Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Write from home.

Two residencies a year in Bend.

Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Degree Type
Master of Fine Arts
College
College of Liberal Arts

Description

Founded in 2012, the OSU-Cascades Low-Residency MFA in Writing is an intimate program with an award-winning faculty and a stunning residency location. Our curriculum builds sustainable writing habits, strong craft foundations and the essential skills to become a critical and ethical reader and writer in a diverse literary world. Join a community that supports creative risk-taking and helps you develop the skills and mindset to center writing in your life beyond graduation.

What Makes Us Different

Our approach offers flexibility, community and independence. Over two years, you will take challenging synchronous and asynchronous courses and participate in writing workshops guided by our philosophy of compassionate critique. Faculty mentorships are game-changing opportunities to hone your voice and your vision.

  • 2-year, at-home program
  • Four residencies in Bend
  • Weekly synchronous virtual classes
  • Asynchronous coursework

 

Program Information

Learn more about the MFA in Writing's course of study, residencies and curriculum.

Fall 2025 Admission

•    Application opens: September 2024
•    Priority Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
•    Final Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
•    Fall Start Date: September 2025

Learn more

Contact:
OSUcascadesGradPrograms@osucascades.edu
Phone: 541-706-2101

Genres

  • Poetry
  • Fiction
  • Creative Nonfiction

Specialty Courses and Mentoring Opportunities

  • Blended genres
  • Screenwriting
  • Young adult fiction
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Irene Cooper

 

"spare change" by OSU-Cascades MFA instructor and alumna Irene Cooper was a 2022 Oregon Book Awards Finalist.

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MFA faculty in class with students

 

Dedicated, diverse, award-winning and inspiring, the OSU-Cascades faculty have a wealth of experiences and perspectives on writing and the writing life.

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Brown Neon Book Cover

 

MFA faculty author Raquel Gutiérrez's essay collection "Brown Neon" (Coffee House Press) has been celebrated by the "Today Show," Vogue and The New Yorker.

OSU Corvallis Partnership

The MFA in Writing at OSU in Corvallis has a long tradition of excellence. Recognizing the need to bring an outstanding education to students with different life stories, faculty on both campuses partnered to bring a low-residency MFA in Writing to Central Oregon in 2012. Here in the OSU-Cascades low-residency MFA, we continue that tradition of excellence, growing creative writers with exemplary publication records, and a passion for loving this world, through art.