MFA in Creative Writing
Apply now to begin in January 2026!
Where Rigorous Literary Craft Meets Deep Spiritual Formation
The Whitworth Writers Workshop is one of only three faith-based low-residency MFA programs in the United States. Built on 15 years of success and over 100 published books by program alumni, we offer what few programs can: nationally recognized faculty, personalized mentorship and a curriculum that integrates Christian faith with uncompromising academic excellence.
Work one-on-one with published writers. Keep your daily commitments while attending just five 10-day residencies over two years. Graduate with a completed manuscript ready for publication and a community of writers who will shape your creative life for decades to come.
Limited to 12 students per cohort.
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Many Program Alumni Are Published In Leading Journals
- Image
- Plough
- The Christian Century
- Poetry Magazine
- Mockingbird
- Inkwell
- The Paris Review
- The Atlantic Monthly
Why Whitworth Writers Workshop?
- Personalized mentorship: Work directly with an accomplished writer in your genre who creates a custom reading list and guides your manuscript development.
- Low-residency flexibility: Maintain your professional, family and community commitments while earning your MFA.
- Faith-informed excellence: One of only three Christian MFA programs in the U.S., the Writers Workshop integrates spiritual formation with rigorous literary study.
- Proven track record: Built on 15 years of program history with alumni who have published 100+ books.
- Exceptional faculty: Study with eight accomplished mentors published in the nation's leading literary journals and magazines.
- Full university resources: Access Whitworth's library and the Summit consortium (thousands of volumes), plus federal financial aid.
- Intimate cohorts: Just 12 students per cohort ensures deep relationships and individualized attention.
- Beautiful residency locations: Winter residencies at the elegant Bozarth Mansion; summer residencies on Whitworth's scenic campus.
Choose Your Genre
Complete a book-length creative manuscript under the direction of a faculty mentor in one of four genres:
- Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Spiritual Writing (open genre)
Build a portfolio that sets you apart in the literary world. Our graduates go on to publish books, lead workshops and retreats, teach creative writing, and serve in arts administration roles in churches and nonprofessional organizations.
How the Low-Residency Model Works
Whitworth's MFA program alternates between tutorial semesters and residency semesters, allowing you to pursue graduate education without relocating or leaving your daily commitments.
Tutorial Semesters
Work independently under the guidance of your faculty mentor, who is a published writer in your chosen genre. Each semester, you will:
- Read and annotate approximately 12 books from a personalized reading list designed to address gaps in your literary knowledge
- Submit new and revised creative work regularly
- Write critical papers exploring craft, tradition and your creative development
- Correspond with your mentor, receiving detailed feedback on your manuscripts
Over two years, you'll read and annotate 50 books tailored to your genre and creative goals.
Residency Semesters
Attend five 10-day residencies where you will:
- Participate in intensive workshops with your cohort
- Attend craft talks and readings by visiting writers – some of America's most celebrated authors
- Take "The Writer's Life," a hybrid course covering publishing, submissions and building a writing career
- Connect deeply with peers, many of whom are sure to become lifelong friends and colleagues
Residency Schedule: Residencies take place each January and July/August, with two tutorial semesters between each residency. A room-and-meal fee covers the cost of your stay.
Recent Visiting Writers: Karen An-hwei Lee, Scott Cairns, Shemiah Gonzalez
Faculty Mentorship: The Heart of the Program
The Whitworth Writers Workshop is built on the relationship between students and faculty mentors. You will be paired one-on-one with a published writer in your genre who will guide your creative and intellectual development throughout the program.
Your mentor will:
- Design a personalized reading list to deepen your knowledge of literary tradition and contemporary practice
- Provide detailed written feedback on your creative manuscripts
- Guide you through the development of a book-length thesis project
- Support your critical writing as you explore craft, influence and your place in the literary conversation
Our eight accomplished mentors are published in the nation's leading literary journals and have collectively published dozens of books.
Meet Our Award-Winning Mentors
Cohort Format: Your Writing Community
You'll move through the program with a cohort of 12 writers in your genre, taking each class together in sequence. This intimate structure provides:
- A built-in support system as you navigate the challenges of graduate study
- Deep, lasting friendships with fellow writers
- Your first professional network in the literary world
- Accountability and encouragement throughout your creative journey
Our alumni consistently cite the community and friendships formed in the program as one of its greatest gifts – a renewed sense of calling and belonging in the literary life.
Graduate with a Completed Manuscript
By the end of the program, you will have completed:
- A book-length creative thesis in your chosen genre, ready for publication
- A 20-page critical essay exploring craft, influence and your development as a writer
- Annotations on 50 books that have shaped your understanding of literary tradition and contemporary practice
- A portfolio of revised work demonstrating significant growth in your craft
You'll leave the program not only with a completed manuscript, but with the knowledge, skills and community to sustain a lifelong writing practice.
Program Details
|
Degree |
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing |
|
Total Credits |
44 semester credits |
|
Completion Time |
23 months (two academic years) |
|
Total Investment |
Approximately $40,500 (tuition + residency fees) |
|
Tuition Rate |
$750 per credit |
|
Residency Fees |
$1,500 per residency (covers room and meals) |
|
Financial Aid |
Full federal financial aid available (loans, need-based grants), TA opportunities |
|
Cohort Size |
Limited to 12 students per cohort |
|
Start Dates |
January and July |
Application Deadlines
- January start: Apply by Nov. 1
- July/August start: Apply by April 1
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Limited to 12 students per cohort – apply early.
Who Should Apply
The Whitworth Writers Workshop is designed for aspiring writers who:
- Seek a faith-informed creative writing education that does not compromise on academic rigor or literary excellence
- Want to maintain their daily commitments (work, family, ministry) while pursuing graduate study
- Are ready to engage deeply with literary tradition and contemporary practice
- Desire a supportive community of peers and mentors who share their values
- Are committed to developing a book-length manuscript over two years
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in any field, writing sample and completed application. No GRE required.
What Our Students Say
"The program gave me not only the skills to complete my manuscript, but a community of writers who have become lifelong friends. The mentorship model is unparalleled – my mentor knew exactly what I needed to read and how to push my work to the next level."
"As a pastor, I needed a program that understood the integration of faith and creativity. Whitworth gave me the space to explore both without compromise."
"I came in with gaps in my reading and left with a deep knowledge of literary tradition. The personalized reading lists changed everything for me as a writer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work full-time while completing the MFA?
Yes. The low-residency model is designed for working professionals. You'll attend just five 10-day residencies over two years, with the rest of your work completed independently on your own schedule.
Do I need a background in English or creative writing?
No. We accept students with bachelor's degrees in any field. Your writing sample and commitment to the craft are what matter most.
How are mentors assigned?
You'll be paired with a published writer in your chosen genre. Mentors are carefully matched to students based on genre, aesthetic interests and developmental needs.
What makes this program different from other MFA programs?
We are one of only three faith-based MFA programs in the U.S., offering a unique integration of Christian faith and literary excellence. Our low-residency model, personalized mentorship and intimate cohort size (just 12 students) set us apart. We're built on 15 years of program history with alumni who have published 100+ books.
Can I apply for financial aid?
Yes. Full federal financial aid is available, including loans and need-based grants.
What if I can't attend a residency?
Residency attendance is required. The dates are set well in advance (January and July/August) to allow for planning. Each residency is essential to your development and community building.
What happens after I graduate?
Our alumni go on to publish books, lead workshops and retreats, teach creative writing at the high school and college level, and serve in arts administration roles. Many are published in leading journals like Image, Plough, The Christian Century and Poetry Magazine.
Ready to Begin?
Join a community of writers committed to excellence, faith and the literary life. With just 12 spots per cohort, we encourage you to apply early.
Questions? Contact us at mfa@whitworth.edu or 509.777.4581.