Master of Fine Arts in Writing
MFA in Writing Program Overview
The flagship program of the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing, our low-residency MFA in Writing program is nationally recognized as a Top 10 program. Students write prolifically in their area of concentration, explore across genres, examine the interrelatedness of the arts, gain editorial experience on a literary journal, learn about career options and complete a creative thesis — all while becoming part of a lasting, supportive community.
- 65 credit hours
- Four semesters + graduation residency
- Week-long residency on campus at the beginning of each semester. Option to attend a virtual residency in June.
- Concentrations: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Writing for Children and Young Adults, and Writing for TV, screen, and stage
- Residency options: Workshop in your genre, explore another area, or take a teaching seminar or book-length manuscript workshop
- Award-winning literary journal Good River Review
- Business of Writing seminars
Courses
Spalding University’s substantial 65-credit-hour Master of Fine Arts in Writing offers students an outstanding writing education in four semesters plus a graduation residency.
A weeklong on-campus residency kicks off each spring and fall semester, with a live virtual residency option offered each summer. Whether in person or virtual, residency days are intensive communal learning experiences, filled with workshops, lectures, panels, readings, and more.
Back at home, a one-on-one mentored independent study course rounds out the semester. You’ll write prolifically and receive detailed mentor feedback on five full packets of material, elevating your writing skills and teaching you to develop a significant writing practice in the midst of your daily life.
Concentration Options
In our Master of Fine Arts in Writing, you’ll specialize in your chosen genre. If you’d like to explore another area, you can opt to spend one core semester studying another genre. Concentration options include:
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Creative Nonfiction
- Writing for Children & Young Adults
- Writing for TV, Screen, & Stage
Upper-level students can opt to take a Teaching Seminar or Full-length Manuscript Workshop at residency.
Admission Requirements
We’re interested in the quality of your writing and thinking. No letters of recommendation or GRE required.
Tuition
Pen your path.
Learn about tuition and fees for our Master of Fine Arts in Writing program, as well as your financial aid options.
Accreditation
Spalding University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
Find Possibility in the Heart of the City
DISCOVER YOUR GROWTH POTENTIAL
Elevate and enjoy. Whether you are pursuing an MFA for career purposes or for the love of creative writing, MFA graduates report high overall job satisfaction, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills.
FAQs
Answers to common questions about Spalding University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program.
You’re not! Our students’ average age is 44. We also have students as young as 22. And our oldest student was 80 when she graduated and went on to publish as an alum. Watch this video to learn more.
Every writer has work or family obligations. While you could push aside those commitments for a couple of years of grad school, you can’t keep life at bay forever. Much better to build a sustainable writing practice into your daily life. Our low-residency model teaches you to do just that — and to make it easier, we offer flexibility in scheduling your weekly workload and charting your course of study.
Yes, students will complete a creative thesis. We also offer opportunities for students who are already published or produced to accelerate, graduating in three semesters instead of four.
Yes, our award-winning faculty write and publish often in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and writing for children and young adults. Our faculty who teach writing for TV, screen, and stage regularly see their plays, films, and television scripts produced.
Yes, we accept transfer credit from other low-residency MFA programs. Students who have published a book or produced work for TV, screen, or stage may apply for acceleration, which allows them to graduate in three semesters instead of four.
High-Impact Career Preparation
Spalding MFA graduates have appeared on New York Times Best Seller lists and garnered top national awards with their books, essays, plays and films. Many teach at the university level or work in other creative careers.
Their professional roles include:
- Arts administrator
- Book fair director
- Corporate communications director
- Creative content officer
- Editor
- Executive producer (film/TV)
- Grant writer
- Marketing director
- Nonprofit director
- Professor
- Publisher
- Screenwriter
- Show runner
Residencies
Residencies are packed with learning opportunities, including faculty-led workshops, genre and cross-genre lectures, panels, and readings. On-campus residencies also introduce you to Louisville’s vibrant arts scene. Many students and all faculty stay near campus at the historic, four-star Brown Hotel. Virtual residencies deliver the same immersive, real-time instruction from our acclaimed faculty. Students can tailor their experience by choosing a teaching seminar, a book-length manuscript workshop, or a workshop in translation, adaptation, or another genre.
Spring (on campus): May 23 – 30, 2026
Summer (virtual): June 20 – 27, 2026
Fall (on campus): November 14 – 21, 2026
Spring (on campus): May 21 – 29, 2027
Literary Journal and Naslund-Mann Blog
Explore our award-winning literary journal, catch up on the latest news, and read blog posts by our acclaimed Naslund-Mann faculty at Good River Review!
Our graduates publish, produce, teach, and thrive professionally in writing-related fields. Whether you are pursuing an MFA for career purposes or for the love of creative writing, MFA graduates report high overall job satisfaction, problem-solving abilities and communication skills.
Taylor Riley, Assistant Professor of English, MFA, 2019
