Skip to main content
    Back to Programs
    University of California-San Diego

    Master of Fine Arts in Writing

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    San Diego, USMFAIn-person3 years
    $109,726.00
    Tuition
    over 36mo
    2.67%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    6
    Cohort
    students
    72
    Credits
    $155.00
    App fee

    Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego is a 72-credit, 3-year, in-person MFA program based in San Diego, US. Tuition is $109,726.

    About the program

    Two-year residency program offering specializations in fiction and poetry, emphasizing innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to narrative and poetics, community building, alternative literary distribution, and transborder exchange.

    Focus: both
    72 (QS World University Rankings) | 29 (U.S. News & World Report)

    Your fit

    Match

    Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

    Admissions

    Pro

    Unlock full admissions requirements

    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    Deadlines

    Pro

    Exact application deadlines for each term (Fall, Spring, Summer, Rolling), with priority and final dates where the program distinguishes them.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    Standardized tests

    Pro

    Which tests are required, optional, or waived (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo), minimum scores including separate verbal / quant sections, and program codes for score reporting.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US)

    Application Checklist

    Sign in to track what you need to submit for this program.

    Sign in
    See admits on GradCafe
    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego is $109,726 across 72 required credits.
    Is Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego online or in-person?
    Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego is offered in-person.
    How long does Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego take to complete?
    Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego is structured around 3 years and 72 credits.
    What GPA is required for Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego?
    Per the program's published guidance: 3.0 GPA
    How competitive is Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego?
    Master of Fine Arts in Writing at University of California-San Diego reports an acceptance rate of approximately 2.67%.