Saint Mary's MFA in Creative Writing
Write here. Write now.
Saint Mary's MFA in Creative Writing program is a two-year, full time, residential degree program in creative nonfiction, fiction, or poetry. We welcome writers from all walks of life and embrace risk taking on and off the page. Our literary community is made stronger when more voices are heard.
We welcome all styles of writing and emphasize a craft-oriented approach, acknowledging that writing is an ongoing process helped along by shared reading. We are dedicated to making the writing workshop a place where all students can come together in good faith, with the intention of helping one another become the best writers and readers they can be.
Applications for Fall 2026 are now open and our Priority/International deadline officially falls on Friday, December 26th, 2025 with a final deadline of Friday, February 13th, 2026. Visit our Prospective Student page for more information about application requirements and timelines.
All writers, prospective students, and members of the community are also encouraged to join us for our public events, including Craft Talks and Readings in our Visiting Writers Series. See more information below and click "Request Information" to stay in the loop with future opportunities to connect with the program!
“By becoming a better reader, I became a much better writer.”
In the MFA in Poetry program I was not only exposed to a diverse range of texts, I also learned creative ways of approaching even the most experimental ones. This reading stretched my writing and helped me uncover the more raw, authentic layers of my own voice and rhythm.
– MFA in Creative Writing, Poetry alumna Kelly Egan
Saint Mary's Visiting Writers Series
Dating back to the early 90s, our Visiting Writers Series has consistently welcomed diverse writers to campus so they can share their work and insight with the whole Saint Mary's community. Some previous speakers include novelist Maxine Hong Kingston in 1994, musician/poet David Berman in 2002, former Poet Laureate Robert Hass in 1995, and poet/novelist Nathaniel Mackey in 2004.
For over 30 years, our Visiting Writers Series has been committed to creating a space for students, faculty, and the broader community to gather, reflect, and learn from groundbreaking artists and we're excited to continue this tradition in Fall 2025. This semester, we'll be featuring Armen Davoudian, Oscar Villalon, Sam Sax, Alexis Madrigal, Jon Hickey, and Leila Mottley.
Visiting Writer events at Saint Mary's are free, open to the public, and ADA Accessible. Visitor parking is available on campus and light refreshments will be served. All attendees are eligible for a fee waiver for the MFA in Creative Writing application—please reach out to Collin Skeen, Assistant Director of Admissions, at cas38@stmarys-ca.edu for more information.
30 Years of MFA in Creative Writing
Founded in 1995 the MFA in Creative Writing at Saint Mary's College has been crafting stories and shaping writers for the past thirty years. On this our Pearl Anniversary we look back at where we have come from and to the years ahead.
Explore our 30 Years page
Professional Guidance and Personal Attention
In addition to working closely with our core faculty like Matthew Zapruder, Chris Arnold, Marilyn Abildskov, and Ingrid Rojas Contreras, our MFA students learn from Distinguished Visiting Writers such as R.O. Kwon, Marcello Hernandez Castillo, Rachel Howard, Mia Ayumi Malhotra, Shanthi Sekaran, Carvell Wallace, and Maw Shein Win who all provide valuable mentorship and guidance from the perspective of groundbreaking artistic professionals.
Three-Year MFA + Teaching Credential Pathway
Saint Mary's dual MFA and Single-Subject Teacher Credentialing pathway allows our students to make efficient use of their time by offering a three-year course plan that results in both an MFA degree and a California single-subject teaching credential, opening doors for writers to teach across California and even potentially other states across the US (depending on external teacher reciprocity agreements).
Learn MoreExplore Further
“I’m a better writer than I was two years ago, and a better person, too.”
Kehinde Badiru, MFA ’23, reflects on his journey from eco-poetry in Nigeria to being awarded the inaugural Brenda Hillman Award.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Admitted students in the MFA in Creative Writing program are automatically considered for scholarships. Fellowships, assistantships and community partner paid internships are also available.
School and Department Information
Chris Feliciano Arnold
Director, MFA in Creative Writing
cfa1@stmarys-ca.edu
925-631-8556
Collin Skeen
Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment
cas38@stmarys-ca.edu
925-631-4190