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Is a Creative Writing Degree Worth It? Let’s Get Into It.

In my day—by which I mean the early 2000s—a creative writing degree was considered one of the less practical academic pursuits, only a little more reasonable than a philosophy degree and a theatre arts degree (which, incidentally, is what I have).

These days, we have a bit more appreciation for what a person can do with some well-rounded creative writing skills. Such a person can write novels and poetry, sure, but they can also compose speeches for politicians, create written content to refresh a major corporation’s brand, and craft compelling ad copy.

There’s no question about it. Creative writing is a skill that earns , depending on how you use it.

But as is the case in a lot of modern industries, we’re starting to see that a degree doesn’t carry the weight it used to. And not having a degree isn’t always a barrier to entry.

So where does that leave aspiring writers? Should you bother to pursue a creative writing degree? If so, what should you be trying to get out of it?

We’re about to go over all the ins and outs of this educational path. We’ll talk about:

• The advantages of pursuing a degree in creative writing
• The different types of creative writing programs
• How to choose the program that’s best for you
• How creative writing is taught
• The career opportunities that come with a creative writing degree

Let’s start by looking at the perks.

Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Degree

I’m about to list the four biggest benefits of attending a creative writing program. But I want to be clear about something:

Every one of these perks is something you can also get without a degree in creative writing.

I don’t say that to discourage you from taking this path. This might still be the best next step for your career. See, the biggest difference between getting a formal education and DIY-ing one isn’t what you learn but how you learn it.

That’s why we’re not just looking at what these four benefits are but also how you achieve them in a creative writing program.

Develop Strong Writing Skills

This is the reason most creative writing students pursue a degree. A good program offers a range of courses to help you sharpen your skills, faculty members who have real-life experience with the publishing industry, and access to visiting writers who can offer additional inspiration and insight .

Most programs incorporate writing workshops where you and your fellow students share and give feedback on your work, all under the guidance of a professor. Many universities also put out literary journals, giving students the opportunity to participate in the publishing process .

And of course, enrolling in a creative writing program ensures that you’ll be constantly writing , which is the best way to sharpen your skills.

Explore Diverse Genres and Styles

A self-guided learner has full authority to choose which areas of writing and literature they’ll explore. This is mostly a good thing, but the benefit of pursuing a creative writing degree is that your professors will see to it that you get familiar with a range of formats, genres , and styles .

This is especially true in undergraduate creative writing programs. Expect to read and analyze a wide spectrum of literature, from ancient epic poems to modern mainstream novels.

Build Your Network

This is such a notable perk that many of my friends who went to graduate school for screenwriting highlight this as the number one benefit.

Of course, you can build a network of peers and mentors without shelling out a ton of money for a formal education. But in a creative writing program, you spend all your time with other writers. You read each other’s work, struggle through the same coursework, and connect on a personal level.

Plus, if you happen to go to a school with a robust alumni network, you might find it easier to connect with those in your industry who share your alma mater after you graduate.

Widen Career Options

There are plenty of writers who don’t have a degree in creative writing—or don’t have a degree at all —who are making a decent living off of their words.

Nevertheless, a formal education can offer a wider range of options. It will give you a better shot with employers who place high value on college degrees or want to know that you have specialized knowledge regarding a specific type of writing.

And if you think you might enjoy teaching creative writing, a degree is a must. 

Types of Creative Writing Degrees

Intrigued? Then let’s explore your options more in depth.

There are several different types of creative writing degrees you can pursue, each with a slightly different focus and different opportunities once you leave school to practice your craft in the real world.

We’ll break this down one by one.

Undergraduate Degrees

It typically takes four years to complete an undergraduate creative writing program, though the timeline can be longer or shorter depending on your schedule and any credits you’ve already earned and transferred over.

We’re covering some general creative writing degrees available at the undergraduate level, but I highly recommend doing additional research. There are several more specific degrees that zero in on a particular aspect of writing, like a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or Journalism.

If you have a clear-cut vision for your writing career, start there and work backward to find the degree that makes sense for you. If you only know that you want to be writing one way or another, start by looking at these three options:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing

When you pursue a Bachelor of Arts, you can expect to get a well-rounded education that includes writing instruction as well as a balanced emphasis on the sciences and humanities.

It’s a liberal arts degree, basically, and it’s the most common choice for students seeking a creative writing education. 

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Creative Writing

BFA programs are much rarer than BA programs, but it’s worth considering one if you want an education that puts a heavy emphasis on the “arts” part.

This type of program focuses less on sciences and humanities. It often includes hands-on writing workshops (more on those in a bit) and is favored by students who fully intend to become authors, playwrights, screenwriters, or poets.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Writing

If you think you might enjoy applying your creative writing skills to something more scientific or analytical, a BS might be the best option for you.

This is a popular option for students who see themselves getting into technical writing, cultural studies, or communication.

Graduate Degrees

Postgraduate education—or grad school, as the cool kids call it—comes after you’ve earned an undergraduate degree. The most common reasons to seek out a graduate degree in creative writing include:

• You think you might like to teach creative writing at the college level one day
• You earned an undergraduate degree in a different field and now you want to study writing
• You just really want to go deep on this subject

Just as with undergrad degrees, there are highly specific grad programs you can explore. Or you can dive into one of these:

Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing

While an MA program doesn’t have the humanities and sciences components of a BA program, it still maintains a balance between participating in the arts and observing them. 

That is to say, you’ll do a ton of writing in this program, but you’ll also read and analyze a fair amount of literature.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing

MFA programs tend to be super hands-on, with workshops in which students share and give feedback on each other’s writing. Over the course of the program, you’ll complete a book-length work like a novel or poetry collection.

You also might find that you need more credits to earn an MFA degree than an MA in creative writing. 

PhD in Creative Writing

Now you’re just stalling. Write your book already.

I’m kidding. A PhD is a perfectly reasonable option if you want to study literature and creative writing in great depth. Most students who take their writing education this far are also planning to build a career in academia in addition to being a published author.

PhD programs are extremely rigorous, can last four years, and conclude with a dissertation project.

Writing Workshops vs. Writing Courses

At this point, we should probably discuss the difference between writing courses and workshops in an academic setting. You’ll find both in many programs, but the balance between these two educational experiences will depend on which type of creative writing degree you pursue.

It will also influence your entire learning experience.

What Makes a Course a Course?

A creative writing course is exactly what you think of when you imagine any class in a formal education setting.

In a course, a professor lectures on specific topics, assigns projects, and grades students on their performance. There may be class discussions and even opportunities for students to share and engage with each others’ writing. But the overall structure of a course focuses on conveying information.

What Makes a Workshop a Workshop?

A creative writing workshop is more hands-on. While the professor will share insights and guide discussions, the primary purpose of a workshop is to help students refine their craft. They share their work and give each other feedback.

You see much more of this learning style in BFA and MFA programs, which put greater emphasis on honing creative skills. If you want your writing education to include analyzing literature or studying the business end of publishing, you’ll probably want to look into more course-heavy BA or MA programs.  

Renowned Creative Writing Programs

This is usually when a person wants to know where they should go to get these degrees. What are the best creative writing programs out there?

Really, the best program is the one that fits you. Reputation is just one of many factors you should consider when you decide where to pursue a degree in creative writing. 

That said, it’s always a good move to know the respected institutions in your field. It helps you sound informed at cocktail parties. To that end, here are some of the most revered schools in the world of creative writing (in the U.S., anyway):

• The Iowa Writers’ Workshop
• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Mizzou (Journalism)
• Northwestern University

Choosing the Right Creative Writing Program

If prestige shouldn’t be a top consideration when deciding where to earn a degree in creative writing, what should you prioritize?

Here are a few factors to keep in mind as you research your options:

Career goals - Do you want a program that’s going to prepare you for a job in marketing that pays the bills while you write poetry on the side? Do you want to become a globe-trotting journalist or a high-earning technical writer?

Decide what will be the best degree for you, then zero in on the schools that excel in that area of study.

And don’t forget to consider genre! If you want to earn an MFA but are interested in commercial fiction writing, make sure you find a program that matches your goals. Literary fiction tends to get all the love in higher education.

Faculty - Research who you’ll be learning from. Do they seem like the right folks to guide you on your professional journey?

Curriculum - Learn everything you can about a school’s course options and creative writing majors before you commit. Will you be able to focus on the area of writing that matters most to you? Will the skills you learn help you do fun things in the real world like eat and pay rent?

Location - There are accredited creative writing programs that are entirely online. However, many of your best options will be in-person or low residency . Not only is the location relevant for practical reasons—you have to be able to get there—it can also influence how much you pay to go. 

If you attend a state school in your own state, for example, you can expect to pay less than the out-of-state students.

Results - Do a little digging to find out what graduates say about their experience in the program. What did they like about it? What didn’t they like? Would they say it was worth it? What are they doing with their creative writing degree now?

Cost - You’re probably way ahead of me here, but I’ll mention it, anyway. The less you pay for a degree in creative writing, the greater your return on investment will be. Look at tuition costs, possible scholarships, out-of-state versus in-state expenses, and the local cost of living.

Career Opportunities with a Creative Writing Degree

Maybe you decided long ago that you definitely want to go to college. Maybe for you, the question isn’t whether you want a degree at all but whether a degree in creative writing is a good use of your college fund.

In that case, we should talk career opportunities. What exactly can you do with a creative writing degree?

A lot, as it turns out. In fact, we have this ridiculously long list of jobs that require strong creative writing skills. You can follow the link to explore them in depth, but here’s a quick sample of what’s in there:

• Proofreader
• Content writer
• Technical writer
• Social media writer
• Screenwriter
• Speechwriter
• Literary agent
• Brand strategist
• Corporate communications specialist

That’s really only scratching the surface, and it doesn’t even touch on the ways your writing skills might serve you in less creative professions. I know multiple lawyers with a creative writing degree they credit for making them significantly better at drafting legal arguments. (On the flip side, an alarming number of lawyers become screenwriters or novelists.)

The important thing is to consider different creative writing majors carefully. Between the different schools, degrees, and areas of concentration, you’ve got lots of options and plenty of opportunities to select the education path that leads to your ideal writing career.

Whatever You Do, Keep Learning

Only you can decide if a creative writing degree is the right move for you. Whether you go for it or not, remember that continuous learning is the best thing you can do to ensure a successful and fulfilling writing career.

Keep reading work that inspires you. Build and nurture your writer network. Proactively seek out workshops, seminars, conferences , books, articles… anything you can get your hands on that will help you sharpen your skills.

And while I wouldn’t claim it’s a one-to-one replacement for the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, remember that Dabble is always here for you with a shocking amount of free educational resources and a supportive community in the Story Craft Café .

Peruse the hundreds of articles, templates, and worksheets in DabbleU . Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Download this free, 100-page ebook walking you through the entire novel-writing process.

Even if you need a little more time to decide if you want a degree in creative writing, you can start boosting your skills now.

So what are you waiting for?

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

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Is a Degree in Creative Writing Worth it?

Exploring a Degree in Creative Writing

Do you love words and telling stories?

Creative writing could be the perfect career for you.

But before you dive into a degree in creative writing, it’s vital to understand what such a degree entails and other possible routes that can help you land your dream job in the creative writing field. Let’s look at various aspects of a degree in creative writing – so you can move forward with the clarity to craft your very own happy ending!

What Does a Creative Writing Degree Entail?

A degree in creative writing involves comprehensive study and practice of different writing forms , from prose to poetry, plays to scripts, and beyond. It explores the mechanics of language, the nuances of tone and style, and the art of storytelling.

Candidates learn to:

• develop plotlines
• create compelling characters
• craft engaging dialogue
• gain insights into literary theory and criticism , and become familiar with a wide range of literary works across different genres and periods.

In addition to writing, students typically engage in extensive reading, critique, and revision of their own and their peers’ work. This degree also teaches critical thinking , research skills , and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, which are valuable skills applicable beyond just the writing field.

For a more detailed breakdown of what creative writing encompasses, check out our article on what is creative writing .

The Different Types of Creative Writing Degrees

Creative writing degrees come in various types and levels, each catering to a range of aspirations and career goals.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing (BA or BFA): This undergraduate program offers a broad introduction to creative writing and is often combined with literature studies. It’s a good starting point for those interested in careers in writing, editing, publishing, or teaching.
• Master’s Degree in Creative Writing (MA or MFA): This is a more specialized program, often focusing on a particular genre of writing. The MFA is considered a terminal degree in this field and can lead to teaching positions at the college level.
• Ph.D. in Creative Writing: This advanced degree caters to those interested in scholarly research or teaching at the university level. It usually involves producing a significant original work and an accompanying critical analysis.

This is a brief overview of the common types of creative writing degrees. Depending on your career aspirations—whether you’re interested in becoming a novelist, a poet, a scriptwriter, a teacher , or exploring other creative writing jobs —you might choose one over the others.

Remember, the journey of a creative writer isn’t limited to formal education. There are numerous paths into the world of creative writing. The key is to find what suits your learning style , your career plans, and, most importantly, your passion for writing.

The Pros of a Creative Writing Degree

While the question, “is a degree in creative writing worth it?” can be subjective and dependent on individual career goals, there are undeniable benefits that come with such an educational pursuit. These benefits can be divided into three main categories:

1. Skill Development

One of the most significant benefits of obtaining a degree in creative writing is the enhancement of writing skills. Students are exposed to various forms of writing, genres, and techniques , expanding their repertoire and understanding of the craft. This direct, academic exploration of what is creative writing can provide a valuable foundation for budding writers.

Critique and feedback are also integral parts of a creative writing program. This structured environment allows students to receive constructive criticism on their work, improving their writing and editing skills. Moreover, students are also exposed to different perspectives and interpretations , which can broaden their thinking and contribute to the development of unique writing styles.

2. Networking Opportunities

A creative writing degree provides students with numerous opportunities to network with peers , professors, and industry professionals . These relationships can be instrumental in opening doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborations.

Many creative writing programs also host guest lectures, workshops, and events where students can meet and learn from established writers and industry figures. These experiences provide valuable insights into the creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

3. Portfolio Building

A degree in creative writing aids in building a strong and diverse writing portfolio. The assignments and projects undertaken during the course of study can be honed and polished to form part of a professional portfolio. This collection of work is crucial when applying for writing jobs or freelance opportunities.

Furthermore, many programs offer opportunities for students to get their work published . Whether it’s through the university’s literary journal or connections with external publications, seeing their work in print can be a significant milestone for new writers.

A creative writing degree can provide valuable skill development, networking opportunities, and aid in the building of a robust portfolio. However, it’s crucial to consider these benefits in light of the financial and practical implications – which we will discuss in the following section.

As with any educational pursuit, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and consider your personal circumstances and career goals.

The Cons of a Creative Writing Degree

While the benefits of a creative writing degree are plentiful, it’s crucial to consider the potential drawbacks. These may include financial considerations , the realities of the job market , and the question of necessity in the writing field.

1. Financial Considerations

Studying for a creative writing degree can be a financial burden. Tuition fees, textbooks, and living expenses can add up, leading to a significant investment. Furthermore, the return on investment may not be immediate given the often competitive and unpredictable nature of the writing field.

It’s important to consider these costs and explore potential financial aid, scholarships, or part-time work opportunities to offset them.

2. Job Market Considerations

While a degree in creative writing can open doors to various creative writing jobs , it’s important to remember that these positions can often be competitive . The supply of creative writers tends to outweigh demand, which can make finding a job in the field challenging. Additionally, the pay for creative writing jobs can vary significantly, with many roles not offering a high salary.

3. Necessity in the Writing Field

When considering whether a creative writing degree is worth it, it’s essential to weigh these potential drawbacks against the benefits. Consider your personal circumstances, career goals, and other factors such as your passion for writing, your desire to improve your skills, and your willingness to navigate the challenges of the writing field.

For those who decide that a formal degree isn’t the right path, there are numerous other ways to pursue creative writing. From creative writing prompts to creative writing activities for kids , there are many resources available to help aspiring writers develop their skills and express their creativity.

Non-Degree Paths to Creative Writing

In some instances, having a diverse educational background outside of creative writing can be beneficial, providing a unique perspective and a wealth of material to draw from in your writing.

While a degree in creative writing can provide a structured learning path and networking opportunities, many successful writers have honed their skills through non-degree paths . These alternatives to formal education can be equally effective in developing your creative writing abilities.

Self-Study and Practice

Creative writing is a skill that can be developed through consistent practice. Self-study allows you to learn at your own pace and focus on the areas you find most interesting. Whether it’s poetry, short stories, or novels, you can cultivate your writing skills by studying the works of established authors, dissecting their style, and understanding their techniques.

Practicing consistently is key to improvement. Regular writing exercises, such as responding to creative writing prompts , can help you build your skills and explore a variety of writing styles. Over time, this regular practice can help you develop your unique voice and storytelling style.

Workshops and Writing Groups

Workshops and writing groups offer invaluable opportunities to receive feedback on your work, learn from others, and immerse yourself in a community of writers. Whether in person or online , these gatherings can provide constructive criticism, inspiration, and the chance to discuss writing techniques and challenges.

Writing groups also offer the benefit of accountability , as members often commit to sharing their work on a regular basis. This can motivate you to write consistently and push your creative boundaries.

Online Courses and Resources

The internet is a treasure trove of resources for aspiring writers. Online courses cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of what is creative writing to specialized genres and techniques.

These courses often include:

• video lessons
• writing assignments
• feedback from instructors

Additionally, there are countless blogs, podcasts, and forums dedicated to creative writing. These resources can provide advice on everything from crafting compelling characters to overcoming writer’s block. They also serve as platforms for writers to share their work and connect with a wider community.

While pondering the question, ‘is a degree in creative writing worth it’, it’s crucial to consider these non-degree paths. They can provide the flexibility, affordability , and personalized learning experiences that may better align with your personal goals and circumstances.

Making the Decision: Is a Degree in Creative Writing Worth It?

The question “Is a degree in creative writing worth it?” can be challenging to answer definitively as it largely depends on an individual’s personal and career goals.

Personal Considerations

From a personal perspective, a degree in creative writing can be immensely rewarding . It provides a structured environment to learn, experiment, and receive feedback on your writing. This can lead to substantial improvements in your writing ability and a deeper understanding of the craft. A creative writing degree also allows you to immerse yourself in literature and writing, which can be personally fulfilling if you have a passion for these areas.

However, you need to consider if you have the discipline and motivation to pursue a degree over several years. Many successful writers developed their craft through a combination of self-study, practice, and life experiences. They found their unique voice and style outside of an academic setting. You can explore more about what is creative writing in one of our previous articles.

Editor’s Note : Take your personality into account when deciding how to pursue creative writing. A degree is a formal approach that will involve exams and higher stress situations. If you didn’t enjoy school, a degree might sap the joy out of writing.

Career Considerations

Career-wise, a creative writing degree can open up a range of job opportunities. Many creative writing graduates work in fields such as:

• advertising

A degree can provide a competitive edge in these fields as it demonstrates a high level of writing ability and a strong understanding of narrative structures and literary techniques.

However, it’s important to note that writing jobs are often competitive, and a degree in creative writing is not always a prerequisite for these roles. You should also consider the financial implications of getting a degree, including tuition fees and potential student loans. For more insights on this topic, check out our article on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Is a Career in Creative Writing for You?

Determining if a degree in creative writing is worth it depends on your personal aspirations, career goals, and the value you place on a formal education in writing. By considering these factors and exploring the alternatives available, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs and interests.

Remember, while a formal degree has it’s benefits, the path to becoming a successful writer isn’t confined to classrooms. With passion, practice, and persistence , you can hone your creative writing skills and create your unique literary footprint – with or without a degree.

Whatever path you choose, keep writing, keep dreaming, and don’t give up!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

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• creative writing
• honours degree
• screenwriting

Should I go to university?

Seren Writeaholic

Is a creative writing honours degree really worth it.

Discussion in ' Traditional Publishing ' started by Seren , Dec 6, 2016 .

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); I'm aware that there's a slightly similar thread already up, but I wanted to be more specific. I recently applied for a creative writing and screenwriting joint degree at my local university, and I've been given a conditional offer. Great. But I'm not certain that I do really want to go to university. On the plus side, I'd learn a completely new skill - screenwriting. I'd also (you would hope) improve in my novel-writing skills, get lots of feedback, and build up a CV that would make me look slightly more interesting to agents/publishers. The thing is, all I currently aspire to be is a writer. I know it's not going to pay well, but I can't bear the thought of any other job dominating my life. So, a degree isn't really necessary for me. In addition, some people think I could achieve most of these things without university, simply by practising, joining a writer's group, and entering competitions to try and build my CV by myself. Is there anything a creative writing degree can give you that I couldn't find through a different path? Really good contacts? Super-human skills?  

antlad Banned

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); I feel the two best things it can give are- A habit to sit and write Contacts. Is the teacher known in lit circles at all? Is there a benefit from having that teacher?  

big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Tbh you can probably learn the course content from books and the internet , so my advice would be no , unless you are applying for writing jobs that specify it as a requirement  

Caveriver Active Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); IMO, if you are going to go to school anyway, and want to get your degree in something you love, and that happens to be writing, then go for it. I learned more from books, peers, and just plain reading (a lot) than I did from writing classes in college. I did enjoy all the peer review opportunities, and the people wanting to voice opinions and trade ideas. Did I enjoy it? Yes, for the most part (it was easy). Did I become a better writer, simply because I went through it? Nah, I don't really think so. That has come from lots of practice, experience, and trial and error (none of which costs nearly as much money as higher education).  

mrieder79 Probably not a ground squirrel Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); I have never regretted education. Education is the key to everything. I would recommend that anyone should get educated to their highest ability. Here's the catch: Make sure the area of your education will bring sufficient income to cover costs and help you achieve your life goals. I've got friends who went to university and ended up working manual labor because they took studies in fields with poor practical application. Don't do this. If you go, be smart. Cover your costs. Avoid debt. Make sure that when your are finished, your degree will get you where you want to be.  

BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); It's not so much a question of writing (creative writing, at least) not paying well as it is of writing not paying at all , at least for a lot of writers. So if you've got independent income and can afford to go to school for something that really isn't related to earning a living, then, for sure, taking a degree in creative writing sounds fascinating. But if you need to earn a living? Creative writing isn't likely to pay the bills. Would you rather have a mid-level job (based on your university education) and write on the side, or a menial job (based on your lack of university education) and write on the side? I'm not saying it's impossible to make a living from creative writing, but it's tough. And I don't think a degree in creative writing makes it significantly easier, so I'd be more inclined to get a degree in something you find somewhat interesting, take creative writing courses on the side, and graduate with a passion and an employment prospect.  

Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Yes, a very successful science fiction writer once told me if your primary interest is making money, almost anything you can think of to do apart from writing is likely to be a more productive use of your time.  

EnginEsq Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Note that a lot of published fiction authors have law degrees, and that half of the people who have law degrees do not work as lawyers. I think there's a reason for this. Law school has been called the last true liberal-arts education. If you apply yourself to it, any decent law school will teach you to think, to write,and to persuade - and they might teach you about law, too. Law school will also broaden your perspectives, and teach you things about people and society that you may not want to know, but that can enrich your writing. And while it's not the golden ticket it was in 2006, a law degree is marketable. So if you have the time and money (or can get a scholarship), I suggest going to law school.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Steerpike said: ↑ Yes, a very successful science fiction writer once told me if your primary interest is making money, almost anything you can think of to do apart from writing is likely to be a more productive use of your time. Click to expand...

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); BayView said: ↑ Or possibly there's a confusion of cause and effect... maybe law school is attractive to people who are good with words, so a lot of naturally writerly-types go to law school and learn nothing that helps them continue as writerly-types? Click to expand...

Infel Contributor Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Go to University for anything BUT writing. History, English, Aerospace Engineering, Roman Art and Architecture: the knowledge you gain and the experience you acquire there will expand your mind and your ability to process the world around you, and it will give you more experience to add to your pool of knowledge to write about. I majored in Anthropology and History. I will never use that degree to get a job, but I use it every day in how I look at the world and people around me.  

psychotick Contributor Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Hi, I voted yes, go to uni, but not necessarily to study creative writing. I mean if that's your love then fine, but expect the types of jobs you can get out of it at the end as being teaching English, journalism or similar. The value in advanced education is really that it broadens your mind as they say. It makes you think about things, gives you other perspectives than you might have otherwise, gives you the tools to think properly etc. Tertiary study also introduces you to loads of friends, political movements, social groups all of which are important for people as they mature from older teenagers to young adults. It may lead to better job prospects too, but that to me is secondary. The one suggestion I would have for you apart from do go, is don't focus on just one subject area. It's boring. When I first started at uni I was a straight science nerd - microbiology all the way. Then somewhere during that first degree I did a psych paper and hey presto, started a second degree in that. Later I started work in public health and began doing post grad stuff in epidemiology, environmental health, occ health etc, and eventually finished a masters in this stuff. And I admit I loved it. I loved being able to study and work. But often it was the oddball subjects that truly made my academic life. Philosophy papers absolutely blew my mind - and I would strongly recommend to everyone to at a minimum do a basic course in critical thinking. I enjoyed economics though it was utterly out of my comfort zone. But the maths is awesome. Stats is also invaluable. So yes go to uni. Advance yourself. Learn. And learn to think. But as for the value of creative writing to you as a career choice advancement as an author, I don't know. Might it help you cut some corners in your goal? Maybe. But even if it does, it won't make you a best selling author. That's a completely different kettle of fish. You know what's made me a more successful author. A drunk driver! Not kidding! She unexpectedly retired me three years ago and forced me to turn a hobby into a money making enterprise. That focus and dedication forced on me is what drove me to start writing more professionally. I don't recommend this as a career advancement step for anyone by the way! Cheers, Greg.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Wow! Thanks for all these replies. Getting all these opinions is really useful. I'd say I already have a good habit of sitting and writing, though I suppose a creative writing course would encourage me to do that even more. I would also assume the teachers have good contacts. It was mentioned during an open day I attended that the course would be useful for getting contacts, though of course, I don't know how useful or whether those contacts could really take me anywhere. The general idea I'm now getting is that the degree would probably only be worth the money if I decided to do something like journalism afterwards. I think a creative writing degree would also open the pathway of editing to me, which sound interesting. I don't think I could change what degree I've applied for now, but I don't think I'd want to, anyway. I think if I do go to university and take that course, I'll try and get into editing. If I don't go, I'll try following my heart for a while. I suppose I can always choose to go in a few years if that doesn't work out and pick a different degree. But I might find a job that doesn't require a degree that pays just enough and gives me a little more time to write. I'm still thinking about it, though I have some new information and different perspectives now. This isn't going to be easy...but I'll try not to let a drunk driver make the decision for me. (I'm glad it worked out for you though, Greg.)  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); I'd tend to suggest that if you want to do journalism a journalism degree would be more useful (and make sure its a good one with decent contacts in the industry) - you ought to be able to transfer degrees within the same uni if you want Given how much debt a degree incurs these days its worth making sure you are on the best one for your intended career  

pamedria Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); You are basically another version of ME. I considered a Creative Writing degree and I went to all these different open days, but I got put off when looking at university stats. If I remember correctly only 33% of those graduated in creative writing were employed six months after graduating, while with journalism it was 84% on average out of the universities I looked at. That shouldn't necessarily discourage people from going for creative writing as it may merely imply that there were a chunk of people out of work because they were in the middle of their novel. However, I feel that people could do this without paying the overall 27k for university. Personally, I chose journalism because it's broad and I am a very indecisive person, so I like keeping options open. If you do go for that though, make sure you only go to those accredited by national bodies. Journalism is a thing to consider because it's also creative, but you will have to do extra stuff you may find boring alongside practical things, like exams for other qualification bodies, study media law, politics, ethics etc. My older sister actually did journalism and creative writing but she now runs her own marketing company, which is cool, it shows you can branch off in different career paths. You get applicable skills, connections and form life-long friendships. I've had some opportunities from university, but in my own personal opinion - it really isn't necessary, unless you want it for the full experience of moving away from home, meeting new people etc. For this industry, I believe if you bag yourself a great internship (like Penguin's annual ones) then you are pretty much sorted anyway! There are so many publishing/journalism internships throughout the year as well. It may be an idea to take a gap year, write A LOT, and apply to loads of internships. Also do freelance work (probably for free at first though which can suck) and enter loads of writing competitions. Many writing jobs I've seen advertised do require degrees though, so keep it in mind. If you come to decide you deffo want to go to uni, definitely do something creative that you will enjoy. Creative Writing does sound like a fun degree - but it certainly has a stigma around it, and be sure to check the particular course's stats online. Good luck  

TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Some things to consider: If you can, see what's become of previous graduates with the degree? What kind of contacts do the professors have, with agents, producers, other screen writers, editors, publishers, etc? Do they specialize in a genre/area you're interested in? While you probably will learn while there, but I am not sure the actual degree will benefit you much in advancing your career. The skills and contacts are what will make the difference. Will the time and expense be worth it? Good luck, whatever you decide.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Seren said: ↑ . . I don't think I could change what degree I've applied for now, Click to expand...

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Ah, right, I didn't make the year I've applied for clear. It is indeed September 2017. So yes, I have lots of time to think, thank goodness. I've had a quick peak at Penguin's internships, so now I know that's an option. Interesting. Would you still be expected to get a degree afterwards, though, if you did decide to become an editor? Is it something you must have? Hopefully I'll be able to attend an applicant day at the university at some point. Then I can quiz them properly on exactly what contacts they have. The website doesn't specifically say, but it does say a lot about what they've already done with their careers. They look like they should have contacts, especially the teacher on the creative writing side of the course. In fact, I think she set the course up herself, so she should know what she's doing.  

deadrats Contributor Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); I wouldn't ask anyone who they have for contacts or expect that they will offer them to you. That's not what they're there to do. And you can't recommend every student to your agent or editor. You'll need to prove yourself and earn something like that. They will need to know your writing. And still, there will always be far too many students to expect that you're the one the faculty are going to go out on a limb for. I'm not saying it never happens, but you haven't even started the program and you want to quiz faculty on their contacts? Do yourself a favor -- don't do that! That being said, I am a big fan of writing degrees. I have an MFA. Earning the degree is what turned me into the writer I am today. I don't believe I would be anything close to the writer I am had I not formally studied the craft. Getting a creative writing degree means you will have some sort of writing routine and be held accountable for it. There will be loads of reading. And you will be part of a community of other writers right where you are. Plus, an advisor or professor often can serve as a mentor as well. There will be standards and your performance will be graded. Sure, one could argue that you can find all that elsewhere, but I don't think it's the same. When you really study anything, you spend a lot of time with it. I think putting in all that time and work can be hard to do on your own. I know earning my degree really pushed me. I don't know why you are asking this question, really. You obviously wanted to study creative writing when you applied for this program. What's changed?  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); @deadrats I'll just hint at it then, and perhaps ask a general question about the sort of contacts I might gain through taking the course (not just from the teachers alone) and see what they say. I actually didn't want to quiz them because I was expecting them to start recommending me to people, though. I just want to know who they knew, and therefore who I might end up having an opportunity to prove myself to, or who I might have the opportunity to speak to who could potentially help. It's interesting to hear from someone who's actually done the course. I admit, I will miss the writer's group I'm currently a part of when I leave college, and it can be a little harder to find local writer's groups in the community that meet regularly somewhere I can actually access simply. Plus, I'd find it much easier to relate to my other classmates than to much older people who've already done a great deal more writing than me. For some reason, I hadn't thought of my teacher also being my mentor before now, but that makes sense. It's definitely something I won't get from books or the internet. Just out of interest, how much writing did you do before you took the degree, if any? Did you think you did lots of writing and then find out that actually, your schedule could have been even better? Or did you struggle to make yourself sit and write? By the time I applied for this programme I was actually already uncertain, but I was certain that if I was going to do a degree, this would be the one. I was very excited when I first looked around the university and listened to the talks that were given about the course, and then it faded with time and I began to grow doubtful as I considered my other options.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Asking someone about what sort of contacts they have is just about as inappropriate as asking someone how much money they make. Honestly, if you do a little googling of the faculty, you can easily find a lot of info like who has published their works, who there agents are and a ton of other stuff. Those are their contacts. They have contacts. You don't need to ask them. If I was asked this sort of thing, I would think it was rude and a little ignorant. Read their books, see the movies they wrote scripts for. Talk about those sort of things when you first meet them. If you ever want them to use any connections on you, I would suggest making a good first impression. And chances are your work right now is nowhere near where it would need to be to have someone pass it along to their contacts. Be patient. Give yourself time to learn and grow as a writer. You might come out of this program such a good writer that you don't need anyone's contacts. You're sort of putting the cart before the horse. Learn. Write. Edit. Don't be in a rush to get contacts. Showing something too early to any contact someone shares with you, won't help you anymore than if you never had a contact. The other students in my program quickly became and still are some of my best friends. We still talk about writing and share work with each other. And remember that those other writers in your program might make contacts they would share with you in the future. I did a lot of writing before applying and entering my program. I had a long career in journalism. But creative writing I only started seriously for about a year or two before starting my program. Still, I did a ton of writing. My program is pretty competitive. I actually took two creative writing courses before even applying. I have never struggled to write, but if that is something you struggle with, I think a writing program can help. I don't see why you wouldn't give your program try. It's a few years dedicated to writing. Who wouldn't want that? Instead of worrying about contacts, why don't you ask the university if you can sit in on a writing class and/or talk to current students? I'm sure the university will be happy to make those things happen for you. My program had the occasional visitor. I believe they want you to already be accepted before sitting in on a workshop, but you're in so it shouldn't be a problem. By the way, congratulations on getting in.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); deadrats said: ↑ Asking someone about what sort of contacts they have is just about as inappropriate as asking someone how much money they make. Honestly, if you do a little googling of the faculty, you can easily find a lot of info like who has published their works, who there agents are and a ton of other stuff. Those are their contacts. They have contacts. You don't need to ask them. If I was asked this sort of thing, I would think it was rude and a little ignorant. Read their books, see the movies they wrote scripts for. Talk about those sort of things when you first meet them. If you ever want them to use any connections on you, I would suggest making a good first impression. And chances are your work right now is nowhere near where it would need to be to have someone pass it along to their contacts. Be patient. Give yourself time to learn and grow as a writer. You might come out of this program such a good writer that you don't need anyone's contacts. You're sort of putting the cart before the horse. Learn. Write. Edit. Don't be in a rush to get contacts. Showing something too early to any contact someone shares with you, won't help you anymore than if you never had a contact. The other students in my program quickly became and still are some of my best friends. We still talk about writing and share work with each other. And remember that those other writers in your program might make contacts they would share with you in the future. I did a lot of writing before applying and entering my program. I had a long career in journalism. But creative writing I only started seriously for about a year or two before starting my program. Still, I did a ton of writing. My program is pretty competitive. I actually took two creative writing courses before even applying. I have never struggled to write, but if that is something you struggle with, I think a writing program can help. I don't see why you wouldn't give your program try. It's a few years dedicated to writing. Who wouldn't want that? Instead of worrying about contacts, why don't you ask the university if you can sit in on a writing class and/or talk to current students? I'm sure the university will be happy to make those things happen for you. My program had the occasional visitor. I believe they want you to already be accepted before sitting in on a workshop, but you're in so it shouldn't be a problem. By the way, congratulations on getting in. Click to expand...

terobi Senior Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); Wasn't it Stephen King who said creative writing is the worst choice of university degree if you want to be a writer? Whoever it was, the point is sound: if you study history, you come to your fiction writing with a history specialism and a unique viewpoint, if you study science/engineering, you have a science background that informs your writing, etc. and the same goes for politics, law, sociology, etc. etc. etc. Whereas if you study creative writing.... you come to writing solely with the viewpoint of someone who wants to put words on a page. I think just about everything you can get out of a creative writing degree, you can get much more cheaply on your own. Literally hundreds of authors have released books on how to write fiction. Some who teach university writing classes, like Brandon Sanderson, have actually put up their entire course on youtube . But of course the thing you're paying for is the networking, the peer feedback and the mentoring. The thing is, you can do most, if not all of that for free as well. Joining a writing group (through meetup , say) allows you to get a lot of the things that you're looking for: a regular time and place for discussing the finer points of technique, a chance to network with authors at various stages of their careers, and specific feedback on your own work. If you're willing to part with some money, the various writers conferences which include panels and meetings with authors, agents, publishers, etc. are all a good shout, and better for building contacts and knowledge of the names within the industry (agents apparently like it when you mention that you enjoyed their panel appearance at X, etc. when querying them). University is great (and I should know, as a PhD student I've been here for bloody ages now), but really think about what you expect to get out of the course, and if a degree in something else might not suit your needs and ambitions more.  

Integer Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_4d8de523f8c9fa9fb6677376d06d807d'); }); I work for a university that offers a CW course. I would say definitely go to university. But think hard about whether you want to do CW. Firstly, despite what course leaders say about publishing rates very few CW grads will make even one penny out of CW let alone a career. Secondly, a CW degree isn't held in as high esteem as other liberal arts disciplines. If you want to apply to do a masters in Law, or to join a graduate training programme, a solid History, English Lit, or Philosophy degree from a good uni will be looked on more favourably than one in CW. Thirdly, you will still have to work really hard to get your degree, and incur lots of debt. Best to future proof yourself as much as possible. Write and hone your CW craft on the side. Join a writers group. It doesn't matter how good the course is or how well connected your tutors are, there are no jobs going in creative writing they can get you. They have matriculated literally thousands of CW grads in their careers and are well aware that none of them are successful writers. Unless your writing is exceptionally brilliant they aren't going to pester their own agent for you, if they are even still writing themselves. However there is one reason when the ONLY degree you should do is creative writing. And that's it you want to study it. You are usually only at the time in your life once when you can study something you love exclusively, with other people who love it and in some cases have excelled in, for three or four years. And if you do LOVE creative writing and want nothing more than to immerse yourself, and don't mind the debt or lack of career options, then go for it and don't look back.  

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COACHING + PUBLISHING

FORMATTING + DESIGN

FREELANCE COMMUNITY

Is an MFA in Creative Writing Worthwhile? 7 Writers Weigh In

by Adryan Corcione | Jun 11, 2020

Many writers wonder if pursuing an Master’s in Fine Arts in Creative Writing is worthwhile. Maybe you’re even wondering: What is an MFA?

For some writers, it could mean finally workshopping a manuscript in an academic setting, networking with faculty and staff or just kickstarting the manuscript in the first place.

Others say it’s not worth the money and you could recreate the MFA experience in other ways.

Is an MFA worth your time and money?

To gain some insight, I asked a few published writers to weigh in, including those outside of the traditional creative writing realms.

Here’s what they recommended thinking through if you’re considering getting an MFA.

1. Identify your end goal

To pursue her goal of publishing a novel, immerse herself into literary culture, and satisfy a crossroads moment of her life, Jordan Rosenfield decided to apply for MFA programs. Now, as a MFA graduate, she’s a freelance writer and an author of a handful of books.

She said writers should really think about what they want — and how an MFA might help them get there — before enrolling in a creative writing program.

“While it hasn’t made my career path to publishing novels any easier, it certainly improved my craft, and my critical eye and opened doors in other aspects of my career,” Rosenfield said. “If you plan to teach, I think in a related field, an MFA is essential, but if you just want to improve your craft, you can do that through online courses and weekend workshops for a lot less money.”

Heather Meyer , a comedy writer and playwright, decided a low-residency MFA would broaden her network and increase her skill set while still working in theatre.

“The low-res allowed me to that without having to move or quit gigs I really love,” Meyer said. “That’s what this program trained me to do: to live and work as a writer.”

2. Think about the way you already write

Senior communications professional Robin Kurzer originally pursued a dual MFA/MA degree to prepare herself for teaching fiction in a college setting.

However, she realized later she had romanticized the idea of an MFA. In reality, s he didn’t enjoy her program’s strict adherence to a specific way of creating art.

“ You needed to sit in a certain fashion, approach each and every writing assignment in the same way,” Kurzer explained.

Another professional writer, Joselin Linder , was rejected from every top program she’d heard of, so she moved to New York and focused on growing her network. Because she grew relationships in the writing field on her own, she advises against an MFA — unless, somehow, tuition is free.

“Set your own deadlines or use your writing group to set them and use any money you would’ve spent on an MFA to travel and explore,” she said. “Go to events where agents and editors meet-and-greet with writers. Take classes you find online or in your town to help you write and learn how to sell it. Go to free book readings and launches. Bartend or work on a boat for two years to pay for your life, and consider it ‘research.’”

3. Understand a program’s risk

Rachel Charlene Lewis , now the founder of the Fem and editor-in-chief of Vagabond City Lit , felt constantly frustrated because her classmates attempted to transform her writing into “ black, gay ‘voice of a generation’ as if it was a complement and not a basic form of tokenization. ”

While she’s unsure whether to advise other writers on pursuing an MFA, she stressed that no matter how much extensive research you do, you’ll never predict how well you’ll work within your cohort and with your professors.

4. Consider an alternative academic path

Deviating from the traditional creative writing graduate programs, freelance writer and Romper news writer Annamarya Scaccia opted for a Master’s in Journalism instead.

Ultimately, the decision was financial because she couldn’t afford expensive workshops, writing residencies , or writing retreats to gain new skills. Now she focuses on news writing, investigative research and reporting.

“As a trained journalist, I know exactly what goes into crafting an article, from research to reporting to writing to editing,” Scaccia said. “I know the exact steps I have to take to investigate an incident or track down people hard to find. I know how to spot the lede, structure a story, etc.”

Following a slightly different path, book publicist and writer Alaina Leary received a Master’s of Arts in publishing and writing. Her college career, which involved upper-level nonfiction and fiction courses, exposed her to journalism and professional writing. For graduate school, she wanted a more business-oriented curriculum.

“I learned the basics of magazine, electronic publishing, and book publishing as well as honed skills in editing, publicity, marketing, freelancing, graphic design, social media, video and audio editing, business management, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Leary said. “I can now confidently talk about the process of promoting a nonfiction book as much as I can about social media management for an online magazine.”

After hearing from these seven different voices, there’s still no obvious yes-or-no answer to the MFA debate.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you want in a program and how much of a risk you’re willing to take.

It’s important to consider the path you’ll take if you don’t pursue one, too: could you better use that grad school money in other ways to reach your goal of becoming a writer?

Photo via Solis Images / Shutterstock  

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Should You Get an MFA in Creative Writing? (Pros and Cons)

So…should you get an MFA in Creative Writing, or not? I asked myself this question for YEARS.

In fact, about every two years for a decade, I’d freak out and apply to MFA programs. I never wound up going, and eventually, I sold my first novel…and my second and my third.

So what did I learn? Today, I’m going to share with you the pros and cons of an MFA in Creative Writing, based on my own experience as both a published author and as a writing coach to dozens of writers working on books, some of whom have MFAs and many of whom don’t.

My personal MFA story

Here’s a quick story. In 2011, I quit my job as a lawyer in order to have time to write. I was committed to becoming a published author. I didn’t know if I wanted to write fiction or memoir, but I knew I wanted to publish a book. 

I was 29 at the time, and seven years earlier when I was been 22, I’d written down a goal that I wanted to reach by 30, writing a book, along with learning to speak French.

I hadn’t learned to speak French yet, so…it was time to make the book thing happen. I truly figured it would take me about a year to write a book and get a book deal…and even that sounded long. HA! 

Nope. It took me six . 

I took writing classes back to back on everything from how to write beautiful sentences to how to write humor to how to write a book proposal.

Some of these were great, others were weirdly discouraging, and I left them feeling worse about myself as a writer and a little bit depressed.

And every two years or so, I would have a moment of thinking, should I just do it? Should i just get an MFA? 

I’d decide to go for it—I loved school, I always had, and being a student again for something I loved as much as writing sounded kind of like a dream. 

I’d go through the entire process of applying…and if you’ve never done it, know that it is a process .

Getting recommendations. Writing Statements of Purpose. Paying $100 per application. Polishing my writing samples…all for the chance of getting one of like 5 spots in a program to which I knew hundreds of people were applying, and, if I was admitted, moving to some location that wasn’t in my current home city and dropping tens of thousands of dollars on more education when I already had student loan debt from law school. 

I did this three times. 

The first time, I was rejected at all but one place where I was waitlisted and never got in. The second time, I was admitted to one school that I turned down because I got nervous about the money. 

And the third time, I got into a program I was really excited about, but by this time, I actually had friends who were graduating from MFA programs or had graduated.

And what I was noticing was that they were graduating without having written books. And then when they finally did write books a few years out of grad school, they were having as hard a time finding agents as I was.

Plus, a couple of them had actually graduated from their MFA programs unhappy they’d gone because it had stifled their creativity, and they couldn’t write anymore. 

That was…the last thing I wanted. Having taken some non-MFA creative writing classes myself that had wound up squashing my creativity rather than the opposite, I really didn’t want that. 

In the end, I couldn’t stomach signing on the dotted line and investing about $50,000, which is what it was going to cost me, for a program I wasn’t confident was going to help me enough. 

Luckily, I didn’t have to. 

Eventually, I signed with my literary agent, who, shortly after, sold my book, then my next two books. And when I realized I had some good stuff to teach people following in my footsteps of wanting to be published authors, I started a writing program. 

Now, I work with all kinds of writers, including writers who have MFAs. 

So is it worth it? What are the pros and cons? First, let’s talk about the pros, then we’ll talk about the cons.

Pro #1: Making a commitment this large to writing leads you to take it seriously and prioritize it, which is how you find your voice 

When you invest time and money in something like an MFA program, you tend to take it seriously, right? It’s human nature.

So committing to a graduate program is a way of dedicating yourself to be held accountable to write. That’s not a small thing. I think there’s tremendous value in that, and this is a major reason why I almost went. 

Pro #2: You’ll have a serious writing community of talented writers & mentors 

Being surrounded by people who share your same goal and are also dedicated to it can be a really powerful thing. So is, obviously, being mentored by good writers who are also good teachers.

Now, do you need to fork over $50K or more or spend three years taking full-loads of semester-long classes to get this? Eh…

I eventually found this community for myself. But it took me awhile. It certainly wasn’t efficient. 

Pro #3 is a kind of an expired pro: It used to be that if you wanted to teach, you should get a masters

But these days, most teaching jobs at universities are given to people with PhDs, which you’re not going to want to get if what you actually want is to spend your time writing creatively and not writing about writing creatively. 

The positions that are not reserved for PhDs are so competitive that a masters barely gets your foot in the door. 

And adjunct professorships pay…very little. Like, a couple thousand dollars a semester. So don’t be fooled into thinking this degree will get you a salaried job you can live on unless you want to teach at a decent-paying high school. In which case, great.

But…in that case, go because you want to teach high school, not because you want to be a novelist. 

Maybe it can help you get an agent? But honestly, if you write a good book, you’re going to get an agent without the MFA. Everyone I know has, including myself. 

Now for the cons that I see working with writers everyday. 

Con #1 is obvious…it’s quite expensive 

The average cost of an MFA in the United States is currently about $37,000 per year. 

At 2-3 years depending on the program, that comes to nearly, if not over, $100,000. 

That ain’t cheap. 

Con #2: Certain programs can be stifling or even crippling 

One spring, during the years when I was sporadically applying to MFA programs, I went to a writing residency where I made a new writer friend who happened to have gotten her MFA from the best school in the country years earlier. 

It was fully funded, she hadn’t paid a cent. And she was very clear with me: it had destroyed her creatively. She said she hadn’t written a word for years afterward.

It had taken the joy out of writing for her, and in this moment when I was meeting her, about a decade later, she was finally starting to write again.

This story was very disturbing to me, and I’ve since heard versions of it from several other writers. 

MFA programs also don’t often allow—or at least don’t encourage—you to write in genres, even if that’s what you like .

You may love horror or romance—and want to write it, which I think is a great idea, since I’m a firm believer in writing what you love to read—but most MFA programs aren’t going to encourage you to write in these genres.

You’re more likely to be pushed, however implicitly, to write in a more literary and less commercial fashion. 

And you might not want to do that. 

This is a totally arbitrary feature of these programs, by the way, the under-appreciation of plot. Well, not arbitrary, I think it’s ultimately classism. 

I think genre writing, and writing in general that has a great plot, is as difficult to pull off as any kind of writing and therefore equally if not more impressive than non-plot-driven fiction.

But that’s another discussion for another time. 

Con #3: It doesn’t teach you to write a novel

If that’s what you want, don’t expect to learn that there. No one I know finished their MFA program with a novel. 

Several people with MFAs came to my program to learn HOW to write a novel, including one who’s doing her MFA and my program simultaneously. 

So, listen, you are going to have to decide for yourself. 

Ready to write your book?

But this is the part where I am going to invite you to check out my program, The Book Incubator , because I specifically designed it to give writers the pros of an MFA program without the cons. 

When I’m not writing, my mission in life is to help talented writers write their dream books. I love it. I live for it. 

Because before I published my novels, I first had to figure out how to write one. It wasn't easy because none of the writing classes I was taking showed me how to actually write a novel.

Not until I had a newborn baby and only a couple of hours to write every day did I come up with a process. The process worked. I wrote my entire novel during my 8-week maternity leave.

Now, I teach it in my program The Book Incubator and it works for dozens of other writers. 

Like in an MFA program, you have a select community of talented writers and well-credentialed mentors. It only costs about a tenth as much as an MFA, but lasts a full year. 

It’s designed to liberate you so you can realize your unique vision in your unique voice, no matter what genre you’re writing.

And 95% of people finish writing their books before their year in the program is complete. 

If you're curious to know more, I have a free video walking you through my exact process for writing a book. You can get it by clicking below and answering two questions to apply to the program. You get the video whether you join or not—no pressure to enroll. 

Just click below to tell me a little bit about you and your book—you can fill out a form online. I’m so excited to hear from you!

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5 Reasons a Creative Writing Degree is Worth It

by Conner DiGiacomo | Jul 28, 2023 | Creative Writing

Getting a degree in creative writing can open opportunities in your career that you might not have ever imagined, even beyond the expected writing-related career positions. Leaving university with a creative writing degree casts a wider net both in the skills you’ll gain, as well as what you’ll have to offer than some may realize. There is more to creative writing than simply writing for the sake of creativity—developing short stories, poetry, personal nonfiction, etc. In fact, the skills creative writing students walk away with at the end of their education make them highly valuable in many areas of the job market. Having a mastery of language, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, can land a job with almost any employer who needs a creative outlook on their business. 

Here are 5 reasons a creative writing degree is worth it:

1. You’ll Tell Stories Like No One Else

A creative writing degree offers a unique opportunity to delve deeply into the art and craft of storytelling like no other college program will. It teaches you how to weave intricate narratives, develop compelling characters, and create immersive settings that captivate readers. You’ll learn to articulate your unique voice and perspective, enabling you to tell stories in a way no one else can. Having this ability to shape a narrative and captivate an audience is something that will benefit you in many situations including sales negotiations, business pitches, proposal writing, digital marketing, and so much more! Through consistent practice, feedback from experienced instructors, and exposure to a variety of literary styles and genres, you’ll acquire the skills to craft stories that are distinctively yours and extremely persuasive. This degree ultimately equips you with the tools to shape your imagination into narratives that resonate with readers, allowing you to make your book, products, services, corporate brands, and yourself stand out.

2. You’ll Learn How To Navigate The Publishing Industry

A creative writing degree can be like a backstage pass to the publishing industry. You learn the ropes on how to pitch your work, what editors are looking for, and how to deal with rejections (everyone gets them, seriously). You’ll get to study under professors who’ve been there and done that – they can share insider tips and maybe even hook you up with industry contacts. Plus, lots of programs bring in guest speakers, like published authors, literary agents, and editors, so you get a firsthand look at the publishing world. You’ll learn not only how to create awesome work, but also how to get that work out into the world. Many creative writing programs provide detailed courses about publishing such as bookbuilding (formatting, designing, and printing your book), and editing your book for publication.

3. You’ll Make Influential Contacts

Getting your degree in creative writing means you’ll find yourself submerged in a vibrant community of unique and gifted individuals who can help you navigate your writing career in ways you never thought possible. These peers of yours serve as a treasure trove of inspiration and potential collaboration—bridges to fresh ideas and possible publishing opportunities. Beyond your peers, you’ll find another rich vein of wisdom and opportunities through the creative writing professors. They can guide you to internships, campus engagements, and even lay down pathways to full-fledged careers.

4. You’ll Notice the Details and Think on Your Feet

Creative writing can be very personal in nature, but there is more to gain from the major than fleshing out your own ideas. A major facet of  creative writing is analyzing other works, whether you’re studying the classics or the work of your peers. Creative writing encourages you to become an observer of the world around you. Whether it’s capturing the nuances of human behavior or describing the intricacies of nature, you will learn to pay attention to details and extract meaning from themes that might be outside of your zone of comfort. This not only enriches your writing but translates it to real-life situations, where you can evaluate information and make well-informed decisions.

5. You’ll Develop Discipline and Drive

Immersing yourself into a creative writing degree program isn’t just about mastering the art of words—it’s also a journey of developing discipline and drive. Each writing assignment becomes a lesson in perseverance, pushing you to write, revise, and polish until your work shines. Meeting deadlines instills a sense of responsibility and trains you in time management, while overcoming writer’s block teaches you resilience. The consistent effort to improve your craft, the determination to create compelling narratives, and the drive to engage readers fosters a disciplined work ethic. Moreover, the relentless pursuit of finding your unique voice fuels your drive, inspiring you to write with authenticity and conviction. Ultimately, this degree is more than just an academic pursuit—it’s a transformative journey that shapes you into a committed, driven, and disciplined writer.

A BFA Creative Writing student at UNCW, Conner DiGiacomo is an author known for short stories and poetry in the realm of magical realism. He has won awards for his poetry since high school, written multiple published investigative articles, and is an active participant in the creative community at large. If you’re in Wilmington, you can find Conner volunteering at WHQR Public Radio, reading at open mics, and perusing local record stores.

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The Enlightened Storyteller

Is an mfa really worth it the pros and cons of creative writing degree programs.

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. 

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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