The master’s degree program in creative writing at the University of New Orleans was ranked first among programs of its kind by Best College Reviews, an online college review journal.

The Creative Writing Workshop low residency graduate program combines distance learning with study abroad. During the fall and spring semesters, students participate in online workshops and literature classes. Every summer, writers attend a month-long summer residency in Europe. The traditional form of the degree program has been nurturing New Orleans writers for twenty-five years.

“A lot of MFA programs get the reputation for being really cut-throat and competitive in petty ways,” said program director M. O. Walsh. “This place is not like that at all. Everyone really supports one another and we celebrate each other’s work and it feels like a real close-knit community.”

The Best College Reviews website says the University “encourages a community-centered degree experience, where students can interact with peers and benefit from a broader breadth of curriculum. Creative writing students learn from a faculty of published authors.”

The site also notes that online students do not pay out-of-state tuition costs.

Considerations for ranking the online programs were the range of courses, options for genre specialization, faculty, flexibility for the online track, recognition from respected publications, success of recent program alumni and any other features that make the program noteworthy.

“We couldn’t be more proud to have earned this top ranking,” said Walsh. “The Cork and Brunnenburg Study Abroad programs are integral in making the University of New Orleans such an exciting option for students.”