own literary style and voice.

Jan-Henry Gray

Assistant Professor

He has received fellowships from Kundiman  and  Undocupoets as well as awards from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the Juniper Summer Writing Institute and the Academy of American Poets. In 2019, he co-organized Writers for Migrant Justice, a nationwide reading and fundraiser for Immigrant Families Together. He also served as a mentor for the Asian Prisoner Support Committee, a teaching artist for City Lore (New York City) and a co-curator for Meanwhile (Chicago). Born in the Philippines and raised in California, he currently lives in New York.

Katherine Hill

Associate Professor

Maya Marshall

René Steinke

Professor, Director

I came to Adelphi for my MFA in Creative Writing because even though I’d been working as a journalist before I joined the program, I wanted to learn the art of storytelling from a different perspective. I’m happy to say the program has made me a more confident storyteller.

The Residency, “Manhattan Week”

The residencies  take place over five days in mid-August and mid-January, when students meet with the creative writing faculty, guest writers and New York-based literary and publishing professionals. Students reside in a local NYC hotel for the duration of the residency. In addition to workshops, lectures, individual conferences, publishing presentations and readings, faculty and students meet together for meals, and there is also time set aside for connecting with peers.

Our August residency will be held at the Center for Fiction in downtown Brooklyn.

Fall and Spring Semesters

Our MFA Creative Writing curriculum offers you the chance to chart your own path. You can choose to focus on writing a novel, for instance, or you may choose to write poetry one semester and nonfiction the next, as you work toward a thesis that combines both. Our program also offers practical courses in helping you create a working writer’s life, with guidance in publishing, teaching, literary advocacy and creating your own literary community.

Program Info

• Graduate Student Admissions

Application Requirements

We accept applications on a rolling basis, but those received by April 15 will be considered for funding. June 1 is the general deadline for those who wish to begin the program in August.

Applicants should submit the following:

• Online application form . The $60 fee is waived for this program.
• One letter of reference from an academic or professional contact who can tell us about your work ethic and your ability to engage with others within an academic/artistic community
• Final transcript stating bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement: Tell us something about your writing life and what you hope to accomplish during the program. Tell us what you have read, are now reading and what you intend to read. Describe your current literary interests, your current or future challenges, and anything else you think is important for us to know about you. Please limit your essay to 1,000 words.
• Poetry: 10–15 pages (approximately a dozen poems).
• Fiction: Maximum of 30 pages, double-spaced, which can consist of one or more stories or part of a novel. If an excerpt from a longer work is submitted, please include a one-paragraph description of the work as a whole.
• Creative nonfiction: Maximum of 30 pages, double-spaced, which can consist of one or more pieces or part of a longer work. If an excerpt from a longer work is submitted, please include a one-paragraph description of the work as a whole.
• Mixed-genre work: Maximum of 30 pages, double-spaced.

Related Programs

Awards & recognition.

Upcoming Events

Program Director

• [email protected]
• 516.877.4027
• Harvey Hall 213

Graduate Admissions

• Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm Fri: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Current Students
• Parents & Families
• Alumni & Friends
• Local Community
• Student Profile
• Apply for Aid 
• Billing 
• Loans 
• One-Stop Student Services 
• Pay Your Bill 
• Refunds 
• Scholarships & Grants 
• Tuition & Costs 
• Tuition Insurance 
• Add/Drop a Course 
• Change Major/Minor 
• Course Search 
• Degree Audit 
• Enrollment/Degree Verification 
• Forms & Guidance 
• Register for Classes 
• University Bulletin (Course Catalog) 
• Academic Calendar 
• Academic Petitions 
• Academic Resources 
• Advisement 
• Final Exams 
• General Education 
• Grading Policies 
• International Services 
• Learning & Writing Centers (Tutoring) 
• Mentoring 
• Study Abroad 
• Assistive Technology 
• Bridges to Adelphi (Neurodiversity) 
• Housing Accommodations (Section 504) 
• Learning Disability & ADHD Support 
• Student Access Office 
• Athletics (Adelphi Panthers) 
• Bookstore 
• Clubs & Activities (MyAULife) 
• Commuter Student Services 
• The Delphian (Student Newspaper) 
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging 
• Dining Services & Meal Plans 
• Interfaith Worship 
• Locker Rentals 
• Lost & Found 
• Multicultural Center 
• Residential Life & Housing 
• Student & Community Engagement 
• Career & Professional Development 
• Internships 
• Job Search (Handshake) 
• Leadership & Development 
• On-Campus Jobs 
• Prep for Success (Kaplan Career Core) 
• Care Team 
• Community Concerns & Resolution 
• Conduct & Community Standards 
• Report Harassment 
• Title IX 
• Apply to Graduate 
• Commencement 
• Health Insurance & Waiver 
• Health Portal 
• Health Services Center 
• Immunization Requirements 
• Infectious Disease Prevention (COVID-19) 
• Mental Health Counseling & Support 
• Mindfulness Center 
• Nutritionist/Dietitian 
• Panther Pantry & Food Insecurity 
• Recreation & Fitness 
• University Libraries 
• My Library Account 
• Library Services 
• Clery Act 
• Emergency Notifications (RAVE) 
• Parking 
• Report Suspicious Behavior (BIT Team) 
• Shuttle Schedule 
• Help Desk (Tech Support) 
• Linkedin Learning 
• Technology Services 
• Disclosures & Info 
• Student Consumer Info 
• Student Disclosure 
• Academic Catalog 
• Financial Scholarly Support 
• Curriculog 
• Library 
• Navigate 
• OARAA 
• Provost 
• Research & Sponsored Programs 
• Administrative Calendar 
• Alice Brown Early Learning Center (Childcare) 
• Brand & Style Guide 
• Community Discounts 
• Emergency Notification (RAVE) 
• Faculty Payroll & Course Load 
• Faculty Senate 
• FCPE 
• Human Resources 
• LinkedIn Learning 
• Paid Time-Off 
• Public Safety & Transportation 
• Technology 
• Share Your News or Story 
• University News 
• University Events 
• Administrative Calendar
• Accounts Payable 
• Benefits 
• Concerns and Resolutions 
• Contracts 
• Handshake / Post Jobs 
• Staff Council 
• Parents & Families Info
• Career Services
• High School Programs
• Tuition & Financial Aid
• FERPA 
• General Education Requirements 
• Registrar 
• Paying a Bill 
• Accessibility Office 
• Availability of Employees 
• Campus Map 
• Handbooks & Brochures 
• Health Services 
• Parents & Families Association 
• Athletics 
• Performing Arts Center 
• Adelphi Gold 
• Discounts & Benefits 
• Jobs at Adelphi 
• Networking 
• Order a Transcript 
• Performing Arts Center
• Camps 
• High School Programs 
• Pre-College Programs 
• Art Exhibitions 
• Adult Fitness Program 
• Gym Membership 
• Continuing Education & Professional Development 
• Community Auditing Program 
• Credit for Prior Learning 
• Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program 
• Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders 
• Institute for Parenting 
• Literacy Center 
• Mental Health Services 
• Social Training Center 
• Become a Mentor 
• Center for Nonprofit Leadership 
• Reserve Event Space 

You are now leaving the Adelphi University website...

Adelphi is not responsible for the content of third-party sites. External sites may have different Privacy and Security policies than Adelphi University. You should review the policies of any third-party website before you provide personal or confidential information.

Go back Continue

• University Home
• Parsons School of Design
• Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
• College of Performing Arts
• The New School for Social Research
• Schools of Public Engagement
• Parsons Paris
• Continuing and Professional Education
• Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment
• School of Media Studies
• Julien J. Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs
• Creative Writing Program (MFA)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA)
• Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students

Take the Next Step

• How to Apply
• Request Information

Admission Contact Anne Lanza 72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor New York, NY 10011 646.909.3921   [email protected]

Program Contact Creative Writing Program 66 West 12th St. New York, NY 10011 [email protected] 212.229.5611

Related Links

• Creative Writing Blog
• Tuition and Fees
• Funding Opportunities
• Check Application Status
• View Courses
• Download Catalog

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing is awarded for the successful completion of 36 credits in one of the following concentrations: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Arts Writing, or Writing for Children and Young Adults. Popular graduate minors include Impact Entrepreneurship and Transmedia and Digital Storytelling . WriteOn NYC! , a New School–funded fellowship program, provides MFA students with high-quality teaching experience in area middle schools and high schools. Students may also enroll in campus-wide course electives on subjects such as teaching preparation, languages, and media practice.

• Degree Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Format Full-time, on campus
• Duration 2 years
• Start Term Fall

The Creative Writing MFA curriculum consists of the following degree requirements:

• Writing Workshops (12 credits)
• Literature Seminars (12 credits)
• Writer's Life Colloquium (4 credits)
• Literature Project (4 credits)
• Writing Thesis (4 credits)

In the first three semesters, students take one writing workshop and one literature seminar. Workshops are always taken within the chosen concentration, but students can take a literature seminar in another genre. 

In all four semesters, students take the Writer's Life Colloquium (1 credit). The credit is earned by participating in a minimum of eight approved Creative Writing events at The New School. Examples of regular events embraced by the Writer's Life Colloquium are the public readings co-sponsored with Cave Canem Foundation, The Story Prize, the National Book Foundation (presenters of the National Book Awards), the National Book Critics Circle, the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), PEN America, the Academy of American Poets, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Poetry Society of America, and the Publishing Triangle, as well as public readings and discussions devoted to each of the MFA concentrations. The Writer's Life Colloquium also hosts special seminars, teaching lectures, publishers' symposia, and visiting writer residencies arranged exclusively for graduate writing students.

In their final semester, students work closely with a faculty advisor to complete a Writing Thesis (a substantial work of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or writing for children and young adults) and a Literature Project in their concentration.

The program provides students with a framework and sustained blocks of time to work extensively on their own writing. Guided by our faculty of professional writers and authors, students focus on their manuscripts, both in the workshop and in individual conferences with their chosen instructor. The emphasis is on the creative acts of self-editing and revision. Workshops meet once a week in a 2.5-hour session. Structure and content are adapted to the area of concentration: Arts Writing, Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Traditional and contemporary literature is investigated from the specialized perspective of the active writer. Course offerings represent all the MFA concentrations, but vary each semester according to the interests of the faculty. All literature seminars concentrate on crucial aspects of craft as well as issues of literary history and theory. Seminars meet once a week in a two and a half hour session.

Graduate writing students at The New School participate in an ongoing colloquium of visiting writers, critics, writing teachers, editors, publishers, and literary agents. It reflects the wide range of cultural activity at The New School and the belief that students benefit from exposure to many voices and genres.

Examples of regular events embraced by the Writer's Life Colloquium are the public readings co-sponsored with Cave Canem Foundation, The Story Prize, National Book Foundation (presenters of the National Book Awards), National Book Critics Circle, Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), PEN America, Academy of American Poets, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Poetry Society of America, and Publishing Triangle, as well as public readings and discussions devoted to each of the MFA concentrations. The Writer's Life Colloquium also involves special seminars, teaching lectures, publishers' symposia, and visiting writer residencies arranged exclusively for graduate writing students.

In your last semester as an MFA student, you will work closely with your thesis advisor - a writing instructor of your choosing - to produce a substantial Creative Thesis manuscript in your area of concentration. You will also write a “Critical” Project.

The New School offers undergraduate creative writing in an undergraduate major, an honors program in Writing & Democracy, and summer courses and intensives. The BA in Creative Writing is a major available to students of the Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students. The Writing & Democracy Honors Program is the first academic program to treat writing, equality, and justice as a single subject and to implement its philosophy in its internal structure. The program may be added to any major university-wide. In Summer Intensives , undergraduate students earn up to six credits in three weeks of dedicated reading and writing with The New School’s prestigious faculty. Creative writing classes are offered to the entire undergraduate community at The New School.

Take The Next Step

• Request Info

Submit your application

Undergraduates.

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

• Skip to Main
• Program of Study
• Course Offerings

Program in Creative Writing

as.nyu.edu/cwp Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011-8702 • 212-998-8816

Professor Landau

The New York University Program in Creative Writing, among the most distinguished programs in the country, is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide students with an opportunity to develop their craft while working closely with some of the finest poets and novelists writing today. The creative writing program occupies a lovely townhouse on West 10th Street in the same Greenwich Village neighborhood where so many writers have lived and worked. The Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House allows writers—both established and emerging—to share their work in an inspiring setting.

The program's distinguished faculty of award-winning poets and prose writers represents a wide array of contemporary aesthetics. Our instructors have been the recipients of Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Genius, Guggenheim, and NEA fellowships, National Book and National Book Critics Circle awards, Pushcart Prizes, the Whiting Writer's Award, and more.

Undergraduates are encouraged to attend the program's reading series, which brings both established and new writers to NYU. Writing prizes, special events, and our undergraduate literary journal,  West 10th , further complement our course offerings and provide a sense of community for undergraduate writers. If you have questions about the minor in creative writing, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Creative Writing, B.F.A.

School of humanities and social sciences, program overview.

As a creative writing major, you will join a community of students, faculty, and mentors who will help you develop as an imaginative writer and a bold thinker. You’ll pursue a course of study that combines training in the art and craft of writing alongside literary scholarship. Working closely with our active, publishing, and award-winning faculty, you’ll sharpen your expertise in reading and analyzing literature and develop your skills at creating meaningful, transformative narratives.

Where You'll Go

The skills you will learn as a creative writing major—how to read and think critically, how to write with precision and ingenuity, how to do research—will prepare you well to be a creative writer, grants writer, content strategist, editor, copywriter, social media manager, and more.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here .

Major Requirements (47–52 Credits)

I. english 2120 and 2121 (8 credits).

English 2120 and 2121 are required. Creative writing majors should complete either English 2120 or 2121 , or be enrolled in one or the other, before continuing in other electives. No ENGL course numbered lower than 2115 may count toward the major.

II. Creative writing courses (16 credits)

• English 2301 .
• English 3301 , 3302 .
• English 3304 , 3305 .
• English 3306 , 3307 .
• One additional creative writing courses in the English Department: ENGL 2302 , or any of the courses 3301–3307 that has not been used to satisfy requirement (ii)b.

III. Periods of Study (10-12 credits)

One course from from 900–1800 and two from 1800 to the present:

• 900–1500: English 3111 , 3112 , 3520 , 4101 ; Comparative Literature 3614 .
• 1500–1660: English 3120 , 3121 , 3122 , 3123 , 3124 , 3125 , 4102 ; Comparative Literature 3615 .
• 1660–1800: English 3131 , 3132 , 3133 , 3234 , 4103 ; Comparative Literature 3616 .
• 1800–1900: English 3140 , 3141 , 3142 , 3143 , 3145 , 3151 , 3156 , 3157 , 3158 , 3160 , 4104 , 4107 ; Comparative Literature 3606 , 3617 .
• 1900–1950: English 2402 , 3152 , 3153 , 3156 , 3159 , 3160 , 3161 , 3162 , 3163 , 3164 , 3165 , 3170 , 3171 , 3172 , 3173 , 3193 , 4110 , 4107 , 4108 ; Comparative Literature 3607 , 3608 , 3610 , 3618 , 3622 , 3623 , 3624 , 3625 .
• 1950–the Present: English 2402 , 3154 , 3161 , 3162 , 3166 , 3167 , 3174 , 3180 , 3187 , 3193 , 3194 , 3254 , 4109 , 4112 , 4113 , 4114 ; Comparative Literature 3609 , 3611 , 3619 , 3621 , 3622 , 3623 , 3625 , 4601 , 4602 .

IV. Electives (13-16 credits)

• A) A course that addresses race/ethnicity or empire/post-colonialism (e.g., English 3158 , 3160 , 3161 , 3162 , 3166 , 3169 , 3182 , 3194 , 3234 , 3240 , 3526 , Comparative Literature 3620 , 3623 , 3625 , 3632 , or another course with permission of the chair)
• B) A genre course, or a thematic studies course (addressing a theme such as memory, migration, environmental humanities, literature and psychology, gender and sexuality), or an interdisciplinary studies course (English 3156 , 3157 , 3158 , 3159 , 3163 , 3181 , 3182 , 3183 , 3184 , 3185 , 3186 , 3188 , 3189 , 3190 , 3191 , 3192 , 3265 , 3281 , 3282 , 3286 , 3287 , 3288 , 3292 , 4107 , 4110 , 4111 , Comparative Literature 3601 , 3602 , 3603 , 3604 , 3605 , 3608 , 3612 , 3613 , 3628 , 3629 )
• Capstone seminar: ENGL 4301
• Three to four additional credits in advanced English Department courses. Related courses offered by other departments may be substituted with permission of the English Department chair.

Student Learning Outcomes

Department goal 1: read and think critically..

Program Objective 1: Learn to read literature with a focus on the ways in which form serves content.

Program Objective 2: Use close reading effectively to identify literary techniques, styles, and themes.

Program Objective 3: Learn to read and comment constructively and critically on the creative writing of peers in the workshop context.

Department Goal 2: Understand how language operates.

Program Objective 1: Demonstrate knowledge of literary tropes and techniques (e.g., metaphor, simile, metonymy, synecdoche, word play, and sonic effects such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and rhythm, etc.)

Department Goal 3: Express ideas—both orally and in writing—correctly, cogently, persuasively, and in conformity with the conventions of the discipline.

Program Objective 1: Create original examples of creative writing that demonstrate complexity through attention to rhetoric, syntax, and tone.

Program Objective 2: Comment and write cogently and persuasively about classmates’ writing in the workshop context.

Program Objective 3: Demonstrate the ability to respond to constructive criticism from instructor and peers by effectively revising writing assignments.

Program Objective 4: Demonstrate the ability to use the currently accepted conventions of standard English mechanics and grammar, with an eye toward how those standards can be stretched in order to achieve innovative modes of expression.

Department Goal 4: Conduct research

Program Objective 1: Learn how to research and seek out historical and contemporary literary voices relevant to their individual voice.

Program Objective 2: Make use of the opportunities that Brooklyn College and New York City afford by attending readings, plays, literary panel discussions, and submitting to literary magazines.

Outcomes for demonstrating achievement of objectives

Written work (including poems/stories/plays, in-class writing exercises, short written reflections on literary techniques used by published writers, workshop responses for peers, revised writing samples, etc.)

Contributions to class discussions and workshops

Attendance at readings, panels, performances or a related research project (such as researching literary magazines/submitting one’s work); documented via written summary of the activity handed into instructor

Degree Maps

View all past degree maps .

Contact the  English Department for information on academic advisers and office hours.

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 E:  [email protected]

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

The Support You’ll Find

Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in English offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.

Helen Phillips

Helen Phillips is the author of six books, including the novel THE NEED (Simon & Schuster, 20...

Tanya L. Pollard

Tanya Pollard trained in Classics, English, and Comparative literature, at Oxford and Yale. She t...

Karl T. Steel

For Karl Steel’s CV, see

Dorell Thomas

Dorell Thomas earned master’s degrees in both English Adolescent Literature, Grade 7-12 and...

Monica De La Torre

Simanique Moody

Eric Alterman

Eric Alterman is a CUNY Distinguished Professor of English and Journalism. He was the “The ...

Sophia Bamert

Matthew Burgess

Matthew Burgess began teaching at Brooklyn College in 1999 while pursuing his M.F.A. in Poetry. H...

Joseph Entin

Joseph Entin teaches in the English Department and the American Studies program at Brooklyn Colle...

Nicola Masciandaro

The Whim (blog) Current Projects: Appalling Melodrama, ...

Roni Natov has lived her entire life (almost) at Brooklyn College, where she was a student and ha...

Jonathan Nissenbaum

Jon Nissenbaum earned his Ph.D. under the supervision of Noam Chomsky and David Pesetsky. Before ...

Ellen Tremper

Native New Yorker Ellen Tremper has taught at New York University and joined the Brooklyn College...

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the creative writing B.F.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

• CBS News and Stations
• Harlem Children’s Zone
• Planned Parenthood
• Rent the Runway
• Varsity Tutors

Student Resources

Take the Next Step

Request Info Visit Our Campus Apply Now

Brooklyn. All in.

Best Creative Writing colleges in New York 2024

Best creative writing colleges in new york for 2024.

Adelphi University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 3 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 3 Master's degrees.

SUNY Adirondack offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a small suburb. In 2022, 6 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 6 Associate's degrees.

Canisius College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 4 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 4 Bachelor's degrees.

Columbia University in the City of New York offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 174 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 124 Master's degrees, and 50 Bachelor's degrees.

Cornell University offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 7 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 7 Master's degrees.

CUNY Brooklyn College offers 2 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 39 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 23 Bachelor's degrees, and 16 Master's degrees.

CUNY City College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 31 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 31 Master's degrees.

CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large city.

CUNY Hunter College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 16 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 16 Master's degrees.

CUNY Queens College offers 1 Creative Writing degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 14 Creative Writing students graduated with students earning 14 Master's degrees.

Find local colleges with Creative Writing majors in New York

List of all creative writing colleges in new york.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of New York for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy New York without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The 17 best writing classes in NYC

Harness your inner Zadie Smith at these stellar writing workshops for every type of writer on every type of budget

Whether you want to write the next murder mystery and hope it gets picked up by Hollywood directors, or  you want to ensure that your work emails and reports are concise, grammatically correct and rhetorically sound , these writing classes in NYC will help you put those ideas onto paper. And hopefully into some of the best independent bookstores and NYC libraries (fingers crossed!). The remarkable literary institutions employ authors-cum-teachers to teach courses in everything from personal essays to poetry, so you’re sure to find a discipline that suits you. And if you need inspiration, re-reading the best books about New York should do the trick. Enjoy.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to classes in NYC RECOMMENDED: The best BYOB painting classes in NYC

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .

An email you’ll actually love

NYC writing classes

1.  Advanced Business Writing

Once you have your grasp on the essentials of grammar and writing (like knowing what a semicolon actually does), you’ll want to enroll in a more advanced course to ensure every word you write is chosen with precision. In this course, you’ll learn how to analyze your audience, shape your tone and message for persuasion, education or communication and you’ll work on various strategies for planning your writing and ensuring that you are utilizing rhetorical tools and informative structures properly. At the end of the course, you’ll have sample writing projects that you can add to your job portfolio and you will be ready to use your writing as a tool to further your career.

2.  Effective Business Writing

While creatives may want to learn how to write the next great American novel, there are a lot of professional reasons that one might want to improve their writing skills. Virtually every job will require some form of communication between individuals and departments and the ability to write coherent emails, proposals, memos or updates is an important skill if you want to survive in an office environment. Learning the fine art of grammar and the practical skills needed to communicate cleanly will pay dividends in the long-term.

3.  Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks

One of the most inviting aspects of creative writing is how diverse of a field it is once you scratch the surface. Whether you are interested in writing poetry, short-fiction, long-form prose or even creative non-fiction or memoirs, you won’t need to look hard to find a vibrant community of fellow writers. In this introductory creative writing course, you can learn fundamental skills that can be applied to almost any genre of writing and you can get hands-on experience working in fictional and non-fictional styles to acclimate yourself to the variety of different styles of writing that you can learn and practice.

4.  Fiction Writing Level 1: 10 Week Workshop

If you are interested in flexing your creative muscles, you can enroll in an introductory fiction and poetry workshop to start looking for your own personal muse. In this course, students will all about the process of writing fiction and poetry. No one writes a world-changing poem on their first go and this class is about learning the art of revising, editing and expanding on your work in order to take the germ of an idea and turn it into a completed piece that expresses your own creative desires. Whether you are looking to write short form poetry or you want to write a 13-book series in your favorite brand of genre fiction, learning these basic techniques will be a vital boon to your work.

5.  Grammar Essentials

English grammar is incredibly (and often needlessly complicated). Did you know that the reason you aren’t supposed to split infinitives is because someone in the 19th century wanted English to sound more like Latin? Well, if the basics of grammar continue to give you problems, you should consider enrolling in a course like this one. Here, you’ll get practical lessons in the art of writing clean sentences that clearly communicate your intended message and ensure that your writing isn’t giving readers the wrong impressions.

6.  Just Write

One of the biggest stumbling blocks that new writers face is that they overthink the preparation work and skimp on the writing work. Like any skill, you learn to write by practicing and the best way to do that is to write. In this regularly-held three-hour seminar, writers are encouraged to do just that: sit around a table and bang out some words while enduring the silent judgment of their peers (who are also using this as a time they are forced to write). While there is time for discussion, critique (and socializing), the outline of this program is simple: Just write.

7.  Business Writing Bootcamp

If you want a complete business writing education, consider enrolling in a business writing bootcamp. This course pairs the grammar lessons and technical writing skills of an introductory course with the rhetorical and persuasive writing training of an advanced writing course. This makes it a one-stop experience for students with minimal writing experience to start to master the important aspects of business writing. Improve your career opportunities and help improve the quality of your persuasive and informative projects with one of these immersive bootcamps.

8.  Personal Essay Writing Intensive

The personal essay has become a rather popular form of writing for mass consumption in recent years, particularly as the barriers to publishing short form content have been lowered (were one truly inclined, social media platforms make it almost effortless). In this class, you’ll learn how to brainstorm ideas and plan out the structure of the personal essay and how to build both pathos and ethos in your experiences and arguments. Similar to memoir writing, personal essay writing is about leveraging your own personal experience as a rhetorical tool and it is practical whether you are trying to persuade an audience, sell yourself to a company or institution or make a profession out of Op-Ed writing.

9.  Stand-up Comedy One Day Intensive

Do you want to perform? Want to make people laugh? Want to tour the country? Well, consider learning stand-up comedy. While professional stand-up comedians make it look off-the-cuff, the process of writing a good stand-up routine involves a lot of fine-tuning and revision, particularly as you workshop jokes and tighten the set. In this intensive course, you’ll get a chance to try out some new material, get feedback and start the process of refining your jokes in front of professional comedy writers. Whether you are hoping to punch up a bit or start your first routine, this intrusive course will help you start refining your comedic voice.

10.  The Editor’s Eye Intensive

Not all aspects of writing are about being creative. Making sure that your work is properly edited, free of errors and written as tightly as you would prefer is an essential step to getting your work published. This course will help students learn the basics of editing so that they can identify things like improper grammar, incorrect word usage, clunky and awkwards sentences and overly verbose writing. This program also aims to help students develop the professional skills needed to work as an editor (since companies hire professional editors and freelance writers who don’t like editing will pay a pretty penny to have someone else handle it).

11.  Screenwriting I: 10-Week Workshop

If you have an idea that you think would be perfect for the big screen, you should consider enrolling in this immersive screenwriting workshop. Writing a screenplay isn’t like writing other forms of long-form fiction, so you’ll want to get focused training on how to write scripts that are cinematic, compelling and, most importantly, marketable. You’ll learn the art of writing dialogue, stage directions and providing actors and directors with the information they need to bring your vision to life. Whether you are interested in arthouse cinema or want to pen the next famous blockbuster, you’ll benefit from taking this course.

12.  Memoir Writing Intensive

If the personal essay aims to make an argument, then the memoir aims to tell a story. In this course, you’ll learn the art of transforming your personal experience into a compelling narrative that entices readers and helps make a broader point about how your experiences tell us something about the world. Slightly distinct from creative non-fiction, memoir writing is possibly the most personal style of writing that you can engage in. While memoirs have traditionally been associated with powerful heads of state and significant thinkers, the genre has become more welcoming to the perspective of the everyday, and in  this course, you’ll learn how your own lived experiences can become the thing of memoir greatness.

13.  Songwriting Intensive

Acclaimed songwriter Taylor Swift was recently named Time Magazine ’s Person of the Year, suggesting that writing music can have globe altering implications. If you want to learn the basics of professional songwriting and emulate your favorite music icon, consider enrolling in this songwriting course. This course will teach students how to write popular music, how to craft a perfect tune to go along with the lyrics and how to market the music to studios, producers and labels. This course covers a range of different genres, so whether you want to write R&B, pop, rockabilly, hip-hop or smooth jazz, this course will help you develop your skills and start writing the next great earworm.

14.  Playwriting Intensive

Live theater is one of the oldest forms of creative writing, dating back, at least to the early Grecians (and likely existed in some form even before the development of systematized writing). If you want to flex your inner Shakespeare, Beckett or Tennesse Williams, consider enrolling in this intensive playwriting course. You’ll learn how to transform the empty stage into a real world and you’ll learn how to write your plays to give the actors the tools they need to deliver the best performances possible. Writing for the stage is its own unique challenge and this course will give you the experience you need to start staging your own masterwork. Plus, for any aspiring Hammersteins, the course can also help you begin to write musicals.

15.  Plot 1: Mechanics 3-week Intensive

Hollywood screenplays, like all narrative, rely on structure to scaffold the story and build audience investment. Whether you are working with the traditional three-act structure most common to feature films, the five-act structures of classic stage plays or the one or two act structures common to modernist works, you’ll want to understand why narratives are structured in certain ways and how to use these structures to your advantage when writing a screenplay. This course will teach students the math that goes into writing a structured screenplay and give them hands-on practice scaffolding their story beats.

16.  Social Media Content Marketing: Blogs & Twitter at Noble Desktop

A lot of professional writing for mass audiences is now done online, with blogs and Twitter being important places to communicate and persuade your audience (like this article is doing now and in this class you’ll learn whether or not meta commentary like this helps your content marketing). In this class, you’ll get hands-on experience working with professional content writers to help you set goals, build marketing strategies and create a voice for your company or organization. You will also learn how to create a coherent brand identity for your online content and how to use platforms like Twitter to expand your reach, build a customer base and keep that base engaged with your content.

17.  Character Creation

Characters can really make or break a story. This Character creation class is a compact workshop for character creating and development, to help give you the skills to make your story work. The workshop will focus on areas like principles of characterization, consistency and effects of dialogue, plus more to help with your character-building and storytelling. It's a two-hour session with a teacher, working anywhere that suits you both and 1-2-1 to ensure you have thorough guidance and help. 

Looking for literary inspiration?

12 New York places you’ll recognize from literature

• Things to do
• Literary events

Readers’ starry-eyed expectations won’t be let down by these iconic literary landmarks

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Local Marketing Solutions
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Published September 13, 2023

A Tale of Three Cities: NYU’s Summer Creative Writing Programs

Staff Writer

• Aspiring writers can spend a month honing their craft in Paris, Florence, or New York City.
• These summer programs are open to current NYU undergrads as well as visiting students.
• Writers immerse themselves in their cities and learn from leading literary and creative minds.

Writers draw inspiration from their own experiences, and for many, global cities become their muse. At NYU, aspiring poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers can enroll in a monthlong immersive summer program through the College of Arts and Science . Participants choose between Paris, Florence, and New York City, and then hone their creative writing skills against the backdrop of an iconic city. Below, three aspiring wordsmiths share their experiences living a writer’s life.

Enjoy a Moveable Feast in Paris

NYU English and American Literature major Isean Bhalla chose to study in Paris because a friend completed the program and loved it. Their endorsement? “‘It was the greatest month of my life,’ word for word,” Isean recalls. “Plus, one does not say no to Paris. Ever.” Reflecting back, Isean credits growing as a creative writer to the program’s high-quality faculty and “excellent” nightly readings from “world-class writers.” “It gave me a greater understanding of my own voice as well as things I want to write about in the future,” Isean affirms.

Most importantly, however, Writers in Paris connected Isean to an inspiring community that was rich in writing talent and friendship. “The program put me in constant contact with other writers who were better than I was. They pushed me in ways I couldn’t. Being around writers 24/7 doesn’t sound like it’s that important, but I found it more stimulating for my writing than anything else. That’s all anyone ever talked about or thought about. So we’d feed off each other and get better.” And, of course, being in Paris didn’t hurt. Isean says, “Paris is a muse; Paris has always been a muse; and I suspect Paris will always be a muse.”

Get a Room with a View in Florence

Katherine Ertman always considered writing a hobby, but after attending Writers in Florence , she realized it could be a career. The NYU Vocal Performance major is training to be an opera singer, but in Florence, she found that “writing my own stories instead of performing stories written by others was a refreshing experience.” In fact, Katherine spent the past summer completing a Creative Writing minor by enrolling in both Writers in Florence and Writers in Paris. “It seemed like an amazing opportunity to complete all 16 credits while exploring two inspiring European cities,” she explains.

In Florence Katherine drew inspiration from a day trip to Castello di Fosdinovo, a Tuscan medieval castle. In Paris she attended readings by renowned authors outside the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. “The locations really influenced me, and I ended up writing a few stories set in both locations,” Katherine says. In the end, she urges anyone interested to enroll, even if they’ve never shared their creative writing with others. “Just try it!” she exclaims. “Writing was a hobby for me, and I went in without any prior workshop experience. Also, I was intimidated because I’m not an English major. However, my fears were unfounded because the faculty and students alike were so supportive. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

A Writer Grows in New York City

Esmé Warmuth grew up close to New York City, admiring the city from afar but never spending much time there. So when the English major learned that she could join NYU’s Writers in New York program as a visiting student , she jumped at the chance. “I’ve been a longtime admirer of NYU’s creative writing faculty,” she adds. Living in Greenwich Village, Esmé connected with published authors, literary agents, and magazine editors, gaining valuable professional experience. She particularly enjoyed a panel with program alumni. “It was helpful to hear from authors who had started where we were and wound up with book deals, jobs teaching creative writing, and overall successful careers,” she explains.

During her month in New York City, Esmé sharpened her skills as a writer and gained confidence in her abilities. “Receiving, giving, and listening to advice in class helped me grow my craft and gave me the opportunity to share my writing with a receptive and positive audience,” she says. All in all, the experience was better than she could have imagined. “The Writers in New York program was like nothing I ever experienced before,” she concludes. “Being among students my age who were just as passionate about books and writing as I am was wonderful. Plus, everyone came in with a great attitude and a willingness to learn. I’m very grateful.”

A Creative Writing Minor Complements Any Major

Across majors and around the world, NYU students find the value in a Creative Writing minor.

A Guide to Writing Majors at NYU

At NYU, English and creative writing aren’t the only options for aspiring writers!

Find Joie de Vivre at NYU Paris

At NYU Paris, you can practice your French, take courses at local institutions, and soak in the French capital’s storied culture.

2024 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in New York

• Direct Admissions
• College Quiz
• Best student life
• Top party schools
• Best academics
• Best colleges
• Best professors
• Hardest to get into

Best programs

• Accounting/finance
• Agricultural sciences
• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Communications
• Computer science
• Criminal justice
• Culinary arts
• Engineering
• Engineering technician
• Environmental science
• Film/photography
• Global studies
• Health care management
• Information technology
• International relations
• Kinesiology/therapy
• Performing arts
• Political science
• Public health
• Public policy
• Religious studies
• Sports management
• Most diverse
• Most liberal
• Most conservative

Social scene

• Best greek life
• Best campuses
• Best college dorms
• Best college food
• Best locations
• Safest campuses
• College athletics
• Best for student athletes

1-25 of 31 results

Columbia University

New York, NY •

• • Rating 3.83 out of 5   1,349 reviews

Junior: The campus is beautiful and the curriculum is challenging. However, the undergraduate professors do not care very much for undergraduate students, and you have to really advocate for yourself frequently. The deans are very helpful in getting professors in motion, so I recommend getting to know your deans and academic advisors. If your schedule allows you to go to office hours, do it! ... Read 1,349 reviews

• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 4%

Net price $12,411

SAT range 1470-1570

#1 Best Colleges in New York .

Blue checkmark.

NEW YORK, NY ,

1349 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says The campus is beautiful and the curriculum is challenging. However, the undergraduate professors do not care very much for undergraduate students, and you have to really advocate for yourself... .

Read 1349 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $12,411 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1570 ,

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY •

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   486 reviews

Alum: Home. A 4-year residential campus, almost always less than a mile from my best friends turns Hamilton from an institution into a community. From the amazing maintenance teams always happy to show you the roof and underbelly of buildings when you’re curious to explore, to the professors who ask you if you want to grab coffee (or maybe a beer if you and them partake) after class - it is impossible to capture Hamilton’s depth. They say if you spend a second at each exhibit in the Smithsonian museums, you’ll pass away before you see them all - and this rings true of Hamilton, its student body, the many educational departments, and the campus as a whole; you cannot do/see/experience it all during your time here. It keeps it exciting, and the deeper you look more cool things you find. The bad reviews here on Niche about administration, although warranted as every administration should live with checks and balances, are not reflective of the many but the loud few. ... Read 486 reviews

Acceptance rate 14%

Net price $26,803

SAT range 1410-1540

#5 Best Colleges in New York .

CLINTON, NY ,

486 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Home. A 4-year residential campus, almost always less than a mile from my best friends turns Hamilton from an institution into a community. From the amazing maintenance teams always happy to show you the... They say if you spend a second at each exhibit in the Smithsonian museums, you’ll pass away before you see them all - and this rings true of Hamilton, its student body, the many educational... The bad reviews here on Niche about administration, although warranted as every administration should live with checks and balances, are not reflective of the many but the loud few. .

Read 486 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $26,803 ,

SAT Range : 1410-1540 ,

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY •

• • Rating 3.65 out of 5   1,612 reviews

Junior: U of R is a mid-sized school on the smaller side with a ton of international students and pre-meds. It is an extremely competitive environment and very few social activities or parties. With that said, the classes are high-quality and clubs host a ton of events to keep you engaged. The city itself has some nice restaurants and we even have a college town that's quite convenient. The dining hall food is not too bad and you can use ur meal plan at Starbucks, Peets and even a sushi place. (Plus, a campus grocery store). Some of the STEM classes are extremely challenging and test-based with a lot of weed-out classes, like most schools. If you go to this school do not expect to party a ton and study very little, it's not an easy school but it is semi-worth it and you learn a lot. People say Rochester is unsafe, I do not feel that way and we have public safety everywhere near campus incase something happens. Housing is not world class but its liveable and nice. #nerdhardplayhard ... Read 1,612 reviews

• grade  A Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 41%

Net price $40,125

SAT range 1370-1520

#9 Best Colleges in New York .

ROCHESTER, NY ,

1612 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says U of R is a mid-sized school on the smaller side with a ton of international students and pre-meds. It is an extremely competitive environment and very few social activities or parties. With that... .

Read 1612 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 41% ,

Net Price : $40,125 ,

SAT Range : 1370-1520 ,

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

SHIPPENSBURG, PA

• • Rating 3.56 out of 5   1,099

St. Joseph's University, New York - Long Island

PATCHOGUE, NY

• • Rating 3.62 out of 5   340

The University of Tulsa

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   731

Yeshiva University

• • Rating 3.84 out of 5   288 reviews

Alum: YU gives a great education, especially on the pre-medical track. The classes, faculty, and networking are all top-tier. Living in Midtown is really fun and there are so many volunteering opportunities around both through the school and external organizations. Definitely recommend YU! ... Read 288 reviews

• grade  A minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 63%

Net price $36,807

SAT range 1140-1410

#12 Best Colleges in New York .

288 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says YU gives a great education, especially on the pre-medical track. The classes, faculty, and networking are all top-tier. Living in Midtown is really fun and there are so many volunteering... .

Read 288 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 63% ,

Net Price : $36,807 ,

SAT Range : 1140-1410 ,

Binghamton University, SUNY

Vestal, NY •

• • Rating 3.64 out of 5   2,656 reviews

Freshman: I really love it here! Compared to my high school it really takes the cake. There are so many opportunities for everyone and they have so many clubs and teams I never could have imagined. The worst part for me is walking outside to and from classes in the wintertime/rain and there are very few ways to navigate around the school without being exposed to the elements for a prolonged period. I am also unhappy that you have to pay an extra $100 fee per semester just to use the gym/fitspace. I also do wish it was cheaper because I have to take out multiple loans and will be 6 figures in debt by the time I graduate, but it is what it is. ... Read 2,656 reviews

Acceptance rate 44%

Net price $17,881

SAT range 1310-1470

#13 Best Colleges in New York .

VESTAL, NY ,

2656 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I really love it here! Compared to my high school it really takes the cake. There are so many opportunities for everyone and they have so many clubs and teams I never could have imagined. The worst... .

Read 2656 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 44% ,

Net Price : $17,881 ,

SAT Range : 1310-1470 ,

Stony Brook University, SUNY

Stony Brook, NY •

• • Rating 3.54 out of 5   2,885 reviews

Freshman: Stony Brook has always been on my radar for potential colleges, but ever since becoming a student there, I would say it is my dream college. The students there aren't judgmental and mind their own business, but are active and willing to help; the professors there are often renowned for research and publications, but are mostly friendly and good at teaching; the campus is lively with plenty of people, but nature is prevalent - deer can be spotted once in a while! Transportation is convenient and accessible, which is great when the weather isn't good for walking outside. The only thing I want updated is the technology used for sharing and assigning class content, but that will come with time! Stony Brook University is always moving forward. ... Read 2,885 reviews

Acceptance rate 48%

Net price $16,445

SAT range 1300-1480

#17 Best Colleges in New York .

STONY BROOK, NY ,

2885 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Stony Brook has always been on my radar for potential colleges, but ever since becoming a student there, I would say it is my dream college. The students there aren't judgmental and mind their own... .

Read 2885 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 48% ,

Net Price : $16,445 ,

SAT Range : 1300-1480 ,

• Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

University at Buffalo, SUNY

Buffalo, NY •

• • Rating 3.64 out of 5   3,114 reviews

Alum: UB is highly underrated, especially for computer science. The professors are top-notch and helped prepare me for a career after college. UB has many clubs and activities-there is something for everyone! I made life-long friends and got an internship between my junior and senior years that turned into a full-time position after graduation. ... Read 3,114 reviews

Acceptance rate 70%

Net price $17,954

SAT range 1180-1360

#18 Best Colleges in New York .

BUFFALO, NY ,

3114 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says UB is highly underrated, especially for computer science. The professors are top-notch and helped prepare me for a career after college. UB has many clubs and activities-there is something for... .

Read 3114 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 70% ,

Net Price : $17,954 ,

SAT Range : 1180-1360 ,

St. Bonaventure University

Saint Bonaventure, NY •

• • Rating 3.66 out of 5   482 reviews

Senior: I like that I can contact my professors at any moment and they can email me or meet me in person within a day. During COVID, all my classes were held in person, so no student was left behind or struggling with online courses. I now choose to take online courses, but that has not hindered my learning. Instead, it has motivated me to research further on the topics we discuss in lectures while I am completing assignments. I live off campus in a beautiful, antique house that is larger, cleaner, and more affordable than my house at home. It is surrounded by shops and local businesses that I frequent daily. Overall, St Bonaventure is a gem hidden in the beautiful, picturesque mountains of Allegany, NY, and I highly encourage anyone who seeks a peaceful getaway and affordable education to attend this university. ... Read 482 reviews

• grade  B+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 78%

Net price $25,533

SAT range 1070-1270

#27 Best Colleges in New York .

SAINT BONAVENTURE, NY ,

482 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I like that I can contact my professors at any moment and they can email me or meet me in person within a day. During COVID, all my classes were held in person, so no student was left behind or... .

Read 482 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 78% ,

Net Price : $25,533 ,

SAT Range : 1070-1270 ,

CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY •

• • Rating 3.67 out of 5   1,285 reviews

Sophomore: How I would describe Brooklyn College is like a one-and-done go. I picked only two days to go to campus because I recently moved away from Brooklyn and it's a 2-hour commute from where I live now. My day there is attending my 4 classes and with the breaks in between them, I like to study in the library or finish up work that needs to be done during the weekend, have some lunch with my classmates, etc. The student life here I would say is very inclusive, most people have their groups and just stay to themselves. What I would like to see change is the conditions of the buildings and the club & association environment. The conditions are manageable but could be better, most of the time the elevator doesn't work, very bad wifi, and not too many areas to have lunch, hang out, or study (besides the library). But what I love about Brooklyn college is the diversity and professors, you will see people from all countries here and your professors care about your grades and wellbeing. ... Read 1,285 reviews

Acceptance rate 51%

Net price $4,254

SAT range 1020-1180

#33 Best Colleges in New York .

BROOKLYN, NY ,

1285 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says How I would describe Brooklyn College is like a one-and-done go. I picked only two days to go to campus because I recently moved away from Brooklyn and it's a 2-hour commute from where I live now. My... .

Read 1285 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 51% ,

Net Price : $4,254 ,

SAT Range : 1020-1180 ,

Pratt Institute

• • Rating 3.56 out of 5   862 reviews

Sophomore: Pratt's School of Architecture is absolutely magnificent. I have been in the program for a few semesters, and I continue to love it even more each semester. As many know, architecture is a very challenging and time-consuming major/program but the work that is created through the program is reflective of the student's hard work. What has impressed me the most about Pratt SoA are the professors. I continue to be astonished by my professor's work, education, and expertise in the field; hearing their stories and being able to see their work around the city makes going through the program both inspiring and rewarding. Furthermore, the small class sizes allow students to get to know their professors in ways that will assist in preparing them for the future (for instance, one of my professors recommended me for an internship and connected me with one of their former colleagues). Pratt has been the perfect fit for me! ... Read 862 reviews

• grade  B Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 68%

Net price $46,486

SAT range 1190-1410

#51 Best Colleges in New York .

862 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Pratt's School of Architecture is absolutely magnificent. I have been in the program for a few semesters, and I continue to love it even more each semester. As many know, architecture is a very... .

Read 862 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 68% ,

Net Price : $46,486 ,

SAT Range : 1190-1410 ,

SUNY Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY •

• • Rating 3.59 out of 5   814 reviews

Senior: I did, in general, enjoy my time at Plattsburgh. I am proud of the person I have become, and the work I accomplished, during my time. In the 4 years here, there were only 2 members of faculty that I didn't like. Overall, I loved my professors and enjoyed my coursework. However. My largest gripe with Plattsburgh, is its blatant bias towards its athletics. Now, I am as far from athletic as I can get; I have multiple health issues which interfere with daily life. Because of these health issues, I would frequently try the campus's accessibility options. 'Try' being the operative word. The campus is plagued by useless "accessible" entrances. The automatic entrance, the main entrance, of the College Center was nonfunctional for an entire semester. The ramps for one building were far too steep, while another ramp had 90-degree turns. The wheelchair lift in one building was broken, and had been that way for years. With all of that in mind: The school just spent $35million on a new gym. ... Read 814 reviews

Net price $15,421

SAT range 1050-1240

#55 Best Colleges in New York .

PLATTSBURGH, NY ,

814 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I did, in general, enjoy my time at Plattsburgh. I am proud of the person I have become, and the work I accomplished, during my time. In the 4 years here, there were only 2 members of faculty that I... However. My largest gripe with Plattsburgh, is its blatant bias towards its athletics. Now, I am as far from athletic as I can get; I have multiple health issues which interfere with daily life. Because of... The campus is plagued by useless "accessible" entrances. The automatic entrance, the main entrance, of the College Center was nonfunctional for an entire semester. The ramps for one building were far... With all of that in mind: The school just spent $35million on a new gym. .

Read 814 reviews.

Net Price : $15,421 ,

SAT Range : 1050-1240 ,

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY •

• • Rating 3.58 out of 5   2,076 reviews

Senior: Ithaca College is the perfect place for those who want a smaller-school experience. With Ithaca College being right next door to Cornell University, it really makes for an overall pleasurably off-campus experience. Take a stroll through the commons (bookstores, banks, thrift stores, etc.); experience the waterfalls and gorges; and most importantly, bask in the great view of the lakes from the hilltops of campus. Ithaca college is not for the faint-of-heart. Wild weather the results from being so close to the lakes ("the lake effect") can really shock people when they first arrive but I find that it always keeps me on my toes. The dining hall food is not the best however, there are many other dining options like in IC Square there are food places that use "bomber bucks" that have higher quality, tasty food. The professors (in my departments) are so caring and funny and super chill. Talk to them and they will talk to you. Overall, I love the community at Ithaca College. ... Read 2,076 reviews

Net price $35,327

SAT range —

#58 Best Colleges in New York .

ITHACA, NY ,

2076 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Ithaca College is the perfect place for those who want a smaller-school experience. With Ithaca College being right next door to Cornell University, it really makes for an overall pleasurably... .

Read 2076 reviews.

Net Price : $35,327 ,

• Sponsored Find Student Loan Options
• 4 Ways to Pay for College
• 2024 Best Colleges with Playwriting and Screenwriting Degrees

SUNY Oswego

Oswego, NY •

• • Rating 3.57 out of 5   1,527 reviews

Sophomore: The normal involvement of a SUNY Oswego understudy is checked by scholarly thoroughness, dynamic campus life, and differing extracurricular openings. Campus life flourishes with an cluster of understudy organizations, social occasions, and recreational exercises, cultivating a solid sense of community and social network. Numerous understudies effectively take an interest in extracurricular exercises, counting clubs, sports, and volunteer activities, which not as it were enhance their college involvement but moreover develop administration abilities and social obligation. SUNY Oswego helps the community cultivating associations between understudies and the neighborhood community. Backed by different campus assets such as scholarly exhorting and counseling administrations, understudies experience individual development and advancement, sharpening basic considering abilities and developing their understanding of themselves and the world around them. ... Read 1,527 reviews

Acceptance rate 80%

Net price $15,078

SAT range 1060-1280

#60 Best Colleges in New York .

OSWEGO, NY ,

1527 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The normal involvement of a SUNY Oswego understudy is checked by scholarly thoroughness, dynamic campus life, and differing extracurricular openings. Campus life flourishes with an cluster of... .

Read 1527 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 80% ,

Net Price : $15,078 ,

SAT Range : 1060-1280 ,

The New School

• • Rating 3.58 out of 5   652 reviews

Alum: The New School was a creative hub that drew in different types of people all on their own journeys. Due to the nature of the Greenwich Village campus, student life/socializing was lackluster, and there was little community organizing. I felt liberated in the open-ended curriculum but also not set up to join the work force. ... Read 652 reviews

• grade  B minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 66%

Net price $43,547

SAT range 1150-1380

652 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The New School was a creative hub that drew in different types of people all on their own journeys. Due to the nature of the Greenwich Village campus, student life/socializing was lackluster, and... .

Read 652 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 66% ,

Net Price : $43,547 ,

SAT Range : 1150-1380 ,

Canisius University

• • Rating 3.68 out of 5   789 reviews

Sophomore: I love the small class sizes which make for interactive and engaging classes with quality professors. There are lots of events from different organizations throughout the semester and your level of involvement is however much you wish to be involved. I would like to see more appreciation for the professors from the administration. Though the professors care a lot, there's only so much they can do when they're spread thin due to department cuts. Despite this, the new leadership gives me a lot of hope! ... Read 789 reviews

Acceptance rate 81%

Net price $18,486

SAT range 1050-1250

789 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I love the small class sizes which make for interactive and engaging classes with quality professors. There are lots of events from different organizations throughout the semester and your level of... .

Read 789 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 81% ,

Net Price : $18,486 ,

SAT Range : 1050-1250 ,

SUNY Potsdam

Potsdam, NY •

• • Rating 3.52 out of 5   763 reviews

Senior: Pretty interesting historical background with this school, and you definitely get your taste of all four seasons. Most of the faculty here really do care and will do whatever they can to help you succeed - really kind people. The students for the most part are friendly and you can usually find your crowd, but Potsdam DOES attract a lot of mediocre students as well given that they are trying to improve admission numbers. A lot of students behave like this is high school and it's disappointing to not be around people that have a drive that you'd expect in college. It doesn't help that most of the facilities aside from the gym and Crane are withering in some ways. You will most likely get through your classes fairly easily. Definitely enjoyed the weather and natural landscapes all around. The community in the town is pretty tight nit and fun to see during night life. I'd love to see more energy in town at night, and professors holding some students more accountable. Good school overall. ... Read 763 reviews

Net price $14,494

POTSDAM, NY ,

763 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Pretty interesting historical background with this school, and you definitely get your taste of all four seasons. Most of the faculty here really do care and will do whatever they can to help you... .

Read 763 reviews.

Net Price : $14,494 ,

SUNY Nassau Community College

Garden City, NY •

• • Rating 3.66 out of 5   1,119 reviews

Freshman: I appreciate its diverse student body and faculty, which enriches the learning environment and promotes cultural exchange. The college also offers support services such as academic advising, tutoring, and career counseling to help us students succeed academically and professionally.Like any educational institution, there may be areas for improvement. Some students may wish to see expanded course offerings, updated facilities, or increased access to resources and extracurricular activities. SUNY Nassau Community College plays an important role in providing quality higher education opportunities to students in the region. I don’t really know if there’s something to change because i like everything . ... Read 1,119 reviews

• grade  C+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 100%

Net price $6,730

GARDEN CITY, NY ,

1119 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I appreciate its diverse student body and faculty, which enriches the learning environment and promotes cultural exchange. The college also offers support services such as academic advising,... SUNY Nassau Community College plays an important role in providing quality higher education opportunities to students in the region. I don’t really know if there’s something to change because i like everything . .

Read 1119 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 100% ,

Net Price : $6,730 ,

Hartwick College

Oneonta, NY •

• • Rating 3.45 out of 5   555 reviews

Works Here: Very smart place full of kind people. Set on an amazing hill. What's not to like? You can hike, ski, build, learn, explore, eat great food, make amazing friends and more! ... Read 555 reviews

Acceptance rate 96%

Net price $22,523

SAT range 1000-1220

ONEONTA, NY ,

555 Niche users give it an average review of 3.4 stars.

Featured Review: Works Here says Very smart place full of kind people. Set on an amazing hill. What's not to like? You can hike, ski, build, learn, explore, eat great food, make amazing friends and more! .

Read 555 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 96% ,

Net Price : $22,523 ,

SAT Range : 1000-1220 ,

SUNY Finger Lakes Community College

Canandaigua, NY •

• • Rating 3.78 out of 5   372 reviews

Freshman: At Finger Lakes Community College, there is a great sense of community. There are many activities to do on Campus that will get you to interact with everyone around you and make new friends. The classes are very discussion based and are small groups of students which makes it more personal, the professors actually know your names. There are many support groups like the writing help center, and math tutors. If you are struggling with any class, struggling with situations at home, or just need someone to talk to, FLCC is able to provide it. The college is very verbal about all the weekly events they have going on, there are signs everywhere and it is all posted on the college website. One of my favorite things that we do is bingo, nothings better than sitting with your friends and winning things like gift cards or groceries when you get a bingo. My favorite place to be productive is the bottom floor of the library, it is dead silent and peaceful down there. Overall, great school! ... Read 372 reviews

Net price $11,086

CANANDAIGUA, NY ,

372 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says At Finger Lakes Community College, there is a great sense of community. There are many activities to do on Campus that will get you to interact with everyone around you and make new friends. The... .

Read 372 reviews.

Net Price : $11,086 ,

SUNY Monroe Community College

• • Rating 3.78 out of 5   655 reviews

Sophomore: My overall experience with MCC has been very positive. The courses offered are high quality. There is flexibility with modality of courses available. The school provides a wide array of resources available to help students succeed in both their personal and professional life including childcare assistance, personal wellness, and financial counseling services. For the most part there is consistency among professors regarding communication, course format and grading but every once in a while, you experience a professor that is unconventional and inconsistent. ... Read 655 reviews

Net price $7,150

655 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My overall experience with MCC has been very positive. The courses offered are high quality. There is flexibility with modality of courses available. The school provides a wide array of resources... .

Read 655 reviews.

Net Price : $7,150 ,

St. Thomas Aquinas College

Sparkill, NY •

• • Rating 3.47 out of 5   161 reviews

Freshman: Being apart of the St Thomas Aquinas College family, I have learned so much about myself and my interests. The small campus and community feel has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions whether in track & field or education. The professors at STAC want me to be the best version of myself and are always willing to work with me if needed. The moment I stepped foot on campus I felt like I was welcomed with open arms by the staff and my peers. ... Read 161 reviews

Acceptance rate 89%

Net price $18,502

SAT range 970-1190

SPARKILL, NY ,

161 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Being apart of the St Thomas Aquinas College family, I have learned so much about myself and my interests. The small campus and community feel has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions... .

Read 161 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 89% ,

Net Price : $18,502 ,

SAT Range : 970-1190 ,

SUNY Adirondack Community College

Queensbury, NY •

• • Rating 3.61 out of 5   394 reviews

Senior: overall it has been okay, this school is slightly too strict with a lot of the rules, also beware of the nuggets sometimes they are undercooked and give you food poisoning. And sometimes the staff is a little less than professional but the diversity is great and the opportunity I have had to graduated a whole year earlier than I was supposed to absolutely a blessing. ... Read 394 reviews

Net price $7,619

QUEENSBURY, NY ,

394 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says overall it has been okay, this school is slightly too strict with a lot of the rules, also beware of the nuggets sometimes they are undercooked and give you food poisoning. And sometimes the staff is... .

Read 394 reviews.

Net Price : $7,619 ,

SUNY Buffalo State University

• • Rating 3.49 out of 5   1,520 reviews

Alum: I recently graduated from Buff State in May 2023 and I will be attending again in the Fall for graduate school! While I didn't have the best advisor, I had really great and supportive professors who prepared me to become a secondary teacher! I've watched Buff State bounce back after the pandemic and the on-campus events are always fun to attend! ... Read 1,520 reviews

Acceptance rate 85%

Net price $9,998

SAT range 930-1160

1520 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I recently graduated from Buff State in May 2023 and I will be attending again in the Fall for graduate school! While I didn't have the best advisor, I had really great and supportive professors who... I've watched Buff State bounce back after the pandemic and the on-campus events are always fun to attend! .

Read 1520 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 85% ,

Net Price : $9,998 ,

SAT Range : 930-1160 ,

SUNY Purchase College

Purchase, NY •

• • Rating 3.44 out of 5   1,170 reviews

Freshman: While I am definitely enjoying my time at Purchase, there are a few things that I would like to see change. First, the food. There are not enough options for meals and most of time, the food is hit or miss. It is hard to find healthy food as well. Some berries would be greatly appreciated! The dorms are also not great, but could be worse. ... Read 1,170 reviews

• grade  C Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 75%

Net price $19,458

SAT range 1120-1320

PURCHASE, NY ,

1170 Niche users give it an average review of 3.4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says While I am definitely enjoying my time at Purchase, there are a few things that I would like to see change. First, the food. There are not enough options for meals and most of time, the food is hit... .

Read 1170 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C ,

Acceptance Rate : 75% ,

Net Price : $19,458 ,

SAT Range : 1120-1320 ,

Manhattanville College

• • Rating 3.43 out of 5   874 reviews

Junior: Manhattanville College has a beautiful campus with the spot light of the castle. In general there could be some updating in the classrooms and buildings. The nursing program is a bit unorganized. The professors are hit or miss, either have never taught in their life and do not know what they are doing OR they could be amazing. Overall I think they can strengthen the nursing program with educated and experienced professors and better learning equipment. The school is very diverse and open to different things. ... Read 874 reviews

Acceptance rate 83%

Net price $21,969

SAT range 1020-1230

874 Niche users give it an average review of 3.4 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Manhattanville College has a beautiful campus with the spot light of the castle. In general there could be some updating in the classrooms and buildings. The nursing program is a bit unorganized. The... .

Read 874 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 83% ,

Net Price : $21,969 ,

SAT Range : 1020-1230 ,

New England College

HENNIKER, NH

• • Rating 3.4 out of 5   392

Adelphi University

GARDEN CITY, NY

• • Rating 3.7 out of 5   1,401

Loyola University Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD

• • Rating 3.6 out of 5   1,091

Showing results 1 through 25 of 31

Creative Writing

Creative writing program overview.

Our Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing degree program at Manhattanville University prepares well-rounded and versatile writers who are ready for today’s creative opportunities, from traditional publishing and editing careers to freelance writing and teaching.

As a student in our creative writing master’s program, you’ll raise your writing potential, hone your craft, challenge convention, meet real authors, and connect with a nurturing literary community in New York City and the Tri-State Area.

Through a minimally structured combination of workshops, craft courses, independent study, and a culminating thesis, you’ll develop your unique voice, learn how to revise and publish your work, critique various mediums, and learn teaching strategies, all in weeknight or weekend courses and at your own pace.

Flexible, Self-Paced Master’s in Creative Writing Program in New York  

MFA in Creative Writing candidates immerse themselves in their chosen genres, taking focused workshops and craft courses.  We also believe in genre freedom: our students can concentrate in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting, or they can take a mixed approach, writing in several genres. You’ll never have to choose and stick to one concentration alone. 

Full-time students can finish the MFA in two years, while many take one or two courses per semester, earning their 36 credits while working or caring for family. Students on our three-year Teaching Pathway complete the degree while also gaining valuable in-classroom experience to help launch their academic careers.  

No two writers find their voice and develop their style in the same way or at the same pace. Therefore, our master’s in creative writing program is designed to give students the latitude to grow as writers in any traditional or experimental genre.

Connect With a Vibrant Literary Community  

Beyond the flexible curriculum, the MFA in Creative Writing degree program is dedicated to building community both on campus and in the thriving Lower Hudson Valley literary scene. 

Through gathering for BBQs, visiting local galleries, attending readings at local arts centers and libraries, connecting with local writers, and celebrating our students’ and alums’ writing, we forge tight, sustaining bonds.  MFA students also engage in the literary and writing community of New York City, the cultural capital of the world and home to hundreds of your favorite writers, just a train ride away. Scribbling away at your desk is made less lonely in this scene of like-minded writers, readers, and artists.

Request Information Visit Campus Apply Now

A uniquely flexible course structure empowers our MFA candidates to focus on one genre, blend genres, or write in multiple genres. The 36-credit master’s in creative writing degree program curriculum has only two required components:

• One Foundations in Graduate Creative Writing course
• Thesis project

Students in the MFA in Creative Writing degree program also participate in regular workshop courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and YA/Middle-Grade fiction.  They also take classes on special craft topics like organizing a novel, experimenting with form, episodic writing, and issues of representation. The program also works to pair students with gifted mentors to pursue independent study on writing topics that are important to them.

With the help of gifted faculty and mentors, pursue independent or experiential study opportunities for course credit. Elective courses are chosen to fit your current interests and long-term goals, including Research Across Genres, MFA internship opportunities, and intensives such as the Writers’ Week conference.

Review complete curriculum information in the College Catalog.

Students in the undergraduate BA in English program can pursue a dual degree pathway to add the MFA in Creative Writing to their bachelor’s degree in an accelerated time frame.

Explore the dual degree program and all English and writing programs at Manhattanville.

Our beautiful location and facilities contribute to the vitality and creativity of our community. Our Creative Writing Center, Barat House, is a hive of activity where classes, programs, and social events take place. Reid Castle, the centerpiece of Manhattanville’s campus, is a fitting venue for the literary figures who join us for special events. 

We are dedicated to bringing dynamic visiting writers to campus and to engaging our students in the conversations that drive contemporary literature. Our annual events include:

• Poetry Festival : a celebration of verse, featuring panel discussions, craft talks, and readings. Traditionally, an autumnal event, in 2023-24, we’ll add a second festival in the spring.
• Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Festivals : based on the success of our poetry festival, in 2023-24, we are planning to add festivals focused on fiction (fall) and creative nonfiction (spring) .  These festivals will gather groups of writers for discussions, craft lessons, and readings.
• Summer Writers’ Week: The crown jewel of our events, this intensive week gathers writers on campus for a creative writing extravaganza featuring workshops, readings, craft talks, and good food.  We offer workshop tracks in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and YA/Middle-grade fiction.
• Fall Writers’ Weekend: This Friday-to-Sunday workshop offers critique of existing work and opportunities to generate new work.  The genre focus of the workshop rotates annually.  In Fall 2023, we will focus on YA/Middle-grade fiction.
• WRITERS’ HUB Workshops: An open-to-the-public series of Saturday workshops focused on discrete creative writing topics from developing characters to pitching agents.  

For more details and registration information, please visit our events page.

Since 1995, Inkwell has been a proud part of Manhattanville University’s literary tradition. The publication has a dual mission: to find new literary voices and to provide established writers with a venue for further developing their work. With every issue, we seek to publish work that upholds the highest literary standards and meaningfully contributes to the national literary conversation. 

Inkwell continues to launch careers, inspire writers, and delight readers through the varied mix of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction that grace our pages. We’ve read what the greats from multiple traditions have said, and in the pages of Inkwell, we publish writers who answer.  

Learn More About Inkwell

Director of the M.F.A. in Creative Writing Program

Professor of Creative Writing

Teaching Pathway Our Teaching Pathway allows students to gain valuable classroom experience while also developing their creative writing skills.  The pathway requires a three-year commitment.  During the first year, students in the Teaching Path take one pedagogical training course per semester and round out their schedules with MFA classes.  They receive  a three-credit tuition waiver per semester for this year. Then, in the second and third years of the pathway, students teach one course per semester in Manhattanville’s undergraduate Academic Writing program, receiving support and mentorship from our Academic Writing faculty.  This teaching load leaves students plenty of time to take MFA classes and focus on their own writing.  In return for their teaching, students’ final two years of tuition are covered with waivers–financial assistance and real-world experience!

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities Students in the MFA in Creative Writing program may have the opportunity to complete graduate assistantships to help manage the cost of their degree. As graduate assistants, students earn a three-credit tuition waiver in return for employment with the campus writing center, the MFA program office, or Inkwell editorial staff. Up to six creative writing students can work in graduate assistantships.

Graduate assistantships are a great benefit to students’ resumes, building demonstrable experience and skills in teaching, publishing, or marketing while also  earning tuition credit.

Financial Aid and Graduate Housing Our tuition rates are reasonable–you shouldn’t have to break the bank to hone your writing craft–and qualified students are eligible to apply for financial assistance during their application process.  The MFA Program has several scholarship funds dedicated to supporting the growth of your writing.

Explore complete financial assistance information.

Graduate housing is available for students in the master’s in creative writing degree program. Contact program administration to inquire.

Students may apply for admission to begin in the spring or fall semesters. When you enroll, you’ll begin meeting with an academic advisor to finalize your course list according to your goals and that semester’s course offerings.

Application requirements for the graduate creative writing program include:

• Online application
• Two-three page autobiographical essay
• 10-30 page writing sample
• Official school-sent undergraduate transcripts
• 1-2 Letters of recommendation

The autobiographical essay should be reflective, responding to these questions:

• What is your interest in and experience with creative writing?
• How and why did you decide to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing at Manhattanville?
• How can this program further your personal and professional goals?
• What special abilities, qualities, and experiences can you bring to Manhattanville’s MFA writing program?

You should try to submit finished essays, stories, or poems as your writing sample. You may submit both poems and prose pieces as your sample as long as you adhere to the page limit. Your writing sample can be a portion of a longer work, but please indicate that on page one.

Letters of recommendation should be from recommenders who can speak to your intellectual and academic ability, your writing and your ability to work in groups, and your potential for graduate-level literature and writing studies.  We prefer letters from recommenders who have known you in an academic setting but also accept professional recommendations.

Reach out to admissions with any questions . If you want to speak with someone who has gone through the process before, we’re happy to connect you with current or former MFA writing students. Contact us to facilitate .

Learn More and Visit Manhattanville Get to know our program by visiting Manhattanville’s picturesque, 100-acre campus just 30 miles from New York City.  To learn more, meet current students, or sit in on a course, sign up to attend the next MFA in Creative Writing information session.   Or, email us to schedule a visit at a time that works for you.

Contact the MFA in Creative Writing program at any time at [email protected],  or 914.323.7211  Or, request more information.

Apply to the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville Manhattanville University offers an accessible Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing degree program where candidates tailor their coursework to their talents, interests, and career aspirations.

Ready to move through a dynamic creative writing program and learn from published authors? Review graduate admissions requirements and begin your online application.

School of Arts and Sciences

We are valiant.

Creative Writing

Hone writing skills and explore contemporary creative works as readers and writers, using New York and its rich, cultural universe as a habitat.

Developing their critical reading and thinking skills, students will survey a wide body of work to understand the past, present and potential futures of creative writing. Students will discuss and analyze these works as readers while simultaneously learning to read like writers, honing their skills at understanding the underlying architecture of notable work.

The course will also function as a writers’ salon, an informal, free-flowing conversation designed to help generate and foster ideas as a group, increasing the depth in our work both individually and collectively. The salon environment challenges students to discuss complex themes such as identity and social change maturely and dive deeply into text.

Over the course of the term, students’ interests will develop into the high-quality proposals and pitches that are necessary to pursue commissioned work. Thus, the course is customizable with each student given individual attention to pursue personal literary goals.

Site Visits Visits will vary based on the instructors and terms. Students have previously visited:

• Center for Fiction
• New York City museums
• The Strand Bookstore

Speakers and Lecturers Speakers and lecturers will vary with the instructors and terms. Previous speakers include:

• Authors, Teachers and Writers
• Hasanthika Sirisena, author, Juniper Prize for fiction winner
• Hannah Giorgis, Culture Writer, The Atlantic
• Darin Strauss, Novelist, National Book Award winner
• Hillary Zaid, author, Independent Publishers’ Book Awards in LGBT+ Fiction winner
• Abe Streep, journalist and contributing editor, Outside, The New York Times Magazine Please note: All information is subject to change at the discretion of The School of The New York Times.
• Price Residential Program $6,845 Day Program $5,560 *Additional fees apply. Tuition, Fees & Aid
• Date View Terms
• Division Pre-College
• Program Summer Academy
• Location New York City

Contact Admissions [email protected] 646-438-7269

Course Highlights

Summer Academy enables students to dive deep into a course of study, sharpening skills for their academic and professional futures. Each course is carefully designed to suit student interests and encourage intellectual curiosity.

Be immersed in genres of the sprawling creative writing market and learn how to read, analyze, discuss and critique notable work.  

Investigate the most recent literary trends and learn about industry developments that have shaped the contemporary literary scene, hearing directly from industry practitioners.  

Expand your capacity to consider complex ideas with increased clarity and sophistication in reading, writing and editing; interact professionally and intellectually with peers and gain skills and fluency for college-level seminar discussions.

Term dates and course availability depend heavily on instructors’ schedules.

June 9 - 21

Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors

June 23 - July 5

July 7 - July 19

July 21 - Aug 2

Rising 10-12

We foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Our goal is to provide affordable educational opportunities to as many qualified applicants as possible. Explore financial aid and scholarships.

“This course exposed me to all forms of writing and expression — from classic literature to opinion pieces, from Broadway to The Moth. ” Daniella , Ontario, Canada

Live & Learn in NYC

You have the option of living on campus in a university dormitory or commuting to class from your local residence.

Join A Diverse Community

We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Our goal is to provide affordable educational opportunities to as many qualified applicants as possible.

Be Inspired

Times journalists and industry experts guide you through every step of your journey of exploration and discovery.

Hear From Alumni

Read first-person accounts from Summer Academy alumni about their experiences in and outside of the classroom.

Related Courses

Photojournalism as art.

Build creative and technical skills in order to visually express an artistic and narrative perspective through studying photojournalism both as a practical and an aesthetic venture.

Pop Music as Art & Business

Investigate the cultural, historical and financial sides of the music industry by exploring the worlds of creative fandom and studying how music intersects with society and politics.

Reporting on Style and Fashion

Fashion and Style are a billion-dollar a year industry. The field includes designers, models, photographers and fashion journalists. Fashion journalists cover designers, styles, trends and the news of the industry. Learn about the behind the scenes aspects of fashion journalism and all that it involves.

Sign up for updates about our programs, courses and events.

You’re almost there.

Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

(You may want to check your spam folder...just in case.)

Creative Writing at City Tech

Category: Creative Writing Events

City tech writer creative writing contest.

The City Tech Writer 2024 Creative Writing Contest is open to all students through April 15! City Tech Writer is the College’s interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate writing focused on publishing excellent student writing from across the disciplines. It’s a great resource for reading your fellow students’ work and finding out what topics are being discussed by students in your major or in your classes. Each year, creative writing students have had their writing highlighted.

See last year’s featured creative writers:

• Black Flag by C. Moon
• Dog Walking by Ihn Lee
• Ten Years Lost by Ihn Lee
• Natural Remedies by Carlos J. Peña

This year, City Tech Writer is launching a creative writing contest open to all students for submissions until April 15! Writers should respond to one of last year’s published essays, articles, poems, or projects. The full issue is here: City Tech Writer, Volume 18 .

For more information visit City Tech Writer’s Creative Writing contest page on the OpenLab:

What is the CTW Creative Writing Contest?

Usually, we publish lab reports, research papers, essays, interview transcripts, and creative work – including visual media – sponsored by professors and written for class. This year, however,  we are also running a creative writing contest featuring responses to any entry from last year’s edition of City Tech Writer ( citytechwriter.com ).

The OpenLab at City Tech: A place to learn, work, and share

The OpenLab is an open-source, digital platform designed to support teaching and learning at City Tech (New York City College of Technology), and to promote student and faculty engagement in the intellectual and social life of the college community.

New York City College of Technology | City University of New York

Accessibility

Our goal is to make the OpenLab accessible for all users.

Learn more about accessibility on the OpenLab

Creative Commons

• - Attribution
• - NonCommercial
• - ShareAlike

© New York City College of Technology | City University of New York