Eastern Oregon University Online MFA in Creative Writing

Eastern Oregon University (EOU) offers an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program. Students choose a genre specialization from poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and multi-genre. An optional Young Adult Writing emphasis is also offered for those who want to focus on writing for younger readers. This is a cohort-based program.

The MFA program includes two, two-week summer residencies where students participate in various activities designed to stimulate creativity, writing, and camaraderie. Students attend the Fishtrap Gathering of Writers at Wallowa Lake during one week of the summer residency with workshops, faculty readings, personal writing time, hiking, and open mic time.

The second week occurs at EOU’s campus in La Grande, during La Grande Lit Week. Here, students participate in a morning writing craft class and afternoon workshops offered by MFA faculty. The evenings are filled with readings and conversations with award-winning authors who attend Lit Week. Writing time, hiking, and other activities are also included during the week, with abundant time for developing relationships with their cohort, faculty, and other writers. During the summer, students continue to work on the projects they began at the residency through one-on-one virtual meetings with their workshop instructor.

The EOU MFA in English and Creative Writing program comprises 60 credits and is designed to be completed in two years. MFA students can complete a third year in a second genre, writing another thesis. The program begins in May with a two-week summer residency. The program can be completed full-time but is designed for part-time study. Students complete online coursework, a practicum, and optional additional practicums during the fall and spring semesters.

Online courses are delivered through the Canvas course management tool. They are hands-on, with lectures and much collaboration between faculty and peers. Professors develop courses containing a series of modules including a course schedule, syllabi, notes, and assignments. Students can view grades and course materials here, and submit work, even from a mobile device. Necessary hardware includes speakers, headphones, a microphone, and a webcam for video conferencing.

Online courses for the MFA in Creative Writing include Special Topics in Writing; Themes in Literature and Film; Themes and Writing and Rhetoric; Individual Studies: Project in Writing; Practicum; Thesis; and Thesis and Craft Lecture. Students can repeat courses if topics differ. As well, students can complete additional one-credit practicums.

Required residencies include Generative Workshop; Workshop; and craft seminar. A required post-residency course is titled Individual Studies: Projects in Writing. Students who cannot attend the summer residencies in person can attend virtually as offered. However, students are strongly encouraged to attend in person.

Eastern Oregon University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NCCU).