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How much do director mfa creative writing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for director mfa creative writing in the United States is $120,057.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,500.00 and $149,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of MFA Creative Writing do?

A Director of MFA Creative Writing oversees the administration and academic direction of a university's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. They are responsible for curriculum development, faculty coordination, student admissions, and supporting students' creative and professional growth. The director often organizes events, readings, and workshops, and serves as a liaison between students, faculty, and the broader literary community. Their role ensures the program maintains high academic standards and fosters a supportive environment for emerging writers.

What are the typical responsibilities of a director of MFA Creative Writing, and how do they balance administrative duties with supporting students and faculty?

As a Director of an MFA Creative Writing program, you'll oversee curriculum development, manage faculty recruitment and mentorship, and coordinate admissions processes. Balancing these administrative tasks with supporting students involves regular one-on-one meetings, organizing workshops, and fostering a supportive creative community. Directors often collaborate with university leadership, faculty, and alumni to ensure program quality and relevance, and they may teach courses or supervise student thesis projects. Maintaining strong communication and organizational skills is key to successfully managing the diverse aspects of this leadership role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of MFA Creative Writing, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of MFA Creative Writing, you need advanced expertise in creative writing, a record of published work, teaching experience, and typically an MFA or PhD in creative writing or a related field. Familiarity with academic management systems, curriculum development tools, and workshop facilitation platforms is important. Leadership, strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster a collaborative and inspiring learning environment. These skills ensure effective program administration, high academic standards, and the cultivation of emerging writers.

What is the difference between Director Mfa Creative Writing vs Creative Writing Instructor?

AspectDirector Mfa Creative WritingCreative Writing Instructor
Required CredentialsMaster's or MFA in Creative Writing, significant leadership experienceMaster's or MFA in Creative Writing, teaching experience
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, leadership role in academic or literary institutionsClassroom or workshop setting, teaching students
Employer & IndustryUniversities, colleges, literary organizationsEducational institutions, community colleges, workshops

The main difference is that a Director Mfa Creative Writing oversees program development and manages teams, while a Creative Writing Instructor focuses on teaching students in workshops or classes. Both roles require advanced degrees in creative writing, but the Director role emphasizes leadership and administration, whereas the Instructor role centers on teaching and mentoring students.

What are popular job titles related to Director Mfa Creative Writing jobs?

For Director Mfa Creative Writing jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Director Mfa Creative Writing job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 9% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,057 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Assistant Professor, Creative Writing (Poetry)

New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about University of New Orleansexternal

$59K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Thank you for your interest in LSU New Orleans.


Once you start the application process, you will not be able to save your work, so you should collect all required information before you begin. The required information is listed below in the job posting.
You must complete all required portions of the application and attach the required documents in order to be considered for employment.

Department

Language and Literature
Job Summary
Job Description

Job Description
The Department of Language and Literature at LSU New Orleans invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Creative Writing with an expertise in Poetry (at least one book published or under contact). A secondary expertise in Creative Non-Fiction is also highly desirable. This position is responsible for 12 academic units per semester (4/4). The typical teaching load is 9 units per semester (3/3), with the expectation of service (with Bayou magazine), research, and thesis mentoring to fulfill the remaining 3 units.

Responsibilities include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in poetry, as well as other courses offered by the Department of Language and Literature based on need. This position will be heavily involved with the Creative Writing Workshop, the nationally renowned MFA program at LSU New Orleans, which offers both resident and online MFA programs. The successful candidate should be adept at teaching in both in-person and asynchronous modalities and have a deep investment in mentoring students through thesis projects. An ability to work with our literary magazine Bayou, as well as an eagerness to participate in the community and service of the Department of Language and Literature and the Creative Writing Workshop is also highly desirable.
How to Apply
Please submit:

(1) a curriculum vitae

(2) a letter of interest in the position, noting achievements in publishing, teaching, and service to literary communities

(3) a copy of one published (or contracted) book in .pdf format

(4) a one-page teaching philosophy, and

(5) the names and contact information for three references.

Application review will begin on October 1, 2026 and the review will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, all required materials should be submitted in the University's application portal, Attn: Chair for Language and Literature, Prof. Justin Maxwell., by 11:59 PM on September 30, 2026.


Required Qualifications

  • At least one published (or under contract) book in poetry

  • MFA or PhD in Creative Writing in hand by date of hire (January 1, 2027)

  • Evidence of teaching excellence

Desired Qualifications

  • Single-authored book of poetry with distinguished press and review coverage

  • Publication record in both Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction

  • Experience teaching and advising graduate students

  • Commitment to fostering supportive literary communities

Salary Information: Expected salary is approximately $59,983. The position is dependent on budgetary approval.
About the Creative Writing Workshop at LSU-New Orleans, established in 1991, is a nationally renowned MFA program in creative writing, offering degrees in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and playwriting. A 3 year studio/research program, it emphasizes community and mentorship, offering training in teaching, publishing, literature, and creative writing. Its alums have published well over 150 books with national presses and have recently garnered such awards as the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, the Dylan Thomas Prize in Fiction, and have been listed for numerous other honors, including the National Book Award.

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Posting Close DateThis position will remain open until filled.

Note to Applicant:


Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions at LSU New Orleans may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.


LSU New Orleans seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.

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