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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing (MFA-CW)

Choose to specialize in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction in this one-of-a-kind, low residency MFA creative writing program.

You'll have extraordinary opportunities to interact with — and learn from — some of the finest writers in both the United States and Europe.

This is a two-and-a-half year, online program with two 10-day in-person residencies each year. 

  • Winter residencies are held at our beautiful Lehigh Valley campus. It includes a full day of guest speakers, workshops and guided writing sessions to give students the chance to imbue their writing with a sense of place, spirituality, and imagination.
  • Summer residencies are held in Celtic Europe. While most other MFA residencies take place in cities, ours moves about in the ancient Celtic world, connecting with the land of great storytellers and bards.

A special feature of this program is the publishing track.  Not only will you learn how and where to publish your own work, but you'll learn about careers in this dynamic and growing industry.

see YouTube transcript

Some of our Visiting Writers

Fiction

  • Joseph Bruchac
  • Stephen Kiernan
  • Dean Koontz
  • William Kent Krueger
  • Donal Ryan
  • Christine Whittemore

Poetry

  • Dan Donaghy
  • Sean Thomas Dougherty
  • William Greenway
  • Vona Groarke
  • Paul Martin
  • BJ Ward

Creative Nonfiction

  • Matt Ferrence
  • Lia Purpura
  • Lee Upton
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Online Learning at DeSales

Attending classes from an off-campus location can be an excellent option for many busy students. Distance education at DeSales encompasses everything from video conference courses to hybrid (a combination of in-class and online) to online courses. 


Blackboard Learn™ is our online learning system.

Learn About Online Learning at DeSales

Contact Us

MFA in Creative Writing
Dooling Hall 255