MFA in Writing, Residency & Semester | Writer's Workshop

Residency at Lied Lodge

Twice a year, students, mentors, and visiting writers meet for a ten-day residency at the Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City. Each residency includes a blend of instructional activities and co-curricular events such as:

Lectures and craft discussions conducted by faculty and visiting writers

Small team-taught workshops

Readings of original work by faculty, visiting writers, and graduating students

Individual conferences with faculty mentors

The Lied is a full-service facility with free wi-fi, a fine dining restaurant, cocktail lounge, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and fitness center. All private rooms have work-study areas with internet access, housekeeping, cable television, and mini fridges.

Your residency meals & lodging fee includes lunch, dinner, lodging, beverage service, and participation in daily events.

Genre Workshops

Students participate in workshops grouped by genre: Prose (Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Young Adult), Poetry, or Stage & Screen (Playwriting and Screenwriting). We run multiple workshop groups simultaneously, each containing the same small group of students and moderated by one or two faculty members who are rotated each workshop session.

Prior to residency, students submit samples of their work, which will be reviewed by their peers and workshop facilitators during the workshops, fostering an in-depth, collaborative critique process.

Mentor Pairing and Study Plan

At each residency, you will be paired with a faculty mentor, carefully selected based on your writing goals and preferences. This mentor will work with you throughout the semester in a one-on-one capacity. Together, you will create an individualized study plan outlining your goals for writing, reading, and critical development for the semester.

Every four weeks, you will submit a packet of original work and a cover letter discussing progress and questions of craft. Your mentor will respond with a detailed report, providing feedback on technical and aesthetic development, revision notes, and suggestions for further reading. Regular communication between you and your mentor is maintained throughout the semester.

Semester Overview

You will produce and submit electronically a “packet” of written work every four weeks, including a detailed cover letter to which your mentor will respond. You will maintain regular contact with your mentor through these packet exchanges.

During the first and second semesters, you will focus on generating new creative writing, revising your work, and producing critical responses to a curated reading list.

In the third semester, in addition to creative writing, you will write a 25-35 page craft paper that delves into an area of writing or literary theory relevant to your work. Alternatively, you and your mentor may arrange a practical internship if suited to your development.

The fourth semester is dedicated to completing your thesis manuscript, which will consist of a preface, your creative work and your third-semester craft paper. You will also prepare a craft lecture and reading from your thesis, which you will present during the fifth residency, marking your transition from student to graduate.

The fifth residency marks the celebration of your MFA completion. During this session, you'll present a reading from your work and deliver a craft lecture, highlighting the creative and critical skills you've honed. This session not only honors graduates but also offers inspiration and insight for continuing students.

For those seeking additional study, there is an option to pursue a formal study in another genre after the fourth semester. Requests are considered individually and are subject to approval.

Pathway Options

Pathway 1: Traditional Low-Residency MFA in Writing

Our traditional Pathway means you receive all 60 credits by attending Residency and working one-on-one with your mentor.

Pathway 2: Partial Substitution of Credit Hours Already Earned

If you have successfully completed graduate-level coursework at UNO or any accredited institution, you can reduce costs by requesting that up to 18 hours of previously earned credit be applied to the UNO MFA in Writing degree, subject to approval.

Pathway 3: Partial Substitution of Credit Hours Earned Through Additional Coursework

You can enroll in a limited number of approved courses offered by any University of Nebraska campus, and these credits can be substituted for required MFA degree credit hours. Additionally, students have the opportunity to earn an Advanced Writing Certificate alongside their MFA by completing specific courses.

Volunteering & Interning for The Good Life Review

*The Good Life Review (TGLR)* is a literary journal and nonprofit established in 2020 by our Alumni that publishes seasonal issues—Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer—featuring original writing and artwork. Available both online and as a downloadable PDF, *TGLR* supports a wide range of genres, including poetry, fiction (short, flash, and micro), creative nonfiction (short, flash, and micro), Spanish translations, and art.

Each genre is managed by a dedicated team responsible for reading, collaborating, and making decisions on submissions. Our students have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by serving as readers. Additionally, during the third semester, students may choose to intern with TGLR (or another organization) in lieu of writing a Craft Paper.

Residency & Semester Work

Semester Overview

Pathway Options