Graduate Program

Marilynne Robinson's Graduate Fiction Workshop

The Iowa Writers' Workshop is a two-year residency program which culminates in the submission of a creative thesis (a novel, a collection of stories, or a book of poetry) and the awarding of a Master of Fine Arts degree. The program typically admits up to fifty graduate students each year - approximately twenty-five each in the fiction and poetry programs.

Each year the Workshop faculty selects a class of fiction writers and poets from a large and impressive pool of applicants. The manuscript is by far the most important part of any application. We do not look for any particular style of writing, but rather for strong work that shows evidence of talent and individuality. The Workshop is committed to a diverse educational environment.

Videos:

The MFA at Any Age
Iowa Summer Writing Festival's Eleventh Hour lecture series:
"The MFA at Any Age," with Lan Samantha Chang and alumni from the Iowa Writers' Workshop

 

Writer Mother Monster
Lan Samantha Chang talks to Laura Ehrlich about balancing writing and motherhood.

 

 

How to Apply

Financial Aid

Course Offerings

Degree Requirements

For Admitted Students

The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of  consideration as an individual. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to  university facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and  Diversity, the University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1316, 319-335-0705 (voice), 319-335-0697 (TDD), diversity@uiowa.edu. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in these programs, please contact the Writers' Workshop at (319) 335-0416.