An independent directory of dedicated creative writing degrees in the United States
Pacific University · Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program, Pacific University
A two-year, 68-credit low-residency MFA requiring four semesters of guided study and five ten-day residencies, held each January in Seaside on the Oregon Coast and each June on the Forest Grove campus. During the semester students send work to a faculty advisor about every three weeks and devote 20-25 hours per week to study.
MFA in Writing in which students major in poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction and complete a creative thesis manuscript.
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026We list dedicated creative writing degrees only. Eligibility rules
PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026As listed on the program's official page on October 9, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Genre | Length | Requirement as published |
|---|---|---|
| Poetry | up to 10 pages | 10 pages of poetry, no more than one poem per pageFormatting: Times 12 point, single-spaced, one poem per page, page numbers and nameSource: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Fiction | up to 4000 words | Fiction up to 4,000 wordsFormatting: double-spaced, Times 12 pointSource: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
| Creative Nonfiction | up to 4000 words | Nonfiction up to 4,000 wordsFormatting: double-spaced, Times 12 pointSource: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
GRE and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness: programs rarely publish comparable figures.
Funding / priority deadline
September 1 (priority; admissions and scholarships begin) · for January start (Spring 2027)
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Application deadline
November 15, as space allows · for January start (Spring 2027)
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Funding / priority deadline
March 1 (priority) · for June start
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Application deadline
May 15, as space allows · for June start
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All studentsPublished for low-residency study | $23,528 | per academic year · 2026-2027Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026 |
Partial fundingPolicy year: 2026-2027
The MFA in Writing Endowed Scholarship scholarship
Eligibility: Writers of exceptional merit with demonstrated financial need (FAFSA required)
How to apply: Considered with application
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026The Marvin Bell Endowed Scholarship scholarship
Eligibility: Students showing originality and promise in poetry
How to apply: Considered with application
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026The Kwame Dawes Mapmakers Scholarship scholarship
Partial tuition
Eligibility: Applicants who write in the spirit of Kwame Dawes; recipients may apply for the Mapmakers Teaching Assistantship from the third semester
How to apply: Considered with application
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026The Katherine Dunn Scholarship scholarship
Eligibility: Exceptional applicants with demonstrated financial need (FAFSA required)
How to apply: Considered with application
Source: pacificu.edu · verified October 9, 2026Something out of date? Request a correction · Represent this school? Claim the profile
Same degree level, nearby or in the same format. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
Creative Writing Programs is independent and not affiliated with Pacific University. Information is collected from official pages and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.