Chatham University

MFA Program

Program Established: 
2009
Location: 
Pittsburgh, PA
Genre: 
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Residency: 
Low
Duration: 
2 Years
Incoming Class Size: 
5–7
Application Deadline: 
Rolling Admissions
Application Fee: 
$0 ($45 for paper applications)
Contact E-mail: 
Contact Name: 
Sheila Squillante
Core Faculty Includes: 

Poetry: Dilruba Ahmed, Rachel Mennies, Sheila Squillante
Fiction: Kathy Ayres, Karen Bender, Sherrie Flick, Derek Green
Nonfiction: Melanie Fox, Paul Hertneky, Suzanne Roberts, Sheila Squillante

Recent/Visiting Faculty Includes:
Poetry: Camille Dungy, Julia Spicher Kasdorf, Philip Metres, Jeff Oaks
Fiction: Christopher Barzak, Wiley Cash, Sherrie Flick, Pam Houston, Tim Parrish
Nonfiction: Kathleen Fallon, Lori Jakiela, BK Loren, Kathryn Miles, Dinty W. Moore, Ira Sukrungruang

Funding/Employment Opportunities: 

There is no program funding available.

Affiliated Publications/Publishers: 
Other Features: 

Students attend a 10-day residency each July at the Chatham University’s Eden Hall Farm Campus in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

The program also offers a low-res track for children’s writing/YA.

The program offers concentrations in food writing, nature writing, travel writing, publishing, and social engagement.

A post-baccalaureate Certificate of Completion in Travel Writing can be completed in two semesters plus one summer, in full- or low-residency format. The program features craft workshops, a travel writing course, an international or national field seminar, and the Summer Community of Writers residency. Credits can be transferred into the MFA program.

The early decision application deadline for the fall semester is February 1. Admissions are processed on a rolling basis.