20 Best MFA Programs in Washington, DC – 2026

ByCharlene Farwell

Washington, DC is home to some of the top MFA programs in the country, offering students unmatched access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and a vibrant arts scene. As the nation‘s capital, DC provides unique cultural, networking, and internship opportunities that enrich the graduate school experience.

Below are the 20 best MFA programs in Washington, DC for 2024:

1. The George Washington University

The George Washington University, located in downtown DC, offers exceptional MFA programs spanning creative writing, museum studies, interior architecture, and more. Students benefit from GW‘s prime location and partnerships with the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, and leading DC arts institutions.

The two-year creative writing MFA allows students to study fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction with award-winning authors. The program includes writing workshops, literature seminars, and options to teach undergraduate courses or work on the literary journal.

2. University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC)

  • Rating: 4.0 stars
  • Address: 801 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002
  • Phone: (202) 274-5000
  • Founded: 1851

UDC-CC provides an affordable path to an MFA, offering master‘s programs in jazz studies, legal nurse consulting, and public administration. The jazz studies MFA immerses students in the rich history of DC jazz. The program includes performing ensembles, applied lessons, academic courses in musicology and theory, and the option to teach.

UDC-CC‘s downtown location and relationships with DC performance venues create abundant hands-on training and gigging opportunities for jazz studies students.

3. The Theatre Lab

The Theatre Lab, located in the heart of DC, offers a two-year MFA degree in classical acting. The program provides rigorous training in voice, movement, acting, theater history, dramatic literature, and text analysis from award-winning faculty.

Students take part in fully-staged productions each semester and have opportunities to perform at prominent DC venues like the Kennedy Center and Ford‘s Theatre. The immersive training culminates in a class showcase in NYC for industry professionals.

4. Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at GWU

  • Rating: 4.3 stars
  • Address: 500 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
  • Phone: (202) 994-1700
  • Founded: 1869

The Corcoran School, part of The George Washington University, offers acclaimed MFA degrees in interior architecture, fine arts, and more. Located blocks from the White House, the Corcoran provides unmatched access to DC‘s vibrant arts and design communities.

The two-year fine arts MFA allows students to specialize in areas like photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. Facilities include digital fabrication labs, wood and metal shops, a foundry, photography darkrooms, and expansive studio space.

5. Georgetown University Law Center

  • Rating: 4.5 stars
  • Located in: Georgetown University
  • Address: 600 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 662-9000
  • Founded: 1870
  • Profiles: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Georgetown Law‘s Master of Laws (LLM) programs allow attorneys and law school graduates to gain specialized knowledge in fields like national security, global health law, or technology policy. The one-year LLM includes seminars taught by top practitioners in DC, access to renowned research centers, and networking with policymakers and lawyers.

6. American University

American University, located in the leafy DC neighborhood of Tenleytown, is home to top-ranked MFA programs in film and media arts, creative writing, and visual arts. Students benefit from AU‘s Washington Semester program for internships and from skilled faculty who are working arts professionals.

The two-year film and media arts MFA emphasizes digital filmmaking and allows students to specialize in cinematography, post-production, or directing. Students make several short films and one thesis film.

7. Columbian College of Arts & Sciences at GWU

  • Rating: 4.9 stars
  • Located in: The George Washington University
  • Address: Phillips Hall, 801 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20052
  • Phone: (202) 994-6210
  • Founded: 1821
  • Profiles: Facebook

The Columbian College of Arts & Sciences at The George Washington University offers exceptional programs including a one-year museum studies MA. Students gain skills in collections care, curation, community engagement, and museum administration.

The program includes courses taught by Smithsonian curators, guided museum visits, a capstone exhibition project, and the option to customize the curriculum based on interest area. Graduates are prepared for careers at world-class DC museums.

8. GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences

  • Rating: 4.9 stars
  • Located in: The George Washington University
  • Address: 2300 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052
  • Phone: (202) 994-2987
  • Founded: 1824
  • Profiles: Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences offers a top-ranked two-year master‘s program in speech-language pathology. Students gain clinical skills through GW‘s partnerships with DC schools, hospitals, private practices, and community clinics.

The program provides research opportunities, elective courses tailored to students‘ goals, and access to vast medical/research resources as part of a major DC university hospital system.

9. Johns Hopkins University – Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

  • Rating: 4.6 stars
  • Located in: Johns Hopkins University
  • Address: 1717 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
  • Profiles: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
  • Phone: (202) 452-1940

Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs, based in DC, offer part-time and online options including a one-year Museum Studies MA. Students gain skills in curation, education, community programming, preservation, management, and more.

The program includes online courses and in-person study at the Smithsonian, National Gallery, and other renowned DC museums. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in museums and cultural institutions.

10. The River School

  • Rating: 5.0 stars
  • Address: 4880 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
  • Phone: (202) 337-3554
  • Profiles: Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

The River School offers a cutting-edge Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood education master‘s program focused on creativity, exploration, and inclusive practices. Coursework covers child development, curriculum design, observation techniques, documentation, reflection, and the role of environment.

Students complete an action research thesis related to their work in schools. Graduates have the skills to lead innovative preschool and elementary classrooms or open their own schools.

11. Catholic University – National Catholic School of Social Service

  • Rating: 4.7 stars
  • Address: 319 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
  • Phone: (202) 319-5458

Catholic University‘s National Catholic School of Social Service, located blocks from the White House, offers a top-ranked Master of Social Work. Students specialize in serving individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and policy environments.

The program includes field placements at DC nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and hospitals. Specialized competency courses and dual degree options provide flexibility.

12. Howard University

  • Rating: 4.4 stars
  • Address: 2400 Sixth St NW, Washington, DC 20059
  • Phone: (202) 806-6100
  • Founded: 1867

Howard University, known as "The Mecca" of black education, attracts talented MFA students from across the globe to its storied DC campus. MFA offerings include interdisciplinary arts, theatre arts administration, television & film, and creative writing.

The campus‘ rich history and prominent alumni foster a strong sense of community. Students also benefit from Howard‘s partnerships with institutions like the Kennedy Center and National Gallery of Art.

13. Georgetown University – Performing Arts Program

  • Rating: 4.8 stars
  • Located in: Georgetown University
  • Address: 37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057
  • Phone: (202) 687-3838

Georgetown‘s Performing Arts MFA Program, unfolding in the heart of DC‘s vibrant theatre scene, offers exceptional classical acting training coupled with contemporary performance approaches.

Students work with Shakespeare Theatre Company and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company artists-in-residence while performing scenes and productions at DC venues. The program combines classroom training with extensive stage experience and networking opportunities.

14. Gallaudet University

  • Rating: 4.1 stars
  • Address: 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
  • Phone: (202) 651-5000
  • Founded: 1864

Gallaudet University offers premier ASL/English bilingual education including a master‘s program in sign language education. Coursework covers linguistics, culture, curriculum design, assessment, literacy, and research.

Practical experiences at Gallaudet‘s Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center and partnerships with DC schools provide applied training. Graduates gain skills to teach ASL in K-12 and higher education settings.

15. Wesley Theological Seminary

  • Rating: 4.7 stars
  • Address: 4500 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
  • Phone: (202) 885-8659
  • Founded: 1882

Wesley Theological Seminary, located next to American University, offers a Master of Arts in Theology and the Arts centered in the nation‘s capital. Students explore relationships between theology and music, poetry, drama, visual arts, or storytelling.

Courses cover religious history, aesthetic theory and cover artists from Michelangelo to Beyonce. Performances, exhibits, and cultural site visits foster creative growth. Graduates become scholar-artists or arts ministers.

16. Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at GW – Interior Architecture Program

  • Rating: 4.6 stars
  • Located in: Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at The George Washington University
  • Address: 801 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20052
  • Phone: (202) 994-1525

The Corcoran‘s two-year MFA in Interior Architecture prepares designers to enhance human wellbeing through creative built environments. Studios focus on areas like healthcare, education, hospitality, workspace, retail, and restoration design.

The program includes hands-on making, digital fabrication, model building, and options to study abroad or exhibit work in DC galleries. Graduates gain specialist skills tailored to the thriving DC design industry.

17. Edmund Burke School

  • Rating: 4.8 stars
  • Address: 4101 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
  • Phone: (202) 966-6690

Edmund Burke School offers a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education tailored to Washington, DC curricula and schools. The program includes coursework, mentored teaching residencies, and induction support for new teachers.

A key focus area is culturally sustaining teaching practices for DC‘s diverse student demographics. Graduates earn a graduate degree and teaching credential while making a lasting impact on high-need local schools.

18. Trinity Washington University

  • Rating: 4.1 stars
  • Address: 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017
  • Phone: (202) 884-9000

Trinity Washington University empowers women through excellent liberal arts-based education including a one-year Montessori Early Childhood MA. Field placements at Washington International School and others provide rich applied experiences.

The program fosters creativity, educational leadership, and ethical, peacemaking approaches grounded in the Montessori Method. Graduates often continue to doctorates or open their own Montessori schools.

19. George Mason University

  • Rating: 4.3 stars
  • Address: 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Phone: (703) 993-1000

George Mason University‘s School of Theater, located just outside DC in Fairfax, Virginia, offers exceptional MFA programs in multidisciplinary digital media and stage design.

Students gain skills in emerging technologies like motion capture, projection mapping, AR/VR, game design, transmedia storytelling, and interactive set/costume/lighting design. The program couples cutting-edge creation with classical theatre training.

20. Georgetown University – Museum Studies Program

  • Rating: 4.8 stars
  • Located in: Georgetown University
  • Address: 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057
  • Phone: (202) 687-5759

Georgetown‘s Museum Studies Program offers a Master of Arts providing advanced skills for museum work. Specializations include curatorial, collections management, museum education, or administration.

The program interweaves theoretical learning with abundant practical interactions through site visits, partner museums like the Smithsonian, guest experts, and a fieldwork practicum. Graduates readily enter leadership roles at DC‘s many renowned cultural institutions.

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