Creative writing program
Master of Fine Arts
newschool.edu/writing
The New School was founded in 1919 by a group of progressive intellectuals looking to radically change higher education. Today this comprehensive university continues to be a force of new writing, promoting critical inquiry and literary expression through the MFA in Creative Writing, a program that positions graduates as industry leaders across genres, media, New York City, and the world. Writing at The New School MFA Creative Writing students come to The New School to join a community of diverse writers, to become part of New York’s publishing world, and to build a network of support through graduation and beyond. They develop their craft in workshops and literature seminars led by an internationally recognized faculty with close ties to publishing and the city’s literary scene. Here students gain the benefits of both intimate workshops and a literary metropolis. In courses and private conferences, our teachers guide students through critiques of their manuscripts, focusing on the creative acts of revision and self-editing. In our seminars, students learn to read like writers, looking closely at published work in order to discover their own voices. Innovative courses in publishing and multimedia storytelling enable students to take part in the evolution of literature. Courses and events are held in the evening, allowing students to work during the day while in the program.
Write a piece of flash fiction in three sentences.
Live the Writer’s Life in New York City
Life After the MFA
The New School’s Creative Writing Program
in literary journals and magazines. In addition,
hosts an extraordinary array of events: readings
our graduates go on to become celebrated
and panels, book releases, and national literary
teachers, editors, publishers, and media
award ceremonies. The program is at the center
professionals. They are attuned to the effects
of today’s literary conversation.
of technology on traditional literature and the
Events hosted by the MFA Creative Writing
An average of 40 graduates publish books each year. (For a list of titles, visit our blog at newschoolwriting.org.) A large number of essays, poems, and short stories are published
new ways readers experience storytelling.
Program include:
» » » » »
National Book Award Finalists’ Reading National Book Critics Circle Readings and Awards Ceremony The Story Prize The Publishing Triangle Awards Literary Writers Conference, co-sponsored with the Community of Literary Magazines
»
and Presses Cave Canem poetry readings
Evenings with agents and editors, exclusively for MFA students, provide informal opportunities to meet publishing professionals. Courses and internships give students hands-on experience in publishing. In the Writing and Publishing Lab, students use new and traditional technologies to produce works that combine text and images; they also take part in project-based internships. Students also serve as editorial staff members and work with alumni on The New School’s nationally distributed literary journal, LIT. Recent student internships include:
» » » » » » »
PEN The Academy of American Poets Scholastic One Story Tin House magazine Writopia Lab Lee & Low Books
Say it first.
“ Our students make things happen. As entrepreneurs, activists, and writers, they work together to reimagine the world of publishing.” —Luis Jaramillo, director of the Creative Writing Program
Applicants select one of the four concentrations listed at the bottom of the page. Within their concentrations, students work intensively on their own writing, receiving feedback in workshops. The practice of writing is enriched by seminars on classic and
newschool.edu/writing
Curriculum
contemporary literature, investigated from the perspective of the active writer. Seminars emphasize reading like a writer and learning to approach one’s own writing with an informed and critical eye. All students also participate in the Writer’s Life Colloquium, a series of special readings, national award ceremonies, and opportunities to meet publishing professionals. Degree Requirements The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is awarded for successful completion of a 36-credit course of study. This fulltime evening program is designed to be completed in two years (four semesters). Because of the integral nature of the curriculum, transfer credits are not accepted. The curriculum consists of: Writing Workshops: 3 four-credit courses Literature Seminars: 3 four-credit courses Thesis (Final Semester): 1 eight-credit course During each of the first three semesters, students take one writing workshop and one literature seminar. During their final semester, students work one-on-one with a faculty member of their choosing on their thesis, consisting of a creative project (a substantial original work of literature) and a literature project (a substantial critical work). In all four semesters, students take part in the Writer’s Life Colloquium (one credit per semester).
Fiction Poetry Nonfiction Writing for Children and young adults
master of fine arts
Writer’s Life Colloquium: 4 one-credit courses
Our University at a Glance
A Few Facts that Set Us Apart
Founded in 1919.
#1 for small classes Among national universities, The New School has
Located in Greenwich Village, in the heart of NYC, with a branch campus in Paris. Houses five schools and colleges. Offers more than 120 degree and diploma programs, more than 55 undergraduate minors, and 11 graduate minors.
the highest proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students.3
#1 art and design school Parsons School of Design is the top art and design school in the United States.4
#1 most international university We have a higher percentage of international students than any other U.S. university with more than 10,000 students.5
#1 for sustainable building
Has more than 10,000 degree-seeking students.
The American Institute of Architects named the New School University Center one of the greenest buildings in the United States—and it’s the largest
Students come from all 50 states and 115 countries.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold–certified urban university building.
9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.1 Provides financial aid and scholarships to 82% of students.2
Statement of Accreditation The New School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE, 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 216.284.5000). MSCHE is an institutional accreditor and federally recognized body. The New School has been accredited by MSCHE since 1960. All degree programs at the New York City campus of The New School are registered by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234; 518.474.1551). Both NYSED and MSCHE provide assurance to students, parents, and all stakeholders that The New School meets clear quality standards for educational and financial performance. For full accreditation information, please visit newschool.edu/provost/accreditation. The information included in the catalogs and all materials of the university represents the plans of The New School at the time they
are made public. The university reserves the right to change without notice any content in its print or online materials, including but not limited to tuition, fees, policies, degree programs, names of programs, course offerings, academic activities, academic requirements, facilities, faculty, and administrators. Payment of tuition and attendance of classes constitute acceptance of university policies set forth on this page and in the catalogs and other pages linked from it.
2019–2020 academic year. 2018–2019 academic year. Does not include non–New School aid or loans. 3 U.S. News & World Report (2018). 4 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (2020). 5 U.S. News & World Report (2019). 1
2
For up-to-date tuition and fees, including important information regarding the University’s Reservation of Rights, please visit newschool.edu/about/university-resources/ right-to-know. Published 2020 by The New School. Produced by Marketing and Communication, The New School. Photo credits: Samantha Lewis, Jessica Miller, Siobhan Mullan, Jacob Arthur Pritchard, Phillip Van Nostrand
DISCOVER A UNIVERSITY THAT HAS BEEN forward looking SINCE ITS INCEPTION
The New School is a university housing five extraordinary colleges and programs, including the Creative Writing Program. Talk to us. We are here to provide more information, answer questions, and introduce you to infinite possibilities. If you are ready to learn something new, we invite you to visit and apply. Contact the Office of Admission
Office of Admission 79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor New York, NY 10003 212.229.5150 nsadmissions@newschool.edu
This brochure is printed on 100 percent postconsumer recycled paper, reflecting the university’s embrace of environmental responsibility.
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Learn something new.
The New School—a university where world-renowned colleges come together to seek out new ways to create a more just, more beautiful, and better-designed world. Learn more about our colleges and programs: Parsons School of Design
College of Performing Arts The New School for Social Research Schools of Public Engagement Parsons Paris
The New School
Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
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