CCA MFA WRITING
San Francisco
Beyond the Page: How CCA Helps Writers Build a Life in Literature
So, you’re dreaming of a life in writing—what comes after the MFA? At California College of the Arts, we’ve got answers.
We know that a degree is just the beginning. That’s why CCA’s MFA in Writing program is packed with real-world, career-focused resources designed to help you not only grow as a writer but thrive as one. From performance training to publishing tips, alumni mentorship to open mics, we’re here to support your journey on and off the page.
Here’s a peek at how we’re helping our students launch literary lives they love.
Workshops That Open Doors
We bring the industry into the classroom—and beyond.
Here are some recent standout offerings.
Read It!: A Performance Workshop for Writers
Actor Nancy Shelby on finding your voice (literally) and delivering your work with confidence on the podium and the stage.
Putting It All Together: Balancing Writing with a Job in the Literary World
The inside scoop on publishing and balancing your writing with working at a literary organization. Presented by Libby Flores, award-winning writer and Associate Publisher of BOMB Magazine.
How to Get Published: A Workshop for Emerging Writers
Award-winning poet and assistant editor at Narrative Magazine Rebecca Foust on navigating the publication journey, from submissions to book deals.
Professor Adiele & Students at the SF Writers Grotto
The Class You Didn’t Know You Needed
What to Do with Your MFA
Taught by acclaimed writer and cultural critic Faith Adiele, this signature course guides students through the practical, emotional, and professional next steps after graduation.
Key Features:
-
Personalized career mapping and post-MFA planning
-
Guest speakers from publishing, media, and academia
-
Guidance on fellowships, teaching opportunities, and alternative career paths
-
Peer feedback and accountability structures
-
A supportive space to reflect, reframe, and relaunch
Ongoing Student-Led Initiatives
Pitch & Publish Sessions
Weekly peer-led meetups where students gather to support each other in submitting work, applying for residencies and fellowships, and navigating the literary landscape together.
Monthly Open Mic Series
A vibrant space for students to share their work with the broader community—on campus and beyond. These regular events foster confidence, connection, and creative momentum.
Professor Adiele & Students at the SF Writers Grotto
Alumni-Led Career Support Initiatives
One-on-One Consultations with MFA Alumni
Our newest initiative pairs current students with recent graduates for career-focused consultations, mentorship, and industry advice.
Where Are They Now?: Alumni On Diverse Paths in the Literary World
Recent grads share their trajectories in ongoing sessions throughout the year—from publishing and teaching to arts administration and freelance writing.
TA-Ships at CCA: Mentorship, Not Labor
At CCA, our Teaching Assistantships aren't about grading papers or doing grunt work—they're about creative partnership and professional growth.
From your very first year, you can step into the classroom alongside a faculty member whose work aligns with your own. We individually match TAs with professors based on shared interests—whether that's prose or poetry, community storytelling, or topics and themes that dovetail with your writing.
These are not generic composition courses. You won't be assigned to teach outside your field or asked to carry a heavy workload that takes away from your writing. Instead, you'll be invited into the heart of a course, collaborating on lesson plans, engaging in dynamic classroom conversations, and helping shape how material is delivered. You'll learn how to teach by doing it—with guidance, intention, and creative purpose.
Each TA-ship is carefully structured to protect your time:
-
No more than 6 hours a week
-
No grading responsibilities
-
Real teaching experience, not just observation
We also take care to pair students with generous, experienced mentors—professors who are deeply invested in helping you grow as both a writer and a future educator.
Some MFA programs treat TA-ships as free labor. We don't. At CCA, it's an opportunity, not an expectation. You choose whether it supports your goals—and if it does, we make sure it becomes a deeply meaningful part of your experience.
