THE ART OF STORYTELLING:
A GUIDE TO CREATIVE WRITING CAREERS WITH AN MFA DEGREE
In today’s amazing world of evolving science and technology, there is one tool that is arguably the most influential ever created: the written word.
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Think about the moving piece of literature you just read, the thought-provoking podcast you just listened to, the creative advertisement you just saw. These influential creations would not exist without professionals who have mastered the art of creative writing.
But, establishing yourself as a professional writer takes time and dedication. Fortunately, there is a program of study that is specifically designed to give you the skills and confidence to call yourself a writer.
The Solution?
A Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
An MFA in Creative Writing is an advanced academic degree that focuses on the art and practice of writing — it is an artist-in-training program that produces graduates who are exemplary writers, communicators, researchers and editors.
Pursuing a degree in creative writing gives you practical training and experience in honing your craft, allowing you to enter the workforce with more context for your creative work. You’ll also gain an understanding of the greater industry of creative writing, helping you as you look for work and make connections in the field.
What are some creative writing careers? We interact with words in countless ways every single day. Numerous industries rely on words to establish their brand, articulate their message and drive results. For this reason, there is (and always will be) a critical need for skilled writers who can produce work that educates an audience and inspires the reader.
Professional writers are highly adaptable, making them valuable to myriad industries, such as:
- Publishing
- Journalism
- Education
- Marketing
- Public relations
- Technical services
- Management
- Entertainment & Media
- Sustainability
- Public service
- Broadcasting
- News organizations
While professional writers may find work in a wide variety of fields, some choose to focus on self-employment. In other words, whether you want to put your creative writing skills to work in an agency or whether you want to stretch your entrepreneurial muscles and work independently, an MFA in Creative Writing will prepare you for literary success.
TELL YOUR STORY:
CREATIVE WRITING JOBS YOU CAN GET WITH AN MFA DEGREE
Armed with an MFA in Creative Writing, you will be well-equipped to thrive in a variety of writing-focused positions. Graduates of an MFA program can secure careers, such as (but not limited to):
Journalist
Bring news and important insight to the masses.
Literary Agent
Help creatives get their stories out there.
Creative Director
Steer the ship of a company’s brand and voice.
Social Media Manager
Connect with people around the world to tell them your story and connect them with resources.
Marketing Coordinator
Help marketing teams get on the same page for campaigns and product launches.
Web Content Manager
Help increase traffic and engagement to your site by producing helpful content.
Editor
Help your clients find what they want to say and how to say it clearly.
Professor
Teach others how to write and communicate well.
Screenwriter
Bring stories to life on TV or in movies.
Songwriter
Express yourself and help write the next big hit.
Columnist
Offer your advice and insight as a regular columnist.
Copywriter
Work in marketing, sales, creative fields or for your own stories.
The two-year, 36-unit MFA in Creative Writing program at Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles is a comprehensive artist-training program for students who want to write professionally in the genres of novel, short story, playwriting, poetry, screenplay and non-fiction.
At the Mount, we develop writers in multiple genres, and we believe that you can excel in more than one. We are interested in developing you as a whole writer — an expert who isn't narrow.
Our integration of the humanities into the course of study reflects our commitment to intellectual rigor and liberal arts as the cornerstone of human understanding. In other words, we pay close attention to your needs as a developing artist, and we ensure that you emerge from the program with the confidence to call yourself a professional writer.
The professors in our program put a premium on helping our students into their professional careers through continued mentoring. This means not only teaching the techniques that make you the best writer you can be, but also preparing you for the publication market.
Whatever your career path, our job is to help you write stories, novels, plays, poems or screenplays at the highest level – and get them into print or staged before an appreciative public. In that, we are practical minded and the curriculum is set up to get you there.
Modes of study in the MFA in Creative Writing program:
In-Person
Students complete coursework in a weekend format, meeting only six weekends per semester.
Online
Students may elect to complete the MFA in Creative Writing program exclusively online.
Study Away
MFA students also have an opportunity to complete their summer courses abroad.
Here's what you can expect from the Mount:
Flexible program completion model
Our MFA offers two types of flexibility: weekend study or online study. This means in any given course you will find students from the L.A. area and those from far away. The option to learn online is one that makes it possible for a diverse group of students to benefit from our program.
Collaborative learning environments
The hallmark of our MFA program is in the workshop experience. Students gather with constructive feedback that highlights their strengths and points out where they can grow. It's an opportunity to really dig into your work and gain insights from other experts in creative writing.
Two options for specialization
Each individual’s professional path is unique, and for this reason, we make it possible for our MFA students to choose from two distinct certificate options based on their interests: Latin American/Latinx Creative Studies or Writing for Media.
Faculty with industry experience
Our MFA coursework is taught by industry experts in their respective focus areas. Passionate about student success, our diverse faculty and student body round out the learning experience by providing a variety of worldviews and cultural perspectives.
Competitive tuition sticker price
Graduate school is an investment of time, energy, and money, but we are proud to offer affordable tuition for our graduate students. We also offer opportunities for financial assistance including scholarships, loans and tuition reduction programs.
Downtown Los Angeles location
The Doheny Campus, where our MFA is offered, is centrally located to all that downtown L.A. has to offer, including LA Live, the Historic Core, Disney Music Hall, Union Station and the Theater, Jewelry, Fashion, Flower and Financial Districts.
An MBA will give you invaluable skills in:
Leadership
Organizational Management
Marketing
Strategy
Finance and Accounting
Entrepreneurship
International Business
Operations
Not ready for a full degree program? A creative writing certificate might be a better fit. In addition to the MFA, our Creative Writing program offers two certificate programs designed for students seeking to broaden their knowledge in the following areas: Latin American and Latinx Creative Studies or Writing for Media.
Latin American/Latinx Creative Studies
If you are curious about Latin American and Latinx cultural traditions and creative writing, the Latin American/Latinx Creative Studies (LALCS) certificate is for you. Our unique multidisciplinary perspective provides a creative writing and study abroad component to develop your creative skills while exploring diverse cultures from the Caribbean to Southern, Central and Northern Latinx-America.
Writing for Media
Our certificate in Writing for Media exposes you to a varied set of courses in screenwriting, television writing, playwriting, podcasting and creative cinema studies. This certificate is pragmatic as well as academic, and you’ll leave the program with a portfolio of work to take with you on the next stage of your journey.
Ready to enroll in one of the best MFA Creative Writing programs in Los Angeles?
Applicants who hold an undergraduate degree are welcome to apply to one of Mount Saint Mary’s University’s programs. The student’s previous academic record must give evidence of the ability and the preparation necessary for successfully pursuing graduate study.
Admission will be based on an evaluation of the applicant’s potential for success in both the program and the profession.
Find Your Place at the Mount
At Mount Saint Mary’s University, you will be impacted in ways that cannot be defined. Our respected MFA program fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusive excellence that will inspire you to reach your full potential as a professional writer.
If you are ready to transform your writing career with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, then we encourage you to connect with us today. We cannot wait to help you find your place at the Mount.