Online MFA in Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts

A well-designed MFA in Creative Writing will build solid writing skills and a foundation in the business of many writing-related careers. Southern New Hampshire University’s online MFA in Creative Writing is one such program.

If you dream of being a published novelist, an MFA in Creative Writing could be the perfect fit for you. SNHU's online MFA program is primarily focused on giving you the tools and time you need to write a completed novel-length manuscript. Upon graduation, you'll feel equipped to take the next step toward publishing your work.

In addition to giving students the opportunity to revise and reflect on their writing, SNHU's online MFA program also digs in to print and digital business models — even digital tools — they need to support their creative endeavors. Graduates come away knowing how to use business tools like project management software, online freelance editing resources and marketing strategies that can help them succeed in a writing career.

Jane Friedman – a publishing industry expert and “Publishers Weekly” columnist – is a subject-matter expert who helped develop SNHU’s program. She pointed to another important aspect of business-oriented programs: writing in the digital age. Most MFA creative writing programs, she said, “are concerned only with artistic excellence. That's fine up until the point you start thinking about how to build a paying career."

Friedman went on to say, “I have a special interest in how the digital age is transforming writing careers, publishing and storytelling. Rather than taking a dark view of how the Internet era has affected writers’ livelihoods, I'm more interested in how revolutionary change can inspire new business models and how authorship will ultimately evolve.”

Yes. SNHU’s MFA in Creative Writing requires no specific undergraduate background. You could have a degree in accounting, as long as you have a passion for writing and your writing sample shows potential.

Because we understand that people start or change careers at any point across their lifetime, we want to ensure access to all of our programs to any student who wishes to learn more about that area of study and earn a credential in that field. Successful writers of the world come from a wide range of backgrounds. SNHU's MFA program aims to mimic that diversity, and the program is stronger for the array of perspectives students bring to the table.

According to Poets & Writers, there are more than 200 MFA in Creative Writing programs throughout the United States. Of those, the vast majority are either full-residency or low-residency programs.²

Determining which is the best creative writing program comes down to how you answer this question: Which one is best for you?

Once you’ve narrowed your options by reviewing rankings, school reputations and course offerings, consider the demands on your life: Can you take time off from work to pursue a traditional MFA with a residency requirement? Do you have responsibilities at home that will limit how much time you can devote to your studies? How quickly do you want to earn your degree? And, last but not least, what’s your budget?

Many elite literary programs require 2-year residency commitments. Some welcome only traditional literary fiction – not a wide range of genres. SNHU’s online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online with no residency requirement. It’s also one of the only programs that welcomes genre writers, which means you can hone your craft in an area tailored to your strengths and interests.

You'll also have a sense of community – even in an online environment. So if you're looking for the chance to get involved as an online student, SNHU's the place for you. Our opportunities to join the ranks of fellow writers include:

• Submitting to, and being published in, our online literary journal, the Penmen Review
• Joining Word for Word, our bimonthly live-streamed event, to hear published authors read their work aloud and discuss both their creative process and their path to publishing success
• Entering our annual short-story competition (known as the Fall Fiction Contest) for the chance to win SNHU scholarships, publication in the Penmen Review and other prizes
• Viewing, or participating in, our Student Writers Spotlight, a live-streamed event where our talented creative writing students share their work

Finally, our program gives you the option to pursue one of 2 graduate writing certificates – online teaching of writing and professional writing – making it a pragmatic choice for a wide variety of career directions.

The length of an MFA program can vary depending on the school you choose and whether you attend full-time (two courses per term) or part-time (one course per term). Many traditional MFA programs take about two years to complete, while some low-residency or online programs offer more flexible timelines.

SNHU's online MFA program doesn't include a required residency component, and can be completed in as few as two years for full-time students – an impressive timeline, particularly knowing graduates finish the program with a ready-to-publish novel. And whether you aim to finish quickly or take your time to develop your craft, SNHU's online MFA offers the flexibility you need to fit courses into a schedule that works for you.

Some traditional MFA programs – particularly those with residency components – can be highly competitive, admitting only a small percentage of applicants. However, not all programs are as restrictive.

Southern New Hampshire University’s online MFA in Creative Writing is designed to be accessible to aspiring writers, regardless of previous experience. As long as you have a strong writing sample, meet the minimum requirements for acceptance and demonstrate a passion for developing your craft, you can pursue an MFA at SNHU.

Once you're accepted, the 48-credit MFA program itself is certainly rigorous. You'll be expected to not only learn about your craft, but put what you learn into practice by writing a completed, ready-to-publish novel by the end of your program.

But at SNHU, you'll never take this journey alone. You'll have support resources in your corner from day 1 to graduation and beyond, including an online writing center, peer tutoring and dedicated support from an academic advisor. Plus, you'll connect with fellow MFA students in your classes who are on the same path – and you'll have the opportunity to build connection and community as you go.

If you're looking for a shorter, more exploratory degree program that still allows you to pursue your passion for writing, SNHU's online Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing program might be a better fit for you.

To MA or to MFA? Once you've decided to earn an advanced degree in creative writing, you need to drill down into the specifics to know which option best fits your needs: What do you want to learn? What skills do you want to acquire? What are your career aspirations?

Practically speaking, a Master of Fine Arts differs from a Master of Arts in a few fundamental ways:

• MFAs generally have higher credit requirements and take longer to complete
• MFAs tend to be more “studio-based” or writing-intensive than MAs, culminating in a manuscript-length thesis
• MAs typically have more of an English literature focus, often containing more literary analysis and theory, in addition to reading and writing

At Southern New Hampshire University, the online MFA program is designed to not only strengthen your writing skills but also prepare you for the business side of writing. With an embedded certificate in either professional writing or online teaching, SNHU’s MFA provides the foundation for a variety of writing-related careers. Plus, you'll leave with a polished draft of a completed novel – positioning you for publication, if that's your goal.

If you prefer a more exploratory degree that focuses additionally on literary studies – and if you're less interested in publishing a novel as a primary goal – SNHU's MA in English and Creative Writing could be a better fit. The MA still allows students to pursue their passion for creative writing, but blends practice with the study of craft and theory. And if fiction isn't your primary focus, the MA in English and Creative Writing at SNHU also allows students to concentrate in poetry, non-fiction or screenwriting.

When it comes to an MFA vs. an MA, one isn't necessarily better than the other. Ultimately, deciding which program is right for you depends on your goals.

Read more about MA vs MFA.

Yes. The MFA is considered a terminal degree, which is similar to professional degrees granted in other fields, such as the PhD or the EdD, according to guidelines established by the College Art Association of America.³ For that reason, most universities view it as a qualification to teach creative writing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

In fact, the curriculum for the online MFA degree at Southern New Hampshire University may set you up for success in this area. Students in the program are required to choose one of two embedded certificate offerings – one of them being a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing.

The certificate requires 4 courses:

• Storytelling
• Editing and Coaching
• Engaging Online Writing Students
• Seminar in Writing Instruction or Online Teaching Experience

Throughout your courses, you'll learn how to develop your own approach to teaching the craft. You'll explore tools for web-based courses and writing workshops, and you'll practice effective approaches to editing and coaching.

Once completed, you should be able to create a positive and influential virtual instructor presence and methods for supporting and engaging students within online communities.

Yes, you can earn your MFA online, but many schools require a face-to-face residency component – meaning time away from your current job and busy schedule. Many, but not all.

In fact, SNHU’s program is one of the few 100% online MFAs available. The university assembled a who's-who from the world of professional writing to build the program, bringing together authors from a diverse range of genres in the process. The result is an online MFA program that embraces the perspectives of many different writers and students.

For many students, like Jessica Binkley '23MFA, earning an MFA online is the only way they'd be able to make it happen.

"I sought the online MFA because it was a terminal degree in creative writing, and I wished to gain the experience and knowledge needed to navigate the publishing world," she said. "The direction of my life has completely changed since I began this journey."

And learning online certainly doesn't mean you'll be isolated – especially at SNHU. No matter the type of fiction they want to write, MFA students will find teachers and fellow students who share their interests.

Of course, if you’re looking for a program that does include face-to-face residencies, SNHU offers that as well: our low-residency Mountainview Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in fiction or nonfiction.

It depends on how you define “worth it.” Whether it's an undergraduate creative writing degree or a master's, a degree in the subject is worth pursuing if your goals include becoming a better writer and increasing your chances of successfully publishing your work.

SNHU’s online creative writing MFA is designed to teach students how to adapt to an evolving literary and publishing landscape. In their courses, students embrace the digital tools that will help them forge successful writing careers.

Our curriculum creators and faculty also know the road to becoming a successful author is not always easy. That's why our creative writing program has a dual focus:

1. To help you develop your writing skills while finishing your studies with a novel that's ready to be published.
2. To give you the tools you need for professional success – no matter where your writing career takes you.