Master of Arts (M.A.) in Creative Writing
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Creative Writing
Woods College of Advancing Studies offers a low-residency Master of Arts in Creative Writing that helps you write with depth and purpose. With an interdisciplinary approach that combines psychology, philosophy, and literature, you’ll explore the craft of storytelling and the human condition.
Students will:
- Acquire knowledge of the history and structure of different genres of creative writing andtheir relationship to psychology.
- Acquire the ability to interpret one’s personal and/or clinical experience in context of the humanistic insights of the psychology.
- Develop long-form craft skills in at least one creative writing discipline (novels, poetry, short stories, plays, memoirs, psychodynamic case studies, or essays).
- Develop editorial skills and learn how to provide comprehensive peer feedback.
- Acquire knowledge of the publishing process and produce professional work that aligns with industry standards.
- Develop a network of mentors and colleagues committed to humanities-influenced creative writing.
At a Glance
For the full cost of attendance, please visit the Graduate and Law Cost of Attendance page.
Curriculum
The M.A. in Creative Writing is deeply integrated with the humanities, drawing from philosophy, psychology, and modern literature, and is taught by prominent, contemporary authors and Boston College faculty who represent a depth and breadth of disciplines.
Requirements
- Courses: 10
- Credits: 30
- Writing as a Psychological Endeavor (Foundation I)
- The Psychology of Tragedy (Foundation II)
- The Psychology of Comedy (Foundation III)
- Writing the Mind (Writing Workshop I)
- The Healing Power of Writing (Writing Workshop II)
- Psychological Realism (Writing Workshop III)
- The Subconscious in Storytelling (Writing Workshop IV)
- Life as Literature: Where Theory and Practice Meet (Writing Workshop V)
- Capstone I
- Capstone II
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Summer Residencies
Our low-residency program allows professionals to study online during the fall and spring semesters, then come together for an annual, four-day in-person retreat during the summer. Students will have the opportunity to participate in writing workshops, meet with accomplished authors, and network with publishers at Boston College's retreat center in Dover, MA.
Our Faculty
Learn from renowned BC faculty across disciplines, and be mentored by acclaimed poets, novelists, philosophers, and psychologists, in a well-rounded curriculum that bridges craft and theory.
Faculty Spotlight
William Hendel, J.D.
Will Hendel is lead faculty of the MA in Creative Writing and specializes in ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics. He is the co-editor of misReading Plato (with Matthew Clemente and Bryan Cocchiara, Routledge, 2022).
Matthew Clemente, Ph.D.
Matt Clemente is Coeditor in Chief of the Journal for Continental Philosophy of Religion and the Codirector of The Guestbook Project, a 501c3 non-profit. He is the Series Editor of two book series with Routledge/Taylor & Francis and has authored or edited over a dozen books.
Kyleigh Leddy, LMSW
Kyleigh Leddy is the author of The Perfect Other: A Memoir of My Sister (HarperCollins), which is based on her New York Times Modern Love essay. Her writing has appeared in New York Times, New York Magazine, Parents, QCODE, among others.
Financial Aid
We know that a BC education is a worthwhile but significant investment. We're committed to helping you affordably achieve your educational goals while treating each student and their family equitably. Financial aid and payment plans may be available for students taking a minimum of six credits across a semester.
Apply
PrintApplications for the Fall 2026 Cohort is now open.
Application & Deadlines
Requirement:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university (minimum GPA 3.0).
Application fee $60 (to be paid as part of the online application). The application fee is non-refundable.
If you are mailing hard copies of application materials, please send them to:
Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
| Entrance Term: | Application Due Date: | Decision Letter Sent By: |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Early Deadline: May 1 | June 1 |
| Regular Deadline: June 15 (International Students applying for Fall must submit an application by June 15th.) | July 15 | |
Rolling admissions: after June 15 | Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis, pending availability. | |
| Spring | Early Deadline: October 15 (International Students applying for the spring semester must submit an application by October 15th. Applications received after October 15th will be considered for the summer semester.) | November 15 |
| Preferred Deadline: November 15 | December 15 | |
| Rolling admissions: after November 15 | Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, pending availability. |
Standardized Tests
The Woods College M.A. in Creative Writing does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission. If you believe your scores would enhance your application, please feel free to submit them. Our GRE reporting code is 7534 and our GMAT reporting code is 44X-HX-07.
For all non-native English speakers the TOEFL (reporting code 3276) or IELTS (if applicable) is required. Please view the International Students page for required test scores. If your undergraduate degree was conducted in English, you may be eligible for a TOEFL waiver. Please contact Woods College Admissions if you believe you qualify for a waiver.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to your online application form for purposes of application review. However, official transcripts must also be submitted upon acceptance/matriculation. Both undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required if applicable.
Please mail transcripts to:
Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
If your academic institution provides electronic transcripts please indicate wcasadm@bc.edu as the recipient.
Boston College Alumni and Current Students
Your BC transcript must be formally requested from the Office of Student Services and submitted to the Woods College. Woods cannot request or access transcripts independently.
International Applicants
All students who have attended or are currently attending an institution outside of the United States must provide a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation indicating the conferral of an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
This evaluation is not just an English translation, but a document provided by an accredited evaluating agency that shows all grades, course titles, credit hours, United States degree equivalency, grade-point average (GPA), and date of degree conferral.
This detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation must be submitted to complete the application.
Please request a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation for all international institutions where a degree was conferred from one of the following agencies:
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) | Center for Educational Documentation (CED) | The Evaluation Company (TEC) | World Education Services Inc. (WES) |
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. For required scores, visit our International Student page.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is to be uploaded to your online application form.
In 500–750 words, outline what you hope to gain from the program and your creative writing ambitions more generally.
Résumé
Your résumé is to be uploaded to your online application form.
Ideal candidates should have at least two year post-graduate work experience. In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. If you have been out of school for less than 5 years, one of these letters must speak to your academic abilities and should come from a professor, academic advisor, or person who would be able to discuss your academic record. Please do not submit recommendations from friends or family.
Applicants who have graduated within the past three years, one recommendation letter must come from an academic recommendation/professor.
Letters of recommendation must be uploaded to the online application, emailed, or sent directly to Woods College by the recommender. We will not accept letters that are not recieved directly from the recommender.
Please note: letters of recommendations should be provided by professional or academic recommenders.
Interview
For all international students and non-native English speakers, interviews are conducted as part of the application process. The purpose of the interview is for the admission committee to gain a better sense of an applicant and how the program fits his or her academic and vocational needs. Additionally, the interview provides the committee an opportunity to answer a student’s specific questions and to address the unique needs one may have in transitioning to Boston College. The interview will last no more than 15 minutes. Qualified applicants will receive information on how to schedule an interview once their application has been received and initially evaluated.
Writing Samples
Writing samples are required. Please submit a maximum of 25 pages.
Woods College of Advancing Studies
Woods College of Advancing Studies offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees, certificates, and professional education opportunities. If you're interested in furthering your education, we have something for you.
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