Creative Writing

For the writer who wants to concentrate on his or her craft in a helpful community of writers, the intense, two-year M.F.A. at Hollins offers an individualized approach and an atmosphere of cooperation and encouragement. Twelve students are admitted to this highly regarded program annually. These students have a strong interest in and aptitude for writing and literary study. They work successfully in every genre, including poetry, short fiction, novels, and creative nonfiction. The Hollins program has one of the highest publishing records of any graduate school in the country. Among the many publishing writers who have graduated from the program are Pulitzer Prize winners Annie Dillard, Henry Taylor, and Natasha Trethewey; novelists Madison Smartt Bell, Kiran Desai, Tony D'Souza, Garrett Epps, Tama Janowitz, Jill McCorkle, and Sylvia Wilkinson; poets Wyn Cooper, David Huddle, Edward Kleinschmidt Mayes, Kevin Prufer, and Mary Ruefle; novelist and memoirist Karen Salyer McElmurray; photographer Sally Mann; and filmmaker George Butler. At Hollins, students find faculty members take considerable time to work with them both in and out of the classroom. The criticism and guidance of Hollins professors and visiting writers help shape and discipline their writing without squeezing them into a mold. Forty-eight cedits in residence are required for the MFA. Each student will undertake ten four-credit courses, plus a thesis. Elective courses may be in the immediate area of the degree or in related areas. No transfer credit is accepted for this degree. The thesis offered for the degree must consist of a book-length, original creative manuscript and must be completed by the end of year two. Stipends and scholarships are available to qualified students.