UMKC Creative Writing MFA Program

UMKC Creative Writing MFA Program A vibrant writing community in the heart of Kansas City Students may enroll full or part-time.

UMKC's MFA in Creative Writing & Media Arts is an exciting studio-research program that combines intensive workshops with literature and craft classes to foster discovery and mastery in creative writing. Our program is based on the belief that successful writers grow from the study of writing and the study of literature, which enables students to learn the traditions and adapt them to their own ar

t. The MFA in Creative Writing & Media Arts offers students immersion in a dynamic interdisciplinary program, students may focus on poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, or screenwriting, in addition to completing coursework in at least one additional secondary area. Students are supported by our award-winning faculty and UMKC's outstanding resources: five reading series; opportunities to work with New Letters Magazine and New Letters on the Air, summer workshops with esteemed visiting writers; and various internships with our extensive network of professional partners within the Kansas City community. This 42-credit hour program is designed to promote life-long learning and creative engagement within academic and professional communities and beyond. There are several types of funding available, including Durwood Scholarships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, and Creative Writing Scholarships. Additional information on the MFA program and various types of funding is available on the English department website at Financial Support for Study in English. See what the UMKC MFA community is talking about over in the "Graduate Students in Creative Writing" Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/230581343672904/

Congrats to our graduates Brandon Allen Writes, Jessica Barbee, Alex Tretbar, Barzallo, Reinberg!! We were so excited ...
05/18/2026

Congrats to our graduates Brandon Allen Writes, Jessica Barbee, Alex Tretbar, Barzallo, Reinberg!! We were so excited to celebrate you.

05/18/2026
Big news!! Both Miranda Reinberg and Ismael Rodriguez repped UMKC and scored AWP Intro Journals Projects Awards this yea...
04/24/2026

Big news!!

Both Miranda Reinberg and Ismael Rodriguez repped UMKC and scored AWP Intro Journals Projects Awards this year! Go Miranda and Ismael! Y'all are rock stars.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 AWP Intro Journals Project! Winners were selected by Allegra Solomon (fiction), Christina Rivera (creative nonfiction), and Han VanderHart (poetry).

11/23/2025

New Letters is now accepting entries for our annual literary awards:

*The Conger Beasley Jr. Award in Nonfiction
*The Patricia Cleary Miller Award in Poetry
*The Robert Day Award in Fiction

Each winner receives $2,000 and publication in New Letters.

Deadline: May 18, 2026

Submit through Submittable and claim your chance to join our legacy of award-winning writers. Guidelines here: https://bit.ly/47QxvwG.

Congratulations, congratulations!!
11/23/2025

Congratulations, congratulations!!

Congratulations to our MFAs and alums on their recent accomplishments!: Bayleigh Williams for scoring a piece in Arrythy...
11/17/2025

Congratulations to our MFAs and alums on their recent accomplishments!:

Bayleigh Williams for scoring a piece in Arrythymia Magazine! https://arrhythmiamagazine.substack.com/p/bayleigh-williams

David Newkirk for scoring an Honorable Mention in the New Millennium Writing Contest!

Benjamin Jasnow for a new piece in Salon! https://www.salon.com/writer/benjamin-jasnow

Courtenay Kantanka for an acceptance by the Bear Review!

Alex Tretbar for a new essay in The Rumpus!
https://therumpus.net/2025/09/10/porcelain/

Brandon Allen for scoring fiction in Saturday Evening Post & Pleiades!
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2025/03/divinity/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOII2dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSWDA3QmxreHdvUWluYVlZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MghjYWxsc2l0ZQEyAAEeqVOn7-utJhbVXMgX26rajMHEPwI9aCWCBIQlXaJPb5if85U4eGNZGEgVV_Q_aem_BGAI5riIO0y45Euug65_9Q

https://secure.touchnet.com/C20040_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=639

Daniella Barzallo's work was performed by the UMKC conservatory!

Liz Schroeder has a new piece in Cincinnati Review!
https://www.cincinnatireview.com/author/liz-schroeder/

Check 'em out!

Bly’s family has been hiding the truth about his grandfather, and he doesn’t understand why.

11/17/2025
Come join us!
11/17/2025

Come join us!

The annual Writers for Readers benefit dinner is happening on Thursday November 20th from 6:00pm -8:30pm at UMKC’s Student Union in room 401. The event will feature author and journalist Candice Millard.
The Maya Angelou Book award winner will also be announced!
The link to the event information is available in our bio.

Kansas City! Please check out an upcoming reading from Amie Barrodale at Rainy Day Books!
08/26/2025

Kansas City! Please check out an upcoming reading from Amie Barrodale at Rainy Day Books!

Amie Barrodale, Trip Join Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple to celebrate the release of Trip by Amie Barrodale! This release party takes place in Unity Temple's Hall (downstairs) and includes a conversation between Amie and Clancy as well as an opportunity to get your book signed and personalized. Vie...

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Kansas City, MO
64110

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+18162351305

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