A creative writing PhD provides you with the academic knowledge you need to be an industry-recognised, professional writer. Although it is the case that many successful creative writers did not pursue a formal education in the genre, the PhD is still an essential key to gaining credibility in the field. To that end, here is a list of the top five most prestigious creative writing PhD programs according to U.S. News. The list is ordered according to the prestige of the program, with the most prestigious being ranked number one.
The University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina’s School of Literature, Communication, and Digital Media is one of the top-rated schools in the country when it comes to creative writing. This prestigious school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in creative writing, and the department itself is known for its cutting-edge research and innovative teaching methods. From there you can go on to do almost anything in the literary world: applying for a writing position, establishing your own freelance writing business, or even becoming a professor at a university.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University has a truly prestigious literary department, which puts it at the top of the list of creative-writing PhD programs. One of the oldest in the country, the department offers both M.F.A. and PhD degrees in Creative Writing, and has produced dozens of Nobel Prize winners and Pulitzer Prize winners over the years. If you go this route, you will undoubtedly become one of the most well-known writers in your field, since almost everyone who pursues a PhD in creative writing heads to OSU. As a PhD student, you will be taught by some of the greatest minds in the department, as well as get the opportunity to engage with them on projects and participate in their seminars.
The University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine is yet another great school for a creative-writing PhD, offering both an M.F.A. and PhD in the subject. The department, which is one of the largest in the country, has an extraordinarily high acceptance rate, with around 80% of applicants being accepted into the program. In general, students at UCI are well-known for their work in literary journalism and nonfiction, and the program prides itself on being at the forefront of digital humanities. That means the programme is not afraid to use innovative teaching methods in order to stay fresh and engaging for its students.
The University of Texas, Austin
The University of Texas, Austin is the largest of the city-state’s universities when it comes to size and academic profile. The school offers both an M.F.A. and PhD in Creative Writing, and has one of the most vibrant and creative literary communities in the country. One of the mainstays of the UT Austin programme is its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, which sees the school collaborate with a wide range of other departments and centres within the university. This integrated learning sees you develop your knowledge of the humanities and social sciences while also learning the craft of writing. One of the most unique aspects of the department is the number of faculty who are published authors and/or playwrights: around 40% of the professors at UT Austin are either published authors or playwrights, and many of the department’s courses feature guest lectures from some of the world’s most celebrated authors, like Margaret Atwood and J.K. Rowling.
The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Another North Carolina school on the list, with a unique approach to creative writing education. The creative Writing programme at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is all about getting you ready to enter the industry as a professional writer. Like other creative writing programs, the UNC Chapel Hill programme encourages you to develop your own voice and approach to writing—both in terms of subject matter and style—which means you can be confident about going into your chosen field. What separates this particular programme from the rest is the emphasis it places on getting you published in the best literary magazines, rather than just teaching you the craft of writing. With over 20 years of experience in the field, the Programme Director of the Chapel Hill centre is well-placed to help you get your work published, and he or she will work with you on building a professional network.
As a PhD student, you will be taught by top-notch academics who are also professional writers. You will be able to engage with them on projects and in their seminars, which will sharpen your critical thinking and creative writing skills. Furthermore, since the programme is very much oriented towards industry, you will get the chance to network with some of the biggest names in the business. This could include getting a foot in the door at a major publishing house, or being able to pitch your own work to a Hollywood studio.
Newman University
Newman University in New York City offers both a M.F.A. and PhD in Creative Writing, and claims to be one of the most prestigious universities for both. What sets it apart is the fact that around 70% of its students are already established as published authors or playwrights when they arrive at Newman. With some of the biggest names in literature teaching here, like Jennifer Egan and Tobias Wolff, students can be confident of graduating with a solid grounding in all things literary. In addition to that, the program is also very much oriented towards the commercial literary world, with around 15% of its faculty being actively involved in the industry. That means you will not only learn the craft of writing, but also be able to put that knowledge to use and develop your commercial writing skills. Notable alumni of the program include Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Wolfe, and Tobias Wolff.