Creative Writing

The University of Maine at Farmington takes pride in offering the only Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program in the state, with courses in poetry, fiction, screenwriting and journalism. The curriculum includes an apprenticeship program which, like an internship, helps you gain job-ready hands-on skills such as editing a literary journal, teaching creative writing and even creating a TV show.

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Graduates of the Creative Writing program have landed book deals with well-known publishers like Penguin Books, garnered prestigious recognitions like the National Endowment for the Arts and Stegner awards and worked at major media organizations such as the National Public Radio.

UMF Creative Writing Program named one of the nation’s Most Affordable Creative Writing Bachelor’s Program for 2023 by CreativeWritingEDU.org

According to its website, CreativeWritingEDU.org conducted comprehensive research to determine the Most Affordable Creative Writing Bachelor’s Degree Programs in the country, Understanding that there’s no reason a creative writing education should be available only to those who pay top dollar, CreativeWritingEDU.org put together a list of the most affordable Creative Writing degree programs in the United States today.

Schools were evaluated in comparison to the state averages for total estimated cost where they are located. Doing so provides the best way of putting costs in perspective and determining which schools offer a real value. The organization determined that the University of Maine at Farmington Bachelor’s of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing does just that.

It also selected and noted various highlights for each program, important features like:

• Affiliated or university-published literary journals or presses offering publication opportunities to students
• Unique internship or fellowship offerings available through the program, like UMF’s Creative Writing apprenticeships
• Concentrations or genre specializations offered with the degree
• Stipend or tuition waiver options
• Whether the school has particularly notable faculty members or a remarkable visiting author program, things UMF is well known for

Save more than $5,500 per year in tuition. This University of Maine at Farmington program qualifies for the NEBHE Tuition Break.

Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont receive a $5,670 tuition discount on all UMF degree programs.

What Can You Do With A Degree in Creative Writing?

Graduates of the UMF Creative Writing program have gone on to win prestigious awards and fellowships such as the Stegner Award and a National Endowment for the Arts Award. They’ve published books by Penguin, Tin House Books and other major publishers. Others have gone on to work at advertising and marketing firms, National Public Radio, Hub City Press and other presses, to teach at the high school and college levels and some have won awards in journalism.

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Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. Median Salaries for positions in Maine typically fall below those of other New England states.

Here, you’ll do more and receive one-on-one mentoring

In the UMF Creative Writing program, small classes and an emphasis on one-on-one mentoring allow you to discover and develop your writing strengths in the genres of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Here, you’ll work closely with faculty who are published fiction writers, essayists, poets and screenwriters.

You can join the UMF Writers Guild student organization and go to the Association of Writers & Writing Programs national conference. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to share your work aloud at on-campus poetry readings. Our Visiting Writers Series brings to campus some of America’s most important authors. You’ll get to attend small workshops and readings and get the opportunity to meet with these award-winning writers.

In addition to classwork and workshops, you’ll complete an apprenticeship that gives you market-ready job skills and real-world experience. Creative Writing students at Farmington have helped edit The Beloit Poetry Journal; worked at Alice James Books (an award-winning poetry press); taught creative writing in the community; edited the campus literary magazine, The Sandy River Review; written for local newspapers; and even produced their own television shows.

Finally, you’ll complete a Senior Seminar in Creative Writing, where you compile a professional portfolio of your work and celebrate your creative accomplishment by joining fellow UMF student writers for an end-of-semester Senior Reading.

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UMF Creative Writing students publish books

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Apprenticeships – Real-World Experience in the Creative Writing

At UMF you can find out, first-hand, what it’s like to work in the Creative Writing field while you learn valuable career skills and develop a strong network of professional contacts.

Here’s a short list of where our Creative Writing students have recently apprenticed:

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Contact Us

Office of Admissions
University of Maine at Farmington
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
tel  207-778-7050
fax  207-778-8182
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfadmit@maine.edu