Northwestern University

Overview

The Prose and Poetry program at Northwestern University offers a dynamic, workshop-based graduate pathway for aspiring writers. This program caters to individuals interested in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and publishing, fostering their craft through close reading, revision, and peer critique. Students will have the opportunity to engage with Chicago’s vibrant literary community, enhancing their educational experience.

Courses are offered on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses, with options for online and hybrid formats, allowing students to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments.

What you'll study

The curriculum is designed around a workshop-led approach that merges creative writing practice with critical analysis. While course offerings may vary, students can expect a range of writing-intensive classes and literature-based seminars. Example topics include:

• Queer Film and Retrospectatorship
• Postmodernist Fiction in the U.S. and the World
• (Re)Reading A Thousand and One Nights Today
• Literature of Climate Change
• Inventing the American Novel
• Cinephilia and Creative Critical Writing

Students can anticipate the following academic outcomes:

• Regular workshop critique and structured revision of manuscripts
• Training in reading strategies utilized by writers and literary critics
• Opportunities for teaching experience in creative writing (where available)
• Chances for editorial experience with peers (where available)

Entry requirements

While specific GRE/GMAT and GPA cut-offs are not provided, applicants are encouraged to review the official Northwestern program requirements for the most current entry criteria. Additionally, students whose first language is not English may need to submit English language test scores such as IELTS or TOEFL iBT.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Prose and Poetry program are well-equipped for various career paths in writing, editing, and publishing. The emphasis on craft development and critical analysis prepares students for roles as authors, editors, educators, and literary critics, among other opportunities in the expansive literary field.