MFA Creative Writing at Rice University

Programme overview

The MFA is a thesis master's degree. Graduates integrate creative research into artistic production across genres and media, develop writing projects that engage diverse communities, maintain a global cross-cultural writing practice including translation, and develop a personalised approach to teaching creative writing.

Faculty: School of Humanities | Department: English and Creative Writing | Duration: 54 credit hours (18 courses); sample plan six semesters (three years) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Houston, TX, United States

What you will study

CRWR 510 Craft and Practice of Literary Translation, four workshops from poetry, fiction, nonfiction and research (CRWR 520/530/540/550), CRWR 600 Practicum in Community-Engaged Writing, ENGL 510 Pedagogy Seminar and teaching practica, CRWR 700 Manuscript Workshop, four electives and a master's thesis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Rice graduate programmes (university level): applicants should generally have at least a 3.0 (B) undergraduate GPA or equivalent; the GRE is generally not required, though individual programmes may recommend, strongly recommend or require it; a statement of purpose and reference letters may be required depending on the programme. International applicants need TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7 or Duolingo English Test 115 unless they hold a degree from an accredited US institution or an English-medium institution. Admission is decided at programme level.

Requirements published at program group level.

Fall 2027 entry; most doctoral programmes close December 1, 2026; professional master's programmes such as MCS, MDS, MME and MChE use rolling or later deadlines (May 1 international, July 1 domestic).

Master's application fee is $85. Mechanical Engineering MME and Chemical Engineering MChE close May 1 (international) and July 1 (domestic) for Fall; Computer Science MCS/MDS close between February 10, 2027 (scholarship consideration) and July 1, 2027.

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities