Overview

The Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA offered by the University of California, Riverside provides a unique environment for writers to refine their craft. This prestigious programme bridges the gap between professional commitments and creative immersion through a flexible, high-quality curriculum.

Students benefit from a model that prioritises both artistic development and the practicalities of the publishing industry. The structure ensures that graduates not only master their chosen genre but also understand how to navigate the commercial landscape of contemporary writing and media.

Why Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA at University of California, Riverside?

The programme is distinguished by its residency locations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort near Palm Springs. These ten-day sessions replace traditional dormitories with a professional retreat atmosphere, fostering deep connections between students and industry experts.

Participants engage in one-on-one sessions with a diverse range of professionals, including editors from major publishing houses and award-winning producers. The faculty consists of acclaimed writers who provide personalised mentorship throughout the duration of the degree.

The university is recognised for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating a communal vision that welcomes students from various backgrounds. This inclusive environment is reflected in the diverse student body, which includes professionals from numerous industries and locations.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 12005 per semester
National fee: USD 12005 per semester
Local fee: USD 4490 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is delivered over seven quarters and allows students to focus on a primary genre while exploring secondary interests. Modules may include:

Fiction
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Writing for Television
Writing for Film

Students work towards completing a full creative project under the guidance of faculty mentors. The asynchronous nature of the online components allows for participation in discussions and coursework at any time, fitting into various schedules.

Careers with Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA

Graduates of the programme have achieved significant success as best-selling authors and Emmy Award winners. The training prepares students for roles as playwrights, journalists, memoirists, and poets within the global literary community.

Beyond traditional publishing, alumni find opportunities as television and film producers, studio executives, and showrunners. The skills gained are applicable to industries such as digital media, podcasting, and academia, where storytelling and narrative structure are essential.

The programme's focus on the business side of writing ensures that students are equipped to work with agents and editors. Many graduates continue to produce work for major streaming platforms, indie film studios, and national news organisations.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Six low-residency workshop courses

Six low-residency seminars

Six low-residency cross-genre workshops

Seven units of thesis and one unit of professional development

Five in-person residencies

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

56 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Riverside, United States

Disciplines

Visual Arts Creative Writing Fine Arts View 438 other Masters in Visual Arts in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

An application fee

A statement of purpose

A personal history statement

A 25-page writing sample for your intended major (fiction, playwriting, poetry, nonfiction, or screenwriting). Your writing sample must be for your major. Do not send work outside of your intended major. A faculty committee will read your submission. It will be evaluated on the grounds of quality, originality, academic prowess, and creative potential.

Three letters of recommendation. Non-academic recommendations are accepted. Your referrers will submit their letters of recommendation for you online, after you submit your application.

Original transcripts from all institutions. You should mail these. Your transcripts are the only material that may arrive after the deadline.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

24010 USD / year

≈ 24010 USD / year
Out-of-State

24010 USD / year

≈ 24010 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

13942 USD / year

≈ 13942 USD / year

Living costs

Riverside

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Riverside

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners