MFA in Creative Writing
Writing for the 21st Century
The Alma College MFA features a strong literature-based curriculum and offers inspirational and exploratory residency experiences designed to develop your ability to read and think critically and to write with a high level of artistic proficiency.
This program offers study in three concentrations:
- Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
- Poetry
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Alma College's Low-Residency, Online Format
Alma College's Low-Residency, Online Format
Alma College's Low-Residency, Online Format
Students experience short, intensive on-campus sessions combined with flexible online study, allowing them to write from home while connecting in person twice a year. There’s no need to relocate—making this program ideal for working professionals.
Two-year, Low-Residency Program Structure:
- In-person: Five 10-day residencies (six for dual-genre)
- Online: Four terms of remote one-on-one faculty study (five for dual-genre)
- Learn more about our residencies.
Coursework:
- Emphasis on developing original creative writing
- Four-Five monthly packets per term (~25 pages of writing plus short craft papers)
- Approximately 25 hours per week of reading, writing, and optional student conferencing
Postgraduate option:
- MFA or Ph.D. graduates may complete a postgraduate semester to continue advanced study in creative writing.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Fees
For the 2026/27 Academic Year
| Per Term: | Fall (per term) | Winter (per term) | Other Fees | Annual Cost (two terms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Deposit | $300 (one-time) | |||
| MFA Graduate Tuition * | $12,585 | $12,585 | $25,170 | |
| MFA Graduate Residency Cost** | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 | |
| Single Room Fee (optional)*** | $200 |
*$839 per credit hour; 15 credits per term
**$6,000 notes cost for international residency.
***Available winter term only
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
There is no application fee.
- College transcripts for each college or university attended
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- A creative writing sample.
- Length: A maximum of 25 pages for fiction or creative nonfiction, a maximum of 10 pages for poetry — no more than one poem per page.
- Personal essay; 3-4 pages.
In this essay please address the following:- Discuss your specific interest in the Alma College MFA and your preparation for pursuing a formal study of creative writing.
- Your strengths and weaknesses as a writer.
- Goals for your two years in the program.
- Additional experience including what you can bring to our artistic community.
- Literature essay; 3-4 pages.
In this essay please discuss the books and writers that have influenced you. - Two letters of recommendation.
MFA On The Road
Check back soon for 2026 dates.
Events
MFA Winter Residency Open House
January 10, 2026
Ever wonder what it’s like to experience an MFA residency? Join us and find out! You’ll get to be an MFA student for a day of lectures, workshops, meals, and evening readings. You’ll meet our wonderful faculty as well as a visiting publishing industry professional. You’ll also have your own Q&A session with an Alma admissions counselor and the MFA’s director, Sophfronia Scott, to discuss the application process, financial aid, and the special features of Alma’s MFA.
20 Minute Virtual Sessions
January 20, 2026 | February 23, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | April 20, 2026 | May 4, 2026
Schedule your own 20-minute session with MFA Program Director Sophfronia Scott to get your individual questions answered about applying to Alma’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Program.
Explore
Student & Alumni Spotlights
No one describes the Alma experience better than those living it. Explore their stories, in their own words, below.
Studying abroad was something I always wanted to do when I was in undergrad, but never got around to it. Joining the Alma College MFA program, I was able to combine my two biggest passions, which are traveling and writing.
I give a lot of credit to the director of the MFA program, Sophfronia Scott. She has built a program and a group of people who are so talented and welcoming — eager to offer you a seat at the table and make you feel like you belong.
I don't necessarily want to be in a place where everyone is like me — they look like me, walk like me, talk like me, think like me. In that situation, I don't grow. That's what the Alma College MFA program provides.
Studying abroad was something I always wanted to do when I was in undergrad, but never got around to it. Joining the Alma College MFA program, I was able to combine my two biggest passions, which are traveling and writing.
I give a lot of credit to the director of the MFA program, Sophfronia Scott. She has built a program and a group of people who are so talented and welcoming — eager to offer you a seat at the table and make you feel like you belong.
I don't necessarily want to be in a place where everyone is like me — they look like me, walk like me, talk like me, think like me. In that situation, I don't grow. That's what the Alma College MFA program provides.
Get to Know MFA in Creative Writing
Meet the Faculty
Study Options
The program is thoughtfully crafted to provide you with the flexibility to delve into newfound interests that are bound to arise during your graduate journey.
Residencies
During each 10-day residency, you'll immerse yourself in a vibrant learning community and engage in enriching experiences.
Who is it for?
The Alma MFA is for students who want to make a serious commitment to the craft of writing. Our students come from all walks of life and varying levels of experience. There will be those who are published and those who are not. There will be students who have been in workshop before and those for whom this will be their first. But what everyone will have in common is a passion for writing and reading and a willingness to learn. They long to be around other creatives who care about writing as much as they do and want to talk about the work — a lot! They wish to pursue a degree and a literary life in a way that allows them to maintain their work and family lives. The best and most efficient way to do this is with the low residency MFA in Creative Writing.
The program provides ongoing focus and the deep dive both graduate and postgraduate students need to understand their craft and to learn how they want to show up in the world as writers. For complete details of the program, view the MFA Student Handbook.
Writing in a Dynamic Literary Landscape
Alma College’s MFA in Creative Writing is uniquely situated in Michigan, a state rich in literary tradition and cultural vibrancy. From the works of iconic Michigan authors to the thriving local literary community, our program draws inspiration from the region’s dynamic storytelling heritage.
Michigan’s breathtaking landscapes—from its vast Great Lakes to tranquil forests and historic small towns—provide a powerful backdrop for creative exploration. Many students find that the state’s natural beauty fuels their imagination and deepens their connection to their writing.
Our program also connects students with Michigan-based authors, literary festivals, and publishing opportunities, immersing them in a vibrant network of creatives. By pursuing your MFA at Alma College, you’ll not only hone your craft but also become part of a supportive literary community that celebrates Michigan’s rich storytelling culture.
Your MFA Decision Journal
We created this helpful tool to help you explore your goals and guide your exploration.
Admissions and Aid
Not sure where to begin? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Our team is glad to answer your questions and walk you through the application and financial aid process. Contact the program director, or download Your MFA Decision Journal to help you better understand your motivations and goals.
Tuition Policy
Tuition Policy
Tuition Policy
All applicable fees and charges are payable in advance of enrollment. Tuition is due on a term basis. Each term begins with residency so tuition is due before the first day of each new residency. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. All MFA students will be billed for the term (tuition; room and board for students staying on campus; the single-room fee for students who request a single room, if available), with the exception of graduating students who are charged room and board (if staying on campus) and the graduation residency fee.
Possible Funding Resources
Possible Funding Resources
Possible Funding Resources
- Apply for Refer a Writer Scholarship
- To be considered for possible federal aid funding, you must file the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Federal student Direct Unsubsidized Loans
If you need additional assistance or have other questions, contact the Financial Aid Office at (989) 463-7347.
Enrollment Deposit Fee
Enrollment Deposit Fee
Enrollment Deposit Fee
Accepted applicants are required to pay an enrollment deposit of $300. $100 of this fee is applied as a credit to the student’s account for the first term. Another $100 serves as a security deposit from which the college may recover expenses incurred by the student for damages to college property. The final $100 is a processing fee. Any unexpended portion of the security deposit can be gifted back to the college upon graduation or is refunded to the student after graduation.
Academic Calendar
Academic Calendar
Academic Calendar
Summer Residency
August 20-27, 2025
Mentored Studies Term
July-November
End of Term, Final Grades Due: December 10, 2024
Winter Residency –Lake Junaluska, NCDecember 27, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Mentored Studies Term
January-May
End of Term. Final Grades Due: May 17, 2025
Post Graduate Term in Creative Writing
Post Graduate Term in Creative Writing
Post Graduate Term in Creative Writing
Writers who have completed an MFA or Ph.D. at any accredited college or university may apply for a postgraduate semester in the Alma College MFA program to further their study in creative writing.
The term, like the MFA format, provides for one-on-one work with a faculty advisor. The writer works with their advisor to develop a study plan for the term that includes deadlines, feedback expectations, and points of contact such as a mid-semester check-in and written evaluations. The term is designed to be genre flexible. Writers may choose to work in the genre in which they earned their degree (fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry), or they may use the time to try a genre they have not written in before. They may also work in a genre not offered in their degree program, but in which an Alma faculty mentor has expertise such as playwriting or screenwriting. Postgraduate students receive their first choice of faculty advisor, so if a writer wants to study one of these specialties they should choose accordingly.
Writers may work to complete a current manuscript or use the term to jumpstart a new project. They are free to develop their own study plans and goals, which need not be tied to the MFA’s programming and requirements. For example, writers are not required to write critical papers, though a faculty advisor may suggest craft books if they determine it may benefit the writer’s project.
Residency Attendance
Each postgraduate term must begin with attendance at an MFA residency. This requirement is waived for graduates of the Alma MFA, though most writers will agree that the residency experience is one of the highlights of studying writing at Alma.
Credits
The term is a 13-credit offering
- 11 credits for the term
- Two credits for the residency
Tuition and Fees
Term tuition (six months): $5,000
Optional residency, fees include room and board:
- Local (Alma, MI): $1,352
- International (Venice, Italy): $5,500 / per person – (Double room for Single use)
$4,935 / per person – (Twin room for two people – sharing)
*Fee does not include airfare.
Admissions Deadlines
- Winter 2025: November 30, 2024
- Summer 2025: May 30, 2025
To apply, students must complete Alma College’s Application for Non-Degree Enrollment Status and submit to the registrar.
Refer a Writer
Do you have a mentor or supervisor that can refer you to this program? When they refer you to the Alma College MFA in Creative Writing, you will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Get Your Book Published
Alma’s MFA in Creative Writing offers a unique opportunity for students and alumni to compete for a publishing contract with Running Wild Press, a small press whose books have been named “Best of the Year” by the book review magazine Kirkus Reviews.
Writers can submit book-length manuscripts in fiction, nonfiction, or narrative poetry, with finalists selected by top acquisition editors from Running Wild and its RIZE imprint. The winner — to be chosen solely from MFA program students and alumni — will receive an up-front prize of $200, as well as a contract from Running Wild, including an offer of net revenue of 40 percent for paperback, ebook, and audiobook sales.