Why Choose Our Program?
At SDSU, we believe our Creative Writing program is uniquely situated to provide writers with an exciting, informative, personalized—and affordable—path to attaining their MFA.
Inspired by Experiences
Inspired by our place in the world, the program provides a rich and diverse experience that goes beyond the classroom.
A Beautiful Location
Our campus is situated in the heart of San Diego, the site of early Californian history, and only minutes from the U.S./Mexico border.
A Global Approach to Writing
Our international approach is reflected in our course work and faculty expertise.
A History of Excellence
Established in 1989 by Poet Sandra Alcosser, SDSU became the second MFA Creative Writing program in California.
Named one of the best MFAs in the U.S. by Wiley University Services.
In the Spotlight
Arthur Kayzakian
Arthur Kayzakian is the recipient of the 2023 creative writing fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is a contributing editor at Poetry International and a recipient of the Minas Savvas Fellowship. He serves as the Poetry Chair for the International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA).
Living Writers' Series
The Hugh C. Hyde Living Writers' Series at SDSU is one of the longest continuously running series in the nation. The series has featured an impressive slate of award-winning authors, many of them who are alumni of our program. All of the events are free and open to the public.
David Tomas Martinez
David Tomas Martinez is the author of two collections of poetry, Hustle and Post Traumatic Hood Disorder, both from Sarabande Books. Martinez is a Pushcart winner, CantoMundo fellow, a Breadloaf Stanley P. Young Fellow, NEA poetry fellow, and NEA Big Read author.
Take Note
Congratulations to Robert Lang for earning a Fulbright U.S. scholarship. He graduated in May from the Master of Fine Arts creative writing program and will pursue further studies in England. Lang put forward a novel community arts initiative to combat bias and support neurodivergent and other underrepresented communities. His goal is to help these populations produce art that represents their lived experiences, increasing awareness and understanding of the connection between the arts, neuroscience and behavior.
A study area on the second floor of the Arts and Letters building has been dedicated
to Sandra Alcosser, the longtime director of the creative writing and poetry program. Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo (’12, MFA in English and Comparative Literature), a generous donor, proposed and
funded the creation of this dedicated space in honor of her first poetry professor
and now friend, Professor Alcosser. The area is officially named the “Professor Sandra
Alcosser Poetry Nook” and serves to celebrate Alcosser’s enduring commitment to her
students of poetry.