Since I live in Southern California, am in such close proximity to so many MFA programs and intend on completing an MFA fiction program I have decided to visit all or at least most of the MFA programs in Southern California. I want to have some sense of what is out there in the MFA world as well as having a better grasp of low residency programs versus traditional programs. This knowledge will help me compare and contrast when I go to some east coast programs. I have this desire to move out east, after working out all of the details with my wife of course, and plan on visiting some New York programs over the next six months or so.
After doing some research I found nine MFA programs within reach of where I am currently living. They are a real taste of what is out there so visiting them should allow for me to better understand the different types of programs. Here are the programs in no particular order:
University of California Riverside
University of California Irvine
California Institute of the Arts – Valencia
University of Southern California – MPW (Master of Professional Writing)
Antioch University – Los Angeles
California State University Long Beach
National University – La Jolla
Otis College of Art and Design – Los Angeles
My thought is to methodically visit the campuses and speak with admissions people and anyone else I can and report back through this blog. I hope to create a resource for people looking into MFA programs and offer my opinion of the programs, admission requirements, campus, faculty etc. I look forward to exploring these programs in more depth. Let me know if there is anything in particular you are interested in knowing about any of these programs.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I am about to embark on the same mission! I live in West LA, own my home, and can’t relocate for an MFA program. I’m considering Irvine, Long Beach and UCR’s low res program in Palm Desert.
I don’t want to teach in the future, but my top choice would be Irvine which usually requires MFA students to take on a pretty heavy TA load. I hate to commute 1-1.5 hrs. each way to spend half my time doing something I have no interest in (although the associated financial aid would be nice).
Two questions:
1. Can a student opt to pay full tuition and avoid any TA duties at UC Irvine? I’d rather take out a loan and allow another student with a passion for teaching take the financial aid. Same question for Long Beach.
2. I heard a rumor that USC is going to transition their MPW program to an MFA. I’d love to know if that is true, and when they expect it to happen.
Thanks, and good luck!!
Thanks for blogging about this! It might interest you to know that UCSD has recently started an MFA writing program as well.
Diane – It is great to know that I am not the only one in the discovery phase of the MFA search. I will keep your questions in mind as I visit those campuses. Check back to see my progress. Thanks!
Courtney – I appreciate your comment. Yes, I do know about UCSD’s program but I left it off my list because I wasn’t sure if and when I would be able to visit the campus. I will be in San Diego on a semi-vacation in a few months so I might be able to drop by then. Thanks again for leaving a comment.
I am searching as well, looking to apply for a MFA for admission next Fall. (I was actually at Otis earlier today to ask questions in person about their program!) If I’m able to find out anything about UCSD I will let you know, I hope to get down there in the next couple months. Thanks again Andrew.
I’m just starting to look into LA area programs and was wondering–what your experience at Pitzer was like?
Clare – I had a wonderful experience at Pitzer College. The campus is serene, the people are friendly, classes are challenging and if you are a traditional age student you will get a complete immersion experience in a private college atmosphere. Pitzer also has a very strong study abroad program that sends more than 60% of students to semester programs in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, Botswana, Hong Kong, Turkey and other countries.
As a New Resourse student or non-traditional age student I was able to go back to school to finish my degree with much welcomed financial help and open arms from faculty.
In addition as a Pitzer student you have access to the other four undergraduate schools and their classes, which can be a treasure trove in and of itself. A Pitzer education is really a unique experience and I can’t recommend it enough.
Are you looking into the school?
How did it go? Where did you enroll? I am in SD so hoping to find something down here. Open to suggestions and reviews on SDSU, UCSD and anything else …
Please tell me your verdict! I am thinking maybe UC Riverside or CSU San Marcos, though San Marcos’ program is geared at people who want to teach literature….I just want to write!
Hello T.C. – Sorry about the three month lag time to respond to your comment. I have not exactly been tending to my blog. I actually put an MFA program on hold, but it is definitely in my future. Best of luck in your search for a program.
Hi The Yapper – Ugh, I feel like such a loser. I have put an MFA program on hold and I almost feel like yanking this post. However, I have high hopes of eventually getting into a program. Actually, a friend I went to Pitzer with just started the UC Riverside PhD literature program. I need to find out how he is doing. I wish you the best of luck with your program search and I would love to hear where you end up. Thanks.
P.S. I am going to check out your blog!