Should you get an MFA in creative writing? Explore the pros and cons of creative writing degree programs, and decide if it’s the right move for your career.
To get a degree or not to get a degree. This is a common dilemma many writers (and creatives in general) face when deciding how to obtain needed skills to advance their artistic careers. But is an MFA in creative writing worth it?
Many of us were told that earning a college degree was the key to unlocking a bright future. However, those in creative fields often regard higher education with skepticism. What can a degree really offer? Isn’t the way to get better at a creative skill to . . . just keep doing it?
I’m not here to tell you what to do, but I do think deciding whether you should get an MFA in creative writing is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s delve into what an MFA in creative writing is, the pros and cons of these degree programs, and other methods of improving your skills if you decide higher education isn’t for you.
What Is an MFA in Creative Writing?
First off, MFA stands for Master of Fine Arts, and it should not be confused for an MA or Master of Arts. In an MFA in creative writing program, you take at least one writing workshop per semester. This gives you a chance to have your creative work read and critiqued by your peers and professor.
The goal of an MFA is to complete a creative manuscript-length piece of work, such as a collection of short stories or poems, by the end of the program. Meanwhile, MA programs focus more on reading and critically or theoretically analyzing published texts.
Alongside workshops, you also take courses on literature and other specialized topics, including rhetoric or publishing. Some MFA programs, like mine, ask their writers to take courses in different genres than what they applied for. For example, I studied fiction but also took courses on poetry and creative nonfiction.
Most MFA programs last for about 2 to 3 years. You spend the first year or two meeting program requirements, taking about three to four classes per semester. Your final year focuses mostly on completing your thesis (creative manuscript).
Should You Get an MFA in Creative Writing?
You should get an MFA in creative writing if a program’s offerings align with your career goals and you don’t have to incur exorbitant debt to complete one. For example, I have an MFA in creative writing, and I’m from a working-class family.
The only reason I could pursue this degree was because my program awarded me a generous tuition waiver package that included a student stipend, although I acknowledge everyone’s financial situation differs. We’ll dive further into the financial aspects of MFA programs in the below pros and cons sections.
Now, let’s answer the question you’re actually here for: Is an MFA worth it? Let’s find out.
Pros of Getting an MFA in Creative Writing
Attending an MFA program offers several advantages. See if these pros align with your personal and professional goals.
Emphasis on Improving Craft
Although everyone’s experience differs, attending an MFA will make you a better writer. You take classes focused solely on improving your craft taught by professors with published novels, short stories, poems, or essays. These creative insights from professional writers helped me improve my own writing. It’s hard to get this level of exposure anywhere else unless you have personal connections to the literary world.
Professional Experience
Depending on the program, you don’t only attend classes in an MFA. You also get access to professional work experience. Some programs offer student stipends, which are essentially paychecks awarded for working at the university. Common job opportunities include:
- Tutoring for the university writing center
- Teaching lower-level writing or literature courses
- Reading and editing for the university’s literary magazine
- Conducting administrative tasks for the department
Time and Money to Focus Solely on Writing
As mentioned, some MFA programs offer generous admissions packages. These typically include a tuition waiver and student stipend. They’re also usually renewed each year you’re in the program and may increase depending on your responsibilities. For example, I earned a higher stipend my second year because I was promoted from a research assistant to a teaching assistant.
Admissions packages and stipends range widely depending on a program’s funding and location. However, this financial aid helps you focus solely on improving your writing for the duration of the program. In other words, you’re partly getting paid to write. And that’s the dream, isn’t it?
Community and Networking Opportunities
Being surrounded by a community of writers is one of the biggest benefits of an MFA. Most MFAs have small cohorts. Mine had 6 fiction writers and 5 poets. This intimate size helps you form close bonds with your peers and one-on-one relationships with your professors, enabling more personalized feedback for your writing.
Many programs also hold readings, plan special events with visiting published writers, or pay for their students to attend conferences such as AWP. These networking opportunities can help you immensely in the future.
Cons of Creative Writing Degree Programs
There are two sides to every story, as they say. Consider these disadvantages of MFA programs if you’re still straddling the fence.
Cost
Not every MFA program offers an admissions package. And without aid, these programs can be very expensive. Public universities charge an average of $30,000 annually for graduate degrees, while private universities charge about $40,000. And this doesn’t factor in costs for out-of-state students or other expenses, such as books and transportation.
Lengthy (and Expensive) Application Process
This isn’t exclusive to MFA programs but still a factor worth mentioning. Applying for creative writing degree programs is no small feat. Applications may involve several components, including:
- Two to three letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose
- A creative writing sample
- A literary criticism essay
- Transcripts from all prior universities
Some programs also interview potential candidates and charge an application fee to submit materials. Fees range from $50 to over $100. This means if you apply to multiple programs, as most people do, you can potentially spend hundreds of dollars, and that doesn’t include fees to access copies of your transcripts.
Although, some programs may waive application fees for students facing financial hardship.
Minimal Career Opportunities
MFA degrees are terminal, meaning they qualify you to teach college-level courses. However, full-time positions teaching creative writing courses can be hard to come by, and many universities prioritize those with PhDs to teach other English courses unless it’s for an adjunct or lecturer position. But those pay considerably less.
And if you don’t want to teach, you can look for editing jobs at literary journals, but those are also hard to find and then there’s that other dilemma . . .
What if you don’t want to enter either of these career paths?
To put it bluntly, an MFA in creative writing doesn’t guarantee you a job or literary success after graduation. This doesn’t mean you won’t learn useful skills. You’ll just have to get creative with your resume. But after surviving an MFA, that shouldn’t be a problem. 😉
Focused on Short Story Writing
This only really applies to fiction candidates, but as someone who prefers novels, I think it’s worth mentioning. MFA workshops cater to short story writing, primarily in the literary fiction genre. If this doesn’t interest you or align with your writing goals, an MFA may not be for you.
However, certain programs offer specialty concentrations on novel or genre writing, like Emerson College.
How to Improve Your Writing Skills Without an MFA
There are ways to improve your creative writing skills if you decide an MFA isn’t for you. Consider these strategies:
- Create a daily writing routine
- Read a lot (books that interest you and those that fall outside your preferred genres)
- Join a community or online writing workshop
- Invest in craft books or research online craft essays
- Attend a writing retreat, residency, or conference
- Join a Facebook group to connect with other writers
At the end of the day, whether you should get an MFA in creative writing depends on your personal situation and professional goals. There’s no right or wrong answer. Trust your gut, and whatever you do, never. Stop. Writing.
Because the only way to truly get better at writing is to keep doing it.
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