http://crwr.uoregon.edu
P. Lowell Bowditch, Program Director
541-346-0552
108 Alder Building
5243 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-5243
Faculty
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, assistant professor (fiction). BA, 2006, Victoria; MFA, 2009, Iowa. (2015)
Geri Doran, associate 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, professor, BA, 1993, Earlham College; MFA, 1999, Columbia (2018)
Karen Thompson Walker, assistant professor (fiction). BA, 2002, California, Los Angeles; MFA, 2006, Columbia. (2017)
Emeritus
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 Studies
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 take courses for letter grades. Course work required for the minor must be passed with grades of B– or better.
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.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 8 |
| |
| Kidd Workshop I 1 | |
| Kidd Workshop II Poetry 1 | |
| Kidd Workshop II: Fiction |
| |
| Introduction to Poetry Writing | |
| Introduction to Fiction Writing | |
| 8 |
| Intermediate Poetry Writing 2 | |
| Kidd Workshop III: Poetry 1 | |
| Kidd Workshop III: Fiction |
| Intermediate Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction 2 | |
| Intermediate Fiction Writing 2 | |
| 8 |
| Seminar: [Topic] | |
| Literature for Poets 2 | |
| Literature for Fiction Writers 2 | |
| Advanced Poetry Writing 2 | |
| Advanced Fiction Writing 2 | |
| Total Credits | 24 |
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.
Kidd Tutorial Program
Implemented through the generosity of the Walter P. Kidd family, this yearlong tutorial 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 section matches one graduate employee—a poet or fiction writer—with as many as 10 students and is overseen by the director of the Kidd Tutorial Program. Participants earn 12 credits in Kidd Workshop I (CRWR 225), Kidd Workshop II Poetry (CRWR 235), Kidd Workshop III: Poetry (CRWR 335) or Kidd Workshop I (CRWR 225), Kidd Workshop II: Fiction (CRWR 245). Kidd Workshop III: Fiction (CRWR 345). Information about application procedures is available on the program’s website.
Graduate Studies
Master of Fine Arts Degree
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 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 application fee may be paid by credit card (nonrefundable). The online application requires the following:
- Personal statement (PDF upload)
- Sample of the applicant's writing (PDF upload)
- Transcripts (PDF upload)
- Contact information for as many as four people (three are required) who agree to offer a recommendation
Arrange to have official copies of transcripts sent from institutions where a degree was earned to the UO Office of the Registar.
Application materials must be submitted online by the deadline for admission to the program the following fall term. Admission is made for fall term only. Find information, deadlines, and application instructions on the program’s website.
Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
The candidate must complete the graduate work during six consecutive terms in residence at the university. The candidate must pass a written examination on a reading list of works of fiction or poetry.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| CRWR 605 | Writing and Conference: [Topic] | 9 |
| CRWR 607 | Seminar: [Topic] (MFA Seminar) | 18 |
| CRWR 609 | Terminal Creative Project: [Topic] | 9 |
| CRWR 635 | MFA Poetry Workshop | 36 |
| or CRWR 645 | MFA Fiction Workshop |
| Total Credits | 72 |
