Master of Fine Arts in Writing
Write from home.
Two residencies a year in Bend.
Degree Type
Master of Fine Arts
Resources
MFA Blog
College
College of Liberal Arts
Catalog Link
Academic Program
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
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Program Details
Learn more about the MFA in Writing's course of study, residencies and curriculum.
Genres
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
Specialty Courses and Mentoring Opportunities
- Blended genres
- Community Engagement
-
Publishing
- Young adult fiction
Fall 2025 Admission
- Application opens: September 2024
- Priority Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
- Final Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
- Fall Start Date: September 2025
Once you complete this program, discover all the learning outcomes you'll achieve.
Using the following course forecast information students will plan ahead and work with their advisor to create and update academic plans.
OSUcascadesGradPrograms@osucascades.edu or call 541-706-2101
Open Houses
Learn more about earning a Master of Fine Arts in Writing
- Virtual open house event on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 5:15-6:15pm.
- Virtual open house event on Monday, March 16, 2026 from 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm
- Virtual open house event on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 5:15pm - 6:15pm
Courses
What types of classes will I attend?
- Reading for Writers
- Compassionate Critique
- Revision
- Critical Studies: Reading Difference, Power and Privilege
- Creative Writing Pedagogy or WR 542 Publishing
- Critical Studies: Community Engagement
- Critical Studies: Critical Introduction
- Poetry Foundations 1: Prosody
- Fiction Foundations 1: Narrative Conventions
- Creative Nonfiction Foundations: Narrative
- Poetry Foundations 3: Experimental Forms
- Creative Nonfiction Foundations: Lyric
Spare Change
"spare change" by OSU-Cascades MFA instructor and alumna Irene Cooper was a 2022 Oregon Book Awards Finalist.
Award-Winning Faculty
Dedicated, diverse, award-winning and inspiring, the OSU-Cascades faculty have a wealth of experiences and perspectives on writing and the writing life.
The Color of a Lie
The Color of a Lie” by MFA alumna and instructor Kim Johnson won the LA Times Annual Book Prize in Young Adult Fiction.
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.
See yourself here
Take a virtual tour of campus
Request More Info
Contact Us
We're here to help! Future students can connect with an OSU-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.