Course Overview

The Creative Writing (MFA) program at Lesley University is designed to help aspiring writers hone their craft through intensive workshops, mentorship, and a focus on developing a unique voice. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this program offers a low-residency format, allowing students to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments. The curriculum emphasizes genres such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and writing for young people, with opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration.

Unique Features

A distinguishing aspect of this program is its emphasis on individualized mentorship, where students work closely with accomplished faculty who are published authors. The low-residency model includes intensive on-campus residencies twice a year, fostering a tight-knit community of writers, combined with remote study. The program also offers opportunities to explore publishing and teaching through specialized tracks.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in writing, publishing, editing, and education. Many alumni have published books, contributed to literary journals, or pursued roles in academia as professors or instructors of creative writing.

Key Faculty

• Steven Cramer - Poet and Director of the MFA program, with numerous published works.
• Rachel Kadish - Award-winning novelist and mentor in fiction.
• Janet Pocorobba - Nonfiction writer and editor with expertise in memoir.

Unique Facilities and Partnerships

The program benefits from its location in the literary hub of Cambridge, near Boston, providing access to a vibrant writing community, literary events, and publishing opportunities. Residencies are held on Lesley’s historic campus, offering a supportive environment for collaboration and networking.