Skip to content

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing: Curriculum

Curriculum Details

60 total credits required

Reach your potential as a novelist, poet, young adult author or teacher through the online Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. MFA students complete 30 credit hours each year to finish the program in as little as two years. In addition to the online courses, EOU tailors the first year to focus on writing workshops, and you’ll complete your thesis during your second year. You can select a Young Adult emphasis, developing talents for inspiring a new generation of readers.

The summer residency will bring your MFA cohort together in a tight-knit group, providing a creative experience and inspiration for the online portion of the program. Some MFA students pursue an optional third year to write a second thesis in another genre. While seeking an MFA, you will hone your writing craft and develop creative skills for success.

Transfer Information

EOU offers a generous transfer policy for course credits to make learning even more affordable and accessible. The online MFA in Creative Writing program accepts up to 15 transfer credits.

Required Residency Courses

Credits

Writing workshop in poetry, fiction, non-fiction or other genre offered during the summer residency at the Fishtrap Gathering or Wilderness, Ecology, and Community retreat.
An intensive 5-day course of study in residence, during which the student participates in a graduate writing workshop taught by a faculty mentor in a chosen genre (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, Graphic Novel, etc.). Prerequisites: Acceptance into MFA program.
An intensive 5-day course of study in residence, during which the student participates in a graduate craft seminar taught by a faculty mentor in a chosen genre (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, Graphic Novel, etc.). Prerequisite: Acceptance into MFA program.

Required Post-Residency Course

Credits

Class by arrangement, WR 552 is an opportunity for pursuing graduate level individualized studies in the writing of fiction, poetry, non-fiction or other genres, with systematic direction through regular tutorials with a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Acceptance into MFA program.

Required Distance Courses

Credits

Graduate study of a subject, author, genre, or period in rhetoric, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, journalism, and or multi-genre writing. Repeatable with different topics. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA program.
Upon completion and approval of the student thesis, all students will prepare a craft lecture and public reading from their theses, which they will present at their third and final residency. Prerequisite: Completion and approval of thesis, second-year graduate standing.
In-depth study of a major theme in on or more genres, historical periods, or authors. Repeatable with different topics. Prerequisites: Admission to MFA.
Class by arrangement, WR 552 is an opportunity for pursuing graduate level individualized studies in the writing of fiction, poetry, non-fiction or other genres, with systematic direction through regular tutorials with a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Acceptance into MFA program.
Course is designed to help students conceive, craft, and deliver suitable literary arts programming and workshops to host communities, and or work as interns. Students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in arts administration, professional editing and publishing, or serve in local community groups, agencies, etc. For students enrolled in the Wilderness, Ecology, and Community concentration appropriate field and service learning projects will be designed in consultation with faculty and cooperating agencies. Prerequisites: Acceptance into MFA program.

The creative thesis is prepared under the supervision of faculty mentors. The thesis is a book-length original work in the student’s major genre and is based on creative work undertaken during the previous residencies and mentorship periods. Prerequisite: acceptance into MFA program, second year status, consent of instructor, a clear written plan of study and statement of a proposed project.

Upon completion and approval of the student thesis, all students will prepare a craft lecture and public reading from their theses, which they will present at their third and final residency. Prerequisite: Completion and approval of thesis, second-year graduate standing.

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.