Texas Tech University MFA
Texas Tech University's Creative Writing Program has long been a cornerstone of literary excellence in West Texas. Rooted in a commitment to both creative practice and scholarly inquiry, the program has offered a concentration of creative writing for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Arts (MA), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English. In 2025, the program retired the MA concentration and introduced a new Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing.
We continue to foster a dynamic community where writers explore the intersections of arts, culture, and technology. Join a community where creativity meets innovation and help shape the future of the literary arts.
Faculty in the Texas Tech University Creative Writing Program include published essayists, memoirists, novelists, poets, short story writers, translators, and YA writers.
Faculty members direct university presses, own and operate independent publishing imprints, and edit national journals. They are pioneers in the fields of medical humanities, multimedia technologies, narrative law, and publishing. They also serve as officers of state and national literary organizations.
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MFA Program details
University
Texas Tech University
Highlights
Visiting Writers SeriesConference and Research FundingPartnership with Texas Tech University Press
Associated Publications
How to apply
Cohort size
5-8
Fee
$75
Deadline
Regular: January 15
Teaching opportunities
Yes
Requirements
College transcriptsResume or curriculum vitaeWriting sample (15-20 pages)Statement of Purpose (700 words)Three letters of recommendationCritical Writing sample (optional)
Funding opportunities
The English Department offers a three-year package for MFA students. This position provides a 9-month salary of $15,500. MFA students teach in the innovative First-Year Writing program for two years and then have the opportunity to teach sophomore-level creative writing courses in their third year.
Core Faculty
Poetry
Curtis Bauer, Jacqueline Kolosov, Nathan Xavier Osorio, William Wenthe
Fiction
Marcus Burke, Katie Cortese
Nonfiction
Leslie Jill Patterson
Literary Translation
Curtis Bauer, Nathan Xavier Osorio
Notable Alumni
Stephen Graham Jones
Chen Chen
Rebecca Gayle Howell