The past year has seen numerous MFA Creative Writing programs close or change their name. What is the story behind this trend? And more importantly, how can students prepare for this shifting landscape?
What is the Story Behind the Trend?
In the last year, we have seen numerous MFA Creative Writing programs close or change their name. What is the story behind this trend?
According to a study by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) in conjunction with DeVry University, only 12% of Bachelors have any idea what they want to do after graduation. For those who do know, 67% said they want to be an author. Only 44% said they want to become an advertising agent. Another 6% want to be sports agents. Finally, 1% want to be in television production or media and communications.
While it is encouraging that more students are interested in becoming authors than one might assume, the fact remains that only 44% of Bachelors know what they want to do after graduation. For those who do know, 67% said they want to be an author. Only 12% said they want to be an advertising agent. Another 6% want to be a sports agent. Finally, 1% want to be in television production or media and communications.
What does this mean for students interested in a MFA in Creative Writing?
In today’s world, it is crucial that students learn how to think critically and creatively. While there is no absolute answer as to what students should study in a MFA in Creative Writing, students should prepare for a career in one of the most in-demand fields. According to the 2018-19 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the MFA in Creative Writing is the 37th most in-demand program based on average salary. Only 12.3% of Creative Writing MFA graduates are expected to be unemployed and looking for work.
So, what should students study in a MFA in Creative Writing?
According to the 2018-19 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the MFA in Creative Writing is the 37th most in-demand program based on average salary. Only 12.3% of Creative Writing MFA graduates are expected to be unemployed and looking for work.
The top three areas of study for this group are fiction writing, poetry writing, and dramatic writing. Students should aim to specialize in one of these areas and gain in-demand skills that will make them attractive to employers.
How Can Students Be Prepared For This Changing Landscape?
For those interested in pursuing a MFA in Creative Writing, the future of the field looks rather bleak. According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings, only four schools remain in the top 50. In 2020, UGA was not ranked because they are no longer granting MFA degrees in Creative Writing. To prepare for this changing landscape, students should specialize in one of the areas identified in the previous section and develop in-demand skills that will make them attractive to employers.
Key Takeaways
As the MFA in Creative Writing is headed for obsolescence, what should students and aspiring writers take away from this?
Students should take away that, generally speaking, fewer and fewer schools will offer them the degree. This is especially troubling for those students who depend on financial aid to help pay for their education. In the future, students should look to other fields that are more stable than Creative Writing.
Developing in-demand skills is crucial for any student pursuing a post-secondary education. However, for those interested in a MFA in Creative Writing, developing these technical skills is even more important because there are fewer and fewer opportunities for students to get a foot in the door. In the future, students should explore other areas that will better prepare them for the job market.