About Master’s Program,
The Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing offers degree tracks in poetry, fiction, and literary translation as well as the option of a focused study in rhetoric and composition.
The program’s 60-hour curriculum enhances the workshop experience with coursework in craft and literary studies so that students develop their own creative voices alongside a deep understanding of the great writers and works that have come before them. The program’s small class sizes and dedicated faculty — award-winning writers themselves — guarantee that students receive hands-on attention through their four years of study.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Per Graduate School policy, M.F.A. candidates must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.85 on all graduate courses required for the degree in order to earn the M.F.A. Failing to earn such an average on the minimum number of hours, the student is permitted to present up to six additional course (not thesis) hours of graduate credit in order to accumulate a grade-point average of 2.85. In the computation of grade point, all courses pursued at this institution for graduate credit (including any repeated courses) shall be considered. Students who repeat a course in an endeavor to raise their grade must count the repetition toward the maximum of six additional hours. If a student encounters academic difficulty after having already completed six credit hours for the degree beyond the minimum degree requirements, no additional hours may be taken. Please note that the Graduate School calculates grade-point average on all graduate-level coursework displayed on the transcript.
All students working toward the degree will plan their specific programs in consultation with their advisers. All degree requirements must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the date of first enrollment.
The program leading to the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing provides graduate-level training in creative writing and in the study of literature.
Acceptance to the Program in Creative Writing and Translation requires an undergraduate degree in any field. Applicants will submit the following materials via the program’s application:
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Starting in Fall 2024, teaching assistantships will carry an annual stipend of $16,000. TAs also receive a waiver of all tuition costs and teach two courses each semester. Students in their fourth year teach only one course per semester. Nearly all of our accepted students receive TAs. No final offer of assistantship can be made until all application materials have been received.
Additionally, our students compete each year for several Walton Fellowships of $16,000
Application Requirement,
Below is a list of materials that you’ll be required to submit:
- A Creative Writing Sample:
Fiction applicants –20 pages of short fiction or a novel excerpt
Poetry applicants – 8-10 poems
Translation applicants – 5-6 pages of poetry OR fiction translated into English, together with copies of the original texts - Statement of Purpose –a statement approximately 300 words in length that gives us a sense of who you are as a writer and a person
- Two Letters of Recommendation – Letters should come from educators and mentors who are familiar with you and your work and can speak to your potential as a writer, a member of the MFA cohort, and a teaching assistant.
- Recommenders should submit letters in single pdf, labeled with your name (last name first) followed by “LoR” to cwmfaapp@uark.edu by midnight on
Application Deadline,
Dec 31, 2025
Application Fee,
There is no application fee for the first step of our application process. Initially, applications will be evaluated solely on the merits of the writing. You should not apply for admission to the UA Graduate School until you receive permission from the MFA program to do so.
