MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Poetics
Join a thriving community of writers and artists working across genres and forms with our open-genre program. Discover our MFA in Creative Writing.
Program Overview
Naropa’s MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics is unlike any other. As the only open-genre program in the U.S., it invites writers to move across disciplines and media—to explore not just how to write, but how to live as an artist. Grounded in experimental poetics and contemplative inquiry, this program helps writers sharpen their voice while expanding their creative and social reach.
Housed within the historic Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics—founded by Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, and Diane di Prima—the creative writing MFA program nurtures interdisciplinary artists, blending page and performance, text and image, letterpress and digital form.
Whether you’re drawn to contemplative practices, divinatory poetics, or archive studies, this creative writing program supports you in crafting a body of work that reflects both your artistic lineage and your voice. The two-year degree culminates in a critical and creative thesis that prepares writers for meaningful work in publishing, teaching, performance, or community leadership.
Renowned Faculty
At the heart of Naropa’s MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics is a faculty of celebrated poets, writers, and interdisciplinary artists. Led by founding program director Anne Waldman—a globally recognized poet, performer, and activist—our instructors bring a dynamic mix of vision and rigor to the classroom.
Recent visiting faculty and guest artists have included Joy Harjo, Roberto Tejada, Layli Long Soldier, Diana Khoi Nguyen, Thurston Moore, and Tongo Eisen-Martin, teachers at the forefront of contemporary poetics and performance. Alongside our core faculty and writers in residence, students enjoy opportunities to work in the Naropa recording studio and Harry Smith Printshop, taking their work beyond the page.
Cross-Genre Curriculum
Naropa’s graduate courses break the mold of traditional creative writing programs. Our intimate classes move fluidly across poetry, prose, performance, translation, and visual text—pushing genre boundaries to discover your most authentic voice.
Our emphasis on poetics—rare among creative writing MFA programs—establishes a framework for rigorous artistic inquiry and critical reflection that culminates in a critical thesis project. Whether you’re drawn to hybrid forms, collaborative writing, or experimental approaches, the curriculum supports bold risk-taking and deep engagement with the questions that matter most to you as a writer.
Collaboration over Competition
At Naropa, we believe great writing doesn’t grow in isolation—it thrives in community. Our MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics is rooted in collaboration, not competition. Here, your peers are co-creators, not rivals.
The program fosters a supportive, inclusive environment where your creative risks are met with thoughtful engagement and shared celebration from our student-led Poem Machine reading series to Naropa Open Mic Nights. Our community comes alive through a vibrant calendar of readings, workshops, and the renowned Summer Writing Program—an annual festival of poets, writers, performers, publishers, and printmakers from across the globe.
Whether you’re writing on the green or performing a new piece in the recording studio, you’ll be surrounded by artists who understand that writing is both a solitary craft and a collective art.
MFA in Creative Writing Quick Facts
- Open-genre curriculum
- On-campus degree
- Transfer up to 12 credits
- Unique experimental approach
- Professional Development in Writing Pedagogy, Letterpress, and Book Arts
- Participation in the Summer Writing Program
- Guidance in preparing a critical and a creative thesis for publication
- Cohort model developing a strong sense of community among MFA students
- Several scholarship and financial aid opportunities
- Applications open for Spring & Fall 2026
- Deadline for guaranteed fellowship consideration: February 1, 2026
Program Format
The MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics is a two-year, on-campus, 48-credit graduate degree. Students typically enroll in 9 credit hours per semester and 12 credit hours of the Summer Writing Program (each year). Graduate students take classes across genres, enabling them to investigate a personal, intensely original writing process and style.
Course Spotlight
Multigenre Workshop: Text and Image
Degree
Requirements
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing & Poetics requires a total of 48 credit hours distributed among the following courses:
MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics Requirements
9 credits of writing workshops
Semester-long workshops require regular submission of original work for critique, revision, and editing. Generative workshops engage students in creative work and critical inquiry across fields.
- WRI-614 Prose Workshop: Memoir/Anti-Memoir(3)
- WRI-625 Multigenre Workshop: Adaptation(3)
- WRI-629 Multigenre Workshop: Translation(3)
- WRI-671 Prose Workshop: Narrative Practices(3)
- WRI-715 Poetry Workshop: Experimental Poetry(3)
- WRI-720 Prose Workshop: Experimental Prose(3)
- WRI-722 Poetry Workshop: Eco-Poetics(3)
- WRI-729 Multigenre Workshop: Collaborative Texts(3)
- WRI-730 Multigenre Workshop: Performance Art and Writing(3)
- TWRI-731 Prose Workshop: the Novel(3)
- WRI-739 Poetry Workshop: Contemplative Poetics(3)
- WRI-744 Multigenre Workshop: Somatic Writing(3)
- WRI-748 Multigenre Workshop: Activist Writing(3)
- WRI-749 Multigenre Workshop: Text and Image(3)
- WRI-758 Poetry Workshop: Documentary Poetics(3)
- WRI-763 Multigenre Workshop: Notes on Architecture(3)
- WRI-770 Multigenre Workshop: Cross-Genre Forms(3)
- WRI-775 Multigenre Workshop: Cross-Disciplinary Writing(3)
- WRI-793 Special Topics: Writing Workshop(3)
9 credits of poetics seminars
These examine a single writer’s work or specific topics in literary history, or encompass a survey of historical or theoretical orientations, and require critical papers in a standard academic format. Students must take WRI-617 in their first semester.
- WRI-617 Poetics Seminar: Writers in Community(3)
- WRI-640 Poetics Seminar: Women Writers(3)
- WRI-656 Poetics Seminar: The Archive(3)
- WRI-677 Poetics Seminar: Critical Theory(3)
- WRI-707 Poetics Seminar: Major Authors(3)
- WRI-727 Poetics Seminar: Cross-Cultural Literature(3)
- WRI-733 Poetics Seminar: Queer Lit(3)
- WRI-740 Poetics Seminar: Film Poetics(3)
- WRI-757 Poetics Seminar: Lineages(3)
- WRI-761 Poetics Seminar: Contemporary Trends(3)
- WRI-796 Special Topics: Poetics Seminar(3)
12 credits of the Summer Writing Program (workshops, lectures, readings)
- WRI-652 Week Two Summer Writing Program(2)
- WRI-651 Summer Writing Program(2)
- WRI-653 Summer Writing Program I(2)
- WRI-751 Summer Writing Program(2)
- WRI-752 Week Two Summer Writing Program(2)
- WRI-753 Summer Writing Program(2)
3 credits of contemplative practice
A variety of courses are available that satisfy this requirement, including, but not limited to, aikido, ikebana, contemplative art, tai chi, and yoga. Each of these disciplines provides training in an art form that cultivates mindful awareness, somatic attention, and ancient Eastern art.
The Creative Writing and Poetics program offers the following 3-credit contemplative courses:
- WRI-739 Poetry Workshop: Contemplative Poetics(3)
- WRI-744 Multigenre Workshop: Somatic Writing(3)
3 credits of professional development (teaching or publishing)
We are the only creative writing MFA program in the country that provides professional development in writing pedagogy, letterpress printing, and book arts, among other courses geared towards small press publishing.
- WRI-602 Professional Development: Letterpress: Well-Dressed Word(3)
- WRI-603 Professional Development: Letterpress: First Impressions(3)
- WRI-607W Professional Development: Teaching Practicum: Designing a Writing Workshop(2)
- WRI-672 Professional Development: Book Arts(3)
- WRI-700 Professional Development: Writing Pedagogy Seminar(3)
- WRI-705 Professional Development: Small Press Publishing(3)
- WRI-781 Professional Development: Project Outreach(3)
- WRI-797 Special Topics: Professional Development(3)
6 credits of electives (workshops, interdisciplinary courses, etc.)
Students have ample choices to fulfill the 6-credit elective requirement and may choose courses from a wide range of offerings (including taking extra poetics and workshop courses). The Creative Writing and Poetics program also offers the following electives:
- WRI-789W Fall Writers Practicum(1)
- WRI-791W Spring Writers Practicum(1)
- WRI-794W Writers Practicum With Anne Waldman(1)
- WRI-795W Writing Practicum with Allen Ginsberg Visiting Fellow(1)
6 credits of thesis (faculty mentorship on book-length creative manuscript and critical research poetics essay)
In their last semester, students submit an MFA creative writing thesis manuscript and a critical thesis project. Additional information about the MFA thesis and extended thesis is available in the JKS office.
- WRI-875 MFA Critical Thesis Seminar(3)
- WRI-880 MFA Creative Thesis(3)
- WRI-881 Extended MFA Thesis(0.5)
Why Choose Naropa?
Strong Experimental Writing Tradition
The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics has encouraged experimental forms across genres since its founding in 1974 by Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, and Diane di Prima. An artistic hub for historic writers and activists like Amiri Baraka, Joanne Kyger, Akilah Oliver, Berndette Mayer, and Lyn Hejinian, we challenge the notion of safe or generic works and create a space for radical exploration and experimentation with language, form, medium, and performance.
Contemplative Approach
Naropa students deepen their writing craft not only through traditional modes of inquiry as well as exploring their minds, hearts, and souls. Contemplative pedagogy prepares writers for whatever comes next in their personal and professional lives
In-house Publishing & Printing
At Naropa, you will have the opportunity to publish your work and others in the student-run literary journal of the Kerouac School, Bombay Gin. The DIY ethos of our letterpress and book arts courses leads students and alumni to start presses, self-publish, and launch their own literary magazines.
How this Program Prepares You
Publishable Portfolio of Work
Through workshops, seminars, and sustained mentorship, you’ll build a substantial portfolio of creative and critical writing. Many students use this body of work as the foundation for publications, teaching careers, or continued graduate study. Recent alumni books include, Magical Poetics: The Magic of Language and Real-World Effect Poetry, Robert Eric Shoemaker (Bloomsbury), Violence Besides, Jade Lascelles (Essay Press), Hemorrhaging Want and Water, Emily Pessos Duffy (Perennial Press).
Deep Critical Engagement
With the only critical thesis in the country, our MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics emphasizes more than just craft—it fosters deep thinking. Students learn to read and write through lenses of theory, social justice, and intersectionality, becoming the writers our future world needs.
Art as Practice
What You'll Learn
Superior Writing Craft
Strengthen your craft and technique across literary genres.
Foundation in Critical Theory
Communicate original ideas on a variety of literary texts and topics.
Awareness of Intersectionality in the Literary Arts
Recognize and appreciate intersecting social identities across media.
Freedom of Expression
Discover your full potential as a writer by learning to take creative risks rooted in contemplative study.
Career Preparedness
Become a published author, writing teacher, publisher, translator, podcaster, or editor.
Discover Career Pathways for MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics:
Hear from a Graduate
I knew Naropa was the right choice because of my dual values of deepening my roots in practice while growing out the limbs of my creative writing capacity and study. I also knew that this university and community would provide the perfect container for me to fulfill the purpose I feel is mine in the world.
Heather Fester
Career Opportunities with an MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics
- Author or Poet.
- Educator.
- Editor or Publisher.
- Copywriter, UX writer, or content strategist.
- Technical writer or journalist.
- Lyricist or Scriptwriter.
- Podcaster.
FAQS about the
MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics
What can you do with an MFA in creative writing?
Why get an MFA in creative writing and poetics?
How long does an MFA in creative writing take to complete?
The MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics is a two-year, 48-credit graduate degree program in Boulder, Colorado
Looking for a more flexible path? Our Low-Residency MFA in creative writing combines online courses with brief, immersive residencies, and can also be completed in two years.
What sets Naropa’s Creative Writing MFA apart from other programs?
What types of funding are available?
Funding includes the Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, and Anselm Hollo Graduate Fellowships.
Fellowships are awarded annually to three incoming MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics students (residency program). Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, and Anselm Hollo fellowship recipients will receive full funding (tuition and fees), plus an additional $5,000 scholarship as well as a $4,500 stipend. Fellowship recipients may not simultaneously hold a Graduate Assistantship.
Additionally, partial funding is provided for students who have applied for and been offered graduate assistantships in JKS undergraduate courses or the Naropa Writing Center.
Visit our Graduate Scholarship page to read more about funding, fellowships, and scholarships for the Creative Writing & Poetics MFA and other degrees.
Learn More About the Program
Connect
with your counselor
Junia McGillen
Admissions Counselor
- Schedule a Meeting
- junia.mcgillen@naropa.edu
- (303) 276-6005
Connect
with your counselor
Junia McGillen
Admissions Counselor
Ready to Apply?
Admission Requirements
Naropa’s application process evaluates both academic performance and candidates’ openness and willingness to engage in contemplative practices.
Learn more about admission requirements and the application process for our MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics.
Costs and Financial Aid
Naropa graduate students can apply for many grants, scholarships, graduate assistant positions, and financial aid opportunities. Over 75% of our graduate students receive federal or institutional support to finance their studies.
See our Costs & Aids page to learn more about the costs of attending Naropa, as well as grants, scholarships, and programs you may be eligible for.
Graduate Scholarship Opportunities
Don’t let the cost of education keep you from pursuing a creative writing degree.. Naropa University offers an array of scholarship opportunities to graduate students. Students are eligible for merit, need-based, and other scholarships throughout their time at the Jack Kerouac School.. For more detailed information about the different scholarships available and how to receive them, please review our graduate scholarship page.
Interested in our Creative Writing MFA?
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