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Phone: 914.323.7157

Email: mfa@mville.edu

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Welcome to Manhattanville’s MFA Program 

Manhattanville’s MFA in Writing is both a degree program and home to a vibrant community of writers dedicated to telling powerful stories across a variety of genres. Our MFA students engage deeply in the craft of writing, immerse themselves in the region’s thriving literary scene, and build strong and lasting connections with classmates, alumni, and faculty.  

 

Several key elements help distinguish our 36-credit program: 

  • Flexibility is our hallmark. Our program is designed to maximize student success. That means flexible pathways to the degree and classes scheduled with working adults in mind. Full-time students can finish the MFA in two years, while many take one or two courses per semester, earning their 36 credits while working or caring for family. Students on our three-year Teaching Pathway complete the degree while also gaining valuable in-classroom experience to help launch their academic careers.  

  • We believe in genre freedom. Manhattanville MFA students do not declare a genre concentration. Instead, students have leeway to focus on a single genre or cross-pollinate by working in several genres. Our faculty do not subscribe to a specific school of literature but rather help students find their own organic style and voice. 

  • Our faculty are accomplished — and accessible. Our full-time and guest professors aren’t only renowned for their literary prowess and publishing success; they are also true partners who work closely to help students elevate their craft.  

  • We’re located at the crossroads of two literary worlds. Manhattanville students are perfectly situated to embrace the rich artistic and literary history of the Hudson Valley and to tap into New York City’s electrifying publishing scene.  

  • The campus is our retreat. Our beautiful location and facilities contribute to the vitality and creativity of our community. MFA students come together for inspiration in our Creative Writing Center and at Barat House, a hive of activity where classes, programs, and social events take place. Reid Castle, the centerpiece of Manhattanville’s campus, is a fitting venue for the literary figures who join us for special events. 

  • We build community. Manhattanville MFA students become part of a wide creative community, thanks to our partnerships with literary and cultural organizations in the area and our active alumni network. We host an exciting roster of events, such as readings and workshops, which bring talented writers to campus and help students build connections. 

  • Students can learn publishing! Our acclaimed literary magazine, Inkwell, provides a great platform for new voices in literature.  

MFA Course Offerings & Degree Requirements  

The Manhattanville MFA is a 36-credit program that includes a mix of writing workshops across various genres as well as craft seminars that dive into specific literary and genre elements. 

Workshops in: 

Craft Classes on: 

  • Fiction 

  • Writing Race, Class and Gender in Fiction 

  • Poetry 

  • The Prose Poem 

  • Screenwriting 

  • Experiments in Poetic & Prose Form 

  • Creative Nonfiction 

  • The Nature of Influence 

  • Writing for Children & Teens  

  • Research for Writers Cross-Genre 

 

We offer multiple degree pathways: 

  • Full-time: 9 credits per semester; complete the MFA in two years 

  • Part-time: One to two classes per semester; complete the MFA within 3-4 years 

  • Teaching Pathway: 18 credits in the first year (including classes focused on pedagogy and teaching) then 18 credits over two years while taking MFA classes and teaching first-year composition; complete the MFA with in-class teaching experience in three years 

Tuition & Financial Aid 

Manhattanville’s MFA tuition rate is reasonable and competitive. We also offer several funding opportunities: Students in the Teaching Path receive credits for tutoring and teaching undergraduates and students working on Inkwell receive credits as Graduate Assistants. A limited number of partial-tuition scholarships are also available for qualified students.  

Apply today!

Start by contacting the MFA Director, Iain Haley Pollock, at mfa@mville.edu or (914) 323-7211. Applications are read on a rolling basis, but because funding is considered on a first-come, first-served basis, we recommend applying by February 1 to begin the program the following fall semester.  

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