5 Things You Might’ve Missed About the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Chatham
Writing is an integral component to the Chatham curriculum and to any liberal arts education. Our MFA in Creative Writing program celebrates a rich tradition of student and alumni writers who know the impact writing can have on social issues—ever heard of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring? If you’re curious what you stand to gain from earning your MFA-CW at Chatham, we are highlighting a few program perks that you might’ve missed. Check them out below—
Immerse yourself in writing community with workshops, open-mics, and more
Each year, the MFA program hosts the Summer Community of Writers (SCW) retreat at Eden Hall Campus which brings together students, faculty, and local writers for ten days of workshops, lectures, readings, field trips, and time and space to read and write in nature. Students gain course credits by attending and receive the opportunity to connect with local writers and accomplished alumni. This year’s program will run from June 9th through 19th and is open to full and low residency students. You can learn more about SCW here.
In addition to SCW, our MFA program also hosts a regular reading series called Word Circus where students can read their work in front of peers and a monthly Holding Space on the Page session where students read and discuss works from different writers of color and have the opportunity to write and reflect on their experiences.
Choose from residency options that meet your needs
Key fact—Chatham offers both low and full residency program options for our MFA-CW. Our full-residency program is based in the heart of Pittsburgh’s vibrant writing community and classes are hosted on our stunning Shadyside Campus, a true writer’s haven. Our low-residency program includes online mentorship as well as an in-person residency experience. Our low-residency students work closely during their distance terms with faculty mentors who are seasoned educators and award-winning writers from all over the country. Chatham low-residency mentors have included Dilruba Ahmed, Derek Green, Paul Hertneky, Kathy Ayres, Karen Bender, Rachel Mennies, Abby Mendelsohn, Robert Yune, Melanie Fox, Sherrie Flick, Katherine Miles, and BK Loren.
Gain access to assistantship options that subsidize your tuition
A number of research, special project, and teaching assistantships are available to full-residency students that help defray the cost of the tuition while also allowing students to earn valuable, hands-on teaching, writing, and editing experience. These assistantships include a full tuition award, as well as fellowships working with Words Without Walls, a creative writing outreach program led by MFA students that works with Allegheny County Jail and Sojourner House, and Chatham’s The Fourth River literary magazine.
Develop your writing skills internationally
As part of our innovative creative writing field seminars, MFA students have the opportunity to travel with faculty abroad. Recent trips have included Indonesia, Ireland, Chile, and South Africa, as well as continental trips to New Orleans and Canada. Program tuition goes toward these trips, making them affordable for most students. Plus, the trips offer the opportunity to expand your comfort zone and hone your craft in a new place with rich experiences. Additionally, Chatham offers a Certificate in Travel Writing, which requires 12 credit hours and can be completed in two semesters plus one summer, in full or low residency format.
The chance to follow along presently with the MFA in Creative Writing newsletter
Each month, current MFA in Creative Writing student, Amber Beck curates a monthly newsletter that features upcoming events, writing prompts, alumni and faculty interviews, submission opportunities, recent publications, and so much more. If you’re ready to get a real-time glimpse into what the MFA-CW offers, you can subscribe to the newsletter here.
Ready to explore our MFA in Creative Writing options? Visit our website to learn more.