Creative Writing
George E. Rowe, Program Director
541-346-0552
108 Alder Building
5243 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-5243
Faculty
Daniel Anderson, associate professor (poetry). BA, 1987, Cincinnati; MA, 1989, Johns Hopkins. (2010)
Jason Brown, associate professor (fiction). BA, 1991, Bowdoin; MFA, 1995, Cornell. (2011)
Geri Doran, associate professor (poetry). BA, 1986, Vassar; MFA, 1995, Florida. (2007)
Ehud Havazelet, professor (fiction). AB, 1977, Columbia; MFA, 1984, Iowa. (1999)
Garrett K. Hongo, College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor (poetry). BA, 1973, Pomona; MFA, 1980, California, Irvine. (1989)
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 mid-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.
| CRWR 230 | Introduction to Poetry Writing | 4 |
| CRWR 240 | Introduction to Fiction Writing | 4 |
| or CRWR 244 | Introduction to Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction | |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Intermediate Poetry Writing | ||
| Intermediate Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction | ||
| Intermediate Fiction Writing | ||
| Kidd Tutorial II | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Seminar: [Topic] | ||
| Experimental Course: [Topic] | ||
| Literature for Poets | ||
| Literature for Fiction Writers | ||
| Kidd Tutorial III | ||
| Advanced Poetry Writing | ||
| Advanced Fiction Writing | ||
| 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 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 Kidd Tutorial I-III (CRWR 417–419). Information about application procedures is available from the tutorial program director and 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 $50 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
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.
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.
| 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 | |
Courses
CRWR 199. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 230. Introduction to Poetry Writing. 4 Credits.
Introduction to forms and techniques of writing poetry.
Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.
CRWR 240. Introduction to Fiction Writing. 4 Credits.
Introduction to forms and techniques of writing fiction.
Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.
CRWR 244. Introduction to Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction. 4 Credits.
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.
CRWR 330. Intermediate Poetry Writing. 4 Credits.
Intermediate-level study of poetry writing. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 230 with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 336. Intermediate Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction. 4 Credits.
Intermediate-level study of literary nonfiction writing. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 240 or 244 with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 340. Intermediate Fiction Writing. 4 Credits.
Intermediate-level study of fiction writing. Repeatable when topic changes. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 240 or 244 with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 405. Writing and Conference: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 407. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 410. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 413. Literature for Poets. 4 Credits.
Advanced discourse on issues and principles related to the craft of poetry. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 330 or 418 (poetry) with a grade of B– or better. Students majoring in English, journalism, or comparative literature may also enroll with department approval.
CRWR 414. Literature for Fiction Writers. 4 Credits.
Advanced discourse on issues and principles related to the craft of fiction. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 336 or 340 or 418 (fiction) with a grade of B– or better. Students majoring in English, journalism, or comparative literature may also enroll with department approval.
CRWR 417. Kidd Tutorial I. 4 Credits.
First term of intensive, yearlong study of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Sequence with CRWR 418 and CRWR 419.
Prereq: CRWR 230 or 240 or 244 with a grade of B– or better; CRWR 330 or 336 or 340 recommended preparation. Admission by application only.
CRWR 418. Kidd Tutorial II. 4 Credits.
Second term of intensive, yearlong study of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Development of individual line of inquiry project. Sequence with CRWR 417 and CRWR 419. Admission by application only.
Prereq: CRWR 417 with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 419. Kidd Tutorial III. 4 Credits.
Third and final term of intensive, yearlong study of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Focus on completion and presentation of individual line of inquiry project. Sequence with CRWR 417 and CRWR 418. Admission by application only.
Prereq: CRWR 418 with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 435. Advanced Poetry Writing. 4 Credits.
Advanced workshop in the writing of poetry. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 330 or 418 (poetry) with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 445. Advanced Fiction Writing. 4 Credits.
Advanced workshop in the writing of fiction. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: CRWR 336 or 340 or 418 (fiction) with a grade of B– or better.
CRWR 503. Thesis. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 507. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 535. Advanced Poetry Writing. 4 Credits.
Advanced workshop in the writing of poetry. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: two courses of CRWR 330 or CRWR 330 and 418 with grade of mid-B or better.
CRWR 545. Advanced Fiction Writing. 4 Credits.
Advanced workshop in the writing of fiction. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: two courses of CRWR 340 or CRWR 340 and 336 or 418 with grade of mid-B or better.
CRWR 601. Research: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 605. Writing and Conference: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 607. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Selected seminars offered each year. Repeatable when topic changes.
CRWR 608. Special Topics: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CRWR 609. Terminal Creative Project: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
CRWR 610. Experimental Course [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable when topic changes.
CRWR 635. MFA Poetry Workshop. 6 Credits.
Concentration on student writing in a workshop setting. Open only to students admitted to creative writing master of fine arts program in poetry. Repeatable five times for a maximum of 36 credits.
CRWR 645. MFA Fiction Workshop. 6 Credits.
Concentration on student writing in a workshop setting. Open only to students admitted to creative writing master of fine arts program in fiction. Repeatable five times for a maximum of 36 credits.