MFA

Creative and Professional Writing

Learn more about studying Creative and Professional Writing as an international student.

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William Paterson University university logo

Key facts

  • Program
    Master's
  • Duration
    2 years
  • Program
    On campus
  • Pace
    Full-time
  • Annual tuition fee
    23,137USD
  • Start date
    Jan, Aug, Sep
  • University ranking
    Not ranked

Program overview

What William Paterson University says about their program:

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing is a full-residency program of 41 credits, with tracks in Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, and Cross-Genre. Providing a supportive academic environment focused on the production of high-caliber writing, we are geared to prepare you for real-world work in teaching, writing, editing, and publishing. Graduate Assistantships, tutoring work in our Writing Center, and teaching opportunities with tuition waiver are offered to outstanding students.

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Admission requirements

Undergraduate academic requirements

  • US high school diploma or equivalent
  • Have never attended a college or university

Postgraduate academic requirements

  • Have completed an undergraduate degree program at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States or abroad.
  • Foreign applicants must hold a degree considered equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.
  • Diploma Supplements must accompany transcripts from institutions from countries that are part of the Bologna Accord.
  • Additional requirements are determined by individual graduate programs.

English proficiency

  • TOEFL iBT

    79

  • TOEFL PBT

    550

  • TOEFL CBT

    213

  • IELTS

    6.0

English proficiency waivers

  • The following countries do not need to submit English Proficiency Tests

    American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Territories, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands/Malvinas, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, Nevis, Saint Kitts, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Philippines, Pitcairn, Puerto Rico, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks, Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S., Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Documents required

Undergraduate

  • Application form
  • Academic transcripts
  • Diploma of previous studies
  • English proficiency proof
  • Copy of passport

Graduate

  • Application form
  • Application fee
  • Academic transcripts (All international college transcripts must be evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation company)
  • Diploma of previous studies
  • English proficiency proof
  • Copy of passport
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Scholarships at William Paterson University

  • Arab American Scholarship

    Official page

    This William Paterson University Foundation scholarship supports full-time undergraduates (freshman, transfer, and continuing/matriculated students) who demonstrate financial need, explicitly stating that citizenship is not a requirement and that students with international or refugee status are eligible, making it directly open to international undergraduates. Selection also weighs Arab American descent and/or demonstrated interest in Arab American studies and communities, along with an online application and essay on leadership commitment; it is renewable for up to four years (eight consecutive semesters) if the recipient stays full-time and in good academic standing, with a priority application deadline of April 1.

  • Pioneer Award

    Official page

    The Pioneer Award is William Paterson University's dedicated tuition award for international undergraduate and graduate students at the main campus, giving them an 80% discount on the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition so they pay close to the affordable in-state rate. It is open to any enrolled international student with a primary residence outside the United States and its territories who holds a valid student visa (F-1/J-1, inclusive), making it explicitly designed for and available to international undergraduates. Undergraduate recipients must maintain continuous full-time enrollment in Fall and Spring semesters and a 2.0 cumulative WP GPA to keep the waiver; it applies to students admitted from Fall 2024 onward and does not cover online programs, second degrees, or terminal degree programs.

All scholarship information on Studee is provided for guidance only. Always check the university's official scholarship page for the latest information on eligibility, award amounts, deadlines, and application requirements.

Fees

William Paterson University is committed to providing an exceptional and affordable public higher education. While your college education is a crucial investment in your future, the University work on your behalf to ensure that your education is as flexible and affordable as possible.

The University has held tuition increases to 2 per cent in each of the last three years to keep a William Paterson University education within your reach.

Fee information

  • Undergraduate tuition

    $24,464 per year

  • Postgraduate tuition

    $22,930 per year

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What is the cost of living near William Paterson University?

Category Cost  (in United States Dollar)
Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre$2,478
Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre$1,354
Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse)$105
Internet (60 Mbps unlimited)$75
Mobile phone plan (data + calls)$61Range: $30 to $110· USA average
Monthly public transport pass$87
Monthly grocery basket$225
Coffee shop drink$6
Cinema or cultural event ticket$20
Gym membership$42

Indicative monthly costs per person.

Data sourced from livingcost.org (Crowdsourced) and numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).

Visa requirements for William Paterson University

Many international students will require a visa to study in the US, and this is a vital step of your study abroad journey. Make sure you understand the requirements you may need to meet before applying.