News SectionFrequently Asked Questions
How many credit hours are required to earn the MFA?
48 credit hours are required to earn the MFA.
How long will the program take to complete?
A full-time course load per semester is considered to be 9 credit hours. During a typical Fall or Winter semester, a full-time student will take two courses: one ENW 810 course (3 hours) and one ENW 820 course (6 hours). The Winter Residency includes credit (3 hours) for ENW 800. The Summer Residency includes either 3 or 6 credit hours of ENW 800, depending on whether the student stays two or four weeks. Based on a typical full-time schedule earning 9 credit hours in both Fall and Spring semesters, 3 credit hours for the Winter Residency, and 3 credit hours for the Summer Residency, a student could meet the 48-hour credit requirement for graduation within two academic years.
How long can I take to complete the program?
Students may take up to seven years to complete the program.
Do I need to complete the degree program in two consecutive years?
No. The two-year time frame is the minimum required to complete the degree. The maximum allowable time period for completion is seven years from the start date.
Do I have to take the GRE in order to apply for the MFA program?
Yes, you must take the GRE and submit your scores along with the graduate school application.
What type of financial aid is available to MFA students?
Aside from traditional financial aid through loans and grants, the MFA program does not supply direct financial aid to MFA students. One paid Graduate Assistant position is awarded per semester year. The position must be applied for. Visit this link for more information on graduate student financial aid at Eastern Kentucky University.
In general, how is the brief-residency program at Eastern structured?
Each year, students will participate in on-site writing residencies. Students may choose to attend the annual Winter Residency (an 8- to 12-day event held each year during early January in Lexington, KY), the annual Summer Residency (currently held in Edinburgh, Scotland), or a combination of both residencies. Students choosing to travel to Scotland may study for two weeks (earning 3 credit hours) or for a full month (earning 6 credit hours). During each residency, students will participate in workshops with fellow students, and attend readings and lectures.
How is the Summer Residency organized?
The Summer Residency in Scotland is hosted by EKU in partnership with the creative writing program of the University of New Orleans. Visit this link for the details.
How is the Winter Residency organized?
The Winter Residency is an intensive 12-day event held each year in Lexington, KY. Visit this link for all of the details.
Why pursue a brief-residency program at Eastern?
- Ours is far more affordable than most other brief-residency programs in the nation
- We provide our students access to many more writers than a traditional resident program
- Students can work full-time and still complete their degrees
- Students don't need to move to campus to take classes
- We offer opportunities to study in multiple creative genres—poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction
- We offer exciting opportunities to study abroad
Do you accept unpublished writers?
Yes, of course. Most students in the program are unpublished writers who aspire to publication. The program is designed to prepare unpublished writers to produce work of publishable quality.
Will I work with the same faculty mentor throughout my time as a student?
No. Our curriculum is designed to expose students to multiple points-of-view and creative philosophies. Thus, students will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of authors.
What does “Brief Residency” mean?
Most creative writing programs invite guest writers to campus to supplement the courses available and provide students with new voices and perspectives. Brief Residency refers to the intensive 12-day Winter Residency and the Summer Residency in Scotland. The visiting writers are with students for “brief” but intensive time spans. Visiting writers will also teach courses during Fall and Spring semesters broadening the notion of “brief.”
