Graduate School

  • Resources to Prepare for Graduate School
  • Adonara Mucek, Ph.D. Geology '17
  • Adriana Mendoza, Ph.D. Mathematics '14
  • Andrew Olsen
  • Becca Maher ('21, Ph.D.)
  • Bryan Lynn, Ph.D. Integrative Biology
  • Celeste Frazier Barthel, Ph.D. Education '21
  • Diane Brandt
  • Francesca Germano, Toxicology, M.S.
  • Garrett Rogers
  • Jafra Thomas
  • Jen Hayes, Horticulture, PhD
  • Jordan Jimmie
  • Jordan Spradlin, Public Health, MPH
  • Kalina Fahey, Psychology, Ph.D.
  • Katie Stelling, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D.
  • Kelsey Contreras
  • Layla Ghazi
  • Marie Tosa, Ph.D. Wildlife Sciences
  • Sara Letton
  • Tiara Walz, Ph.D. Public Health
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Master's Students
  • Doctoral Students
  • Certificate Students
  • Graduate School Orientation 2024
  • Graduate Teaching Orientation 2024
  • Do I Qualify to Attend Graduate Summer Step?
  • Orientation for Winter, Spring and Summer Terms
  • Co-sponsorships
  • Your Graduate Committee
  • Student Resources
  • Grad Research Photo Competition
  • Tips for Scheduling Committee Meetings
  • Program of Study
  • Formatting a Thesis or Dissertation
  • Pretext Pages Templates
  • Commencement
  • Grad Inspire
  • Grievance Procedures
  • Request a Workshop
  • Earning Concurrent Degrees or Pursuing a Dual Major
  • Career Preparation
  • Grad Writing Group Challenge
  • Graduate Writing Center Online
  • Changing or Adding a Degree, Major or Certificate
  • GRAD 420 - Graduate School Preparation
  • GRAD 512 - Current Issues in Higher Education
  • GRAD 513 - Professional Development in College and University Teaching
  • GRAD 516 - Graduate Teaching Seminar
  • GRAD 520 - Responsible Conduct of Research
  • GRAD 521 - Research Data Management
  • GRAD 542 - The Inclusive College Classroom
  • GRAD 543 - Dialogue Facilitation in Professional Contexts: Skills and Practice for Graduate Students
  • GRAD 550 - Introduction to Online Course Development and Facilitation
  • GRAD 560 - Theories of Teaching and Learning
  • GRAD 561 - Course Design and Methods
  • GRAD 599 - Creating Happiness
  • GRAD 599 - Interdisciplinary Teams
  • WR 599 - Graduate Writing for English Language Learners
  • WR 599 - Scientific and Technical Research Writing
  • WR 599 - Writing Workshop for Thesis and Dissertation Writers
  • OSU Grad Advantage
  • Graduate Faculty Membership
  • Graduate Council Representatives
  • Policy updates
  • Holistic Admissions
  • Defining the Graduate Mentor
  • The Importance of Mentors
  • Apprenticeship and Mentoring
  • Mentor and Mentee Pairing
  • Maintaining and Evaluating Mentoring
  • Suggestions for Mentoring Programs
  • Handbooks, Manuals, and Guides
  • Mentoring Bibliography
  • Communication Items
  • Detailed Considerations for a Joint Degree Program
  • MOU Outline for Creating a Joint Program
  • College and Program Recruitment Representatives
  • Graduate Recruitment Tips
  • Helpful Recruitment Links
  • Shared Graduate Recruitment Schedule
  • Leave of Absence and Family Medical Leave Eligibility
  • Mentor Training for Faculty
  • Student Funding
  • Student Progress
  • Student Progress Information for Programs
  • Student Registration Information
  • August 2023 Newsletter
  • Sept 2023 Newsletter
  • October 2023 Newsletter
  • November 2023 Newsletter
  • April 2024 Newsletter
  • Dec 2023 Newsletter
  • Feb 2024 Newsletter
  • Jan 2024 Newsletter
  • March 2024 Newsletter
  • May 2024 Newsletter
  • Strategic Plan
  • Request Info
  • Current Students
  • Faculty Resources

You are here

Creative writing (mfa).

Oregon State University has a long tradition of excellence in producing and teaching creative writing, going all the way back to the 1950s when the future distinguished novelist William Kittredge was a student here, and Bernard Malamud won a National Book Award while teaching in the English Department.

This is a distinguished past, but our present is even more remarkable.

Creative Writing has never been more vital or successful at OSU than it is right now, with a nationally competitive pool of applicants in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction, full funding for all our students through GTA positions, with full tuition waiver, a vibrant Visiting Writers Series, and the new Stone Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement. For information on the high-residency program and its GTA fellowships, please contact the SWLF main office at [email protected] , call 541-737-3244, or visit their website.

A low-residency variant of the program is also available on the OSU-Cascades campus in Bend, Oregon.

  Creative Writing Website

  College of Liberal Arts

 Corvallis  OSU-Cascades

Primary Contact

Creative writing director, admissions requirements, required tests, english language requirements .

English language requirements for international applicants to this program are the same as the standard Graduate School requirements .

Additional Requirements

Please, before applying to this program, always refer to the application guide to confirm application requirements.

Application Process

Please review the graduate school application process and Apply Online .

Dates & Deadlines ?

Admissions deadline for corvallis students, admissions deadline for osu-cascades students, funding deadline for all applicants, concentrations , mais participation.

This program is not offered as a MAIS field of study.

AMP Participation ?

This program does not participate in the Accelerated Master's Platform (AMP)

Contact Info

Graduate School Heckart Lodge 2900 SW Jefferson Way Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1102

Phone: 541-737-4881 Fax: 541-737-3313

  • Programs - Majors, minors and certificates
  • Academic Progress
  • Student Success
  • Faculty Support
  • Staff Directory
  • Graduate Catalog

Graduate Program Creative Writing

  • Program Details
  • Info Sessions
  • Admission Details

Degree Details

  • Masters (M) Total Credits 48 Start Term Fall Delivery Method On campus Degree map (M)

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods

Creative Writing Master's Degree Overview

Creative writing master's degree: why psu.

Our program is committed to a hybridity that crosses aesthetic and social boundaries and to a diversity that reflects the progressive spirit of its surroundings.

Consistent with PSU's mandate to serve our city's cultural and professional needs, engagement in Portland's vibrant local community of writers is central to our students' movement from academic to creative careers.

What can I do with a master's degree in Creative Writing?

Graduates of the program go on to pursue the following careers, among others:

  • Teacher, all levels (university, secondary, elementary, community)
  • Book Editor
  • Magazine Editor
  • Journalist/Reporter
  • Screenwriter
  • Literary Agent
  • Grant writer
  • Proofreader
  • Arts Administrator
  • Advertising

Oregon State University

Oregon State logo

Academic Catalog

Creative writing graduate major (mfa).

This program is available at the following locations:

  • OSU-Cascades

The School of Writing, Literature, and Film offers the Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing (fiction, poetry, nonfiction writing) at the Corvallis campus and a Low-Residency MFA partner program on the OSU-Cascades campus in Bend, Oregon.

The MFA Program in Creative Writing on the OSU Corvallis campus is a two-year, high residency, studio/research program that interweaves literary artistic practice and literary scholarship. Tracks in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are supported by writing workshops led by nationally known writers, as well as by courses in form, craft, and theory. Intensive mentoring during the thesis year, training in creative writing pedagogy, professional internships, and opportunities for outreach and community engagement produce graduates who are both accomplished creative writers and advocates for the role of literary arts in American culture and society.

OSU-Cascades's Low-Residency MFA is a two-year program combining writing workshop with studies in craft, literature, and vocation. The program offers intensive 10-day residency sessions in June and November and individualized mentorships by nationally known writers throughout the year. The program's intensive low-residency format is designed to balance the modern writer's need for both solitude and community, for both self-reliance and responsibility—to give our students the freedom as well as the discipline to write. Our curriculum builds sustainable writing habits, develops skills needed to support a creative livelihood after graduation, and creates an environment for taking imaginative risks.

Major Code: 8920

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
  • Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
  • Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.
  • Develop and employ methods of intensive revision.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the contemporary creative writing profession.
  • Develop proficiency in teaching introductory creative writing courses.

 Cascades Low-Residency MFA Requirements

Corvallis mfa requirements.

Please refer to the MFA Handbook .

Print Options

Print this page.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

All pages in Academic Catalog.

Gravatar Icon

2024 Best Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees in Oregon

  • Direct Admissions
  • College Quiz
  • Best student life
  • Top party schools
  • Best academics
  • Best colleges
  • Best professors
  • Hardest to get into

Best programs

  • Accounting/finance
  • Agricultural sciences
  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Communications
  • Computer science
  • Criminal justice
  • Culinary arts
  • Engineering
  • Engineering technician
  • Environmental science
  • Film/photography
  • Global studies
  • Health care management
  • Information technology
  • International relations
  • Kinesiology/therapy
  • Performing arts
  • Political science
  • Public health
  • Public policy
  • Religious studies
  • Sports management
  • Most diverse
  • Most liberal
  • Most conservative

Social scene

  • Best greek life
  • Best campuses
  • Best college dorms
  • Best college food
  • Best locations
  • Safest campuses
  • College athletics
  • Best for student athletes

1-7 of 7 results

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR •

  • • Rating 3.72 out of 5   3,135 reviews

Senior: OSU is a really great school for many different academic programs if you're willing to commit yourself to your education. This school is especially known for its engineering program, but also its agricultural programs, since it was originally founded as an agricultural school. Corvallis is very expensive to live in, but is probably the best college town in the Pacific Northwest. I highly recommend taking an Ethnic Studies class here! ... Read 3,135 reviews

  • grade  A minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 89%

Net price $20,318

SAT range 1120-1370

#2 Best Colleges in Oregon .

Blue checkmark.

CORVALLIS, OR ,

3135 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says OSU is a really great school for many different academic programs if you're willing to commit yourself to your education. This school is especially known for its engineering program, but also its... .

Read 3135 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 89% ,

Net Price : $20,318 ,

SAT Range : 1120-1370 ,

Portland State University

Portland, OR •

  • • Rating 3.64 out of 5   2,677 reviews

Junior: Portland State University is a great school to attend for many reasons. The professors I've met so far are passionate about what they teach, and they show great interest in your progress. PSU runs on a term schedule, so the academics are very accelerated. If you are someone who has good time management and works well with a busy school, this will be a great fit. The student community is very friendly and the school is always offering new ways for students to connect. The only thing that can be problematic would be the local area. Portland has a large homeless population and a lot of drug control issues, so there can be some questionable people roaming on campus from time to time. Fortunately, there is always campus security around and help stations with buttons for emergencies. All school buildings are also locked and you can't get in without a student key card, so it puts many students' minds at ease. Overall, this is a great school with an awesome campus and very inclusive community! ... Read 2,677 reviews

  • grade  B Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 98%

Net price $13,015

SAT range 1000-1250

#7 Best Colleges in Oregon .

PORTLAND, OR ,

2677 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Portland State University is a great school to attend for many reasons. The professors I've met so far are passionate about what they teach, and they show great interest in your progress. PSU runs on... .

Read 2677 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 98% ,

Net Price : $13,015 ,

SAT Range : 1000-1250 ,

Pacific University Oregon

Forest Grove, OR •

  • • Rating 3.64 out of 5   829 reviews

Junior: As someone who loves to learn but struggles with focus and motivation, Pacific's small class sizes work for me. The ability to connect one-on-one with professors and learn is extremely helpful and enriching to the whole college experience, personally, if I like and respect the person I'm learning from I learn a lot better, and that has been my experience with almost every professor here with a couple of exceptions of course (as at all schools). Though I'll say the party scene's a bit lacking, but there's still a great campus community. there are a ton of extra-curricular activities like a great Greek life and many student-run clubs. Though I think it can initially be a bit daunting and difficult to make friends (especially as an introvert like myself), once you find your field of study there are tight-knit communities within them that are incredibly friendly and kind. Overall, If you like smaller class sizes, and are okay with a more chill college experience, I would recommend it. ... Read 829 reviews

Acceptance rate 91%

Net price $33,523

SAT range 1090-1310

#9 Best Colleges in Oregon .

FOREST GROVE, OR ,

829 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says As someone who loves to learn but struggles with focus and motivation, Pacific's small class sizes work for me. The ability to connect one-on-one with professors and learn is extremely helpful and... .

Read 829 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 91% ,

Net Price : $33,523 ,

SAT Range : 1090-1310 ,

Reed College

PORTLAND, OR

  • • Rating 3.87 out of 5   297

Ithaca College

  • • Rating 3.59 out of 5   2,076

Pepperdine University

  • • Rating 3.76 out of 5   1,367

Linfield University

Mcminnville, OR •

  • • Rating 3.59 out of 5   751 reviews

Freshman: My experience here at Linfield has been incredible! Everyone on campus is super friendly and super down to earth. I feel really connected to everyone in my dorm and on my teams, and in my classes. My favorite part about Linfield is how small the campus is. Everyone seems to know everyone somehow. Being on the Cross Country and Track team has been my favorite experience by far. Our coach is really into team bonding, so we do many group events. We have team dinners frequently, we went on a camping trip in the fall, and we always do our runs and workouts together. Additionally, I love my classes and the professors. They are extremely knowledgeable and seem very passionate about what they're teaching. They are always willing to help out their students by giving extra resources as needed, like extra study notes, additional time to complete work, and setting up study groups before exams. As of right now, there is nothing I would change about Linfield. Everything has been amazing thus far. ... Read 751 reviews

Acceptance rate 85%

Net price $28,691

SAT range 1050-1210

#10 Best Colleges in Oregon .

MCMINNVILLE, OR ,

751 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says My experience here at Linfield has been incredible! Everyone on campus is super friendly and super down to earth. I feel really connected to everyone in my dorm and on my teams, and in my classes. My... .

Read 751 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 85% ,

Net Price : $28,691 ,

SAT Range : 1050-1210 ,

George Fox University

Newberg, OR •

  • • Rating 3.86 out of 5   1,073 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved my time at George Fox! As an academically-minded engineering student, I was primarily interested in the small, rigorous classes and the extremely qualified professors. The professors really care about their students and are more than willing to utilize office hours for anything from academics to life to spirituality. The coursework is challenging but applicable, and help is easily avaliable through office hours or peer-tutoring programs. My classmates were also (generally) great! Most people in my classes really wanted to be there to learn, so group projects weren't as bad as they could have been. Work-study positions are avaliable for students who qualify. The cafeteria food was far better than most other colleges I have visited, although they have their moments. The gym is great, with a variety of machines, courts, studios, and a rock wall. The campus is clean and well-maintained. ... Read 1,073 reviews

Acceptance rate 83%

Net price $31,236

SAT range 1090-1350

#11 Best Colleges in Oregon .

NEWBERG, OR ,

1073 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I absolutely loved my time at George Fox! As an academically-minded engineering student, I was primarily interested in the small, rigorous classes and the extremely qualified professors. The... .

Read 1073 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 83% ,

Net Price : $31,236 ,

SAT Range : 1090-1350 ,

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, OR •

  • • Rating 3.58 out of 5   990 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Southern Oregon University has been short and sweet. I've enjoyed the majority of my classes, with only some having problems. I've had one professor that caused me problems, but many others who I've greatly enjoyed being around. I do wish the food was better, but what can you do about cafeteria food? The fact that some classes for my major, psychology, are only offered online , is a bummer. Having both in person and online classes costs more, which doesn't make sense if they're required? Oh well. ... Read 990 reviews

  • grade  B minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 90%

Net price $12,134

SAT range 980-1230

ASHLAND, OR ,

990 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says My experience at Southern Oregon University has been short and sweet. I've enjoyed the majority of my classes, with only some having problems. I've had one professor that caused me problems, but many... .

Read 990 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 90% ,

Net Price : $12,134 ,

SAT Range : 980-1230 ,

  • Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

Linfield University - Online & Continuing Education

  • • Rating 4.29 out of 5   14 reviews

Junior: Great format for online learning. I would like to see classes have more similar formats of homework and submission so that a student does not have to figure out a new method for each class. ... Read 14 reviews

  • grade  unavailable Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate —

Net price —

SAT range —

14 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Great format for online learning. I would like to see classes have more similar formats of homework and submission so that a student does not have to figure out a new method for each class. .

Read 14 reviews.

Vermont State University Johnson

JOHNSON, VT

  • • Rating 3.19 out of 5   341

University of Miami

CORAL GABLES, FL

  • • Rating 3.86 out of 5   3,073

Bard College at Simon's Rock

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA

  • • Rating 3.3 out of 5   347

Showing results 1 through 7 of 7

Jump to navigation

  • Find People
  • Life at Pacific

Forest Grove, Hillsboro & Eugene Campuses Closed

Update: Pacific University’s Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Eugene campuses, and all Pacific healthcare clinics, remain closed all day Friday, Jan. 19. More Details

creative writing programs oregon

Creative Writing

Find your passion in literary art: immerse yourself in it, understand it, create it.

Creative writing students practice an extensive study of literature along with the craft of writing. Pacific University’s workshop courses are small, intensive and geared toward the practice of craft. With the guidance and support of our writing professors, students write extensively in a variety of genres, provide critiques of each others’ work, and perfect the art of revision.

Take courses to hone your craft in a range of genres — from fiction and poetry to creative nonfiction and screenwriting.

Pacific University creative writing major Kyla Wilson '22

Publications & Conferences

Unique to Pacific's program is the opportunity to serve on a professional literary magazine, Silk Road Review , as well as work with acclaimed writers as part of Pacific's Visiting Writers Series . To develop your craft, pursue internships with Pacific's MFA in writing graduate program  and attend the prestigious Boldface Writers Conference with our faculty.

In the heart of Portland's rich literary culture, come and engage Literary Arts programming like Verselandia!, visit the fabled Powell's bookstore for readings, and connect with award-winning writers at the Portland Book Festival and Oregon Book Awards. Develop a rich and interdisciplinary portfolio of original work, learn how to get published, and find your writing community here.

— Charli Elliott '19

Careers in Creative Writing

Graduates of Pacific University’s Creative Writing degree program have a range of writing, editing, and innovative problem-solving skills highly valued in today's content-driven marketplace. Recent graduates have gone into publishing, writing for large and small businesses, law school, and health sciences programs in addition to being graphic novelists, fiction writers, and poets. Many continue their education, winning Fulbright positions or enrolling in MFA programs.

In this program, you will study the major authors, works, genres and literary movements of Western and World traditions, approaching these texts both analytically and historically. Develop your critical and creative thinking skills by examining texts analytically, historically and from multiple points of view. You will also find a unique voice, express yourself clearly in speaking and writing, and become an articulate interpreter and contributor to your culture.

Creative Writing Capstone Project

Creative writing students create a final artifact as a testament to their accrued body of knowledge and a portfolio of transferable skills bridging them into professional lives as writers, artists, scholars, editors, and content creators. Learn more about the capstone experience in creative writing.

Binford Endowed Scholarship in English

This scholarship is available to incoming first-year or transfer students majoring or minoring in English with a focus in literature or creative writing. This fund was created by a testamentary gift from the estate of Laura Phillips, for the charitable purpose of awarding scholarships to students “who have demonstrated the talent and interest in improving their writing skills and pursuing a career in writing.” The Binford Endowed Scholarship is designated for the educational benefit of students majoring or minoring in English who have demonstrated abilities and interest in writing. Qualifying first-year and transfer students will receive awards up to $5,000, as determined by the selection committee. Awards are available for up to four years, as long as students meet the award requirements.

creative writing programs oregon

Department of English  | Pacific University Bates House & Abigail Scott Duniway House 2043 College Way  Forest Grove, Oregon 97116

Discover the creative writing major requirements in the Pacific University academic catalog.

Discover the creative writing minor requirements in the Pacific University academic catalog.

Explore creative writing courses available at Pacific University.

Meet the creative writing faculty at Pacific University.

English majors

Our English program offers majors and minors in creative writing, disability studies, editing & publishing, and English literature. 

Learn what to expect from your creative writing major or minor at Pacific University.

Related Programs

creative writing programs oregon

The Pacific University MFA is thrilled to celebrate the news that faculty poet Kwame Dawes has been named the Poet Laureate of Jamaica, serving a term lasting from 2024-2027.

Mapmakers alumni institute fall & winter 23-24

Videos of the fall and winter 2023-24 Mapmakers Alumni Institute sessions are now available.

Anis Mojgani Leaning Against Wall, Wearing Winter Coat

Anis Mojgani, the 10th poet laureate of Oregon, brings his dynamic combination of poetry and visual art to Pacific University's Forest Grove Campus for the 2024 Whiteley Distinguished Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 15.

  • creative writing

SOU Academic Programs

  • be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.18
  • iy_2024; im_05; id_08; ih_18; imh_13; i_epoch:1.71521721668E+12
  • ixf-compiler; ixf-compiler_1.0.0.0
  • py_2024; pm_05; pd_07; ph_22; pmh_00; p_epoch:1.71514440105E+12
  • link-block; link-block_link-block; bodystr
  • pn_tstr:Tue May 07 22:00:01 PST 2024; pn_epoch:1.71514440105E+12
  • https://sou.edu/academics/creative-writing/
  • Creative Writing

The Creative Writing program at SOU will provide you with a unique opportunity to create your own worlds.

SOU Creative Writing Academic Programs

Students in Creative Writing at SOU’s Oregon Center for the Arts receive immersive training in the exciting field of contemporary literary production and culture. Intensive coursework in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and cross-genre writing prepares graduates for active application of their skills, whether their goals are to go on to an advanced program of study or to enter the broader marketplace with the valuable edge afforded by a degree that emphasizes verbal skills and effective communication. Emphasis is on dynamic forms of multicultural, hypersocial, and interdisciplinary innovation, with a firm grounding in traditional models and precedents. Enabled by the combined power of intellectual rigor and imaginative freedom, our writers discover ways to break through the multiple barriers in their path to artistic fulfillment and professional achievement.

Check out the SOU Creative Writing Program student testimonial video here on YouTube . Visit our YouTube Channel playlist for more SOU academic program testimonial videos.

Creative Writing At SOU Degrees

Undergraduate Degrees

Academic minors.

Learn more about SOU  Creative Writing Degrees:

Expression & Creativity

Learn more about Creative Writing Programs at SOU

What SOU Creative Writing Students are Saying

My experience in this program has been illuminating. It’s not just artistic growth the program offers, but personal growth as well. The teachers are extremely supportive and deeply intelligent people. This isn’t just me fluffing pillows. It’s worth anybody’s time.

Nicholas Anderson SOU Creative Writing Student Testimonial

I’ve found a close-knit community in the creative writing BFA. I get to work with my professors and friends on projects that interest me; all while being able to engage with the many great opportunities here in Ashland!

James Cutrona SOU Creative Writing Student Testimonial

Achieve Your Degree in Creative Writing at SOU

Contact creative writing.

SOU Creative Writing Program 1250 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 541.552.6101

– Questions About Creative Writing? –

  • SOU Housing
  • Raider Student Services
  • Academic Calendar
  • Class Schedule
  • Hannon Library
  • Technical Support

School of Writing, Literature, and Film

  • BA in English
  • BA in Creative Writing
  • About Film Studies
  • Film Faculty
  • Minor in Film Studies
  • Film Studies at Work
  • Minor in English
  • Minor in Writing
  • Minor in Applied Journalism
  • Scientific, Technical, and Professional Communication Certificate
  • Academic Advising
  • Student Resources
  • Scholarships
  • MA in English
  • MFA in Creative Writing
  • Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)
  • Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing
  • Undergraduate Course Descriptions
  • Graduate Course Descriptions
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Faculty by Fields of Focus
  • Faculty Notes Submission Form
  • Promoting Your Research
  • 2024 Spring Newsletter
  • Commitment to DEI
  • Twitter News Feed
  • 2022 Spring Newsletter
  • OSU - University of Warsaw Faculty Exchange Program
  • SWLF Media Channel
  • Student Work
  • View All Events
  • The Stone Award
  • Conference for Antiracist Teaching, Language and Assessment
  • Continuing Education
  • Alumni Notes
  • Featured Alumni
  • Donor Information
  • Support SWLF

Creative Writing Major

Field of study and learning outcomes.

The Creative Writing major at OSU combines the study of the craft of creative writing with an in-depth study of literature. We prepare our students to think and write creatively, as well as hone their analytical, critical, technical, and editorial skills. Students learn to write, read, analyze, and communicate powerfully for a variety of fields and contexts.

  • SWLF Advising
  • Course Descriptions
  • Apply to OSU

Creative Writing Major Requirements

Creative writing requirements - 53 credits total.

Lower Division: 17 credits

  • Students must take all 3 200-level creative writing courses (9 credits)
  • WR 224: Introduction to Fiction Writing
  • WR 240: Introduction to Nonfiction Writing
  • WR 241: Introduction to Poetry Writing
  • Pick any 2 200-level ENG courses (8 credits)

Upper Division: 36 credits

  •  WR 324: Short Story Writing*
  • WR 340: Creative Nonfiction Writing*
  • WR 341: Poetry Writing
  • WR 424: Advanced Fiction Writing*
  • WR 440: Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing*
  • WR 441: Advanced Poetry Writing*
  • Pick 1 pre-1800 upper-level (4 credits) ENG course
  • Pick 1 post-1800 upper-level (4 credits) ENG course
  • Pick 3 upper-level electives (12 credits) in ENG, WR, or FILM

*Note:  WR 324, 340, 341, 424, 440, 441 are repeatable for 8 credits

Learning Outcomes

Having completed the Creative Writing major, student will be able to:

  • Analyze craft in a variety of forms, genres, and cultural contexts
  • Apply aesthetic principles to their own creative work
  • Respond to the work of peers in oral and written critiques
  • Use practices of revision to produce polished and/or publishable manuscripts
  • Recognize and interpret a wide variety of literature and genres (may include visual material and inter-cultural texts) using a range of theoretical and interpretive strategies including close reading, and write effective arguments about these texts.

Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

College of Liberal Arts Student Services 214 Bexell Hall 541-737-0561

Deans Office 200 Bexell Hall 541-737-4582

Corvallis, OR 97331-8600

liberalartsosu liberalartsosu liberalartsosu liberalartsosu CLA LinkedIn

  • Dean's Office
  • Faculty & Staff Resources
  • Research Support
  • Featured Stories
  • Undergraduate Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Graduate Students
  • Career Services
  • Internships
  • Financial Aid
  • Honors Student Profiles
  • Degrees and Programs
  • Centers and Initiatives
  • School of Communication
  • School of History, Philosophy and Religion
  • School of Language, Culture and Society
  • School of Psychological Science
  • School of Public Policy
  • School of Visual, Performing and Design Arts
  • School of Writing, Literature and Film
  • Give to CLA
  • Skip to Content
  • Catalog Home
  • University of Oregon Home

Site navigation

  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Graduate Programs
  • Core-Education Courses
  • Apply to the UO

2023-2024 Catalog

  • College of Arts and Sciences >
  • Humanities >
  • Creative Writing
  • American English Institute
  • Cinema Studies
  • Comparative Literature
  • Creative Writing Minor
  • Creative Writing (MFA)
  • East Asian Languages and Literatures
  • Folklore and Public Culture
  • German and Scandinavian
  • Judaic Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Medieval Studies
  • Religious Studies
  • Romance Languages
  • Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
  • Theatre Arts
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences

http://crwr.uoregon.edu

Daniel D. Anderson, Program Director 541-346-3944 108 Alder Building 5243 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon 97403-5243

Daniel Anderson, professor (poetry). BA, 1987, Cincinnati; MA, 1989, Johns Hopkins. (2010)

Jason Brown, associate professor (fiction). BA, 1991, Bowdoin; MFA, 1995, Cornell. (2011)

Marjorie Celona, associate professor (fiction). BA, 2006, Victoria; MFA, 2009, Iowa. (2015)

Geri Doran, professor (poetry). BA, 1986, Vassar; MFA, 1995, Florida. (2007)

Garrett K. Hongo, College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor (poetry). BA, 1973, Pomona; MFA, 1980, California, Irvine. (1989)

Mat Johnson, Philip H. Knight Chair of the Humanities, professor (fiction), BA, 1993, Earlham College; MFA, 1999, Columbia. (2018)

Brian Trapp, Kidd Program Director, career instructor (fiction), BA, 2005, Ohio University; PhD, 2015, Cincinnati. (2015) 

Karen Thompson Walker, assistant professor (fiction). BA, 2002, California, Los Angeles; MFA, 2006, Columbia. (2017)

Richard M. Lyons, professor emeritus. BA, 1957, Brooklyn; MFA, 1962, Iowa. (1969)

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

Undergraduate Program

Graduate program, major - master's degree.

Office of Admissions 1217 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1217

  • Accessibility
  • Report a Concern
  • Privacy Policy
  • Find People
  • © University of Oregon . All Rights Reserved

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination .

Print this page.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

Search this site

Humanities menu.

Creative Writing Hero

Creative Writing Program

The Creative Writing Program at the University of Oregon is a two-year, fully-funded residency in which Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students concentrate in either poetry or fiction. The program emphasizes the workshop, integrating concentrated time for writing with craft seminars and individualized reading tutorials.  Each year we invite six writers for our Reading Series: recently we’ve hosted Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Elizabeth McCracken, and Justin Torres on the fiction side; in poetry, Ocean Vuong, Solmaz Sharif, and Robin Coste Lewis.     We offer two tracks for undergraduate study: a minor in Creative Writing , with workshops, seminars, and literature courses, as well as the Walter and Nancy Kidd Creative Writing Workshops , a unique yearlong studio experience in which students pursue their passion for creative writing in small classes with the support of peers and a graduate mentor. Follow us on Instagram to learn more about our program.

Diversity Statement

Creative Writing News and Events

Garrett Hongo and Colin Koopman

All events »

What You Can Do with a Creative Writing Degree

Our alumni have a long history of success with publishing, translation, fellowships, and prizes. Recent graduates have received Wallace Stegner Fellowships, the Dylan Thomas Award (University of Wales), the Amy Lowell Scholarship, the Philip Levine Prize in Poetry, the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award, and other honors. Many of our graduates have launched successful careers working for:

  • Newspapers, magazines, and book publishers
  • Media companies
  • Colleges and universities
  • Marketing and advertising agencies
  • Research institutes

Careers for Undergraduates

Careers for Graduate Students

Loїc-Aime-Mulatris

How a Creative Writing MFA Enhances Your Life

“My time in the MFA was incredibly enriching for both my work and my life. The program's dual commitments to the tradition and our own individual sensibilities proved invaluable for me. The lessons learned therein continue to inform and instruct my poetry as well as my living.”

—Loїc-Aime-Mulatris, MFA in poetry, '21

Our Degree Programs

Students in the Creative Writing Program can pursue a minor or an MFA. We also offer Kidd Workshops, a unique studio experience in which students workshop their creative work in small classes with the support of peers and a graduate mentor.

Declare or Change Minor

Author reading to students

Develop as a Literary Artist

Deepen your intellectual life and expand your writing skills within a community of like-minded peers in our Kidd Workshops, and hear from award-winning writers in our annual Reading Series.

Kidd Workshops Reading Series

Person sitting at desk

Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty comprises award-winning authors and poets, including Pushcart Prize winners, National Endowment for the Arts recipients, and honorees of the Walt Whitman and O. Henry awards. In addition to a broad range of novels, nonfiction books, and poetry collections, their work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Harper’s, Best American Short Stories , and many other venues.

Publications Faculty Directory

Scholarships and Funding

The Creative Writing Program offers awards for both undergraduate and graduate students. Our MFA program fully funds students during their two-year residency program.

Undergraduate Scholarships    Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Our academic advisors can help students understand their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising    Support for Graduate Students

Give to the Creative Writing Program

Learn More About Giving to CAS

IMAGES

  1. MFA in Creative Writing

    creative writing programs oregon

  2. BA in Creative Writing

    creative writing programs oregon

  3. How to Apply for the University of Oregon MFA Creative Writing Course

    creative writing programs oregon

  4. BA in Creative Writing

    creative writing programs oregon

  5. Fully-funded, two-year program in Oregon

    creative writing programs oregon

  6. The 10 Best Creative Writing Programs

    creative writing programs oregon

VIDEO

  1. Lee Ann Roripaugh GTCPR 2012

  2. 2023 Story Factory at Sydney Writers Festival Highlight Reel

  3. Oregon Recriminalizing Drugs #Shorts

  4. Ready to unleash your creativity through words? Join our FREE Creative Writing Workshop

  5. In Other News: Is Oregon writing death certificates for family run farms?

COMMENTS

  1. About the MFA Program

    The Creative Writing Program at the University of Oregon is a two-year residency in which Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students concentrate in either poetry or fiction. The Program emphasizes the workshop, integrating concentrated time for writing with craft seminars and individualized reading tutorials.

  2. Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

    Oregon State University's high residency MFA program in Corvallis has a long tradition of excellence in producing and teaching creative writing, going all the way back to the 1950s when the future distinguished novelist William Kittredge was a student here, and Bernard Malamud won a National Book Award while teaching in the English Department.

  3. Creative Writing

    Become a member of Portland's vibrant community of writers. Portland State University's Creative Writing Program offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry. Located in the center of one of the country's most vibrantly literary cities, the Creative Writing Program provides writers with opportunities for creative development with a ...

  4. Creative Writing (MFA)

    Oregon State University has a long tradition of excellence in producing and teaching creative writing, going all the way back to the 1950s when the future distinguished novelist William Kittredge was a student here, and Bernard Malamud won a National Book Award while teaching in the English Department. This is a distinguished past, but our present is even more remarkable.

  5. Undergraduates

    Creative Writing Minor. Study the craft of writing with the program's award-winning faculty writers. You'll read exemplary authors, hone your skills with brief writing exercises, and create your own stories and poems. In courses ranging from introductory to advanced level fiction and poetry, you'll also develop imaginative and critical ...

  6. Graduate Academic Programs

    The Creative Writing Program at the University of Oregon is a two-year residency in which Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students concentrate in either poetry or fiction. ... 1219 University of Oregon. Eugene, OR 97403-1219. Office: Susan Campbell Hall , 170. P: 541-346-5129. F: 541-346-2804. [email protected]. Report a Concern;

  7. Creative Writing Bachelor of Fine Arts Program

    Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Overview. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in creative writing is your first step toward a career in writing, editing, publishing, journalism, teaching, arts administration, advertising, and other creative fields. It will also prepare you to apply to graduate programs in creative writing.

  8. Creative Writing Masters Degree Programs

    Creative Writing Master's Degree Overview. Make your literary mark with PSU's master's in Creative Writing. Our two-year, flexible program offers both full-time and part-time options for earning your MFA. You will graduate with a manuscript, your thesis, in your genre (fiction, poetry, or nonfiction). We will also guide you into your ...

  9. Creative Writing Graduate Major (MFA) < Oregon State University

    The School of Writing, Literature, and Film offers the Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing (fiction, poetry, nonfiction writing) at the Corvallis campus and a Low-Residency MFA partner program on the OSU-Cascades campus in Bend, Oregon. The MFA Program in Creative Writing on the OSU Corvallis campus is a two-year, high residency ...

  10. 2024 Best Oregon Colleges with Creative Writing Degrees

    Overall Niche Grade. Acceptance rate 98%. Net price $13,015. SAT range 1000-1250. Portland State University is a great school to attend for many reasons. The professors I've met so far are passionate about what they teach, and they show great interest in your progress.

  11. BA in Creative Writing

    Our program prepares you to enter your professional life skilled in analysis and sophisticated at creating new narratives to lead change, shape the world of many different industries, and design for the future. To explore careers with a creative writing major, discuss jobs and internships, contact CLA Career Development.

  12. Creative Writing Degree

    Degree Programs ›. Creative Writing. Find your passion in literary art: immerse yourself in it, understand it, create it. Creative writing students practice an extensive study of literature along with the craft of writing. Pacific University's workshop courses are small, intensive and geared toward the practice of craft.

  13. Creative Writing

    Students in Creative Writing at SOU's Oregon Center for the Arts receive immersive training in the exciting field of contemporary literary production and culture. Intensive coursework in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and cross-genre writing prepares graduates for active application of their skills, whether their goals are to go on to an advanced program of study or to enter the broader ...

  14. Creative Writing Major

    The Creative Writing major at OSU combines the study of the craft of creative writing with an in-depth study of literature. We prepare our students to think and write creatively, as well as hone their analytical, critical, technical, and editorial skills. Students learn to write, read, analyze, and communicate powerfully for a variety of fields ...

  15. Creative Writing < University of Oregon

    Creative Writing. Daniel D. Anderson, Program Director 541-346-3944 108 Alder Building 5243 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon 97403-5243.

  16. Creative Writing Program

    "This week on the Sewanee Review Podcast, managing editor and poetry editor Eric Smith catches ...