Elevate your writing approach and practice through the online Master of Fine Arts in Writing program from Lindenwood University. The Lindenwood MFA in Writing degree online allows you to customize your higher education degree to suit your interest by declaring an emphasis or taking courses in multiple genres. We offer a flexible, extensive online MFA curriculum with a remarkable range of courses to help you stretch your creative boundaries.
Students in the MFA in Writing program complete 48 credit hours, including an orientation class, a craft foundations class, and a 6-credit final thesis class. The remaining coursework is chosen from our MFA curriculum.
The online MFA program offers workshop classes, literature classes, and craft classes in a wide variety of genres and focus areas. Students who choose to declare an emphasis in Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, or Young Adult/ Middle Grade must take at least 27 credit hours in the emphasis area, including at least one Foundational course in that genre, and their final Thesis must focus primarily on that genre. Contact us at [email protected] to find out more about this Master of Fine Arts in Writing program.
100%
Online
2 Yrs
Program Length
48
Credit Hours
$595
Cost per Credit
An Emphasis on Creative Development
Our MFA online program offers four emphasis areas to focus on the writing that interests students most, including:
- Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Young Adult/Middle Grade
How Our Online Program Works
Students in the MFA in Writing program complete 48 credit hours, including an orientation class, a craft foundations class, and a 6-credit final thesis class. The remaining coursework is chosen from our MFA curriculum.
Our MA in Writing online program offers writing workshops, literature classes, and craft classes in a wide variety of genres and focus areas. Students who choose to declare an emphasis in Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, or Young Adult/ Middle Grade must take at least 27 credit hours in the emphasis area, including at least one Foundational course in that genre, and their final Thesis must focus primarily on that genre. Request information to learn more about the courses, potential portfolio development, and thesis options for this Master of Fine Arts in Writing program.
Writing Opportunities at Lindenwood
Students can participate in several learning experiences, including the opportunity to serve as an editorial assistant for The Lindenwood Review literary journal.
The Lindenwood Review literary journal publishes fiction (short fiction and flash fiction), creative nonfiction (personal essays, lyric essays, and flash nonfiction), and prose poems (block format). The journal is published annually, and students in the university’s MFA in Writing program serve as editorial assistants as part of their online MFA coursework.
What You’ll Learn
Your MFA degree online coursework can prepare you to leverage your passion for written expression as a platform for inspiration, information, persuasion, connectivity, and much more within the broad field of writing communications. Explore specialized areas such as technical writing, young adult stories, scriptwriting, screenplay, playwriting, novel writing, publishing, short stories, poetry, and forms of nonfiction. The online MFA program explores written expression through the three primary literary lenses, covering foundational focuses such as:
- Creative Writing for the MFA
- Creative Portfolio Thesis Project
- Fiction Writing Workshop
- Classic Foundational Literature: Creative Nonfiction
Career Outlook
The MFA in writing online program takes the craft and practice of writing to the next level within a number of professional roles, including Author, Journalist, Editor, Writing Professor, Content/Copy Writer, Freelance Writer, and Screenwriter. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors can earn a median annual salary of $73,690, and have the flexibility to pursue freelance or full-time roles within any number of industries that value writing efficiency and effectiveness as well as a solid writing background.
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this Master of Fine Arts in Writing covers:
- Advanced Writing Skills. Develop high-level writing skills in an emphasis area of your choosing.
- Instructor Feedback. In addition to peer review critiques, you can hone your writing approach with individualized mentoring throughout your program.
- Portfolio Development. Build out a writing portfolio as part of your MFA thesis project to showcase your work professionally.
- Writing Opportunities. Benefit from experiential learning experiences, including the opportunity to serve as an editorial assistant publishing The Lindenwood Review literary journal.
MFA Online Faculty
Our MFA faculty offer a diverse representation of excellence in the vast field of writing. They are committed to helping our MFA students achieve their unique expressive approach to writing, and they bring renowned academic and professional backgrounds to enhance the MFA degree online experience at Lindenwood.
- Mary M. Anderson – Holds an MFA from the University of St. Louis. Anderson is a teacher of fiction and poetry in the MFA Program online and literature and Native American Studies in the classroom.
- Joe Baumann – Joe Baumann serves as the Department Head of the MFA in Writing program at Lindenwood University’s College of Arts and Humanities.
- Christopher Candice – Holds an MFA from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is a published author of fiction and creative non-fiction.
- Tom Cooper – Cooper is the author of published novels and short fiction. He holds a Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing from Florida State University.
- Tony D’Souza – Holds an MFA from the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of three novels and the winner of the Sue Kaufman Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters for his novel, Whiteman.
- David Hollingsworth – Holds and MFA from the University of St. Louis. He teaches composition, literature, and creative writing at Lindenwood University.
- Beth Mead – Holds an MFA from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is a Professor of Writing, and editor and founder of The Lindenwood Review.
MFA Faculty – Distinguished Alumni
A limited number of our outstanding MFA alumni who gained substantial university teaching experience after graduation and published their creative writing work have been serving for many years as instructors for specialized courses in our MFA program.
Tell Us About Yourself!
Discover the MFA path that’s right for your future. Find out more about the distinct MFA degree pathways you can follow to the future in writing you aspire to!
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this program is $595. Besides being ranked No. 17 on Niche.com’s list of Best Value Colleges in Missouri, we build in unique benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Admissions Requirements
For admission to your MFA in writing program, you will need to complete your online application and submit the following documents:
- Online Application
- Résumé
- Letter of intent, including a personal statement regarding your interest in the program and career goals
- For the MFA, this statement should describe why you would like to pursue the MFA degree and the role writing has played in your life
- Official undergraduate transcript(s), as well as official transcript(s) from any graduate school(s) attended with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- If GPA is lower, please discuss options with your enrollment counselor
- Creative writing sample of 7-10 pages
- NOTE: The MFA program admission is selective based on the program director’s approval of this submitted creative writing sample
Curriculum Overview
The MFA in Writing program offers a dynamic curriculum that can build on your bachelor’s education by enhancing your creative and professional writing skills. Online coursework is designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of all genres of writing, hone your storytelling abilities, and develop expertise in editing and publishing. Courses are taught by experienced faculty who want to help you reach the next level in your writing-focused career.
Major Coursework – 27 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IMF 50000 | MFA Lindenways | 3 |
| IMF 65000 | MFA Thesis | 6 |
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your Master of Fine Arts in Writing online completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 39 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Accreditation & Awards
Ranked #2
Best Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs
Ranked #6
Best Online Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing
Lindenwood Testimonials
The confidence of paying it forward, that’s what Lindenwood gives you and it gave me.
Talay Crowley
I am so thankful I found this school and graduate program.
Halim Marrujo • ’23 Alumnus
Lindenwood helped shape my future, what I want to do, and helped me find a passion.
Cody Heath
Career Opportunities
Writing Professor
Teach writing courses at colleges and universities and inspire the next generation of authors while pursuing your own writing goals.
Editor
Work for publishing houses, magazines, or literary agencies, reviewing and editing manuscripts, and providing constructive feedback to authors.
Copywriter
Write advertising copy for marketing campaigns, websites, social media, and traditional media to engage and grow audiences for all types of businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our MFA degree online program in creative writing, nonfiction writing or poetry writing program at Lindenwood allows you to transfer up to 9 credits. Learn more about our transfer policy.
Yes, there are scholarships available for MFA students. Learn more about our scholarship policy by reaching out to an admissions advisor.
An MFA in writing emphasizes further cultivation of writing craft, while an MA in writing (or MS in writing) focuses on literary study and research. The Master of Fine Arts in Writing at Lindenwood allows students to elevate their practice in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry or young adult & middle-grade writing.
As a flexible option to attain an MFA education and stretch your artistic skills, online learning is a great way to pursue your goals. But if you’re wondering if you need an MFA to pursue a writing career, well, that depends. You do not need an MFA to write. However, an MFA can help writers hone aspects of their craft or prepare for a specific professional role or industry in the writing field.
A master’s in writing online can open doors to teaching college-level English composition or creative writing. However, to reach the level of professor, a PhD, along with published works, is typically required.
An MFA is a terminal degree in fine arts. This includes the visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts, and can include theater management or arts administration in certain cases.
Related Programs
We are committed to helping you succeed.
Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.