Creative Writing

The Creative Writing Program offers two formal courses of study for University of Oregon undergraduates:

Minor in Creative Writing

The creative writing minor offers courses in which students study matters of craft by reading and writing creative works, develop critical thinking and interpretive skills, hone their ability to articulate complex ideas with subtlety and clarity, and gain instruction in the mechanics of writing. Students must successfully complete at least six courses, which must be taken for letter grades. Course work required for the minor must be passed with grades of mid-B or better. The minor requires 24 credits of approved course work, as follows:

• Two introductory courses (8 credits) (CRWR 230 and either CRWR 240 or 244)
• Two intermediate courses (8 credits) (chosen from among CRWR 330, 336, 340, 418)
• Two advanced courses (8 credits) (chosen from among CRWR 407, 410, 413, 414, 419, 435, 445)

Of the 24 required credits, a maximum of 8 credits at the 200 or 300 level may be transferred. All courses at the 400 level must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon.

Questions regarding the minor should be addressed to the program director. Students must apply for the minor through the program’s office well in advance of graduation for transcript evaluation. In order be eligible for the minor, students must complete all degree requirements and a major in another academic department.

Undergraduate English majors who want to emphasize creative writing should complete Introduction to Poetry Writing (CRWR 230), Introduction to Fiction Writing (CRWR 240), and Introduction to Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction (CRWR 244). Other students should consult their major advisors about integrating creative writing courses into their programs.

Kidd Tutorial Program

Implemented through the generosity of the Walter P. Kidd family, this yearlong tutorial for juniors and seniors offers the chance to study writing and literary craft using literary models. The program, which requires a three-term commitment from participants, accommodates a highly flexible and individualized study of fiction, poetry, and literary nonfiction writing. Each group of four to six students studies under the supervision of a graduate teaching fellow and is overseen by the director of the Kidd tutorials. Participants earn 12 credits in CRWR 417, 418, and 419. Information about application procedures is available from the tutorial program director and on the program’s website.

Master of Fine Arts Degree

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree
2. Other materials submitted for admission giving evidence that the applicant will be able to complete the prescribed course of study satisfactorily

Admission Procedures

Apply online from the Creative Writing Program’s website; the $50 application fee can be paid by credit card (nonrefundable). The online application requires the following: 

• Personal statement (PDF upload)
• Sample of the applicant's writing (PDF upload)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
• Transcripts (PDF upload)
• Contact information for as many as four people (three are required) who agree to offer a recommendation

The GRE test scores must be self-reported in the online application. The official report also must be sent directly to the Creative Writing Program office by the Educational Testing Service.

Arrange to have official copies of transcripts sent

• from all institutions attended to the Creative Writing Program
• from institutions where a degree was earned to the UO Office of Admissions

Application materials must be submitted online by January 15 for admission to the program the following fall term. Admission is made for fall term only. Find information and application instructions on the program’s website.

Degree Requirements

The candidate for the MFA degree must complete 72 credits of graduate work during six consecutive terms in residence at the university. Of the 72 credits, 36 must be in graduate creative writing (CRWR) courses, 9 in Thesis (CRWR 503), 9 in Writing and Conference (CRWR 605), and 18 in literature or literature in translation. The candidate must pass a written examination on a reading list of works of fiction or poetry.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

230 Introduction to Poetry Writing (4) Introduction to forms and techniques of writing poetry. Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.

240 Introduction to Fiction Writing (4) Introduction to forms and techniques of writing fiction. Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.

244 Introduction to Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction (4) Introduction to techniques of writing creative nonfiction (the literary essay). Development of a critical appreciation of the art of writing. Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.

330 Intermediate Poetry Writing (4R) Intermediate-level study of poetry writing. Prereq: CRWR 230 with grade of mid-B or better. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

336 Intermediate Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction (4R) Intermediate-level study of literary nonfiction writing. Prereq: CRWR 240 or 244 with a grade of mid-B or better. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

340 Intermediate Fiction Writing (4R) Intermediate-level study of fiction writing. Prereq: CRWR 240 or 244 with a grade of mid-B or better. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

405 Writing and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

407 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

410 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

413 Literature for Poets (4R) Advanced discourse on issues and principles related to the craft of poetry. Prereq: CRWR 330 or 418 (poetry) with grade of mid-B or better. Students majoring in English, journalism, or comparative literature also may enroll with department approval. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

414 Literature for Fiction Writers (4R) Advanced discourse on issues and principles related to the craft of fiction. Prereq: CRWR 336 or 340 or 418 (fiction) with grade of mid-B or better. Students majoring in English, journalism, or comparative literature also may enroll with department approval. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

417, 418, 419 Kidd Tutorial I,II,III (4,4,4) Intensive, yearlong study of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Development, completion, and presentation of an individual line-of-inquiry project. Sequence. Admission by application only. Prereq for 417: CRWR 230 or 240 or 244 with a grade of mid-B or better. CRWR 330 or 336 or 340 recommended preparation.

435/535 Advanced Poetry Writing (4R) Advanced workshop in the writing of poetry. Open to graduate students not admitted to creative writing MFA program. Prereq: CRWR 330 or 418 (poetry) with grade of mid-B or better. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

445/545 Advanced Fiction Writing (4R) Advanced workshop in the writing of fiction. Open to graduate students not admitted to creative writing MFA program. Prereq: CRWR 336 or 340 or 418 (fiction) with grade of mid-B or better. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

503 Thesis (1–16R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

605 Writing and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R) Selected seminars offered each year. R when topic changes.

608 Special Topics: [Topic] (1–5R) R when topic changes.

609 Terminal Creative Project: [Topic] (1–16R) MFA project. Open only to students admitted to the creative writing MFA program. R when topic changes.

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R) R when topic changes.

635 MFA Poetry Workshop (6R) Concentration on student writing in a workshop setting. Open only to students admitted to creative writing MFA program in poetry. R five times for a maximum of 36 credits.

645 MFA Fiction Workshop (6R) Concentration on student writing in a workshop setting. Open only to students admitted to creative writing MFA program in fiction. R five times for a maximum of 36 credits.