Graduate Program in Creative Writing - Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University / Academics / Departments / Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting – an advanced degree in any of our five areas of creative writing provides you the opportunity to hone your craft, elevate your art, and inspire the world. Join our welcoming and inclusive community and become the writer you are meant to be. To learn more about our program directly from our faculty and students, check out our program video.

Program Overview

A student reads her creative work on stage while raising her fist at the I Bar Ranch Open Mic Night

Pursue your dream of becoming a published author.

If you’re looking to get serious about your writing and you’re eager to join a thriving and diverse community of writers, then you’ll find your niche in Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing. Our five innovative areas of study—Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, and Screenwriting—offer cutting-edge courses, and our dedicated faculty of award-winning writers will ensure that you achieve your full potential as a writer.

Our low-residency model makes a graduate education accessible. During the academic year, students work closely with faculty and fellow students through videoconferencing and online courses. Each summer, all students take intensive courses that culminate in a one-week residency on Western’s beautiful campus in late July. These residencies are packed full of exciting courses, inspirational workshops and lively social events.

Sharing work in community

Screenwriting student Tia Phillip giving a reading at the 2023 Open-Mic Night

Areas of Study

Genre Fiction

Genre Fiction

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Several GPCW students pose with their newly published books.

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

A close up shot of a student writing in her journal on Taylor Lawn

Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Nature Writing

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Poetry

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Students in a class listen to a lecture

Publishing

Master of Arts

A professor gestures to tv script on a screen while teaching a class.

Screenwriting

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

News & Research

Julian Rubinstein holding his Emmy Award.

Western Colorado University Professor Julian Rubinstein Wins Emmy Award for Documentary “The Holly”

Author Brice Swaim takes a selfie in front of a desert landscape.

Bryce Swaim’s Debut Collection of Poetry, Prose Scheduled for Publication

NYT Bestselling Author Jamie Ford to speak at Western GPCW Graduation

Man writing on piece of paper.

Western Colorado University Graduate Program in Creative Writing Announces New Screenwriting Director

writing in note book

Western Colorado University Graduate Students, Alum, and Faculty in Poetry Win Nationwide Awards

A girl sits underneath a tree writing in a notebook.

New Scholarship Supports Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Taylor Hall photographed on a spring day with flowering trees in full bloom.

Western Graduate Students, Faculty Member Receive Distinguished Achievement Award

Western’s MFA Director Laura Pritchett’s latest novel is born from a world on fire

Author and publisher Kevin J. Anderson poses with an award for his novel "Dune" at the 2023 DragonCon event.

Western professor wins Dragon Award for his latest contribution to sci-fi series Dune

Western Poetry Faculty Member Chosen for Prestigious Poetry Prize

View More Graduate Program in Creative Writing News and Research

Spotlight

Laura Pritchett

Faculty

Laura Pritchett, who directs the MFA with a concentration in Nature Writing, has two novels coming out in 2024, and they could not be more different.

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Lara Richardson

Alumna

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Faculty & Staff

Kevin J. Anderson, MFA

Director, Publishing Concentration

Byron Aspaas, MFA

Poetry Faculty

Karen Auvinen, Ph.D.

Nature Writing Faculty

Amy Fox, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

Sarah Goettsch

Graduate Program in Creative Writing Coordinator

Carol D. Guerrero-Murphy, Ph.D.

Poetry Faculty

Tyson Hausdoerffer, Ph.D.

Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Mitali Jahagirdar, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

Tenea D. Johnson, M.A.

Genre Fiction Thesis Mentor

Julie Kane, Ph.D.

Poetry Faculty

Lindsay King-Miller, MFA

Thesis Mentor

Kimberlea Kressal, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

Gary Lilley

Poetry Faculty

Allyson Longueira, M.A.

Publishing Faculty

JS Mayank, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

Candace Nadon, Ph.D.

Genre Fiction Faculty

James Napoli, MFA

Director of Screenwriting

Johanna Parkhurst, M.A.

Director, Genre Fiction Concentration

Laura Pritchett, Ph.D.

Director, Nature Writing Concentration

Erica Reid, MFA

Poetry Faculty

Ligiah Villalobos Rojas, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

Liz Sczudlo

Screenwriting Faculty

Andrew Sellon, MFA

GPCW Faculty, Performance Coach

Ana Maria Spagna, MFA

Nature Writing Faculty

Anna Stileski, M.A.

Executive Assistant

Richard Wilber, Ed.D.

Genre Fiction Faculty, Graduate Thesis Coordinator

Maya Jewell Zeller, MFA

Nature Writing and Poetry Faculty

Additional Resources

Admissions Requirements and Application

Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing considers applications on a rolling basis from August 1 through May 22, and all admitted students begin their coursework in early June, with online courses.

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Tuition and Fees

Click below to learn more about the tuition and fees in the MFA and M.A. in Creative Writing programs/

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

The GPCW is deeply committed to raising funds to support our students. Each year we offer substantial direct-funding scholarships of up to $5,000/yr., depending on available funding.

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Summer Residency

The highlight of each year is the Summer Residency, held near the end of July on Western’s beautiful campus in Gunnison, Colorado.

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FAQs

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about our program

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Publications

Explore the publications below to discover the depth and breadth of Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing.

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GPCW Mission, Indigenous Commitment and DEIA+ Statements

The Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Western Colorado University seeks to create transformative learning experiences for our students, built from a strong foundation that honors our students’ unique voices.

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An Inside Look at Our Program

The Graduate Program in Creative Writing boasts expert faculty, a low-residency learning model, a supportive learning community and abundant networking connections in each of our concentrations.

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Director

Tyson Hausdoerffer, Ph.D.

Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Associate Director

CMarie Fuhrman, MFA

Associate Director; Director, Poetry Concentration; Faculty, Nature Writing Concentration

Executive Assistant

Anna Stileski, M.A.

Executive Assistant

Program Coordinator

Graduate Program in Creative Writing Coordinator

Contact Information

gpcw@western.edu

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Quigley Hall 117
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

Take the Next Step

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We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

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The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

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We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

A few students pose for a photo behind a table.

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.