One way in which a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) can be earned is through a low residency MFA program offered by a college or university. This type of program is typically fairly similar in subject matter to a standard MFA program, but students only attend classes for one or two weeks each semester and then continue to work through distance learning methods. These programs are offered by a number of universities, and online coursework and correspondence with professors is often a major part of such programs. This sort of program is often preferable for people who have other commitments, and a low residency MFA often can be earned more easily while working or raising a family.
Sometimes called a “low res” program, a low residency MFA can be earned from a college or university that offers this program. The time required for the completion of such a program can vary, and many colleges will require about two to three years of work to receive a degree. In many respects, the courses offered and the work performed by students is similar to a standard MFA program. The way in which these courses are taken, however, is quite different in a low residency MFA program.
An MFA is often a terminal degree, which means it is the highest level degree that can be earned in certain fields of study. Creative writing, for example, typically terminates in an MFA rather than in a doctorate, and someone can potentially teach creative writing at a college or university after receiving a low residency MFA. When enrolled in a low residency MFA program, students will typically meet in a classroom each day for the first week or two of a semester. This time is usually spent in writing workshops and reviewing what will be done throughout the rest of the semester.
After this first week or two, however, students leave the school, and further work is done through a distance learning program. This usually entails a great deal of personal work and study, as well as continual correspondence with professors throughout the semester. The Internet is often utilized to allow students to communicate further and to present materials to professors throughout the semester. A low residency MFA is typically more accessible for someone who cannot commit the time necessary to attend classes throughout a semester, such as someone who must work full time or a parent with children.
