Whitworth Writers Workshop

The Whitworth Writers Workshop is a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing at Whitworth University, one of the few faith-based programs in the U.S. Launched as the new home for the former Seattle Pacific University MFA, it preserves that program's excellence while embracing a vibrant, intentionally Christian community. The 44-credit, two-year curriculum alternates between intensive 10-day in-person residencies (held in January and July/August in Spokane and other locations) and personalized online tutorial semesters with professional writer-mentors. Students join small cohorts (around 12 per intake) in one of four genre tracks—Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, or Spiritual Writing—focusing on rigorous craft development, deep literary study (including about 60 books across the program), and a manuscript-length thesis with critical introduction. What sets the program apart is its conviction that writing is both an artistic calling and a gift meant to serve others, integrating faith thoughtfully into creative practice without imposing dogma. It fosters genuine community, peer feedback, guest speakers, and workshops that explore how belief, wonder, and each of our diverse stories intersect. Designed for serious writers balancing life commitments, the Whitworth Writers Workshop invites those ready to hone their voice in a supportive, intellectually rich environment rooted in curiosity and purpose.