Master of Fine Arts, most particularly, MFAs in creative writing.¹ There has been some long standing discourse on the subject for at least two decade (with its peak being Chad Harbach’s MFA vs NYC.
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1. There are, of course, MFAs in other artistic disciplines from filmmaking to painting to music to drama. I believe that creative writing is the most common field for MFAs and this is likely because there is little need for any physical goods to support an MFA in creative writing and thus many universities tend to treat the degree as a cash cow.²
2. Many of the best MFA programs in creative writing offer tuition waivers and stipends, but not all do and some of those that offer tuition waivers/stipends may not give them to all students.
⸻
1. There are, of course, MFAs in other artistic disciplines from filmmaking to painting to music to drama. I believe that creative writing is the most common field for MFAs and this is likely because there is little need for any physical goods to support an MFA in creative writing and thus many universities tend to treat the degree as a cash cow.²
2. Many of the best MFA programs in creative writing offer tuition waivers and stipends, but not all do and some of those that offer tuition waivers/stipends may not give them to all students.