Creative Writing, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Work experience

Co-op / internship

Study options

Full-time

Part-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Arts & Humanities

Length

8 months

Workshop-style approach

Small classes, personalized feedback and a supportive community.

Tell your own stories in your own style

Hone your skills and develop your unique voice by exploring different modes of writing. Experiment with fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting. You can even try sub-genres, like speculative fiction or writing for children.

A woman confidently presents to a classroom full of engaged students, sharing her knowledge and insights.

You’ll have the opportunity to have your work published in Beside the Point, a journal of creative work, produced by students in “CRWR 162 Publishing.” The annual journal publishes stories, poems, creative nonfiction, scripts, and photography.

Write in a community

Immerse yourself in a supportive community of writers led by experienced, published authors. Small, workshop-style classes offer personalized feedback from instructors and opportunities to engage in constructive discussions with peers. You will also have opportunities to meet people working in the local writing community.

Learn about the industry

This program offers exposure to the professional side of the writing world. Beyond learning about editing and publishing, you’ll have the chance to be published in Camosun’s literary journal, Beside the Point. There is even an option to participate in an internship where you can gain hands-on industry experience.

Career possibilities

Whether creative writing is a career goal or a personal passion, you'll be building useful and transferable skills that can lead to professions like:

Advertising and marketing professional
Author
Blogger
Communications consultant
Editor
Journalist
Publisher
Speechwriter
TV or movie scriptwriter
Web content producer

What you'll learn

Creativity, practicality and flexibility

Follow your own muse to develop your powers of creative expression and the technical skills needed to thrive as a writer.

Study in a way that works with your schedule and your life. The program gives you the choice to study full-time or part-time. For added flexibility, most courses in the program can be taken in whatever order works best for you. Some courses may have options like online or evening classes.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.

Program outline

Courses

Year One

One of:

CRWR 150 - Introduction to Speculative Fiction
CRWR 154 - Introduction to Fiction
CRWR 157 - Fiction for Children and Youth
CRWR 254 - Advanced Fiction

One of:

CRWR 152 - Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
CRWR 155 - Introduction to Personal Narrative
CRWR 156 - Introduction to Poetry
CRWR 158 - Introduction to Scriptwriting

One of:

CRWR 160 - Editing
CRWR 162 - Publishing

All of:

Two (2) additional Creative Writing (CRWR) courses

Two of:

ENGL 151 - Academic Writing Strategies
ENGL 161 - Literary Genres
ENGL 163 - Intro to Literary Traditions
ENGL 164 - Indigenous Literature

All of:

Three (3) approved electives

Note: Any 100-level or higher course which must transfer to at least one post-secondary college, institute, or university per the British Columbia Council of Admissions and Transfer guide at BC Transfer Guide.

Optional program credential designation

Internship

CDEV WPS - Workplace Preparation Skills
CRWR 102 - Internship Work Experience 1

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Cost

Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program

Creative Writing, Certificate

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

$4,735 (domestic)
$16,432 (international)

Creative Writing Certificate, Internship designation

$5,553 (domestic)
$18,710 (international)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards

Admission requirements

One of:

C+ in English 12
C in English 12 Camosun Alternative

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.