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Chatham University’s Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFACW) is a premier graduate program for nurturing creative writers interested in writing at the confluence of nature, place, and human identity. Building on the legacy of Rachel Carson '29, whose work demonstrates both lyricism and social conscience, our program views writing as an ultimately public act with the power to effect meaningful change.
For those seeking a flexible format working one-on-one with acclaimed writers, the low-residency MFA program will help you achieve your writing goals. You may focus your general study on poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or work across genres. An academic advisor will help you create a degree plan that works for your specific writing goals, which will culminate in a polished creative thesis that showcases your mastery of craft.
Chatham also offers a campus-based, full-residency program in addition to its low-residency program, with some courses shared between the two.
May 1 is the preferred deadline, with July 1 as the final deadline. All programs begin with the Shadyside Residency in Pittsburgh during the fall semester.
At 36 credits with a per-credit cost of $675, the low-res MFACW program has a base cost of $24,300 and can be completed in two years including summers.
Chatham is the only MFA program in the country with a residency at Fallingwater, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright residence and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Low-Res MFA students learn from a diverse group of mentors who are acclaimed, actively publishing writers, and seasoned educators specializing in providing incisive, insightful one-on-one feedback.
The Chatham MFA Fallingwater Residency in Nature & Place-Based Writing is an immersive experience in creativity, community, and nature at the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fallingwater. No other MFA program in the world can boast this unique educational experience!
Rachel Carson ’29 is Chatham's most distinguished alumna, and her passion for environmental justice and interest in the way place shapes our understanding of self inspire many of our course offerings. Low-residency students may take several courses that focus on the natural world, including Travel Writing, Appalachian Literature, The Environmental Imagination, and The Fourth River practicum.
Learn About Rachel Carson : Checkerboard 1 - Nature & Place-Based Writing
The Fourth River is a national journal of nature- and place-based writing published by the Chatham MFA program. It emerged from the idea that, between and beneath the visible framework of the human world and the built environment, deeper currents of force and meaning exist, supporting the very structure of that world. Low-residency students have the opportunity to take the practicum course for credit and to volunteer as editorial staff. Either way, you will learn valuable skills that you can take into the post-MFA world.
Explore the Fourth River : Checkerboard 2 - The Fourth River Journal & Practicum
Our 36-credit-hour program blends mentorship, online courses, and engaging on-site residencies to create a dynamic, flexible, and personalized educational experience. You will receive one-on-one guidance from experienced writing mentors and participate in asynchronous courses for peer feedback and community building. The program includes four week-long residencies, typically in fall and late spring/early summer. Click below to learn more about the curriculum and courses.
Explore MFA Curriculum : Checkerboard 3 - Courses & Curriculum
Semester-long writing mentorships with published professional writers provide careful, individualized attention to your work. You will meet with your mentors through video conferencing and turn in packets of creative work five times a semester. Comprehensive written and oral feedback designed to help you strengthen and polish your writing will guide you to the next packet, the next story, the next course.
As a low-residency MFA student, you will take asynchronous online courses such as The Environmental Imagination, Travel Writing, and Appalachian Literature, where you will learn to read as a writer, connect with peers for feedback, and consider how your ideas and work fit inside the larger literary conversation.
Chatham MFA residencies offer immersive learning, creative inspiration, and community connection. Each fall, students gather on Shadyside Campus for orientation, where they connect with faculty and peers. Residencies also occur at Eden Hall Farm and Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each residency focuses on creative writing craft, professional exposure, and reflection on the relationship between humanity and the environment. There is an estimated fee of $900, which covers lodging and meals at the residency; transportation costs are not included.
Our low-residency MFA program offers a small liberal arts college experience, where professors and mentors take the time to get to know you as both a person and a writer. We collaborate to help you achieve your academic and creative goals while encouraging you to push your boundaries and take artistic risks. Our classrooms, whether in-person or online, are inclusive and supportive spaces where you can express your whole self. We welcome writers from diverse backgrounds into a community built on care, curiosity, and respect.
Chatham's low-res MFA faculty and mentors are seasoned educators and award-winning writers from across the country. Mentor pairings are carefully selected by the program director and are based on complementary interests, passions, backgrounds, and your writing goals.
Meet the Faculty : Checkerboard 8 - Program Faculty
At Chatham, you will forge friendships, create critique partnerships, and establish a network of readers for your work. These professional connections can last a lifetime. Chatham MFA alumni go on to publish books and pursue meaningful careers, including roles at publishing houses, teaching at universities and community organizations, working in non-profits, and more.
Chatham's on-ground MFA program hosts visiting writers in a variety of different series. These include the Melanie Brown Lecturer Series, funded by The Melanie and Fred R. Brown Endowed Fund, which focuses on fiction writers with a strong sense of place, and the Appalachian Writers Series, which celebrates work from and about our region. All readings are livestreamed to be accessible to both low-residency students and the community. Exclusive virtual events with visiting writers are also planned throughout the year. Recent visiting writers include Frank X. Walker, Laura Jackson, Neema Avashia, Teju Cole, Jennifer Haigh, William Evans, Kawai Strong Washburn, Cristina Garcia, Danielle Evans, and more.
The cost of a graduate degree consists of university tuition (per credit charge), fees, and any other personal expenses you may require for earning your degree. Chatham also offers a 20% corporate partner discount for many graduate programs that can help make a Chatham graduate education more affordable. Our Financial Aid and Admissions offices will also work with you to understand the loan and financing options available.
Explore Tuition & Funding : Checkerboard 11 - Tuition & Funding
Learn more about Chatham's MFA program admissions process, requirements, and information for international applicants.
View Admission Requirements : Checkerboard 12 - Admission Requirements
Begin your next steps in the graduate journey at Chatham University by visiting the campus or attending events. Join virtual info sessions, open houses, or admitted student sessions to learn about our programs and the application process, interact with faculty, and experience the Chatham community. Click the button below to view the schedule and email graduate@chatham.edu with any questions.
View Graduate Events Schedule : Checkerboard 13 - Visit & Events
Interested in learning more? Sign up for the Chatham MFA program newsletter by clicking the button below.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter : Checkerboard 14 - Read Our Newsletter
