Distance Learning and MFA Considerations

Now that I am over half way finished with my bachelor’s program for English, I have been seriously considering whether or not I want to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing. My dream career is to become a published author, and I know that a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program is beneficial in honing my writing skills and helping me to complete a book-length manuscript. As a busy working adult, there are many obstacles however to entering into a traditional university Creative Writing program. According to the research I have conducted so far, a traditional MFA program consist of literature and writing courses, time abroad, completion of a poetry or fiction manuscript, a literary translation, and a critical essay. All of that sounds absolutely marvelous except for one part – time abroad. Because I am a mother, and contributing financial partner with my husband, traveling abroad is unfortunately not an option for me. So I have been looking into low residency and distance learning MFA programs.

When I initially began exploring my options for distance learning and low residency MFA programs, I admit I was a little discouraged by what I was finding. Most of the low residency programs were going to require some time on campus which just isn’t an option for me. I began to give up hope and looked around for alternatives to improving my writing skills. I turned to the first place I always turn to in times of trouble – books!  After searching on Amazon, I ran across the perfect book. It’s called “The Portable MFA in Creative writing, written by members of The New York Writer’s Workshop. The New York Writers Workshop is the only teacher-funded, teacher-run writing collective in New York City.  I was over the moon and ordered the book pronto on the double. I figured I would keep my eyes peeled for a program that would fit my needs, while also reading and working on my writing with this book in the mean time.  

 A couple of months ago, I was reading through the bio of my new online instructor and she listed in her education section that she had obtained her MFA from National University. I was not familiar with this University, so I decided to look it up online. It turns out they have a campus right here in Nevada, and offer an online MFA program! I am sure there will be some aspects of the program that I may have to go to the campus for, but I was completely thrilled to find that there are programs out there that meet the needs of working students.

 As an older student with children and other responsibilities, I have to be a bit more creative when trying to determine the best way to pursue my educational goals. There are additional financial aspects, as well as time and location constraints to consider that younger students may not have to contend with. With a little over a year and a half to go before the completion of my bachelors program, I still have a little time left to explore my options. In the mean time, I am going to continue to work on my writing, read plenty of books and do my best to educate myself as much as I can until I make my decision regarding attending an MFA program.