Led by our faculty of distinguished authors, students practice their craft and study the literature of one of four concentrations: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and writing for children.
This celebrated master's program follows the workshop method of instruction: An experienced writer-teacher gives aspiring writers guidance by focusing on students' manuscripts and the creative acts of revision and self-editing in workshops and individual conferences. The curriculum provides a framework and sustained blocks of time for students to work intensively on their own writing. In literary seminars, students investigate contemporary and traditional literary topics from the special perspective of the active writer and learn to read as writers.
The School of Writing cultivates relationships with New York City literary and cultural institutions, helping students develop as writers. The school's many creative partners include Cave Canem, PEN, the Poetry Society of America, the Academy of American Poets, the Story Prize, the National Book Awards, the National Book Critics Circle Awards, the Publishing Triangle, Villa Gillet, and other local and international organizations. The MFA program publishes a respected literary journal, LIT, which is edited and staffed by current graduate students and recent alumni. The Writer's Life Colloquium—an ongoing series of readings, lectures, forums, and other public programs that bring visiting writers, teachers, editors, publishers, and literary agents to The New School—is an essential feature of the curriculum along with the program's workshops and seminars.
The achievements of our students and graduates are numerous and take many forms. Visit the alumni page to learn about the books, stories, poems, essays, and films that graduates have created; the notable journals they have founded; and the lively public readings and other events they have curated.
College graduates who need to build a writing portfolio to apply for the MFA in Creative Writing program can take continuing education writing workshops offered by The New School. Visit Areas of Study on the Continuing Education Web page.
