Literature is a classical and modern method for assessing intellectual refinement. When it comes to gauging one’s level of intelligence, literature provides a traditional but contemporary perspective. American literature is an integral element of the rich literary history of the English language because of the vast body of writing generated in the years following the United States’s proclamation of freedom.
The USA, home to several illustrious educational institutions, has thus made significant contributions to the international literary heritage. A whole spectrum of American literary history is available in libraries and bookshops from France to China. Although specific works of American literature have been published in nations where the native tongue is not English, the vast majority have been published in translations.
Additionally, it facilitated the development of several innovations. In the USA, students may choose from a wide range of programs at famous universities. Overall, the country is home to some of the world’s finest schools for creative writing, some of which are highlighted in the following article. Below are a few of the top institutions and programs for creative writing study.
Top Schools Offering Creative Writing in the U.S.
1. Columbia University
Connections between New York City and Columbia University predate the 1754 founding of Columbia College (then known as King’s College). Columbia University has gained popularity due to its diverse student body, high proportion of international students, and high quality of education.
With 86 Nobel Laureates among its alumni, Columbia is the 23rd most distinguished institution in the world. Columbia is home to considerably more than 18,000 international students. For the Bachelor’s in Creative Writing, within the School of the Arts of Columbia University, students may take part in advanced writing workshops and seminars that approach literature from an author’s viewpoint.
Writer workshops help students refine their craft, while literary seminars open their minds to new possibilities by revealing how language has been utilized repeatedly to create art throughout time. For information on the yearly cost of this course, as set by the University administration, please visit the student portal.
The average value of an international scholarship is $66,350, which covers tuition, fees, a living allowance, and job-related study at Columbia University. The university will pay for a student’s whole foreign education out of its finances, provided they meet the requirements.
2. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California comes up next, given that it is consistently ranked as one of the best universities for research excellence and literature in the United States. It coordinates the operations of a vast network of research facilities, including the Southern California Earthquake Center and the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems.
Due to the length of its academic offerings, USC is often regarded as the institution of choice for overseas students. USC has an impressive list of graduates, including LaVar Burton, Ron Howard, Forest Whitaker, Judd Apatow, and Neil Armstrong.
Among the rare dual Ph.D. programs in the nation, the USC Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature course combines literature and creative work. Students take combined artistic writing and literary courses. Original creative work and appraisals are required components of the thesis study.
Many distinguished authors and scholars on the USC faculty have won prestigious awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Book Award, and the Pushcart Prize. However, the university only admits two or three authors per genre year out of numerous applications, so competition for admittance is fierce.
All new students are guaranteed financing for the whole five years of their studies. It comprises a three-year fellowship and a two-year academic stipend. The first, second, and fourth academic years are eligible for a fellowship. Moreover, the financial support package also includes healthcare and complete tuition waivers.
3. Arizona State University
When it comes to advanced universities, Arizona State University is in the vanguard. This institution is working to guarantee that all students in the United States have access to a top-tier education in its capacity as the best in the country.
ASU has recruited some of the world’s most renowned scholars and researchers to serve on its faculty, fulfilling its mission of providing exceptional education to a diverse student body.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in creative writing and an MFA in Creative Writing learn about and develop many forms of literature, such as literary fiction and poetry.
Writing workshops and internships help students from overseas get the real-world skills they need to pursue a wide range of vocations in fields including publication, the editing process, journalism, and communications. In addition to preparing students for careers, the bachelor’s curriculum sets them up for success in subsequent graduate and specialized degrees, making it one of the leading U.S. universities providing exemplary creative writing programs.
Additionally, the university offers scholarships for international students, one of which is the International Academic Award. This program provides qualified students with a monetary award and covers the tuition fees of qualifying students.
4. Cornell University
In the 2024 edition of the QS Rankings, Cornell University was one of the 20 best universities in the world. Cornell is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Over the years, Cornell has produced 45 Nobel Laureates among its professors and graduates. The university is an Ivy League school, making it among the most prominent private research institutions in the globe.
Students can earn an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis on poetry or fiction. To get an MFA, international students devote two years to studying with professors who are themselves dedicated to academic and artistic excellence. The department accepts a maximum of eight MFA students per year (four in each focus).
Students are required to register for six extra semester-long workshops, four of which must be in English or American literature, international literature, literature in contemporary or traditional languages, or cultural analysis. In addition, they must participate weekly in an advanced literary workshop.
Each student receives total funding from the institute’s comprehensive financial aid program. Additionally, the institute has a substantial and wide-ranging graduate faculty with expertise in several areas of literature, theory, and culture.
The financing package for all MFA applicants includes an allowance, a complete academic fellowship, and students’ health coverage for two academic years. EPOCH graduate assistantship in the first year, followed by a teaching assistantship in the second.
Moreover, Cornell University offers individualized monetary help to accepted overseas students who qualify for and have been determined to be eligible for such aid.
5. University of Chicago
Last on our list is the prestigious University of Chicago, which was founded in 1856 as a private research institution and is located in the third-largest city district in the US. The UChicago is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the country and the world. It offers various programs, including the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Creative Writing.
Studying modern literature, critiques, and concepts from a writer’s viewpoint is at the core of the degree in creative writing. In the classes, students learn the fundamentals of creative writing by collaborating with renowned poets and novelists. The curriculum emphasizes cross-genre research, rigorous learning, and the fundamentals of creative writing.
In addition to poetry, fiction, and nonfiction courses, the Master of Arts in Creative Writing also hosts a variety of translation workshops. The primary workshops provide an intellectual and artistic grounding for students practicing in each category, from technical courses to creative writing principles.
A full-time MAPH student may need to pay about $32,000 in tuition. Each year, students who have shown extraordinary potential as scholars may also receive a handful of MAPH Fellowships. These grants cover anywhere from one-third to half of tuition expenses. Moreover, students can also apply through the University of Chicago for the Fulbright Student Program Scholarships, which offer considerable stipends and fee waivers for international students.
FAQs: Creative Writing Studies in the U.S.
Which Creative Writing Schools in the U.S. Offer Scholarships for International Students?
The United States boasts a prospering economy and several high-quality academic options. In addition, many prominent organizations based in the USA provide scholarships to international students. When it comes to developing their creative abilities, international students have access to an abundance of grants and scholarships.
Columbia University and Arizona State University, with its International Academic Award, are two of the finest universities that provide financial assistance. The stipends supplied by each of these programs are substantial and may be used to cover a wide range of expenditures, including tuition fees, health coverage, travel costs, and living expenses.
In summary, the United States is a significant hub for literature because it offers writers the chance to broaden their horizons and refine their craft by being exposed to innovative concepts and approaches. All the universities on the preceding list are well-known for their ability to supply overseas students with highly regarded degrees in creative writing.
We hope you found this article to be very useful. Feel free to visit our Guide to Studying in the US and Open Courses in the USA for more information about the different university programs and scholarship opportunities in the country!
