MFA in Writing in San Francisco United States | California College of the Arts

At CCA, you'll become part of a vibrant writing community that genuinely understands and encourages you. Our MFA Writing program has flourished within an arts college boasting 116 years of tradition in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our workshops and seminars serve as dynamic spaces for creativity, personal growth, and joyful expression. We've cultivated an intimate network for writers from all backgrounds who are shaping the literary landscape. We know creative sparks fly when given room to grow, which is why from orientation to graduation, you'll receive personalized guidance through one-on-one faculty mentorships. Our distinguished faculty features acclaimed writers including Faith Adiele, Tom Barbash, Dodie Bellamy, Rita Bullwinkel, Jasmin Darznik, Joseph Lease, Trisha Ya-wen Low, Aimee Phan, Denise Newman, and Leslie Carol Roberts.

Nestled in the Bay Area's storied literary landscape, our program connects you with unparalleled resources and institutions like City Lights Publishers, Litquake, and the Bay Area Book Festival. Each fall, our Tuesday Seminar course brings celebrated authors directly into your classroom.

The two-year, 48-unit MFA Writing curriculum blends workshops, craft seminars, literature studies, and mentorship. Innovative courses such as Experiments in Life Writing, Contemporary International Fiction, and Writing As An Act of Witness will challenge you to explore new creative directions while refining your unique voice and writing practice.