Butler MFA

At Butler, writers find a home—a figurative one in our community of mentorship and support, and a literal one in the Efroymson Center for Creative Writing (ECCW). The ECCW is a hub of creative energy, with classrooms, offices, and cozy corners for writing and conversation. Here, students join a vibrant literary ecosystem that includes Booth magazine, an acclaimed visiting writers series, and rich connections to the literary life of Indianapolis. Our students find mentors, collaborators, and lifelong friends; they learn how to sustain a creative practice, engage with the world as artists, and grow in their lives as well as in their art. Whether you’re starting fresh or returning to the page, Butler offers a place where your voice will be heard and your writing life enriched. Our program is intentionally structured with evening courses meeting once a week to accommodate students who are working or caring for families full time. With no minimum required credit hours per semester, students can study at their own pace, with most students completing the degree in 3-5 years. The 36-credit hour curriculum includes ten classes and two semesters of thesis work. The Butler MFA is embedded in and supported by a lively Indianapolis literary community. Annual keystone events include Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest, and the Indy Indie Book Crawl while several ongoing open mic and reading series, like Real Life Revised, happen across the city. Many graduates say they never want to leave the program, noting our emphasis on community over competition.