Students follow along in their books during the annual reading of Leaves of Grass Students follow along in their books during the annual reading of Leaves of Grass Students follow along in their books during the annual reading of Leaves of Grass

Creative Writing
MA

MA in Creative writing

Develop your talent and build a portfolio of short stories, novel excerpts, poems, creative nonfiction essays or a combination of these genres with a creative writing degree. These graduate-level creative writing classes will prepare you to teach English at a community college, publish your work or apply to MFA and PhD programs. For students already teaching English at the secondary level, a creative writing degree will enhance your study in the discipline.

AT A GLANCE

Degree Type
Master of Art (M.A.)
Format
On Campus
Credit Hours
30 Credit Hours
Go To Why This Program Program HighlightsAccelerated Program Careers & Outcomes

Why pursue a graduate-level creative writing degree?

With a graduate-level creative writing degree, you'll do more than hone your craft and develop your voice – you'll unlock a variety of career possibilities. You'll be equipped to teach English at a community college, share your literary creations with the world through publication, or even pursue advanced studies in writing by continuing your studies with MFA and PhD programs.

Our graduate program offers two highly coveted graduate assistantships, one for the Writing Center and one specifically for Creative Writing. These assistantships not only provide financial support through a tuition waiver and stipend but also offer valuable professional development opportunities, enabling qualified students pursuing the MA in Creative Writing to gain hands-on experience and leadership skills.

Courses What Will Transfer Department Information

What to expect with creative writing classes

As a master of arts student in Creative Writing at CMU, you can:

  • Get published: You have the opportunity to submit your poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction work to student organizations, or department-sponsored publications like The Central Review and CMICH Press Summit Series
  • Gain editing experience: Work as an editor in a literary journal, The Central Review.
  • Hear from the professionals: Connect with prominent poets and fiction writers who come to campus for readings and exclusive visits to creative writing classes.
  • Craft your exit portfolio: Complete an exit portfolio consisting of your strongest short stories, novel excerpts, poems and creative nonfiction essays, and work closely with award-winning faculty to make it the best it can be.

Accelerated master's in creative writing

Earn up to 50% of your master’s in creative writing while you finish your bachelor’s degree! Your undergraduate and graduate degrees cost less with an accelerated master’s program. You may be able to double-count 15 credits for your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

By double-counting all 15 credits, domestic students save up to $4,155 and international students save up to $1,560.

    • Minimum GPA at time of application: 3.0 GPA of at least 15 credits at CMU.
    • Requirements to maintain eligibility: average of 3.0 and no E's in double-counted courses.

    If your GPA is lower than a 3.0 or you have fewer than 15 credits at CMU, you can still be considered for admission if you demonstrate why you are prepared to be successful in graduate coursework.

    You must have a minimum of 60 undergraduate credit hours completed before starting coursework in the accelerated master's in creative writing. To take full advantage of the program, make sure you apply for admission before taking any of the double-counted courses listed below.

    • Up to 15 credits of the following courses can be double-counted:
      • ENG 510WI, ENG 513, ENG 591, ENG 592, ENG 580, ENG 581, ENG 582, ENG 583, ENG 616, ENG 621, ENG 622, ENG 691, ENG 692, ENG 693, ENG 694, ENG 695, ENG 697 
    • You'll select your double-counted courses with an advisor. Then, you'll count them towards both your undergraduate degree and your graduate degree – either for your major or as electives.

    After earning your bachelor's degree, you'll take at least 15 credits to complete the master's in creative writing. If you don't complete the 15 double-counted credits before finishing your bachelor's degree, you'll need to take the remaining courses as graduate credits to complete the 30 credits required for the master's in creative writing.

    The master's in creative writing requires 30 credits. You may double-count 15 credits before finishing your bachelor's degree, leaving 15 credits remaining to complete your master's degree. If you don't complete all 15 double-counted credits before you finish your bachelor's degree, you'll need to take more than 15 credits to reach the 30 credits required for the master's in creative writing.

    What can you do with a creative writing degree?

    Whether you dream of becoming a published author, an English teacher, or pursuing MFA or PhD programs in creative writing, our graduate program provides the tools and opportunities to turn your passion for writing into a successful career.

    Career Projected Salary
    Advertising Writer/Copywriter $72,270
    Writer/Author $72,270
    Editor $75,260
    College Professor/Instructor $83,980
    Technical Writer $91,670
    Stack of creative writing books on a table in front of full bookshelves.
    Kristen Brennan, wearing a pink hat, green shirt, and waterproof overalls, walks through a bog with other students in a creative writing class.

    Two Central Michigan University students win five-week Creative Fellowship at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

    Kristen Brennan and Sara Daniels, two students in our Master of Arts in Creative Writing program, won Creative Fellowships from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, an environmental education center located ten miles south of Hastings, MI.

    Read more

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