What is a Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing?
There’s some debate (surprise, surprise) about the origins of the first low-residency MFA program. Warren Wilson College claims to be the first low-res MFA (1976), but Goddard College also claims that they were the first, also in 1976, which also happens to be the year I was born.
The confusion is because Ellen Bryant Voigt (a brilliant and intimidating poet, who is often simply referred to as EBV by fellow poets) first created the low-residency program at Goddard College. Then, in 1981, the program relocated to Warren Wilson College. They were one, and now are two.
These day about 60 low-residency MFA programs focus on creative writing in the U.S. So if you’re in the market for one, and are feeling a little overwhelmed, that’s understandable.
I teach at the University of Nevada Reno Tahoe’s (UNRT) Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. I also attended the “residential” MFA at the University of Washington. After comparing the two, I see that a low-residency program offers unique advantages and may have even been a better fit for me 20 years ago.
What is a Low-Residency MFA?
A low-residency Creative Writing MFA combines one-on-one remote mentorships and brief residencies on campus. MFA in creative writing is considered a “terminal degree” in creative writing, which means that you’re allowed to teach at accredited MFA programs once you have a degree.
Students complete most coursework online under the guidance of a series of mentors—typically a faculty member. During the twice annual “residency,” an intensive 6-10 day gathering, students take a number of classes and attend various readings and panels.
Low-residency MFA programs allow students to continue working or fulfilling other obligations while pursuing a degree. Completing a low-residency MFA degree usually takes about 2-3 years.
Generally, you’ll need to complete a set number of credits and residencies, which vary.
Here I am at a UNRT residency with my student Vincent — we were unable to pretend that our picture was not being taken.
Why Would I Get a Low-Residency MFA Degree?
A low-residency MFA allows you to take time to focus on your writing, as you make a commitment to craft. These programs typically have students of all ages—from their twenties to their seventies and beyond—unlike residential programs, which often mostly cater to people who’ve recently finished their undergraduate degrees.
Many MFA participants walk out of the graduation ceremony with a completed novel, screenplay, chapbook or short story collection. As a bonus, many low-residency programs are in some of the most beautiful places in the U.S.—or worldwide.
People attend low-res MFAs to become better writers, become qualified to teach creative writing in a university setting, and make connections that can open doors. Your faculty member might introduce you to your future literary agent, after all.
You benefit from diverse perspectives—low-residency programs in particular often attract students of different ages, backgrounds, and job histories. In my experience at UNRT, I’ve had many veterans and family members of veterans in my classes, as well as people with varied life experiences-—millionaires and people who’ve spent large parts of their adult lives unhoused.
A strong sense of camaraderie develops over years with your fellow cohort, which is often made up of very small class sizes—5 students to 1 teacher is fairly standard.
Low-residency MFA programs treat you like the professional you are—you’ll have a great deal of independence as you complete work at your own pace, in your own environment. Many schools admit twice or several times per year, to accommodate professional schedules.
Students get individualized attention from their mentor, or faculty member. The low-residency format enables schools to recruit established writers and literary professionals who live nationwide. No tenure is offered to faculty, so it’s less difficult to hire and fire faculty—which means you could end up with some amazing mentors.
Also, many writers (even me) benefit from deadlines, structure, and accountability. A low-residency MFA program provides all three, plus great social and professional connections.
What is an MFA Creative Writing Residency?
Most MFA programs begin with a residency. Residencies provide students with a concentrated, immersive learning experience in creative writing, alongside opportunities for community building, mentorship, and individualized attention.
Residency location, length and residencies required can vary greatly between programs. The residency portion for a Creative Writing MFA program can take place on the university’s campus, at another hotel or building, or even at a location abroad.
For example, the UC Riverside Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA’s 10-day residency takes place at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. And you’ll need to take five of those residencies. Not shabby. Eastern Kentucky University Bluegrass Writers Studio offers a 2 to 4-week residency in Lisbon Portugal and Richmond, Kentucky. Obviously, UNRT is at Lake Tahoe.
What Happens at an MFA residency?
At a residency, students engage in a whirlwind of experiences designed to fire up your writing engine, bond you with your peers, and grow you as a writer.
Daytime MFA Residency Activities
Workshops: Workshops in various genres give students a chance to receive and give writing critiques alongside instructors and peers. When looking at programs, investigate how long you will spend in workshop during the residency. This varies at lot—as little as 10 hours at some programs, whereas UNRT has students in their workshop classroom for 21 hours (and 18 hours of their elective class) each residency.
One-on-one meetings: Students meet with their mentors, who offer guidance on writing craft and the publishing process, and provide support and feedback on individual writing projects.
Writing time: Students work on individual projects, with opportunities for structured and unstructured time for writing, reading, and reflection.
Afternoon/Evening MFA Residency Activities
Lectures, seminars, talks: Established writers and literary professionals provide guest lectures and readings on craft. There may also be one-hour craft or process talks.
Community building: Students build relationships with their peers and instructors through social and professional engagements, including group dining, activities, and experiences such as student readings with hors d'oeuvres and wine, or a presentation by a guest author.
It seems counterintuitive, but low-res programs create a closer-knit community or cohort of students who are intensely bonded. The most well-known downside of a low-res program is that you pay the full fare, and little financial aid is available.
Graduation ceremony: More food and drink and celebration of new MFA grads.
What an MFA Residency Schedule Looks Like
Here’s an example of a day at UNRT residency:
Sample MFA in creative writing residency schedule
What happens during the non-residency portion?
In general, most programs expect you to dedicate 10-25 hours per week to your studies, which includes time for reading, writing, and responding, along with any classes.
Each student works with one faculty mentor the entire semester, and work together to develop reading lists.These are often called “packets” sent between you and your mentor or professor. Your faculty member develops a customized course just for you, and works with you as you analyze readings, and complete and revise writing.
The mentor provides feedback on your work, and general guidance on the writing and publishing process. Typically, you change mentors each semester. You’ll undertake individual projects and portfolio assignments, and typically a final project or thesis.
Some low-res MFA programs offer real-time online courses and meetings.
Which genres can I study in a low-res MFA program?
It isn’t unusual for MFA programs will offer the following options:
Fiction: The craft of writing fiction, including plot, dialogue, and the development of characters, as well as techniques for revising and editing fiction.
Poetry: Using meter, rhyme, and form, as well as techniques for revising and editing poems.
Creative Nonfiction: Types might include memoir, essay, and other forms of literary nonfiction, as well as techniques for revising and editing creative nonfiction.
Most programs have a decidedly literary bent, but exceptions exist. For example, the online Emerson MFA focuses on popular fiction and publishing only, and explores 7 genres: horror, fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, thrillers and young adult.
A good number of programs offer these opportunities:
Children’s/YA/middle-grade fiction: Writing for kids, tweens and teens.
Screenwriting: Writing for film and television, including story, dialogue, and character.
Playwriting: Writing for the stage, including the development of character, dialogue, and structure.
But more unusual genres exist too—you’ll just have to hunt a bit more. For example:
Nature Writing: Writing about nature and the environment
Comics and graphic novels: Creating texts for illustrated formats
Speculative, sci/fi and fantasy: Genre fiction, often with a literary bent
Spiritual Writing: Writing from a spiritual or religious perspective
Translation: The art of translating poetry or prose from one language to another
Popular fiction: Writing for the general audience
Some programs offer certificates or sub-specializations (like a minor) in travel writing, medicine writing, publishing, and other specializations. Others may have a specific focus. For example, the Institute of American Indian Arts MFA in Creative Writing MFA Program focuses on Native American and First Nations literature and experiences.
Alternatives to Low-Residency MFAs
If you don’t have time to attend a full-residency program but the residency idea doesn’t appeal either, you can also attend a part-time or hybrid MFA in creative writing. For example, Hamline University MFA in Creative Writing holds courses one night a week on campus in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lindenwood University MFA Program offers online-only and hybrid methods where you take some classes on campus, if you wish.
Some programs allow non-students to attend residencies, if you’re on the fence or just don’t need or want a master’s degree. For example, Pacific University’s Residency Writers Conference is open to non-degree-seeking writers, even those without an undgrad degree. You can attend workshops, panels, classes, readings and craft talks. It’s not cheap, though—$1,800 plus $900 for room and meals, without credit. You may still need to apply for the conference, and wait for acceptance.
Programs may also offer noncredit creative writing workshops.Wilkes University offers a few very affordable, online creative writing workshops.
How to Decide Between Low-Residency MFAs
If you're trying to decide between low-residency Creative Writing MFA programs, here are a few key factors to consider:
Location: You’ll be visiting the residency destination for 1-4 weeks for the next few years—and likely using all your vacation time, too. Do you like the location? Does the low-residency program offer alternate locations or study-abroad portions?
Program focus: Consider the program’s genres, focus, and angle. For example, some programs may have a more intensive focus on craft, while others may place more emphasis on the publishing process or social justice. If your heart is set on writing middle-grade fiction, you’ll need a program that accomodates that.
Faculty: Research the faculty of the program and consider their experience, reputation, and areas of expertise. Make sure the instructors have a track record of publishing and teaching, and consider whether you would like to work with them as mentors.
Career preparation: Think about whether the program provides you with career guidance and experience. Does the program prepare you to teach? Does it provide you with the professional skills you’ll need to publish or edit?
Residency structure: How many times do you need to attend a residency, and does it fit with your life plans? How long is each residency? How much time do you spend in workshop during residency?
Unique offerings: Some programs have an occasional residency in a second location, sometimes abroad. At UNRT, your final mentorship is with a professional editor, someone who works at a publishing house, or is an agent, or a magazine editor. Many programs have their own thing.
Cost and funding: Consider the cost of the program and whether there are any scholarships, grants, or other funding opportunities available. Stipends, assistantships, and other funding sources are very common in low-residency MFAs.
Credit transfer: Some programs allow you to transfer in credits you’ve already earned elsewhere. If you started an MFA program years ago, quit, and are ready to go back, it’s worth ensuring your work didn’t go to waste.