I want to get a regionally-accredited creative writing MFA online. The only programs I have come across are MFA programs from National University and UTEP. I am leaning toward National University because
A. NU’s program seems faster than UTEP’s MFA program. UTEP’s program is a bilingual program, which would be fine, except, my Spanish is very limited and they only offer about 1 English-only course per semester (as opposed to 2 or 3, etc.).
B. UTEP has stated, explicitly, that theirs is a “literary” program and popular fiction (like horror, my interest) is not highly regarded in the admissions process.
Thus, I find NU’s program more appealing.
However, UTEP’s one positive is that it is a public university, whereas, National is private and, frankly, I am almost 30 years old and I’ve NEVER heard of them, even though they’re apparently the second largest private university in CA with several campuses.
So…my question/main concern is, how well known is National University? Would an employer likely be impressed or wholly unimpressed by a degree from National? I’ve tried to do some research on NU and literally 50% of what I’ve read is negative and 50% of what I’ve read is positive. They seem to be “unranked,” which doesn’t help. I don’t know what to think about NU at this point!
Thank you in advance for help/advice.