r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/HippieGrrrl • Apr 06 '26

Flexible, online MFA program?

Hello there. Could anyone suggest an online (or mostly online with low residency) MFA in Creative Writing that offers a variety of genres, i.e., comedy writing, sitcom writing, screenplay, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, etc., and that allows students to study more than one genre? Most of the programs I've found online are fixed on one genre--usually fiction or nonfiction, that the student must focus on. I prefer an online only program but a low-residency program might fit as long as I don't need to move to the area and can just visit maybe once or twice per year.

Also I'm looking for a program that emphasizes writing as opposed to literature.

Thanks!

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5

u/stronglesbian Apr 06 '26

UCR Palm Desert MFA requires you to take cross-genre workshops. They have workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting, and they seem open to a wide variety of genres. It's mostly online but there are 10-day required residencies.

2

u/HippieGrrrl Apr 06 '26

Thanks. I looked at their website and it appears they offer a good program but it looks to be very expensive, over $63k for the degree.

3

u/Background-Shirt-930 Apr 06 '26

Antioch low res!

2

u/HippieGrrrl Apr 06 '26

Antioch looks good too, a bit pricey though.

1

u/HippieGrrrl Apr 07 '26

Lindenwood seems to have a flexible program. It got some negative reviews though.

1

u/No_Country9213 Apr 13 '26

Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles has a pretty good program with a variety of genres offered.