Faculty

David H. Bradley, associate professor (fiction). B.A., 1972, Pennsylvania; M.A. 1974, London. (2001)

Laurie Lynn Drummond, assistant professor (fiction). B.G.S., 1986, M.F.A., 1991, Louisiana State. (2004)

Ehud Havazelet, associate professor (fiction). A.B., 1977, Columbia; M.F.A., 1984, Iowa Writers Workshop. (1999)

Garrett K. Hongo, professor (poetry). B.A., 1973, Pomona; M.F.A., 1980, California, Irvine. (1989)

Dorianne Laux, professor (poetry). B.A., 1988, Mills. (1994)

Emeritus

Richard M. Lyons, professor emeritus. B.A., 1957, Brooklyn; M.F.A., 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

While there is no undergraduate major in creative writing, the program does offer undergraduate-level creative writing courses. Undergraduate English majors who want to emphasize creative writing should complete Introduction to Poetry Writing (CRWR 230), Introduction to Fiction Writing (CRWR 240), and Introduction to Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction (CRWR 244). Other students should consult their major advisers about integrating creative writing courses into their programs.

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 CRWR 417, 418, and 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

1. Bachelor’s degree

2. Other materials submitted for admission that give evidence that the applicant will be able to complete the prescribed course of study satisfactorily

Admission Procedures

1. Apply online from the program’s website; the $50 application fee can be paid by credit card

2. Arrange to have two official copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts sent, one to the university’s Office of Admissions and the other to the program’s admissions committee

3. Send or have sent to the program’s admissions committee:

a. Sample of the applicant’s creative writing

b. Letters of recommendation from three people familiar with the applicant’s potential as a writer

Application materials must be postmarked 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.

Degree Requirements

The candidate for the M.F.A. degree must complete 72 credits of graduate work during six consecutive terms in residence at the university. Of the 72 credits, 36 must be in graduate creative writing (CRWR) courses, 9 in Terminal Creative Project (CRWR 609), 9 in Writing and Conference (CRWR 605), and 18 in literature or literature in translation. The candidate must pass a written examination on a reading list of works of fiction or poetry.

Creative Writing Courses (CRWR) [back to top]

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

230 Introduction to Poetry Writing (4) Introduction to forms and techniques of writing poetry. Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.

240 Introduction to Fiction Writing (4) Introduction to forms and techniques of writing fiction. Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.

244 Introduction to Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction (4) Techniques of writing creative nonfiction (the literary essay). Development of a critical appreciation of the art of writing. Prereq: WR 121 or equivalent.

330 Intermediate Poetry Writing (4R) Intermediate-level study of poetry writing. Prereq: CRWR 230 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better. R when topic changes.

336 Intermediate Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction (4R) Examines basic techniques and structures of literary nonfiction. Extensively examines student work and established models. Prereq: CRWR 230 or 240 or 244 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better. R twice for maximum of 12 credits.

340 Intermediate Fiction Writing (4R) Intermediate-level study of fiction writing. Prereq: CRWR 240 or 244 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better. R when topic changes.

401 Research: [Topic] (1–21R)

403 Thesis (1–12R)

405 Writing and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

407 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

410 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

413 Literature for Poets (4R) Advanced discourse on issues and principles related to the craft of poetry. Prereq: CRWR 330 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better or concentration in English, journalism, theater arts, or comparative literature. R when topic changes.

414 Literature for Fiction Writers (4R) Advanced discourse on issues and principles related to the craft of fiction. Prereq: CRWR 340 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better or concentration in English, journalism, theater arts, or comparative literature. R when topic changes.

417, 418, 419 Kidd Tutorial I,II,III (4,4,4) Intensive, yearlong study of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Development, completion, and presentation of an individual line-of-inquiry project. Sequence. Admission by application only. Prereq for 417: CRWR 330 or 336 or 340 with a grade of mid-B or better.

435/535 Advanced Poetry Writing (4R) Advanced workshop in the writing of poetry. Open to graduate students not admitted to creative writing M.F.A. program. Prereq: CRWR 330 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better. R when topic changes.

445/545 Advanced Fiction Writing (4R) Advanced workshop in the writing of fiction. Open to graduate students not admitted to creative writing M.F.A program. Prereq: CRWR 340 or equivalent with a grade of mid-B or better. R When topic changes.

503 Thesis (1–16R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

605 Writing and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R) Selected seminars offered each year. R when topic changes.

609 Terminal Creative Project: [Topic] (1–16R) M.F.A. project. Open only to students admitted to the creative writing M.F.A. program. R when topic changes.

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R) R when topic changes.

635 M.F.A. Poetry Workshop (6R) Concentration on student writing in a workshop setting. Open only to students admitted to creative writing M.F.A. program in poetry. R when topic changes.

645 M.F.A. Fiction Workshop (6R) Concentration on student writing in a workshop setting. Open only to students admitted to creative writing M.F.A program in fiction. R when topic changes.