The New School has been vital forum for writing since 1931, when Gorham Munson, a member of the Stieglitz circle, on impulse initiated a workshop in creative writing. In the early 1950s, critic Maxwell Geismar stated that "The New School has become the richest center of new fiction among all our colleges and universities." Today, The New School offers an extensive curriculum open to matriculated and continuing education students. Most courses may be taken for undergraduate credit or on a noncredit basis. Our writing instructors are all published writers and experienced teachers, and many of our students go on to publish or enter graduate writing programs.
Robert Polito, Director
Luis Jaramillo, Associate Chair
Visit the registration site for a list of current Writing Program course offerings.
Areas of Study
The Writing Program offers workshop courses in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, writing for children, and dramatic writing. The workshop method of teaching involves a professional writer working closely with serious students who are willing to write regularly and participate actively in class discussions of their own and classmates' work. Instead of lecturing extensively, the writer-teacher provides guidance by focusing on student manuscripts. The writers who teach in our program try to create a supportive yet demanding atmosphere. Students receive feedback from fellow students as well as written comments from the instructor.
The Writing Program also offers fundamental writing courses designed for students who feel they need to acquire the basics of grammar, structure, and style. If you have not completed a college course in composition, we encourage you to enroll in a Fundamentals course before taking another workshop.
Summer Writers Colony
The Summer Writers Colony gives students the opportunity to discover the writer's life in New York City. Each June, over the course of three weeks, students participate in intensive workshops and literary salons with New School faculty members and visiting authors. The Summer Writers Colony is open to continuing education students and may be taken for 6 undergraduate credits or on a noncredit basis. The 2012 Summer Writers Colony begins June 4. For complete information and to register, go to the program site.
Programs for Graduates and Undergraduates
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The New School offers the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, with concentrations in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Writing for Children. For more information visit the program site or contact the Office of Admission at 212.229.5630 or nsadmissions@newschool.edu.
The Leonard and Louise Riggio Honors Program: Writing and Democracy
The Riggio Honors Program is an innovative undergraduate degree program of writing workshops and close-reading seminars. Tuition assistance is available for students who undertake to complete the curriculum as part of their bachelor's degree requirements.For more information visit the program site.