About Master’s Program,
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a fully-funded three-year, intensive studio arts terminal degree with a strong international emphasis and requires the writing of a book-length creative thesis in either fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry. The objectives of the MFA degree are to enable the student to master the craft of writing in the chosen genre to a publishable level; to train the student in traditional literary studies and in writing pedagogy; and to provide the student with some practical knowledge of literary translation and literary publishing.
The goal of the three-year course of studies is to prepare the student for a teaching career at the university, college, or community college level and/or for writing as a profession outside of the academy; to provide the student with an international perspective on the creation, publication, and teaching of the literary arts, specifically fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry; to encourage an appreciation of literature and writing in all its forms in a global context; and to inspire literary activism of the public intellectual and person of letters.
Graduates of UNLV’s MFA program have gone on to publish books, secure tenure track teaching jobs, gain admission to Ph.D. programs, and enter the workforce as editors, writers, and arts administrators. UNLV also routinely supports recent graduates with part-time teaching opportunities in the department.
For more information about the M.F.A. in Creative Writing, including Graduate Assistantship funding and duties, see the M.F.A. Creative Writing page.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
Additional Factors – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, and any other supporting documents you may be asked to submit for your application.
Transcripts – All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received.
Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
All MFA students are fully funded by UNLV and the Black Mountain Institute (BMI) for three years of study towards their degrees.
Graduate Assistantships of $21,000/year
Opportunities for additional funding from BMI
In-state tuition
Student health insurance.
Duties for the Graduate Assistantship are 20 hours per week, usually fulfilled through a combination of teaching, tutoring in the Writing Center, and working for English Department or Black Mountain Institute publications.
Application Requirement,
- Review Admission Requirements– Review requirements for advanced degree and certificate program applicants. Be sure to check your department of interest as well because departmental requirements vary.
- Apply to the Graduate College– To apply to the Graduate College, submit the following admission materials for consideration:
- A completed application. Complete the application online.
- A nonrefundable admission application fee, payable check, money order, or online by credit card of $60 to the Board of Regents, UNLV.
*Note: Applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. Applicants to any UNLV graduate program must pay the admission application evaluation fee for each application filed. Denied applicants, who later seek admission to the same or other UNLV degree program, are required to pay an additional application fee. - All applicants are required to submit one transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received.
- Unofficial transcripts will be accepted as part of the application process. However, if an applicant is admitted, official transcripts will be required by the date specified on the Certificate of Admission. Transfer credits posted on another institution’s transcript will not be accepted in lieu of the transcript itself. Only transcripts sent directly from the institution are considered official. Failure to disclose all coursework and/or degrees awarded will result in rescission of admission.
- UNLV provides in-house credential evaluations of academic coursework. However, UNLV will accept a course-by-course evaluation from any NACESmember agency in replacement of or in lieu of our in-house evaluation.
- Transcripts must be provided in a PDF format and must include the institutional/grading key page.
- Credentials not in English must be accompanied by a word-for-word English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Translations must bear the signature of the translator and be accompanied by original language documents.
- The applicant will also be required to provide the grading scale of the foreign institution they attended. In the event the student cannot provide a grading scale, they must contact internationalgrad@unlv.edu.
- Credentials from China:Students who have completed a degree in China must provide copies of the original language transcripts and a copy of their Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. Documents verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) or the China Academic Degree and Graduate information Center (CDGDC) are also accepted.
Credentials from India: Consolidated marks sheets are acceptable if yearly mark sheets are not available. Mark sheets must also be issued by the degree-granting institution. Mark sheets from affiliated colleges are not acceptable or considered official. Students who have completed a degree in India must also provide a copy of their Provisional Certificate. - Additional Graduate College Application Materials– If needed, send any additional Graduate College admission materials (for example: your admission receipt with your check payment; your transcripts if you did not upload them into your online application; or your official transcripts upon admission; etc.) to:
Office of Admissions
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Mail Stop: 1021
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Mailing addresses for departments are available on department websites.
Additional Materials for your Department & Degree Program Application – Submit any additional admission materials required by your degree program to your department of interest, if you did not already upload them into your online application. Please check with your graduate program of interest in order to determine their specific admission requirements prior to submitting your online application.
Refer to the Graduate Catalog to learn more.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2026
Application Fee,
A nonrefundable admission application fee, $60
