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Online MFA in Writing: Creative Nonfiction Concentration

Advance Your Creative Career

Explore writing alongside published authors with the online Creative Nonfiction MFA in Writing program from Lindenwood University.

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Complete the form to learn more about this program.

  • Duration 2 years*
  • Cost per Credit $550
  • Credit Hours 48

Program Benefits

  • 100% online
  • Transfer up to 9 credits
  • No GRE required
  • No. 3 in “Most Affordable Online” programs, MFA, by OnlineU.org in 2020

* shortest program duration

Transform Your Talent with the MFA: Creative Nonfiction

In the MFA Creative Nonfiction program from Lindenwood University, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills through workshops and creative nonfiction writing classes online. While some of the coursework for the Creative Nonfiction MFA program can be taken on-campus if preferred, there is no residency requirement for our students who choose to complete all creative nonfiction writing classes online.

Designed to advance your development as a professional writer, our small online classes help you grow in a supportive environment while you learn from published writers. When you complete the MFA Creative Nonfiction writing program, you’ll have the competitive edge to take the next step in your career.

Career Outlook: Profit from Your Creativity

The field of professional writing allows you to transform your creative nonfiction ideas into realities. By choosing the online Creative Nonfiction MFA, you’ll build the skills necessary to produce creative literature and contribute to engaging journalism.

With the online Creative Nonfiction MFA in Writing program from Lindenwood University, you’ll explore the limits of nonfiction literature and learn to apply your creativity to your work in this genre. When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills necessary to turn your passion for literature and storytelling into a successful career.

Writer

$67,120/year

Writers create literary content to either be published by media companies or in the form of novels, textbooks, children’s books, and more. Many of these professionals are employed by marketing and media companies, while others are self-employed.

Reporter

$49,300/year

Reporters conduct research, host interviews, and investigate breaking news stories to develop engaging media to share with the public. These professionals often conduct their research outside of the office and may produce literary, visual, or audio content.

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Curriculum: Creative Nonfiction Online Classes to Enhance Your Talent

As a student of the online MFA in Writing program, you will customize your curriculum by selecting 48 credit hours of courses in your interests and foundational area of emphasis. Course options for the online Creative Nonfiction MFA program include instruction on narrative journalism, advanced creative writing, classic foundational literature, and more. In addition, a graduate thesis course is required.

Course Spotlight: IMF 55200 Creative Nonfiction Craft Foundations

This course is an in-depth study of foundational craft elements for writing literary creative nonfiction. Elements include essay structure for traditional narrative and lyric essays; techniques for the development of self as character and effective description; use of dialogue and summary; and inclusion of light learning and research. Includes theory and application through writing exercises. This course is highly recommended for students declaring a Creative Nonfiction concentration for the online MFA in Writing degree.

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Course Spotlight: IMF 56200 Classic Foundational Literature: Creative Nonfiction

This course is an intensive survey and analysis of foundational classic literary creative nonfiction and its authors, including the study of literary criticism. Authors studied will include masters of memoir and the literary personal essay who have contributed important work to the history of the form, such as McCarthy, Hemingway, Conroy, and Thurber. This course is highly recommended for students declaring a Creative Nonfiction concentration for the online MFA in Writing degree.

Concentrations

Writing, MFA: Poetry

Enhance your poetry capabilities as you design your own curriculum and take advantage of workshops, craft classes, and literature classes in the online Poetry MFA in Writing program from Lindenwood University.

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Writing, MFA: Fiction

Hone your fiction writing skills as you design your own curriculum across a range of courses – workshops, craft, and literature classes – in the Fiction concentration of the online MFA in Writing program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call (855) 941-0568.

You can complete the online MFA in Writing in 24 months.

You will be required to complete 16 courses. View the curriculum for this program here.

You can start your application here.

Yes, there are scholarships available. Find out if you qualify for a scholarship opportunity here.

Rather than helping you become licensed, the online MFA in Writing program provides you with the advanced skills you need to succeed as an author, editor, journalist, and more. Learn more about the professional outcomes of this program here.

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Sources:

Career and salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.