As someone who’s explored numerous MFA programs, I can confidently say that Johns Hopkins’ Creative Writing MFA stands out as one of the most prestigious and rigorous programs in the United States. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this highly selective program has produced numerous acclaimed writers and poets since its establishment.
I’m particularly impressed by the program’s intimate workshop setting, where only a handful of talented writers are accepted each year. The two-year curriculum combines intensive writing workshops with literature seminars, offering students the opportunity to work closely with award-winning faculty members. What makes this program even more appealing is its full funding package, which includes a teaching fellowship and health insurance – a rare find in today’s competitive MFA landscape.
Key Takeaways
- The Johns Hopkins Creative Writing MFA is a prestigious two-year program offering full funding, including a $33,000 stipend, health insurance, and tuition remission
- The program follows a 48-credit curriculum with intimate workshop settings (8-12 students per class), combining intensive writing courses with literature seminars
- Students can specialize in either fiction or poetry, working closely with distinguished faculty including Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and MacArthur Fellowship winners
- The program accepts only 16 students annually (8 fiction writers, 8 poets) from approximately 700 applicants, maintaining a competitive 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Graduates have achieved significant success, with 65% publishing books and 85% securing journal publications, while many hold prestigious teaching positions and literary awards
- Application requirements include a writing sample (25-30 pages fiction or 10-12 poems), statement of purpose, three recommendation letters, and undergraduate transcripts
Johns Hopkins Creative Writing MFA
The Writing Seminars MFA at Johns Hopkins University offers a specialized two-year graduate program in fiction and poetry. This program combines intensive workshops with literary studies to develop skilled writers and scholars.
Program Structure and Duration
The Writing Seminars MFA follows a structured 48-credit curriculum across 4 semesters. Students take 2 workshops each semester focusing on their chosen genre (fiction or poetry) plus 2 additional literature or craft courses. The program includes:
- Writing workshops with 8-12 students per class
- Literature seminars examining contemporary works
- Translation studies incorporating global literary perspectives
- Teaching practicum preparing students for classroom instruction
- One-on-one thesis preparation with faculty advisors
Core Faculty and Visiting Writers
The Writing Seminars faculty includes distinguished authors with significant publishing credentials:
- 6 full-time professors in fiction
- 4 full-time professors in poetry
- 3-4 visiting writers each semester
- Individual faculty mentors assigned to each student
Notable faculty achievements include:
| Award Type | Number of Recipients |
|---|---|
| Pulitzer Prize | 3 |
| National Book Award | 4 |
| MacArthur Fellowship | 2 |
| Guggenheim Fellowship | 8 |
The program hosts the Reading Series, bringing 12-15 prominent writers annually for readings, craft talks and student interactions.
Curriculum and Course Requirements
The Johns Hopkins MFA curriculum requires 48 credits distributed across workshops, seminars, and specialized courses in either poetry or fiction. Students complete 12 credits per semester while maintaining a focus on their chosen genre track.
Poetry Track Specialization
Poetry students participate in 4 graduate poetry workshops focusing on form, technique and experimentation. The coursework includes:
- Advanced Poetic Forms exploring sonnets, villanelles and sestinas
- Contemporary Poetry Studies examining movements from 1950-present
- Prosody & Metrics analyzing rhythm, meter and sound
- Translation workshops working with poetry in multiple languages
- 2 elective literature seminars chosen from Renaissance to Modern periods
- Advanced Fiction Techniques covering plot, character and point of view
- Novel Writing workshops for longer narrative development
- Short Story workshops focused on compression and form
- Literary Style & Voice seminars analyzing prose techniques
- 2 elective literature courses ranging from 18th century to contemporary fiction
| Requirement Type | Credits |
|---|---|
| Genre Workshops | 16 |
| Literature Seminars | 12 |
| Form & Craft Courses | 8 |
| Translation Studies | 4 |
| Teaching Practicum | 4 |
| Thesis Preparation | 4 |
Writing and Teaching Opportunities
Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars MFA program provides diverse professional development opportunities through teaching positions and literary publication experience.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistantships at Johns Hopkins include instructing undergraduate composition courses and creative writing workshops. First-year MFA students participate in a teaching practicum to prepare for classroom instruction. The teaching fellowship covers 6 hours per week of teaching responsibilities with compensation of $33,000 per academic year. Graduate teaching assistants gain experience in:
- Creating lesson plans for Introduction to Fiction & Poetry
- Leading discussion sections of 15-18 undergraduate students
- Providing detailed feedback on student manuscripts
- Conducting one-on-one writing conferences
- Developing assessment criteria for creative assignments
- Reading submissions in fiction, poetry or creative nonfiction
- Participating in editorial meetings to select content
- Copyediting accepted manuscripts
- Managing social media platforms
- Contributing to blog posts about contemporary literature
- Learning publication software including InDesign
| Position Type | Hours per Week | Annual Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistant | 6 | $33,000 |
| Journal Editor | 5-10 | Merit-based |
| Research Assistant | 5-8 | Project-based |
Funding and Financial Support
Johns Hopkins University provides comprehensive financial support packages for MFA students in the Writing Seminars program. These packages ensure students can focus on their creative work without financial burden.
Fellowships and Scholarships
The Writing Seminars program offers full funding through teaching fellowships that include:
| Funding Component | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Stipend | $33,000 |
| Health Insurance | Full coverage |
| Tuition Remission | 100% of costs |
| Duration | 2 years |
Additional funding opportunities include:
- Teaching Development Grants for conference attendance
- Research Travel Awards up to $1,500 for creative projects
- Summer Funding Awards of $3,500 for independent writing
- Merit-based scholarships from private donors
Students receive funding through:
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships in composition courses
- Research Assistant positions in literary journals
- Writing Center tutoring positions
- Editorial internships with literary magazines
The program maintains a commitment to:
- Supporting all admitted students with full funding
- Providing equal stipend distribution across genres
- Offering supplemental funding for academic expenses
- Extending health benefits to dependents at reduced rates
Each fellowship package covers:
- Academic year tuition
- Required student fees
- Annual living stipend
- Professional development funds
- Focus on creative work without external employment
- Participate in literary conferences
- Pursue summer writing projects
- Engage in publishing opportunities
Notable Alumni and Program Success Stories
Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars MFA graduates have established remarkable careers across multiple literary domains. Here are prominent alumni who’ve achieved significant recognition:
Award-Winning Authors:
- Brad Leithauser: MacArthur Fellowship recipient & author of 17 books
- Mary Jo Salter: Multiple Pushcart Prize winner & acclaimed poet
- James Arthur: Hodder Fellowship at Princeton & Governor General’s Award recipient
- Jesse Ball: published 15 novels & received the Paris Review’s Plimpton Prize
- Karen Russell: Pulitzer Prize finalist & New York Times bestselling author
- Matt Klam: O. Henry Award winner & New Yorker contributor
- Elizabeth Spires: Guggenheim Fellowship recipient & poetry collection author
Recent graduate achievements include:
| Year | Achievement | Number of Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Book Deals | 12 |
| 2021 | Literary Awards | 15 |
| 2020 | Teaching Positions | 18 |
Program graduates regularly publish in prestigious outlets:
- The New Yorker
- Paris Review
- Poetry Magazine
- The Atlantic
- Granta
The program’s publishing success rate shows consistent achievement:
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Published Books | 65% |
| Journal Publications | 85% |
| Teaching Positions | 70% |
Alumni maintain active roles in:
- University creative writing departments
- Independent publishing houses
- Literary magazines
- Writing centers
- Arts organizations
These accomplishments reflect the program’s effectiveness in preparing writers for professional literary careers while maintaining its position among top-tier MFA programs.
Campus Life and Writing Community
The Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars fosters a vibrant literary community centered in the historic Gilman Hall. Students gather in dedicated writing spaces including the Tudor & Stuart Room for workshops meetings events.
Writing Spaces and Resources
- Private writing studios in the Literary Arts Building
- 24/7 access to graduate student lounges
- Digital writing lab with publishing software
- Research privileges at five university libraries
- Individual faculty office hours weekly
Literary Events and Activities
- Monthly readings by visiting writers
- Student-run literary journal publication opportunities
- Weekly craft talks by faculty members
- Biannual literary festivals
- Monthly graduate student reading series
- Graduate Writing Association
- Literary Translation Club
- Genre Writing Groups
- Poetry Out Loud Society
- Fiction Workshop Collectives
| Community Event Type | Annual Frequency | Student Participation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting Writer Series | 24 events | 85% |
| Student Readings | 18 events | 90% |
| Writing Workshops | 36 sessions | 95% |
| Literary Festivals | 2 events | 100% |
The Baltimore literary scene provides additional opportunities through partnerships with:
- The Ivy Bookshop
- CityLit Project
- Baltimore Writers’ Conference
- Maryland Film Festival
- Creative Alliance
Students collaborate across disciplines through cross-registration with the Peabody Institute Maryland Institute College of Art. The program maintains a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio enabling close mentorship relationships sustained through regular conferences office hours workshops.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
The Johns Hopkins Creative Writing MFA program maintains rigorous admission standards with specific requirements for prospective students:
Application Components:
- Writing sample (25-30 pages of fiction or 10-12 poems)
- Statement of purpose (500-750 words)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all attended institutions
- GRE scores (optional)
- $75 application fee
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for international applicants
Academic Prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Literary writing experience
- Strong academic background in literature
Key Application Deadlines:
| Application Type | Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | November 15 | December 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | March 15 |
| International | December 15 | March 15 |
The selection process evaluates candidates based on three primary criteria:
- Creative writing portfolio quality
- Academic performance
- Professional writing potential
The program accepts 8 fiction writers and 8 poets annually from an average applicant pool of 700 candidates. International students represent 15% of each cohort.
- Submit polished writing samples that demonstrate mastery of craft
- Focus the statement of purpose on literary influences and writing goals
- Select recommenders familiar with your writing abilities
- Complete all application materials before the deadline
- Highlight previous publications or writing achievements
The online application portal opens September 1st through the Johns Hopkins Graduate Admissions website. Successful applicants receive notification of acceptance and funding details simultaneously.
MacArthur Fellowship
I firmly believe the Johns Hopkins Creative Writing MFA stands as a pinnacle of excellence in graduate creative writing education. The program’s combination of full funding generous teaching fellowships and intimate workshop settings creates an ideal environment for writers to flourish.
What truly sets this program apart is its remarkable success rate in launching literary careers backed by a faculty of acclaimed writers and a robust professional development framework. From its strategic location in Baltimore to its comprehensive curriculum the program offers everything an aspiring writer needs to succeed.
For those serious about pursuing a career in creative writing I can’t think of a more compelling choice than Johns Hopkins. The program’s commitment to both artistic excellence and practical career preparation makes it an outstanding investment in any writer’s future.
