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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
Kayla Rodney
Kayla Rodney is a poet and graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, San Diego State University, and received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Her first book is Swimming Home (Unlikely Books, 2020). She teaches at Clayton State University, Morrow Georgia.
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.
Bill Luvaas
William Luvaas has published three novels and his work has appeared in dozens of publications. His honors include a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. He is Online Fiction Editor for Cutthroat: A Journal of the Arts. Luvaas lives in Los Angeles with his wife Lucinda, an artist and film maker.
Take Note
Congratulations to MFA alum Brent Ameneyro, selected for the 2024 Poets & Writers Get the Word Out cohort. Join Poets & Writers online on Wednesday, July 10, at 4 p.m. PST for a celebratory reading featuring the 2024
poetry cohort. Brent will read from his new book of poems, A Face Out of Clay (Center for Literary Publishing 2024).
Poet Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo (‘12, English and Comparative Literature) was awarded the 2024 SDSU Alumni Awards of Distinction for the College of Arts and Letters. Sarah is a long-time supporter of the regional
art community, served as board chair for the San Diego Museum of Art, and has been
Honorary Life Director of the San Diego Opera for more than 30 years. As a passionate
supporter of the College of Arts and Letters, she hosts an annual Rebelo Scholar Tea
to celebrate scholarship recipients in SDSU’s MFA in Creative Writing Poetry program.