Hey there LivePoetry123,
I'm currently an MFA student in poetry and I feel compelled to tell you that if you are serious about pursuing creative writing in a graduate context, an MFA is really a better option. I am now applying to PhD programs in Lit and Creative Writing, and am doing so knowing full well that while my dissertation will be a creative manuscript, the bulk of my course load will be identical to that of a normal PhD in literature (the language requirements, in particular, are causing me pre-admit pre-grief.) SUNY Buffalo's program is definitely one of the better ones to look into if you haven't done an MFA, due to their academic focus on poetics, but even then, if writing is something you really want to pursue, I'd suggest looking into an MFA down the line. Many schools on MichaelK's list have MFA programs, but not as many of them offer workshops to non-MFA students, which is another consideration (Ohio State, where I am, does, as does UCLA, where I went to undergrad.) I can also tell you Emory is another school that seems to possess a good creative writing climate. I know this because one of my friends is there doing a PhD, though he's taking a leave of absence in order to do an MFA (since he's discovered writing is, in many ways, his true passion.) You can check out this blog: http://creative-writ...2.blogspot.com/ for more information on creative writing PhD programs, if you're interested. Hope this helps!