Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Part of: Graduate Program in Creative Writing, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Related Areas of Study: English with Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Part of: Graduate Program in Creative Writing, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Related Areas of Study: English with Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers a dynamic and immersive experience for aspiring writers who want to refine their craft in a supportive, inspiring environment. With specialized concentrations in Nature Writing, Poetry, Genre Fiction, Publishing, and Screenwriting, the program provides focused study that allows students to deepen their skills while working alongside experienced faculty. Whether you’re passionate about telling stories inspired by the natural world, exploring the nuances of poetry, or crafting the next great movie script, you’ll find a vibrant community ready to help you grow as a writer.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the program combines online coursework with summer in-person residencies, providing a unique blend of structure and creative freedom. As a student, you’ll engage in hands-on projects, collaborate with fellow writers, and receive personalized mentorship from published authors and industry professionals. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, publish your first book, or break into the film industry, Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers the tools and support you need to succeed. Explore below to view each concentration and see where your writing journey can take you.

A graduate student reads a piece of literature aloud into a microphone during a summer residency on campus.

The highlight of each year is the Summer Residency, held near the end of July on Western’s beautiful campus in Gunnison, Colorado. At the Residency, students finish summer coursework begun online in their concentrations, attend faculty craft talks, participate in workshops with visiting artists, and meet with publishers, editors and other industry professionals to advance their writing careers.

Students also partake in a wide range of community-building social activities during their stay, including participating in open-mic sessions, attending receptions, communal meals and other gatherings, and exploring the world-renowned natural beauty of the Gunnison Country. With all this and more going on, the Summer Residency powerfully launches students into the low-residency academic year, energizing and inspiring them to succeed in the program.

Areas of Study

Students in the Graduate Program in Creative Writing can choose to study one of the following concentrations. We offer both an MA or MFA in Poetry, Nature Writing, Screenwriting, and Genre Fiction, with an option for a secondary concentration in each. The Publishing concentration is only offered as an MA.

For years, I have dreamed of writing a book, and being a part of this program set that dream in motion—not just in theory, but in a tangible and productive way that helped me to create a complete, polished, and submittable manuscript.

Lara Richardson

Nature Writing - Creative Writing

Scholarships & Financial Aid

GPCW Scholarships

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. Click below to learn more.

Learn More

Graduate Financial Aid

Graduate students at Western receive financial support from a variety of sources, including personal savings, loans, scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships. Learn more ways to offset these costs through financial aid opportunities.

Learn More

A Look into the GPCW

Nature Writing Faculty

970.943.2014

gpcw@western.edu

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

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Common Questions

Common Searches

Poetry – Creative Writing

Nature Writing – Creative Writing

Publishing – Creative Writing

English with Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Screenwriting – Creative Writing

Genre Fiction – Creative Writing

Lara Richardson

GPCW Scholarships

Graduate Financial Aid

Kevin J. Anderson, MFA

Byron Aspaas, MFA

Karen Auvinen, PhD

Elizabeth Bradfield

Amy Fox, MFA

CMarie Fuhrman, MFA

Sarah Goettsch

Carol D. Guerrero-Murphy, PhD

Tyson Hausdoerffer, PhD

Mitali Jahagirdar, MFA

Tenea D. Johnson, MA

Lindsay King-Miller, MFA

Kimberlea Kressal, MFA

Gary Lilley, MFA

Allyson Longueira, MA

JS Mayank, MFA

Candace Nadon, PhD

James Napoli, MFA

Johanna Parkhurst, MA

Laura Pritchett, PhD

Erica Reid, MFA

Ligiah Villalobos Rojas, MFA

Liz Sczudlo

Andrew Sellon, MFA

Ana Maria Spagna, MFA

Story Catcher Festival Brings Literary Luminaries to Western Colorado University

Director

Associate Director

Program Coordinator