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MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing

Fully Online Courses, No Residency

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Discover Your Story.

Enrolling Now, Classes Begin in January 17, 2023

Bay Path's no-residency MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing is designed to help aspiring writers turn their personal stories into publishable prose. Created for women and men at all stages of their writing careers, the program allows students to study online with faculty mentors in a way that bends to the shape of their lives.

Our award-winning MFA faculty are accomplished memoirists, journalists, food and travel writers, editors, and publishers with a wealth of real-world expertise. Work with a New York Times bestselling memoirist on the memoir you’ve always wanted to write. Discover your inner journalist with renowned magazine editors and newspaper columnists. Write about the life of the spirit with a recent winner of the Best American Spiritual Writing Award. Explore the world of travel and food writing with an author of numerous travel books. Learn the art of writing family histories with a literary anthology editor.

Our MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing Offers:

Professional tracks in Publishing, Narrative Medicine, and Teaching
Workshops with small peer groups for intensive writing practice, feedback, and support
A summer Creative Writing Seminar option in Ireland
Multiplicity, a literary magazine run by faculty and students
A supportive, inclusive, welcoming community

Podcast: Healing Through Narrative MedicineVulnerability in action! Join Dr. Kristina Hallett and Kristin Sunanta Walker (Mental Health News Radio) with guest Leanna James Blackwell on the fears and self-sabotage (women especially) can use to silence their voices. We get enough of this from the world so let's NOT do this to each other. Listen now.

Contact Graduate Admissions to Discuss Your Goals.
Schedule an appointment online | Fill out our request info form

The spring issue of Multiplicity Magazine, an online literary journal hosted by the MFA in Creative Nonfiction has been published. Check out Issue 3: Starting Over which explores the meaning and experience of beginning anew.

When can I start the program?

Classes start every January, May, and August/September.

What tracks are offered?

Click on the Track to View Curriculum:

Is the program offered online?

The flexible 100% online format has no residency requirement. Students learn in a small, intimate, highly dynamic and interactive online community .

How does the program run?

Convenient schedule is offered full or part-time (39 credits).

Who teaches the courses?

Three-semester seminars with award-winning faculty mentors who provide close attention and guidance to help you perfect your craft

How much is tuition?

The per credit cost of tuition can be found here.

Can I get help paying for my degree?

Yes, financial aid is available.

Do I have to take a standardized test for admission?

No. The GMAT and GRE are not required.

Will I have access to learning resources?

Students have access to mentoring, tutoring, library resources, academic resources, and career services.

How can I schedule an appointment to learn more?

Schedule a meeting by phone

Resources

The Creative Nonfiction Podcast on Facebook

Program Director, Leanna James Blackwell was recently interviewed by Creative Nonfiction's Brendan O'Meara.

Listen Now

Director's Blog

A conversation about the art and practice of writing with Program Director, Leanna James Blackwell

Visit the blog

Memoir & Psychotherapy: The Writing Cure and The Talking Cure

Interview with Patricia Reis, psychotherapist and author of four books.

Watch the video

The Unslanted Truth: a Conversation With Four Editors of Today's Premier Creative Nonfiction Literary Magazines

A conversation with Dinty W. Moore, Hattie Fletcher, Donna Talarico and Sarah Wells.

Read the Article

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Stay up to date on all the latest literary info and happenings in the MFA program.

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“

Bay Path’s top-notch program helped me to move into a new position writing news features full time for The Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton.”

“

I feel rich in both writing knowledge and connections. This MFA program has played an essential role in solidifying my writer’s path.”

Schedule an Appointment

Upcoming Events

Contact Info

Shawn Bernier

Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions

413.788.1233 sbernier@baypath.edu

Connect With Us

Subscribe to Our MFA Newsletter

Submit your email address to receive In Short, the e-newsletter of the MFA in Creative Nonfiction at Bay Path University.

Ranked Top 20

Q & A with Leanna James Blackwell

Bay Path University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

NECHE

SULLIVAN CAREER AND LIFE PLANNING CENTER

The SCLP helps graduate students with career development, like creating portfolios, to learning networking skills.

These courses helped me figure out what kind of writer I want to be and what kind of stories I want to tell.” - Martha Anderson

Watch Her Story

Creative Nonfiction Careers After Bay Path

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Professional writers are prepared for careers in a variety of fields including journalism, marketing, advertising, and public relations.

Author

Copywriter

Editor

Journalist

Grant Writer

Publisher

Scriptwriter

MFA Literary Reading: Graduating Class of 2019

May 17, 2019 | Hatch Library | Bay Path University

MFA Literary Reading: Graduating Class of 2018

May 11, 2018, Hatch Library, Bay Path University

Upcoming Events

Nov 2

Learn How to Pay for Graduate School - Financial Aid Q & A

12 p.m. – 1 p.m. EST – Virtual

Dec 7

Learn How to Pay for Graduate School - Financial Aid Q & A

5 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST – Virtual

Jan 4

Learn How to Pay for Graduate School - Financial Aid Q & A

12 p.m. – 1 p.m. EST – Virtual

MFA Literary Reading: Graduating Class of 2017

May 19, 2017, Hatch Library, Bay Path University