The Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program

Three universities. Countless opportunities.
One MFA built around you.

About the NEOMFA

The Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA) is the nation’s only consortial MFA creative writing program. Combining the resources of three gateway institutions—The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, and Kent State University—the NEOMFA exposes students to a multi-campus network of faculty, peers, and opportunities.

Students choose a primary genre of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or playwriting, but also take classes in other genres. After enrolling through their chosen gateway universities, they engage with instructors, poetry centers, reading series, visiting writers, and university presses across the schools.

Program Mission

Our mission is to educate and inspire promising creative writers in a challenging yet supportive environment. Located in Northeast Ohio—a region with over 4.5 million residents, rich with creative life and history—we seek to help our students find their writing voice and their place in the literary community.

Gateway Universities

“At the NEOMFA, I found mentors who engaged with language and treated emerging writers like working artists. They met me where I was, showed a genuine curiosity for my work, and supported the development of my writing and literary sensibility. Their guidance was invaluable.”

Matthew Meduri (2013)
Author of Collegiate Gothic

A Home for All Writers

The NEOMFA is a literary community welcoming all emerging writers. In addition to full-time students serving as graduate assistants, you'll join adult learners, working professionals, military veterans, and others among our MFA candidates. The writers in the NEOMFA bring a wide range of perspectives into the classroom. Together with our accomplished faculty, they create a space for you to grow, share your work, and build lasting connections.

Our 48-credit hour program focuses on original writing, literary study, and professional development. Your coursework will include numerous workshops, craft and theory courses, and an internship. You'll select an area of concentration and work closely with faculty on a culminating thesis. You'll also explore other genres and expand your creative range. Mentorship is a cornerstone of our program, and you'll benefit from faculty advising, small workshop instruction, and direct feedback. 

Our unique consortium model allows you to choose a home university that fits your preferences. Classes are held on weeknights, and travel from one campus to another is generally light. You can complete the program in three years attending full-time or up to six years attending part-time. Our students are from within Ohio and around the country, and all enjoy a region with a thriving arts scene and low cost of living.

Each of our consortium universities offers competitive graduate assistantships, all with some form of tuition remission and stipend. Additional opportunities include program ambassadorships and campus-specific scholarships.

All of our campuses have offices to assist with financial aid, employer tuition assistance, and other needs, and generally to make your transition into the NEOMFA program as easy as possible.

An Experience Beyond the Classroom

NEOMFA programming extends beyond coursework into student readings, ambassador-led outings, and regional conference attendance. Our Visiting Writers series provides access to celebrated guests including James Hannaham, Robyn Schiff, Brian Broome, Miranda July, Hilton Als, and Victoria Chang. In recent years, the NEOMFA program also has sent select students to the annual AWP Conference and the Juniper Summer Writing Institute. 

Students in prose and poetry present their work in our student reading series and in our annual Graduation Reading. For students in playwriting, our ongoing Playwrights Festival provides invaluable production experience. 

Campus resources related to the NEOMFA include The University of Akron Press, the Cleveland State University Poetry Center, and Kent State University's Wick Poetry Center. The cultural resources of Northeast Ohio include organizations such as Literary Cleveland, Lit Youngstown, and Mac's Backs-Books on Coventry, many of which have strong ties to our program.

A Launching Pad for Literary Life

NEOMFA students and alumni have published full-length works with Carnegie Mellon University Press, Flatiron Books, Haymarket Books, Autumn House Press, New Mundo, and Vine Leaves Press. Shorter pieces have appeared in Poetry, Hobart, The Best American Essays, and The Best American Short Stories. Plays by our graduates have been presented in Cleveland, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC. In 2026, three of our alumni received Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards, following the five alumni winners in 2024.

As a student in the NEOMFA program, you'll be invited into this growing network of writers who are making their marks across the industry.

“While a NEOMFA student, I participated in conferences, readings, and a residency, and I edited the literary journal Whiskey Island. Those experiences gave me insights into the impact of literary citizenship, and inspired me to found a community-based literary arts nonprofit.”

Karen Schubert (2010)
Founder of Lit Youngstown

Why Choose the NEOMFA?

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or already on your way, the NEOMFA has the resources to lead you deeper into your writing life. The NEOMFA program is a community where your voice will matter and where you can find a cohort of emerging peers. At the same time, the NEOMFA program is a place of committed creative work and study, where you will sharpen your writing voice with professional faculty and visiting artists.

By the time you complete the NEOMFA degree, you’ll have the tools to bring your literary vision to life—whether it's in the form of a novel, poetry collection, essay series, or play. You'll also have a comprehensive terminal degree that's led to careers not only in writing, but in higher education, publishing, content strategy, communications, nonprofit administration, and more.

Take the Next Step Today

The NEOMFA program spans three universities and four primary genres. It includes full- and part-time students, some receiving funding and some who pay as they go. You can enter in fall or spring semester, and our flexible timeline allows you to move at whatever pace fits your life. 

Your undergraduate degree doesn't need to be in English to apply, and at present none of our gateway universities requires GRE or other test scores.

These streamlined requirements allow our admissions committee to focus on your core application materials and on your capacity for an MFA degree.

We welcome you to review this website, reach out to us, or begin your application now!