Honestly, writing exciting poems, interesting and fictitious stories, and other amazing content for pay is educative and interesting.
Even though you are a talented writer, knowing how to make it creative really demands some formal training.
Now, if you’re wondering where to brush up your writing skills, this article provides information on the best graduate schools for creative writing in the world.
Actually, these best grad schools for creative writing train students to stand out from other creative writers. In fact, top news agencies in the world usually rush to hire graduates from one of these institutions.
That sounds like a whole lot of money right? So, attending any of these universities gives you an edge in a job hunt.
Initially, stories pass from one generation to another through oral storytelling traditions. Although, the primary “writing” tool was the memory and voice of the storyteller.
However, some of the first written stories in the Western tradition were the Bible and Homer’s Odyssey; in the Eastern Tradition, the Indian Vedas and Sanskrit poems; in central America, the Mayan Codices.
Before now, the art of writing was a difficult thing for a long time. Initially, the only people that learned how to write were only monks, the rich, and the educated classes. Besides, inks and quills were expensive to buy. Honestly, it was very hard to make paper.
Table of contents
Who is a Creative Writer?
A Creative writer is someone usually a professional that writes for different print and online publications. Actually, the person writes interesting and entertaining articles, essays, stories or poems for books, magazines, websites, and scripts.
Also, Creative Writers are always passionate about creative ideas and they can express these ideas with clarity.
However, the duties of a Creative Writer include:
- Firstly, handling research before and during the writing process.
- Secondly, preparing materials for assignments, such as planning, outline, and synopsis.
- Thirdly, carrying out thorough fact-checks before submitting any work.
- Also, replying to feedback sessions and making revisions suggested by the client, publisher or editors.
- Finally, attending as many training sessions and workshops as possible.
Also, for you to be a Creative Writer, you must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in writing, communication, language, marketing.
- Posses evidence of writing experience (links to published work would be advantageous).
- Have a very critical reading and thinking skill.
- Also, an interest in current events and a general thirst for knowledge.
- Have the strength and the ability to accept constructive feedback.
- Basic computer skills.
What Can I Do With a Creative Writing Degree?
However, you can do a lot with a creative writing degree even with an associate degree in creative writing, you can go into the following:
- Advertising copywriter
- Creative director
- Digital copywriter
- Editorial assistant
- Lexicographer
- Newspaper journalist
- Web content manager
- Writer
- Academic librarian
- Film director
- Marketing executive
- Schoolteacher
- Public relations officer
- Social media manager
What are the types of Creative Writing degrees?
Well, below are the types of creative writing degrees you can earn.
Certificate
Actually, certificate programs introduce you to the basics of creative writing or writing in general. Also, it helps you update your skills in certain writing specializations. Besides, you get certification on completion of the program and the program lasts anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Associate Degree
Associate degrees, like certificate programs, also train a student on the fundamentals of writing. However, it advances to providing you a broader professional knowledge which is near what you would get attending a four-year bachelor’s program.
Also, it takes two years to acquire an associate degree in creative writing and you can complete it mainly online.
Bachelor’s Degree
In short, this type of degree is suitable for you if you wish to take a writing career. You’ll get comprehensive knowledge by taking courses that will set you on the right track to becoming a creative writer.
Actually, the Bachelor’s program takes four (4) years to complete, after which you get a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA).
Master’s Degree
However, this degree is ideal for you if you want to grow as a professional in creative writing. But, you must, first of all, acquire a Bachelor of Arts degree to qualify for the Master’s degree. Also, courses toward a Master’s in Creative Writing take two years to complete.
P.hD.
Well, you can take this degree if you have decided to take an academic line in creative writing. Also, you’ll learn the technical aspects of writing and its theory to enable you to teach at a university or community college.
Besides, it takes several years to complete a Ph.D. but it generally lasts for four years.
If you’re a US citizen or resident, you need to see this: Reedsy National Creative Writing Scholarship
What is the salary and job growth of Creative Writers?
Actually, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the job outlook for Creative Writers is really promising. Their 2016 statistics point out that there were 131,200 jobs that year for Writers and Authors. However, the typical entry to these jobs was a Bachelor’s degree.
Also, the BLS records the average annual pay of writers and authors as at 2018 as $62,170. They typically earn $29.89 per hour. Although, the job market for writers and authors will increase by 8% from 2016 to 2026. This creative writing job growth is as fast as average.
You can also read our: How can I get an Online Creative Writing Degree? Schools and Salaries
Can I get a Creative Writing Degree Online?
Yes. You can get a creative writing degree online through online colleges. Also, you can get it through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) platforms like Coursera and Udemy. However, this would depend on the kind of creative writing degree you want.
However, MOOCs don’t give you a BA, MA, or P.hD. degree. This is because they are primarily for short courses which either give certificates after completion or do not give certificates. Nonetheless, you would have acquired some form of formal education after taking a course on a MOOCs platform.
Well, if you want to acquire a globally accepted online degree in Creative Writing, you’ll need to enroll in an online college. Just try and make sure that the school you’re going for has accreditation.
Finally, the online platforms where you can acquire a degree in Creative Writing include:
How can I become a Creative Writer?
Best Schools for Creative Writing in the World in 2023
List of the best graduate schools for Creative Writing in the world
We at Kiiky have put together a list of the best schools for creative writing in the world that offer either bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees for you.
However, we selected our 10 best schools for creative writing majors based on uniRank’s ranking of world universities, our information from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review.
So, based on these criteria, here is a list of our 10 best graduate schools for creative writing in the world :
- University of Lowa
- The University of Michigan
- University of Virginia
- New York University
- University of Texas
- University of California–Irvine
- Cornell University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Boston University
- Brown University
#1. Brown University
This school is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island that was founded in 1764. However, the Department of Literary Arts offers the MFA program in creative writing at this top school of creative writing. Also, the program is a two-year residency type.
Thus, Brown University has an acceptance rate of 9% and a graduation rate of 96%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 6:1. Though, this institution has a tuition fee of $57,591.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
Address: Providence, RI 02912, United States
#2. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876. It is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Actually, this institution was named after its first benefactor, Johns Hopkins.
However, the MFA in Fiction and Poetry in this top school for creative writing in the world is known as The Writing Seminars. Actually, this is a two-year residency program.
Also, Johns Hopkins being one of the best schools for creative writing has an acceptance rate of 13% and a graduation rate of 93%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 7:1. Though, this school has a tuition fee of $55,357.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
#3. Cornell University
Actually, this is a private and statutory Ivy League research university in Ithaca, New York that was founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White.
Conversely, the department of English in this best graduate school for creative writers is in charge of the MFA/Ph.D. Program in Creative Writing. Also, creative writing here is small and highly selective.
Similarly, only eight MFA students are enrolled each year. Actually, first-year students get practical training by working as Editorial Assistants for Epoch.
Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 14% and a graduation rate of 93%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 9:1 while the tuition fee is $57,626.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
#4. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan and it was founded in 1817.
Actually, this institution being one of the best accounting schools in the world has an acceptance rate of 29%. Also, the graduation rate is 91%.
Finally, the student-faculty ratio is 15:1 while the tuition fee is $15,262 (Michigan residents) and $49,350 (out-of-state)
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Address: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
#5. University of Virginia
However, this is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia that was founded in 1819. So, the Creative Writing Program at this school for creative writing is a two-year residency MFA program.
Also, this top school for creative writing has an acceptance rate of 30% and a graduation rate of 94% of students.
Besides, the student-faculty ratio is 15:1 while the tuition fee is $17,354 (in-state) and $49,530 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Address: Charlottesville, VA, United States
#6. Boston University
This University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Besides, this institution has been historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Also, Boston University has above 3,900 faculty members and almost 33,000 students.
However, the creative writing program in this school is a small and intensive program that takes only one year to complete. Also, students in this world’s best school for creative writing, do a summer-semester Translation Seminar.
Also, this best grad school for creative writing has an acceptance rate of 29% and a graduation rate of 85%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 10:1. This school has a tuition fee of $53,948.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Address: Boston, MA 02215, United States
#7. New York University
New York University is a private research university based in New York City. Actually, this best graduate school for creative writing was founded in 1831. Also, the creative writing program is located in the heart of Greenwich Village.
Besides, the acceptance rate in this top creative writing school in the world is 32% while the graduation rate is 85%. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1. Also, the tuition fee is $53,229
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: New York, NY 10003, United States
#8. The University of Texas
Well, the University of Texas at Austin is a public research university in Austin, Texas that was founded in 1883.
Actually, the Michener Center for Writers hosts an MFA in Writing Program this best writing school for creative writing majors. Thus, creative writing here is a three-year, full-time residency program.
In addition, the acceptance rate is 40% while the graduation rate of 81%. The faculty-student ratio is 19:1. Besides, the tuition fee is $10,826 (Texas residents) and $38,435 (out-of-state students).
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Address: Austin, TX 78712, United States
#9. University of California–Irvine
This university is a public research university in Irvine, California. However, this school offers 87 undergraduate degrees and 129 graduate and professional degrees.
Besides, you can get the MFA in Writing at the English Department at the University of California Irvine. It is a three-year residency program.
Thus, UC Irvine has an acceptance rate of 41% and a graduation rate of 86%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 18:1. However, this top creative writing school has a tuition fee of $13,700 (California residents) and $42,692 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Address: Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
#10. University of Iowa
Actually, this school which is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa was founded in 1847. However, the University of Iowa is the oldest and the second-largest university in the state.
Actually, creative writing this one of the best schools for creative writing majors which is a two-year residency program.
Also, students take classes from great young writers and established professors. They get to choose from a wide range of topics. However, this major in this best school for creative writing provides transferable skills important for liberal arts majors with a creative focus.
Actually, the University of Lowa being one of the best schools for creative writers in the world has an acceptance rate of 84% and a graduation rate of 70% of students. Besides, the student-faculty ratio is 15:1 and the tuition fee is $9,579 (in-state) and $31,870 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission
Address: Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
FAQs on the Best Schools for Creative Writing
Writing as a hobby may be totally different from studying Creative Writing. The latter is much more academic than many people think. It’s also much more difficult. There is much more to creative writing than just having a story idea.
Most Bachelor’s degree programs require four years of full-time study and expose students to general education coursework and classwork in their chosen writing specialty. In the case of creative writing, you may have to major in the English Language.
With a degree in creative writing degree, you can become:
1. BlogSpot.
2. Copywriter.
3. Web Content Editor.
4. Journalist.
5. Proofreader/Sub-Editor.
6. Content Marketing Specialist.
7. Social Media Specialist.
Emory University. There’s a good reason why Emory seems to be part of every list of writing colleges — it has both a holistic and unique approach to developing great writers
Conclusion
The essence of creative writing is to entertain and share the human experience, like love or loss. However, creative writers try to get at a truth about humanity through poetics and storytelling.
If you wish to check if you can do creative writing, keep in mind that whether you are trying to express a feeling or a thought, the first step is to use your imagination.
On the other hand, the best undergraduate schools for creative writing in the world teach students to be renowned creative writers in the world.
References
- Creative writing – Wikipedia
- How Many Hours Do You Write? 7 Ways to Crush It Everyday
- Top 20 Colleges for Aspiring Writers
- 7 Famous Authors Who Didn’t Study Literature
Recommendations
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- Strathclyde Prestige Award for Excellence in Creative Writing
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