Department of EnglishMFA in Creative Writing

Our graduate creative writing workshops focus on fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and literary translation, and the MFA degree plan prepares students for the publication of their first book in one of these genres.

In addition to our workshops, the curriculum includes writing practicums (course credit devoted to writing time), seminars in publishing, forms courses (which allow writers to focus on a particular form in their primary or secondary genre), pedagogy courses in literature, creative writing, and in our nationally recognized first-year writing program, as well as scholarly seminars (which deepen our MFA students' grasp of the broader historical and critical context of literature, and prepares them for a PhD—credits that can be transferred into most PhD programs). The third year of study is devoted to the production of a book-length thesis.

MFA students share workshops and seminars with our doctoral students. Workshops are limited to ten students, allowing for personalized feedback, low professor/student ratios, and a strong sense of camaraderie.

Join us in Lubbock, Texas, where you will be part of a supportive and engaged literary community. Our MFA offers exceptional academic breadth and specialization as well as an inclusive and diverse group of faculty and graduate students actively pursuing an academic career and connections to the broader Lubbock community.

Come write with us on the South Plains. Make your impression.

Welcome to our MFA in Creative Writing. Here, you'll find a vibrant community, dedicated mentorship, and space to grow as a writer. We're excited to support your creative journey—through bold experimentation, deep reading, and meaningful collaboration. We can't wait to see what you'll create with us.
—Dr. Curtis Bauer