Two adults sit in a classroom or studio setting, smiling and engaged in discussion. The man on the left wears a white t-shirt, jeans, and a black cap, holding a pencil and notebook. The woman on the right is dressed in a black top and jeans, also taking notes. Behind them, artwork or photographs are displayed on a beige wall panel. The setting appears informal and creative, suggesting a workshop or residency environment.

MFA in Visual and Literary Arts

MFA in Visual and Literary Arts At-a-Glance

Credit details

  • 60 credits
    • 44 Distance Learning Credits
    • 15 Residency Credits
    • 1 Final Thesis Seminar Credit

Program details

  • Hybrid program combining 10-day residencies in Cambridge, MA with semester-based remote project work
  • Program begins in summer

The MFA VLA program can be completed in two years.

Student stands in front of a projected presentation

Today’s most compelling narratives often require a combination of strong literary skills and engaging visual design—skills that are increasingly valued in publishing, digital media, and the arts.

Lesley’s MFA in Visual and Literary Arts (MFA VLA) integrates creative writing and the visual arts, empowering students to craft compelling narratives that resonate across print, digital, and emerging media. 

The decision to integrate Lesley’s Art & Design MFA programs stemmed from ongoing conversations with students, industry professionals, and stakeholders, all of whom emphasized the importance of developing dual expertise in both writing and visual storytelling. By uniting these disciplines, our new MFA provides students with the flexibility and breadth needed to craft powerful, resonant stories across multiple platforms and formats.

Flexibility to Support Your Creativity

Lesley’s unique MFA program combines intensive on-campus residency experience with flexible remote learning to provide you with the support and freedom to pursue your creative work on your own terms—emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and individualized mentorship.  

Coursework emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, reflecting the kinds of professional partnerships common in the field—such as screenwriters with filmmakers or illustrators with authors. The program builds market-ready skills that translate directly to careers in multi-media communication, and other fast-growing creative sectors. Graduates leave with the agility, collaborative experience, and portfolio needed to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Expression meets Professional Practice

The MFA VLA program is structured around three core pillars, each representing a key area of competency: 

  • Creative Expression: Students will develop the ability to engage in creative thinking, problem-solving, and innovative approaches to their artistic process across both literary and visual arts. 

  • Critical Inquiry: Students will develop the ability to analyze, contextualize, and articulate the theoretical and historical foundations of their practice. 

  • Professional Practice: This pillar emphasizes readiness for industry-facing roles, sustained artistic engagement, and active participation in the cultural and academic communities of literary and visual arts.

Support where it counts

In the MFA VLA program, you'll become part of a very supportive community of like-minded visual artists & writers, people who celebrate each other's aesthetic breakthroughs as much as they pursue their own. You’ll also receive careful, honest critique from both your faculty and your fellow students.

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? ​Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

 

Undergraduate &  Transfer: 

Inquiry Form   |   Visit   |   Apply

 

Graduate: 

Inquiry Form   |   Visit   |   Apply

 

Threshold Programs: 

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