Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

The online/hybrid Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Eastern Oregon University provides the skills and experience you need to become a successful writer. With the MFA, you can boost your credibility as an author or prepare to teach literature and writing in high schools or postsecondary institutions. You could also pursue careers in editing, copywriting, publishing, advertising or marketing.

The required two-week summer residency is unique because of the opportunities it provides to EOU’s tight-knit MFA cohorts. While meeting for one week at the Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers at Wallowa Lake in northeastern Oregon, a bevy of intensive workshops will be provided in many genres such as poetry, fiction and cross-genre writing. You will have opportunities to hear faculty and guest readings, attend open mics, listen to craft talks and enjoy panel presentations. The following week includes follow-up coursework on EOU’s main campus. The goals of this collaborative experience are to work with established professional writers and become inspired by the community.

Besides the summer residency, EOU’s MFA curriculum is tailored to writing workshops while you complete introductory courses in literature, film, writing, rhetoric and special topics. Your second year will focus on individualized studies with faculty. The required practicum gets you involved in real-world writing and/or teaching as you work to complete your thesis. The program also includes options for individualized studies, in which you work one-on-one with experienced and published faculty to build writing projects of your choosing.