Creative Writing

Master of Fine Arts

Take your writing to new heights.

You want to tell stories. You want to write poems. But you can’t find the time. You need Regis’ Mile High MFA, a low-residency program that lets you stay at your job and close to your family but pushes you to make time for writing. You’ll leave the program with a manuscript ready to submit to publishers, along with an action plan for putting your writing into practice in the world.

Regis University’s Mile High MFA provides students one-on-one instruction in poetry, fiction or nonfiction, with optional alternate studies in scriptwriting, fine arts or editing. Along with theory, workshops, seminars and readings by accomplished authors, the MFA’s unique focus combines a thorough instruction in the craft and business of writing with the practical application of writing as a career.

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Program Snapshot

Program Format
Online courses with on-campus residencies 2x per year

Credits for Completion
54 credit hours

Cost of Tuition
$640 per credit hour

Low Residency Format

Traditional MFA programs require students be on campus for all workshops and seminars. In contrast, our low-residency format puts special attention on the craft through prioritizing one-on-one mentorship over workshops. Residencies are nine-day intensives for you to immerse yourself in writing and build a community. Our residencies are typically the first week in January and the third or fourth week in July. You will complete five residencies in the program, with four craft semesters in between.

Writing in the World

During the residencies, you will attend seminars on the real-life applications of writing. By your final residency, you’ll submit a Writing in the World Action Plan in which you describe how you will use your writing talents to contribute to your community, either in a professional capacity or through community outreach. Examples include running a writing workshop at a local prison or library, writing for a nonprofit, organizing a reading series or running an after-school “Teen Writers” workshop.

Dual Genre Study

You may also choose to apply (by the end of your first writing semester at the latest) for a Dual-Genre Study, which entails an additional semester (for a total of five) and an additional residency (for a total of six). As a dual-genre student, you will take three residency workshops and three semesters in your main genre (i.e. the genre in which you will write your MFA thesis) and two residency workshops and two semesters in your secondary genre. Dual genre study is available in poetry, fiction or nonfiction.

Program Details

Get all the details on our Mile High MFA creativing writing program, including course requirements and application materials.

Optional Second Semester Specializations

Have your work edited and edit other authors with Heidi Pitlor, editor of Best American Short Stories

Teach with Rachel Weaver, former director of the Colorado Writing School (now Lighthouse Writers Workshop North)

Learn about the publishing industry and how to run a small press with Alyse Knorr of Switchback Books

Work with award-winning playwrights Steven Cole Hughes, Marty McGovern and Janna Goodwin to craft scripts for performance

Study drawing or painting with Tony Ortega to start your journey as a graphic novelist or picture book author

Dive into the world of children's literature with Denise Vega, author of "If Your Monster Won't Go To Bed"

Residency Overview

Twice a year, in January and July, students will attend nine-day residencies, from Friday evening to the following Sunday afternoon, with an “Intermezzo” on Wednesdays. Residencies are inspiring, invigorating gatherings of like-minded writers that provide students with the opportunity to learn their craft, workshop their writing, attend readings by award-winning writers and immerse themselves in the writing life. Our brilliant yet down-to-earth faculty mentors will eat, drink and converse with students, providing lessons and advice on writing and the publishing world.

During each residency students will meet (either in person or via Skype) with the faculty mentor they will be working with during the succeeding semester and (together with that mentor) finalize a semester study plan. Out-of-town students will work with the program coordinator to arrange for housing in a hotel or on-campus residence hall.

How to Apply

To apply to the Mile High MFA Creative Writing program, you will need:

Completed online application
Official degree-bearing transcript(s) from a regionally-accredited college or university
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred (3.2 or higher in English/writing classes)
15-page writing sample to demonstrate exceptional writing ability or potential
Resume
Two recommendation forms
1-page essay outlining your interests and career goals

The first step in the application process is to contact an admissions counselor, who can evaluate your prior learning credit, provide information regarding financial aid and tuition assistance and help you through the entire application process.

Tuition and Fees

Program tuition: $640 per credit hour
Total program credits: 54
A $350 nonrefundable enrollment deposit is required to secure your place in the program, and will be applied toward your tuition.

Curious about financial aid options? Regis offers a variety of scholarships, grants and other programs to help you pay for school. Visit Financial Aid to learn more.

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Financial Aid

Important Dates

Admission is awarded on a rolling basis. However, application deadlines are as follows:

January term:
Priority Deadline: September 15
Final Deadline: November 10
Deposit Deadline: December 1

July term:
Priority Deadline: April 1
Final Deadline: May 1
Deposit Deadline: June 1