Creative Writing
Stetson's MFA in Creative Writing offers degrees in Prose and Poetry in the Expanded Field through a low-residency format built around two annual nine-day residencies and one-on-one faculty mentorship between sessions. The curriculum goes beyond workshops, emphasizing craft, experimentation, translation, and the relationship between writing and other artistic modes, including digital, cinematic, and performative work. The program concludes with a thesis, public reading, and craft talk.
Why Creative Writing at Stetson University?
An MFA is the terminal degree for teaching creative writing at the college and university levels, making it the primary qualification for faculty positions nationally. If teaching writing is part of your goal, this credential is the one that opens those doors.
Between residencies, you exchange original work directly with a faculty mentor who is an actively publishing writer. That sustained one-on-one relationship, built specifically around your work, is what makes this format different from a conventional seminar-based program.
The program is designed to bridge the gap between working writers and graduate study. Two nine-day residencies per year create a genuine writing community; the mentorship in between keeps your practice moving without requiring you to step away from your professional life. Attending a monthly info session qualifies you for a waived $50 application fee.
Learn more about the MFA Experience and see what faculty and alumni are producing.
“This program is a beautiful, creative space where you can find new parts of yourself and your art.”
— Blaze Carter '25
Career Outcomes
Choosing Stetson's MFA in Creative Writing provides you with a degree recognized for teaching at the college/university level, like all MFAs in the arts. Stetson MFA alumni have published novels, poetry collections, and hybrid works, held international residencies, and taken faculty positions across the country.
Meet the Faculty
As you begin your journey, you will work with some of our distinguished faculty and dedicated professionals who will provide you with personal attention and expert guidance to help you thrive academically and professionally.
- Brendan Bowles, Director
- Derrick Austin
- Sarah LaBrie
- Cyriaco Lopes
- Urayoán Noel
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Two nine-day residencies per year combine with one-on-one faculty mentorship between sessions.
Prose and Poetry in the Expanded Field. For the most current curriculum and degree requirements, please consult the academic catalog.
Yes. The MFA is the recognized terminal degree for college-level creative writing faculty positions.
Two to three years depending on your pace and track.
Attending one of the program's monthly information sessions qualifies you for a waived $50 application fee.
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