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The Best of the Best

A guide to graduate programs in creative writing.

By Edward J. Delaney

Also see:

Where Great Writers are Made
Assessing America's top graduate writing programs.

Ten Top Graduate Programs in Creative Writing
(in alphabetical order)
Boston University
University of California at Irvine
Cornell University
Florida State University
University of Iowa
Johns Hopkins University
University of Michigan
New York University
University of Texas, Michener Center
University of Virginia

Five Programs With Notable Alumni
Boston University
University of California at Irvine
Columbia University
University of Iowa
University of Virginia

Five Highly Selective Programs
Brown University
University of California at Irvine
Johns Hopkins University
University of Texas, Michener Center
University of Virginia

Five Programs With Distinguished Faculty
Boston University
Columbia University
University of Iowa
New York University
University of Virginia

Five Innovative/Unique Programs
University of Arkansas
Brown University
Chatham University
University of Nevada at Las Vegas
University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Five Well-Funded Programs
Brown University
Cornell University
University of Michigan
University of Texas, Michener Center
University of Virginia

Five Up-and-Coming Programs
Brooklyn College
University of Mississippi
Ohio State University
Rutgers University at Newark
University of Wisconsin

Five Top Low-Residency M.F.A. Programs
Antioch University
Bennington College
Pacific University
Vermont College
Warren Wilson College

Five Top Ph.D. Programs in Creative Writing
Florida State University
University of Houston
University of Nevada at Las Vegas
University of Southern California
University of Utah

Edward J. Delaney, who has received a PEN-Winship Award in fiction and whose work has appeared in the anthologies The O. Henry Prize Stories and The Best American Short Stories, teaches at Roger Williams University. His documentary film about the short-story writer Andre Dubus premieres in August.
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