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Creative and Environmental Writing
Unique, affordable, and rigorous, the Eastern Oregon University low residency MFA in Creative Writing is where your writing practice and intellectual curiosity will find a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community of writers.
At Eastern Oregon University, we share a core belief that creative individuals are an under-appreciated and under-used resource. The creative makers among us have much to offer their communities and we commit ourselves therefore to fostering that creativity. It is our belief, too, that finding community-based solutions to the real problems communities face can and should be a collaboration in which the creativity of artists and writers play vital, enduring roles for enriching the lives of all. The Grande Ronde Valley and nearby Wallowa Valley are gateways to Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains and Oregon’s largest wilderness, the Eagle Cap Wilderness, which provide an exceptional resource for student writers enrolled in our Wilderness, Ecology, and Community program. In collaboration with our program partner, the Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers at Wallowa Lake near Joseph, Oregon, we strive to create a truly one-of-its-kind literary experience for our students. We also offer a special (optional) concentration in Landscape, Ecology, and Community.
Graduates of EOU’s MFA in Creative Writing emerge as skilled and innovative writers, equipped with a deep understanding of their craft and the literary world. Our program prepares you for diverse career paths, from publishing and teaching to community-based writing projects and beyond.
Learning Outcomes:
EOU offers a traditional genre-based two-year low residency program that requires 60 credits of course work, including two 14-day summer residencies followed each year by online mentorship on writing projects. This format provides the freedom to work from anywhere while benefiting from in-person interactions during residencies.
The program’s unique format supports your creative journey with flexible learning opportunities, while our rich partnerships with Fishtrap and local literary events offer an immersive and engaging experience. Whether you’re joining us in La Grande or connecting remotely, you’ll be part of a dynamic community dedicated to your growth as a writer.
Nick NeelyMFA DirectorPhone: 541-962-3633E-mail: nneely@eou.edu
Heather McConnell Administrative Program AssistantPhone: 541-962-3644E-mail: hlmcconnell@eou.edu
Our MFA is flexible in requiring just one residency commitment a year: back-to-back weeks in July at the storied Fishtrap Gathering of Writers at Wallowa Lake near the artsy town of Joseph, and in nearby La Grande on EOU’s campus. These experiences offer distinct vibes under the same skies, separated by a scenic 1.5-hour drive around the Wallowa Mountains, known as the Little Alps of Oregon. Students may opt to attend just two summer residencies or they may attend a third on-campus week in a third summer and take slightly less distance-based coursework.