Schools Offering the Best Graduate Degree Programs in Writing
Higher Education Articles August 19, 2015This article talks about schools that offer the best graduate degree programs in writing and information about those schools.
Schools Offering Writing Programs
Graduate level writing programs often lead to a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree. Those interested in creative writing careers including screenwriting and play-writing should look into MFA programs. MFA programs allow students to gain experience and education.
The University of Wisconsin – Madison and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offer strong Writing MFA programs. Both schools hold national ranks. SAIC allows students to take other art courses to obtain a well-rounded background. The University of Wisconsin – Madison gives students the chance to focus on a specific genre of writing.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Illinois
The U.S. News & World Report ranked the School of the Art Institute of Chicago 2nd on its 2012 list of best colleges in the United States. The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Writing program is available through the SAIC at its Chicago campus. A variety of art students including students of visual and performing arts are attracted to the SAIC. Writers enrolled in the program can avail a rare opportunity to learn from a whole community of artists by working alongside them. Skills are sharpened by students in seminars and workshops while adding to their education in other art forms such as sculpture, photography, art history or performing arts.
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin – Madison 18th on its 2012 list of top MFA programs in Writing in the United States. The university was also ranked third by Poets & Writers Magazine’s, in 2012, on its list of top MFA programs in Writing. The school, which is on the shores of Lake Mendota, University of Wisconsin, offers students a choice of genre; these may include either fiction or poetry. They can complete their studies mainly in workshops and seminars. The University of Wisconsin – Madison has a highly selective graduate writing program, with only about six new students enrolled each year.
List of Top Graduate Programs in Writing
| Name of School | Distinction | Campus Location |
| Indiana University – Bloomington | Indiana University offers a creative writing course that students could complete within three years. | Bloomington, IN |
| New York University | In 2015, the U.S. News and World Report ranked New York University 32nd among all national universities. | New York, NY |
| Temple University | Each year, Temple University holds the Poets & Writers Series where students can interact with local writers. | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of Illinois – Urbana – Champaign | Students who are in good academic standing and enrolled in the MFA in Writing program will be granted financial aid. | Champaign, IL |
| University of Iowa | The Master of Fine Arts in Writing program at the University of Iowa was ranked number one by Poets & Writers in 2012. | Iowa City, IA |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | In 2012, Poets & Writers ranked University of Michigan’s MFA in Creative Writing program number two. | Ann Arbor, MI |
| University of Southern California | In 2015, the U.S. News and World Report ranked University of Southern California 25th among all national universities. | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Texas – Austin | In 2007, University of Texas – Austin’s graduate writing program was named one of the “best of the best” by the Atlantic | Austin, TX |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | In 2012, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Virginia Commonwealth University fourth as having one of the best fine arts graduate programs. | Richmond, VA |
