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Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing: Admission Requirements

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Wondering what your odds are for admission? Whether you’re applying to college for the first time or haven’t been a student in years, college admissions anxiety can be overwhelming. We’re on a mission to remove the guesswork from the application process so you can make key decisions about your future with confidence. Start by picking a program of interest to see your likelihood of acceptance.

Enrollment counselors are available to support you through the admissions process so you can reach your potential, achieve your educational goals and accelerate your career. If you have questions or prefer to apply over the phone, give us a call at 855-805-5399.

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Use our Admissions Estimator to see how you measure up against our general admissions criteria for your program of interest.*

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Based on your responses to the previous questions, here is how you measure up to the admissions requirements.

Admission Requirements

Online Application Form:Apply Now
Academic Requirements:
  1. 60 graded credit hours in English/Writing at the 500-level or above.
  2. At least 8 credit hours in WR 552 must be in genres other than your principal genre.
  3. WR 550 Residency: Generative Workshop is graded by Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory system.
  4. Post-Residency WR 552 Individualized Studies: Projects in Writing is devoted to polishing work begun during the Summer Residency.
  5. A minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA is required in all courses counting toward the degree.
  6. MFA Practicum should be planned before the second summer residency and implemented during the residency.
  7. Students wishing to pursue a third-year in another genre should expect to repeat their second-year curriculum in that other genre.
Transcripts:Provide official transcripts from all accredited educational institutions attended
Additional Requirements:
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal essay
  • Creative portfolio

Get in Touch

We are here to answer any questions you may have. Contact an enrollment counselor at 855-805-5399 or complete the request for information form and we will be in touch.

International Students

Create an account in the EOU Online system using your name and email address
Apply for admission by filling out the online application
Pay your $90 non-refundable application fee* online
Gather and submit the appropriate documentation

Please note that international students, both graduate and undergraduate, are required to meet the requirements of the EOU English Proficiency Policy.

*Graduate program applications may require additional fees.

Transfer Credit

The online MFA program accepts a maximum of 15 transfer credit hours. To learn more, contact an enrollment counselor at 855-805-5399.

Enrollment Level by Student’s Credit Hours

Student LevelFull timeHalf timeLess than half time
Undergraduate12 or more6-81-5
Post-baccalaureate12 or more6-81-5
Graduate9 or more5-61-4

Full time enrollment is defined as 12 credit hours per term for undergraduates, and 9 or more credit hours per term for graduate students.

Students who plan to attend half time should contact the financial aid office before the beginning of their term to have their aid revised.

When to Apply

Our MFA program begins each Summer. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now closed.  The next application period for our 2025-2026 MFA program is now open with a priority application deadline in January 2025 for best consideration (please check back for the updated deadline). After the priority deadline, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis if space remains available. The Master of Fine Arts degree requires two types of admission: (a) Admission to Eastern Oregon University with “Graduate Student” status; and (b) Admission to the MFA program. Both applications should be submitted at the same time.

Our MFA program begins each Summer. Upcoming application deadlines include:

Summer 2025 Application period is now open: Started October 15, 2024

Priority application deadline: Tentative January 2025. Please check back for a more specific deadline.

Rolling review of applications (contingent on space) until: Tentative March 2025

Applying to Eastern Oregon University is simple — you will create an EOU Online account and submit your application online. Then, watch for email updates about your application status and keep in touch with support teams ready to answer your questions. The Office of Admissions is happy to help. Call 855-805-5399 or email us.