Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Our Mission
Here in Las Vegas, a world center of the hyperreal surrounded by the real of the Southwestern desert, we nurture writers committed to literary excellence. Writing for a sustainable planet requires a sustainable writing life; our fully-funded program empowers students with one-on-one mentorship, global engagement through travel and translation, and the skills to navigate the publishing landscape. Cognizant that all language engages the circuits of power, our writers make a living art through the rhythms of language and resistance.
Overview
Named one of the “Five Innovative/Unique Programs” creative writing programs by The Atlantic, the master of fine arts in creative writing is one of two programs offered by UNLV’s Creative Writing International Program with genre concentrations in fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry. By providing an innovative curriculum and fostering an educational environment where students can perfect their art, our graduates become globally-engaged writers that demonstrate socially-engaged and active writing practices.
Outcomes
Students receive a strong theoretical foundation in their selected genre concentration in fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry, as well as an appreciation for the art and theory across various genres, thereby expanding their creative abilities. Moreover, they develop a nuanced understanding of canonical contexts and the historical evolution of literature, which provides valuable insights into new writing. Through exposure to international writing and literary translation, students cultivate a practical appreciation for diverse linguistic traditions beyond English, enriching their creative perspectives.
A high percentage of our graduates have widely published fiction, literary nonfiction, journalism, and poetry with mainstream presses, indie presses, and nationally esteemed venues. For the most up-to-date information about our alumni, current students, faculty, and creative writing program news, follow us on Instagram (@mfaunlv).
Some highlights of our creative writing graduates publications and accomplishments:
COMMERCIAL BOOK PUBLISHERS
- Penguin Random House
- Harper Collins
- Simon & Schuster
- Macmillan Publishers
- Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG Originals)
- Ecco
- W.W. Norton & Company
- Viking
NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS & MEDIA
- The New York Times
- The Guardian
- The Los Angeles Times
- The Atlantic
- Rolling Stone
- NPR’s Selected Shorts
- VOGUE
- Cosmopolitan
INDEPENDENT BOOK PUBLISHERS
- Grove Atlantic Press
- Graywolf Press
- Catapult
- Soho Press
- Sarabande Books
- Nightboat
- Fence
- Allen & Unwin
- Blackstone Publishing
- Red Hen
PRIZES & HONORS
- The Whiting Award
- Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award
- New York Times Notable Books of the Year
- Time’s 100 Must Read Books of the Year
- O. Henry Prize for Short Fiction
- Pushcart Prize
- Iowa Short Fiction Award
- PEN America Robert J. Dau Prize for Emerging Writers
- Ploughshares Emerging Writer Award
- PEN/Barbey Freedom To Write Award
ANNUAL SERIES
- The Best American Short Stories
- The Best American Poetry
NOTABLE UNIVERSITY PRESSES
- University of Wisconsin Press
- University of Iowa Press
- Louisiana State University Press
- University of Notre Dame Press
LITERARY JOURNALS & QUARTERLIES
- Ploughshares
- The Paris Review
- The Kenyon Review
- The Southern Review
- Granta
- The Iowa Review
- Virginia Quarterly Review
- The New England Review
- American Short Fiction
- McSweeney’s Quarterly
- The Georgia Review
- The Missouri Review
- ZYZZYVA
- Prairie Schooner
- The Colorado Review
- The Cincinnati Review
- The Harvard Review
- TriQuarterly
- New American Writing
- Bellevue Literary Review
- Baltimore Review
- The Shenandoah
DIGITAL LITERARY OUTLETS
- Electric Literature
- Wigleaf
- The Audacity (Roxane Gay’s Emerging Writer Series)
- The Rumpus
- Longreads
- Narratively
- Literary Hub (LitHub)
FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES, & WORKSHOPS
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Fellowship
- Fulbright Fellowship
- Steinbeck Fellowship
- Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship
- MacDowell Residency
- Yaddo Residency
- Storyknife Residency
- Vermont Studio Center
- Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference
- Sewanee Writers’ Conference
- The Kenyon Review Writers Workshop
- McCormack Writing Center Workshops (formerly Tin House)
- The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
- Napa Valley Writers’ Conference
- Lighthouse Writers Workshop
- Fine Arts Work Center (FAWC) Workshops
Structure
Our students follow a three-year course of study that includes writing workshops, genre forms courses, literature classes, a residency abroad, completion of a literary translation, and completion of a book-length manuscript that meets the standard of publishable works. Students also have the opportunity for teacher training and practical experience in literary publishing.
In the past, our students have completed projects abroad in: Chile, Scotland, Navajo Nation, Greece, and others.
Funding
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.
Our Faculty
Maile Chapman, Ph.D.
Wendy Chen, Ph.D.
Claudia Keelan
Jarret Keene, Ph.D.
Roberto Lovato
Douglas A. Unger
The MFA Student Experience
The UNLV creative writing program offers a supportive and immersive experience to its students. From day one, students become part of a vibrant community of writers where creativity thrives and collaboration flourishes. Whether students aspire to publish their writing, pursue further study, or embark on diverse career paths within the literary world, UNLV provides the resources, support, and community they need to thrive and succeed.
The UNLV Department of English has a longstanding relationship with the Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute (BMI). This allows our students to receive opportunities to engage in creative and literary activities with visiting BMI fellows in socially meaningful literary events for the city of Las Vegas and its greater community. Recent BMI fellows and national and international award-winning visitors include:
- Percival Everett
- Melissa Febos
- Layli Long Soldier
- Jaquira Díaz
- Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
See the Black Mountain Institute's website for more information.
UNLV houses and supports an array of academic and literary journals. Among them are Witness, Interim, MELUS, and Las Vegas Writes. Students are provided a variety of opportunities to work with these journals in order to learn more about the publication process.
Neon Lit is a student-run live reading series featuring students currently in the MFA & PhD Creative Writing programs at UNLV. Events are held three times each semester in partnership with local businesses around Las Vegas. Previous venues include The Writer's Block, Segue at The Beverly Theatre, Fat Cat Jazz Club, 11th Street Records, Starboard Tack, Velveteen Rabbit, Cornish Pasty, Taverna Costera, and more. Founded in 2009 by MFA alumna, Kat Kruse, Neon Lit has grown to become a pillar of the literary community, garnering press in Las Vegas Weekly and drawing an average of 70-90 attendees per reading. Events are always free and open to the public, and often include live music, free snacks, and drinks. For more information, visit us on Instagram.
Breakout Writers Series
The “Breakout Writers Series” or Emerging Writers Series features writers just emerging on the literary scene. Writers who visit and read for this series are chosen entirely by the students in the M.F.A. and Ph.D. programs.
Alumni Reading Series
The yearly Alumni Reading Series celebrates the literary successes of graduates of the program. Recent alumni readers include Marianne Chan, Jean Chen Ho, Clancy McGilligan, Alissa Nutting, Juan Martínez, Sasha Steensen, and Mani Rao.
Admission Requirements
- A manuscript showcasing a candidate’s talent and potential in a genre
- Fiction: 20-30 pages
- Literary nonfiction: 20-30 pages
- Poetry: 10-15 pages
- A letter of application to the Graduate Committee detailing a statement of purpose and reasons for choosing UNLV
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Two letters of recommendation
Applicants must choose the International Focus subplan, unless they have already been accepted to the Peace Corps Master's International Partnership program.
International Applicants
Each year, our program admits several international writers with high competency in writing in English that immensely contribute to our literary community. Our diverse student body fosters a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, creating a dynamic learning environment that prepares graduates for success in the global literary landscape. Furthermore, UNLV's creative writing program values inclusivity and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of voices within our community.